A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Grand Cayman for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bern or Grand Cayman?

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

Should I visit Bern or Grand Cayman? 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: Bern or Grand Cayman?

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Bern?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $252, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $215. 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 Bern and Grand Cayman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bern $163
    Grand Cayman $150
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bern $326
    Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Bern and Grand Cayman

Looking for a hotel in Bern 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.

Hotels in Bern


Hotels in Grand Cayman


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: Bern Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bern $34
    Grand Cayman $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

  • Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $228
  • Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $214
  • Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $192
  • Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $54
  • George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $54
  • George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $54
  • Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $54
  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $54
  • 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: $108
  • Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Grand Cayman?

Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Bern 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
    Bern $60
    Grand Cayman $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern

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

  • Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bern $34
    Grand Cayman $41

Tours and Activities in Bern

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

  • 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Bern: $633
  • Alpine Heights: Small Group Tour to Jungfraujoch from Bern: $598
  • Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Bern : Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $81
  • Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour): $59
  • Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $7.00
  • Bern Highlights Small-Group Walking Tour with a Local: $157
  • Bern Historical UNESCO Old Town Private Tour: $162
  • Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
  • Bern Old City Walking Tour: $464
  • Bern Old Town - Private Historic Walking Tour: $537
  • Bern Private Walking Tour: $336

Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman

For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $45
  • Reagan’s Honey Beekeeping Adventure: $67
  • Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $69
  • Stingraycity Adventure: $69
  • Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $69
  • Stingray City Sandbar, Coral Gardens and 7-Mile Beach Tour: $70
  • Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $75
  • Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $75
  • 2-stop Adventure: Stingray City and snorkeling at Cayman Reefs: $79
  • Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
  • Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
  • Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bern $27
    Grand Cayman $13

Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:


  • Beer
    $4.97

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Grand Cayman, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Grand Cayman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern is in Europe 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 Grand Cayman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Grand Cayman 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Grand Cayman.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bern or Grand Cayman?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern or Grand Cayman?

Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand Cayman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Grand Cayman in the Summer?

Both Grand Cayman and Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

In July, Bern is generally cooler than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bern usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bern 21°C (70°F) 
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Bern or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Grand Cayman. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Bern is much colder than Grand Cayman in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bern usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bern 13°C (55°F) 
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bern or Grand Cayman in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bern as well as Grand Cayman. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In the winter, Bern is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Grand Cayman. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bern 3°C (37°F) 
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Bern or Grand Cayman in the Spring?

Both Grand Cayman and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Bern is generally much colder than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than Grand Cayman. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bern 11°C (52°F) 
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Bern

Bern Grand Cayman
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 76 mm (3 in) 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)