Which place is cheaper, Boise 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 Boise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Boise? 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 Boise?
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.
Boise
The capital of the U.S. state of Idaho, Boise is an urban center with the adventure of the outdoors just a step away. The metropolis itself has an active arts community and a lively downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Boise is a regional hub for jazz, theater, and indie music, hosting musical festivals throughout the year and several theater groups that operate in the city. There is even a Department of Arts and History that was created with the goal of promoting the arts, culture, and history of the city among its residents and visitors.
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 PricesBoise Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Boise $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Boise is $179. 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 Boise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Boise $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Boise $150
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Boise
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Boise? 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 Boise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Boise $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 Boise?
Prices for flights to both Boise 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 $90Boise $78
Typical Food Prices in Boise
For Boise, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Hotel$59
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Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)$55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Boise $30
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Edwards Boise Imax$27
Tours and Activities in Boise
For Boise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Boise by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Boise Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour: $25
- Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $49
- Boise River: Guided Rafting, Swimming, and Wildlife Tour: $68
- Culinary and Cultural Tour of Boise: $152
- Boise's Best Brunch Experience: $152
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Boise $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Boise, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. And not only is Boise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boise 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 Boise.
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 Boise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Boise?
Boise has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Boise, 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.