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

Should you visit Hot Springs or Saint Augustine?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Augustine? 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 Saint Augustine?

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.

Saint Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.

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, Saint Augustine 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
    Saint Augustine Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hot Springs $220
    Saint Augustine $195

The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Saint Augustine is $195. 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 Saint Augustine in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hot Springs $100
    Saint Augustine $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hot Springs $200
    Saint Augustine $172
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Saint Augustine

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Saint Augustine? 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 Saint Augustine


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 Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hot Springs $47
    Saint Augustine $39

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 Saint Augustine?

Prices for flights to both Saint Augustine 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
    Saint Augustine $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.

  • Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
  • St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
  • The Ghoulish Gourmet Haunted Food Tour: $129
  • Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hot Springs $30
    Saint Augustine $18

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 Saint Augustine

Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Haunted Ghost Walking Audio Tour in St. Augustine: $9.75
  • Historic St Augustine Audio Self Guided App GPS Tour: $9.75
  • Bastions of St. Augustine Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • St. Augustine City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
  • Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
  • Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
  • Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $19
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • St. Augustine's Original Ghostly Experience Walking Tour: $20
  • St. Augustine Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hot Springs $22
    Saint Augustine $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:

  • St. Augustine's Booze & Boos Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • St. Augustine Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Dark History Pub Crawl from Saint Augustine: $40
  • Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
  • Spirits with the Spirits haunted pub crawl - drinks included: $59
  • Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
  • Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129


When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Saint Augustine?

Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?

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 Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Saint Augustine. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hot Springs 83°F (28°C) 
    Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Saint Augustine. Also, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Hot Springs is cooler than Saint Augustine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. 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 Saint Augustine. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Saint Augustine. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hot Springs 64°F (18°C) 
    Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally much colder than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

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 Saint Augustine during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hot Springs 40°F (4°C) 
    Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 285 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 Saint Augustine. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hot Springs 65°F (18°C) 
    Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Hot Springs

Hot Springs Saint Augustine
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 5.1 inches (130 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Dec 44°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)