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

Should you visit Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach? 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 Myrtle Beach?

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.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular and touristy beach destinations on the South Atlantic coast. It's a popular spring break destination for college kids and there is no shortage of hotels and entertainment options along the beach front. It's also well known as a golfing destination, and it has some wonderful seafood restaurants and shopping areas. If you're looking for a natural, relaxed beach destination, Myrtle Beach is not your best option, but if you're looking for the thrills of club hopping, wonderful food options, and souvenir shopping opportunities, then Myrtle Beach is where it's at.

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, Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach is $173. 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 Myrtle Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Myrtle Beach $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Myrtle Beach $176
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Myrtle Beach

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach? 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 Myrtle Beach


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 Myrtle Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Myrtle Beach $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:

  • Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $143
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Myrtle Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Myrtle Beach:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR): $36
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Myrtle Beach Airport MYR: $36
  • Myrtle Beach to Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
  • Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR) to Myrtle Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach?

Prices for flights to both Myrtle Beach 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
    Myrtle Beach $56

Typical Food Prices in Myrtle Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Myrtle Beach:


  • Dinner for Two
    $49
  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Myrtle Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Myrtle Beach.

  • Murder Mystery Dinner Show in Myrtle Beach: $50
  • Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach: $67
  • North Dinner Cruise on a Paddle Wheel Boat: $70
  • Luau with Polynesian Dinner and Live Show: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Myrtle Beach $46

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 Myrtle Beach

Here are a few typical costs in Myrtle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Mini Golf for Two
    $18
  • Beach Chairs
    $15

Tours and Activities in Myrtle Beach

Here are a few actual costs in Myrtle Beach for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Myrtle Beach, SC: $15
  • Ghosts and Pirates Haunted City Walking Tour: $26
  • Murrells Inlet: Scenic Sunset Cruise: $29
  • Myrtle Beach Ghosts Tour: $30
  • Murrells Inlet: Saltwater Marsh Shelling & Eco Tour: $32
  • Myrtle Beach Military History Trolley Tour: $40
  • Myrtle Beach Area Ghosts, Pirates and Historic Families Trolley Tour: $40
  • The Comedy Shoppe at Wonders Theatre Ticket: $40
  • Early Myrtle Beach History and The WWII Years Trolley Tour: $40
  • Myrtle Beach History, Movies and Music Trolley Tour: $40
  • Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour: $41
  • Escape Room Game Entry Ticket with Host: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Myrtle Beach $16


When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Myrtle Beach, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Myrtle Beach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach?

Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Myrtle Beach. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Myrtle Beach during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

Myrtle Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hot Springs 83°F (28°C) 
    Myrtle Beach 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Myrtle Beach. Also, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Myrtle Beach. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Myrtle Beach 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

Both Myrtle Beach and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Hot Springs can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much colder than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 45°F (7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Myrtle Beach during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Myrtle Beach 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

Both Myrtle Beach and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Myrtle Beach. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hot Springs 65°F (18°C) 
    Myrtle Beach 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Myrtle Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 70°F (21°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 77°F (25°C) 6 inches (152 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 81°F (27°C) 8.1 inches (207 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 80°F (26°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 75°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 65°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 57°F (14°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)