Should I Visit Hot Springs or Berkeley for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive? | Budget Your Trip (2024)

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• Which is Cheaper, Hot Springs or Berkeley? (Travel Cost Comparison)
• Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Berkeley?
• When to Visit Hot Springs or Berkeley?

Should you visit Hot Springs or Berkeley?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Berkeley? 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 Berkeley?

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.

Berkeley

Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

Which place is cheaper, Berkeley or Hot Springs?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

• Hot Springs Prices
  USA Prices

  Berkeley Prices
  USA Prices

• Average Daily CostPer person, per day

  Hot Springs$182

  Berkeley$190

The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $190. 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 Berkeley in more detail.

Accommodation

• AccommodationHotel or hostel for one person

  Hot Springs$100

  Berkeley$131

• AccommodationTypical double-occupancy room

  Hot Springs$200

  Berkeley$262

Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Berkeley

Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Berkeley? 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 Berkeley Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

• Local TransportationTaxis, local buses, subway, etc.

  Hot Springs$47

  Berkeley$30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:

• Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock:$72
• Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer:$145

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:

• Oakland hotel or address to Oakland Airport (OAK) - Departure Private Transfer:$44
• Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Private Arrival Transfer:$45
• Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer:$65
• Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK:$81
• Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:$89
• Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland:$93
• Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK:$97
• Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco - Round-Trip Private Car Transfer:$129
• Private Transfer: Oakland International Airport to Hotel:$200
• Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK to San Francisco by SUV:$232

Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Berkeley?

Prices for flights to both Berkeley 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

• FoodMeals for one day

  Hot Springs$52

  Berkeley$36

Typical Food Prices in Berkeley

Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:

• Chocolates at Sweet Dreams

  $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

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

• North 3-Hour Food Tour:$116
• Best of North Berkeley Food Tour:$130
• Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland:$140

Entertainment

• EntertainmentEntrance tickets, shows, etc.

  Hot Springs$30

  Berkeley$30

Tours and Activities in Hot Springs

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:

• Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket:$44
• Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs:$67

Tours and Activities in Berkeley

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:

• Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket:$12
• Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum:$16
• 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley:$20
• Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets:$20
• Self-Guided Oakland Tour in an Urban Excursion:$20
• Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers:$20
• Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers:$20
• Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide:$59
• Historic Houseboat Tour:$65
• Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour:$120
• Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour:$135
• Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour of Napa-via San Francisco Ferry:$155

Alcohol

• AlcoholDrinks for one day

  Hot Springs$22

  Berkeley$13

Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:

• Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière :$175
• Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière:$175

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Berkeley, we can see that Berkeley 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 Berkeley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Berkeley?

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

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 Berkeley in the Summer?

Both Berkeley and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Berkeley in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

• Summer Average TemperaturesJuly

  Hot Springs83°F (28°C)

  Berkeley63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Berkeley in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Berkeley. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

• Autumn Average TemperaturesOctober

  Hot Springs64°F (18°C)

  Berkeley63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Berkeley in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Berkeley. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much colder than Berkeley. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Berkeley averages at about 50°F (10°C).

In January, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Berkeley. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

• Winter Average TemperaturesJanuary

  Hot Springs40°F (4°C)

  Berkeley50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Hot Springs or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Berkeley. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Berkeley. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

• Spring Average TemperaturesApril

  Hot Springs65°F (18°C)

  Berkeley58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Hot Springs