Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Grand Cayman can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Grand Cayman
When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Grand Cayman $214
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $214. 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 Abu Dhabi and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Grand Cayman $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Grand Cayman $298
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman? 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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Grand Cayman $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Yas Waterworld General Admission with Transfers: $123
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi From Dubai Included Transfer and Tickets: $235
- Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $30
- Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $42
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $30
- Snow Park Abudhabi Premium Tickets with Optional Transfers: $120
- Snow Abu Dhabi Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $110
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Abu Dhabi City: $83
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $42
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $208
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $213
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $56
- George Town to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Transfer: $56
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $56
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $56
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $56
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $56
- Airport Transfer to West Bay Accommodations (GCM - Grand Cayman): $80
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $111
- Grand Cayman Airport Transfer to Seven Mile Beach area: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Abu Dhabi 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 dayAbu Dhabi $45Grand Cayman $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abudhabi Desert Safari Buffet Dinner & Live Entertainments Shows: $24
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $37
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $45
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $59
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $63
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $65
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Ferrari World Entrance ticket : $95
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $26
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $130
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13
- West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $45
- Oculus Glass Bottom Boat Tour : $60
- Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $69
- Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $69
- Small Group 7 Mile Beach Stingray City and Coral Gardens Tour: $70
- Stingray City Sandbar, Coral Gardens and 7-Mile Beach Tour: $70
- Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $75
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $79
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Cayman Ultimate Tour: Stingrays, Starfish Point and Crystal Caves: $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Grand Cayman $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
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Beer$4.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
- Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
- Distillery & Rum Tasting Tour in Grand Cayman: $67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Abu Dhabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Abu Dhabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Abu Dhabi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Grand Cayman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand Cayman than you might in Abu Dhabi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Grand Cayman, 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 Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Abu Dhabi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Grand Cayman. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Grand Cayman. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Grand Cayman. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Abu Dhabi is cooler than Grand Cayman. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
Both Grand Cayman and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
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.