Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or New Orleans?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans?
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.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
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 $182New Orleans $239
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $239. 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 New Orleans in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100New Orleans $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and New Orleans
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47New Orleans $51
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 New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer in (Rover RSD) New Orleans MSY/Home/Hotel/Work : $47
- Private Transfer from Louis Armstrong Airport: $50
- 1-Way Private Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport MSY: $67
- Private Arrival Transfer from Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport: $67
- Airboat or Pontoon Boat Cruise with Transfers: $68
- Private Transfer in a Luxury Sedan from Louis Armstrong Airport: $69
- New Orleans hotels to NOLA Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- New Orleans to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or New Orleans?
Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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 $52New Orleans $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
- Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
- The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
- Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
- French Quarter Food Tour with a Local: $80
- Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
- New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
- French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30New Orleans $55
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 New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
- Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
- Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
- New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in New Orleans by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22New Orleans $60
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
- Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
- New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
- Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
- Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
- Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
- New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
- True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or New Orleans?
New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
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 New Orleans in the Summer?
Both New Orleans and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
In New Orleans, 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 New Orleans. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)New Orleans 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or New Orleans in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and New Orleans. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Hot Springs is cooler than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans 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 New Orleans during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)New Orleans 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or New Orleans in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as New Orleans. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.
The weather in Hot Springs can be very cold. In January, Hot Springs is generally much colder than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the winter, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)New Orleans 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or New Orleans in the Spring?
Both New Orleans and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)New Orleans 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for New Orleans and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | New Orleans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 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.