Which place is cheaper, Santa Fe or Eureka Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eureka Springs or Santa Fe, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It offers a variety of dining and shopping such as local crafts and art galleries. Nearby is Beaver Lake. Most of the town is a Victorian village, it has a European look and feel with Victorian cottages and homes spilling over steep winding streets.
The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because most of the town contains old history buildings which were constructed as a result of the town's unique history. The town was founded and grew very quickly. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded, and by the end of that year reached a population of 10,000. The reason for the town's growth was the area's numerous cold water springs which at the time were thought to have medicinal healing properties. However, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the tourism boom busted, the new town full of Victorian homes was left in the Ozark wilderness without an economy. Then, few new buildings were built. Hundreds of Victorian homes have remained and been preserved ranging from tiny cottages to huge mansions. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico as well as the oldest state capital in the United States, founded in 1607. It has become a popular travel destination due to the surrounding scenic beauty, its long history, cultural diversity especially with its proximity to American Indian pueblos and culture, and a rich concentration of arts, music, and food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Eureka Springs Prices
USA PricesSanta Fe Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEureka Springs $155Santa Fe $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Eureka Springs is $155, while the average daily cost in Santa Fe is $190. 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 Eureka Springs and Santa Fe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEureka Springs $100Santa Fe $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEureka Springs $200Santa Fe $162
Compare Hotels in Eureka Springs and Santa Fe
Looking for a hotel in Eureka Springs or Santa Fe? 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: Eureka Springs Hotel Prices and Santa Fe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eureka Springs $47Santa Fe $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Fe
Also for Santa Fe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- New Mexico: Private Transfer from Santa Fe Regional Airport: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Prices for flights to both Santa Fe and Eureka 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 dayEureka Springs $32Santa Fe $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Fe
For Santa Fe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza: $187
- Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor': $209
- Santa Fe Farmers Market & Railyard Food Tour: $213
- Savor Wine Pairing Dinner: $234
- Downtown Plaza "Sip and Savor" Half-day Food Tour: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eureka Springs -Santa Fe $17
Tours and Activities in Santa Fe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Fe.
- 2 Hour Pottery Experience (Wheel or Hand-Building): $160
- Allan Houser Sculpture Garden and Studio Tour: $35
- Downtown Santa Fe Walking Wine, History, & Tapas Tour: $249
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Santa Fe NM: $15
- Plaza Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $189
- Private 2.5h Walking Tour to Discover Santa Fe: $185
- Private Festive Tour of Santa Fe’s Christmas Highlights: $349
- Private Walking Tour of Santa Fe’s Historic Sites: $866
- Railyard Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $159
- Santa Fe Architectural Walking Tour: $136
- Santa Fe Art and History Small Group Bike Tour: $135
- Santa Fe Botanical Garden General Admission Ticket : $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEureka Springs -Santa Fe $9.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Fe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Fe:
- Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: $18
- Architectural Walking Tour & Wine Tasting: $135
- Join in Wine Tours: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eureka Springs and Santa Fe, we can see that Santa Fe is more expensive. And not only is Eureka Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Eureka Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eureka 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 Santa Fe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Fe than you might in Eureka Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eureka Springs Expensive? and Is Santa Fe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eureka Springs or Santa Fe?
Santa Fe has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Eureka Springs and Santa Fe, 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.
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.