Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Fairbanks?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Fairbanks? 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 Fairbanks?
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.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $182Fairbanks $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $272. 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 Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Fairbanks? 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.
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 and Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Fairbanks $66
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: $143
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks 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
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Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $52Fairbanks $63
Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Fairbanks $65
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fairbanks, AK: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour: $58
- Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour: $95
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $99
- Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $100
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- From Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour: $120
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
- Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $135
- Fairbanks Heritage Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Fairbanks Autumn/Winter City Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Hot Springs.
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 Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Fairbanks?
Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks?
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 Fairbanks in the Summer?
Both Fairbanks and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
In July, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in July than Fairbanks. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Fairbanks. Furthermore, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. Hot Springs is much warmer than Fairbanks in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Fairbanks in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Fairbanks. Additionally, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Fairbanks averages at about -9°F (-23°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Fairbanks in the Spring?
Both Fairbanks and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty during these months.
Fairbanks can be very cold during spring. In April, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.