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

Should you visit Hot Springs or Chapel Hill?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Chapel Hill? 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 Chapel Hill?

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.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.

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, Chapel Hill 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
    Chapel Hill Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hot Springs $220
    Chapel Hill $200

The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Chapel Hill is $200. 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 Chapel Hill in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Chapel Hill $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Chapel Hill $190
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Chapel Hill

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Chapel Hill? 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 Chapel Hill


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 Chapel Hill Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Chapel Hill $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 Chapel Hill?

Prices for flights to both Chapel Hill 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
    Chapel Hill $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Chapel Hill $17

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Chapel Hill $40


When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Chapel Hill, we can see that Hot Springs is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Chapel Hill Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill?

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 Chapel Hill in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Chapel Hill. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year.

In July, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

Chapel Hill receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hot Springs 83°F (28°C) 
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Chapel Hill. Additionally, many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Chapel Hill. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

Both Chapel Hill and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Chapel Hill can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 40°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chapel Hill. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

Both Chapel Hill and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Chapel Hill. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hot Springs 65°F (18°C) 
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Chapel Hill
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)