Which place is cheaper, Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
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 PricesHonolulu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Honolulu $329
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $329. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Honolulu $190
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Honolulu $380
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Honolulu $26
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu / Waikiki hotels: $22
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $24
- HNL Airport Private Transfer to Honolulu|Hotels: $24
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $25
- Honolulu / Waikiki to Honolulu Airport (HNL) - Departure Private Transfer: $25
- Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu/Waikiki Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Hawaii: Private Airport Transfers from/to Honolulu City: $26
- Oahu: Private Transfer to/from Honolulu Airport - Waikiki: $26
- Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu / Turtle Beach: $28
- Departure - Private Transfer Waikiki Hotel to Airport: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $90Honolulu $91
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Oʻahu: Nā Lei Aloha Lūʻau & Dinner or Cocktail Show Option: $93
- Waikiki Food Tour with Local Guide: $100
- Da Local's Food Tour of Oahu: $150
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show with Transportation: $166
- Sunset 5 Course Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $193
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz: $236
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $600
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Honolulu $40
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 Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $9.99
- USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $12
- Arrival Trasfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Cruise Terminal: $17
- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Ticket with Audio Tour and Shuttle: $28
- Downtown Ghostly Night Marchers Walking Tour: $28
- Ghosts of Old Honolulu Walking Tour: $28
- BYOB Weekend Sightseeing Sail towards Diamond Head: $33
- Bishop Museum General Admission Ticket: $34
- Island of the Gods Daytime Walking Tour: $35
- Diamond Head Hike Shuttle with Reservation Tickets Included: $40
- Waikiki: Waikiki Night Marchers Ghostly Walking Tour: $40
- Oahu: Waikiki Sunset Splash & Cruise: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Honolulu $6.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Waikiki Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Honolulu?
Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
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 Honolulu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Honolulu. Additionally, most visitors come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the summer, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Honolulu. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Honolulu in the Autumn?
Both Honolulu and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Hot Springs is cooler than Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Honolulu averages at about 80°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Honolulu in the Winter?
Both Honolulu and Hot Springs during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
The weather in Hot Springs can be very cold. In January, Hot Springs is generally much colder than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Honolulu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Honolulu. Also, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Hot Springs is cooler than Honolulu in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
Hot Springs gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.