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

Should you visit Hot Springs or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Pasadena? 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 Pasadena?

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.

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

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, Pasadena 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 Pasadena is $62. 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 Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Pasadena? 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 Pasadena


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 Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Pasadena $21

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena 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
    Pasadena $19

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Pasadena -

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

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

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

  • Haunted Walking Tour: $33
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Pasadena -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Pasadena, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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 Pasadena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hot Springs 83°F (28°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

Hot Springs is cooler than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Pasadena. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Pasadena.

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

Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)