A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hot Springs vs. Duck Key for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Duck Key?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hot Springs or Duck Key? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Duck Key?

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Duck Key or Hot Springs?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Duck Key is $143. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hot Springs and Duck Key in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Duck Key $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Duck Key $112
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Duck Key

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Duck Key? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Hot Springs


Hotels in Duck Key


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hot Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Duck Key $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
  • Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Duck Key?

Prices for flights to both Duck Key and Hot Springs change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hot Springs $52
    Duck Key $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Duck Key $30

Tours and Activities in Hot Springs

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:

  • Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket: $44
  • Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Duck Key $7.99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Duck Key, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hot Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hot Springs than you might in Duck Key.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Duck Key Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Duck Key?

Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Duck Key, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Hot Springs or Duck Key?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Duck Key in the Summer?

Both Duck Key and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Duck Key. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Duck Key averages at about 84°F (29°C).

In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the summer, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Duck Key. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 328 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in July than Duck Key. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Duck Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hot Springs 83°F (28°C) 
    Duck Key 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Duck Key in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Duck Key.

In October, Hot Springs is generally cooler than Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Duck Key fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Duck Key during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Duck Key. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Duck Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Duck Key 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Duck Key in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Duck Key.

Hot Springs can get quite cold in the winter. Hot Springs is much colder than Duck Key in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Duck Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the winter, Hot Springs often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 252 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than Duck Key. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Duck Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Duck Key 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Duck Key in the Spring?

Both Duck Key and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Hot Springs is cooler than Duck Key. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Duck Key averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Duck Key during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Duck Key. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Duck Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hot Springs 65°F (18°C) 
    Duck Key 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Duck Key and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Duck Key
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)