Which place is cheaper, Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Louis? 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 Louis?
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 Louis
Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West" and perhaps best known for its iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, has grown from a last stop for pioneers journeying west to a thriving metropolis notable for its diverse culture, impressive architecture, and unique neighborhoods. It sits on the Mississippi River and has plenty to offer in dining, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.
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 PricesSaint Louis Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Saint Louis $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Saint Louis $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Saint Louis $202
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Saint Louis
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Saint Louis? 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 Saint Louis Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Saint Louis $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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Louis
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:
- Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV: $125
- Departure Transfer St. Louis to St. Louis Airport by Car or SUV: $125
- St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Saint Louis?
Prices for flights to both Saint Louis 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 $90Saint Louis $93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Louis
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.
- Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - St. Louis, MO: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Saint Louis $46
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 Saint Louis
Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Gateway Arch parking$6.00
Tours and Activities in Saint Louis
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Downtown St. Louis Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour App: $7.75
- Interstate 55: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $9.99
- St. Louis Blues Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Enterprise Center: $13
- Gateway Arch National Park Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Saint Louis Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour: $17
- Landmarks Downtown-East Walking Tour: $17
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in St. Louis by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Walking Tour: $27
- St Louis Ghost Tours: Sinister Sins & Shadows Ghost Tour : $30
- St. Louis Soulard True Crime Tour: Historic Murders & Gangsters: $30
- St. Louis Narrated Trolley Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Saint Louis $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Louis
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:
- The Haunted Lemp Brewery Bottle Works Tour: $25
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Saint Louis, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Louis Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Saint Louis?
Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Saint Louis, 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 Louis?
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 Louis in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Saint Louis. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the family-friendly experiences.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Saint Louis in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis 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 Louis during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Louis. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Saint Louis 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Louis in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Saint Louis. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year.
In the autumn, Hot Springs is a little warmer than Saint Louis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint Louis averages at about 60°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. 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 Louis. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 203 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Saint Louis. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Saint Louis 60°F (16°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Louis in the Winter?
Both Saint Louis and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Louis. It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Saint Louis during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Saint Louis. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Saint Louis 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Louis in the Spring?
Both Saint Louis and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit.
Hot Springs is a little warmer than Saint Louis in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).
In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Saint Louis. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 229 hours of full sun.
Saint Louis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Saint Louis. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Saint Louis 58°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Saint Louis and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Saint Louis | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (77 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.