Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
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 PricesPhiladelphia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Philadelphia $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $224. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Philadelphia $28
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 Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Philadephia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Sedan: $94
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $104
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Airport PHL by Business Car: $104
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private transfer from PHL to Philadelphia Downtown: $130
- Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadephia Airport PHL by SUV: $146
- Private Transfer Philadephia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by SUV: $152
- Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $210
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $217
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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 $90Philadelphia $84
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Philadelphia Africatown Walking Food Tour: $56
- Nibble Food Tour: $58
- Philadelphia Italian Market Public Food Tour: $59
- Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market : $59
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Behind The Scenes Food Tour: South Philly & Italian Market: $95
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $105
- City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $109
- Italian Market Private 2.5 Hour Walking Food Tour : $130
- Flavours of Private Reading Market 2.5-hr Food Tour: $290
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Philadelphia $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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philadelphia Haunted Ghost Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Philadelphia Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Historic Sites of Philadelphia Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.49
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown: $10
- The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $12
- Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $12
- Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Game Ticket at Wells Fargo Center: $15
- Philadelphia - Freedom: At your leisure & pace. An audiovisual walking tour.: $15
- University of Pennsylvania Scavenger Hunt Experience: $15
- Valley Forge Revolutionary War Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Philadelphia $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $50
- Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl: $50
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia in the Summer?
Both Philadelphia and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hot Springs is a little warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).
In Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Philadelphia. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Philadelphia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Philadelphia. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. Hot Springs is much warmer than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
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 Philadelphia. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than Philadelphia. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Philadelphia in the Spring?
Both Philadelphia and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
In the spring, Hot Springs is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.