A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hot Springs vs. Halifax for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Halifax?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Halifax? 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 Halifax?

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.

Halifax

The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.

Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.

When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.

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, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax 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
    Halifax Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hot Springs $220
    Halifax $137

The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $137. 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 Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Halifax? 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 Halifax


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 Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Halifax $17

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 Halifax

Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport YHZ: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax 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
    Halifax $54

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $157

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Halifax $28

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 Halifax

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

  • Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & Tour: $14
  • Georges Island National Historic Site Ferry Ticket: $16
  • Happy Hour Cruise with Live Music: $21
  • Guided Kayak Tour with Multiple Options: $29
  • Halifax Sunset Cruise Aboard the Tall Ship Silva: $33
  • Best of Halifax Harbour Tour: $40
  • Party Cruise on the Harbour Queen: $42
  • 50-Minute Boat Tour of the Harbour: $42
  • Tall Ship Harbor Sailing Cruise with Live Music: $42
  • Harbour Hopper City & Water Cruise in a Duck Boat: $56
  • Signature Adventure Sail: $56
  • Solar Waterfront Food/Drink Party Bike Experience: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Halifax $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Halifax

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Halifax:

  • Nova Scotia Annapolis Valley Wine Tour Lead by a Sommelier: $168
  • The Classic Vintage Car Wine Tour: $206


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

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 Halifax Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Halifax, 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 Halifax?

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 Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Halifax in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Hot Springs is much warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Halifax, 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 Halifax. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Halifax. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hot Springs 83°F (28°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Halifax. Furthermore, most visitors come to Halifax for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hot Springs is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Halifax. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Halifax. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Halifax because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

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 Halifax. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. Hot Springs is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Halifax. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hot Springs 65°F (18°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)