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

Should you visit Hot Springs or Blue Ridge?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Blue Ridge? 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 Blue Ridge?

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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a resort town, located in the northern part of Georgia in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is a popular destination for outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Whether you wish to stay in a cozy cabin or luxury resort, the environment is one enveloped by the natural beauty of mountain scenery.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Blue Ridge 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.

  • Hot Springs Prices
    USA Prices
    Blue Ridge Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hot Springs $220
    Blue Ridge $150

The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Blue Ridge is $150. 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 Blue Ridge in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Blue Ridge $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Blue Ridge $134
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Blue Ridge

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Blue Ridge? 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 Blue Ridge


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 Blue Ridge Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Blue Ridge $34

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Blue Ridge?

Prices for flights to both Blue Ridge 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 $90
    Blue Ridge $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Blue Ridge $18

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 Blue Ridge

For Blue Ridge, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Helen Haunts, Murder, Mystery Tour With Paranormal Investigation: $20
  • Helen’s Ghosts of Christmas Past Walking Tour: $26
  • 2 Hour Culture Tour in Helen: $29
  • 2-Hour Helen Haunts and History Walk Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Blue Ridge $20


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

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 Blue Ridge Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Blue Ridge?

Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Blue Ridge, 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 Blue Ridge?

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 Blue Ridge in the Summer?

Both Blue Ridge and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Blue Ridge in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Blue Ridge, 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 Blue Ridge. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 265 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in July than Blue Ridge. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Blue Ridge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Blue Ridge. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year.

In the autumn, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Blue Ridge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Blue Ridge averages at about 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Blue Ridge. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Blue Ridge 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Blue Ridge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Blue Ridge. Additionally, many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Blue Ridge. It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Blue Ridge. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 40°F (5°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 Blue Ridge. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 145 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in January than Blue Ridge. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Blue Ridge 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Blue Ridge in the Spring?

Both Blue Ridge and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Blue Ridge in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Blue Ridge. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Blue Ridge and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Blue Ridge
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 40°F (5°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 53°F (12°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 62°F (17°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm)