Which place is cheaper, Aspen or Hot 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 Hot Springs or Aspen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Aspen? 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 Aspen?
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.
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesAspen Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Aspen $355
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Aspen is $355. 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 Aspen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Aspen $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Aspen $340
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Aspen
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Aspen? 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 Aspen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Aspen $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
- Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Aspen?
Prices for flights to both Aspen 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 $90Aspen $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Aspen $45
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aspen Self-Guided Tour: Tales of Wealth, Wildness and Rebellion: $15
- Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Highlights of Aspen Tour: $45
- Cemetery Tour: $45
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $45
- Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $45
- Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $45
- Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $45
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $45
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $45
- From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Aspen $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Aspen, we can see that Aspen 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen 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 Aspen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Aspen?
Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Aspen, 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.