Which place is cheaper, San Diego 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 San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or San Diego? 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 San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
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 PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220San Diego $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $233. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47San Diego $23
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: $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $39
- Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $39
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- San Marcos, CA to San Diego Airport (SAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Hot Springs/Ocotillo, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- One Way Airport Hotel Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tijuana hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from San Diego City Hotels to San Diego Port : $71
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $77
- Private Transfer from San Diego (SAN) Airport to San Diego City: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $90San Diego $77
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2-Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $75
- 2-Hour Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $80
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $84
- San Diego Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
- Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour: Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas: $90
- Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95
- Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30San Diego $48
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: $15
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Self-Guided San Diego Walking or Bicycle Tour App: $5.00
- Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA: $7.99
- Tijuana Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Discover San Diego’s Little Italy on a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Sights of San Diego Harbor: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $11
- San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket: $12
- Whaley House Museum Self-Guided Tour: $14
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in San Diego by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Private Walking Tour and Gaslamp Adventure in San Diego: $20
- Ultimate La Jolla Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $25
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- $99 Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours - DayTrip to baja from San Diego: $123
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour: $249
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego: $269
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as San Diego. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hot Springs is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and San Diego averages at about 71°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. 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 San Diego. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or San Diego in the Autumn?
Both San Diego and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
In October, Hot Springs is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. 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 San Diego during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than San Diego. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or San Diego in the Winter?
Both San Diego and Hot Springs during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. Hot Springs is much colder than San Diego in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than San Diego. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or San Diego in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and San Diego. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Hot Springs is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and San Diego averages at about 62°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than San Diego during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 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 San Diego. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.