Which place is cheaper, Dayton 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 Dayton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Dayton? 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 Dayton?
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.
Dayton
Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.
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 PricesDayton Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Dayton $368
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $368. 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 Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Dayton? 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 Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Dayton $25
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 Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton 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 $90Dayton $105
Typical Food Prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
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Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Dayton -
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 Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Dayton -
Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Dayton, we can see that Dayton 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton 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 Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Dayton?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Dayton, 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 Dayton?
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 Dayton in the Summer?
Both Dayton and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Dayton in the Autumn?
Both Dayton and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Hot Springs is a little warmer than Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Dayton in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Dayton.
The weather in Dayton can be very cold. Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Dayton averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Dayton. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Dayton in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Dayton.
In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Dayton. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
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.