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

Should you visit Bilbao or Grand Cayman?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Grand Cayman. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Bilbao or Grand Cayman?

Bilbao

The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Bilbao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €170, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is €213. 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 Bilbao and Grand Cayman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bilbao 72
    Grand Cayman 131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bilbao 144
    Grand Cayman 262
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Grand Cayman

Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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 Bilbao


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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bilbao 26
    Grand Cayman 27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Transfer Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports to San Sebastian by Van: $112
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Vitoria city: $94
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria to Pamplona: $256
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria to Logroño: $272
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria to Laguardia town: $221
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $220
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao: $170
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Pamplona Airport : $256
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Logroño Airport : $272
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Pamplona city: $256
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Logroño city: $272

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

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

  • Airport Transfer to West Bay Accommodations (GCM - Grand Cayman): $80
  • Airport Transfers to East End Accommodations - Round Trip: $209
  • Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) to George Town - Round-Trip Transfer: $294
  • Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town-Arrival Private Transfer: $147
  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Grand Cayman?

Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Bilbao 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
    Bilbao 77
    Grand Cayman 59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao

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

  • Basque Food Tour with Guide: $96
  • The High End Bilbao Food Tour for Foodies: $97
  • Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local: $101
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $103
  • Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $103
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class: $108
  • The High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $108
  • The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $119
  • Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $142
  • Immersive Basque Cooking Class: $159
  • Small-group Immersive Basque Cooking Class in Bilbao with Open Bar: $174
  • Private Guided Street Food Tour of Bilbao: $176

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bilbao 29
    Grand Cayman 36

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Pintxos Tasting in Bilbao Small Group or Private Walking Tour: $98
  • Year of Love in Quest Experience: $12
  • 2 Hours Private Family Guided Walking Tour in Bilbao: $208
  • 3-day Bilbao Bike Tour and Guggenheim Museum Ticket: $291
  • Awesome Bilbao – Private Family Walking Tour: $455
  • BILBAO-City Highlights Bike Tour: $41
  • Basque Country 7-Day Guided Tour from Bilbao: $1,265
  • Bilbao & Guggenheim Private Walking Tour from Hotel/Center: $297
  • Bilbao - Private Historic walking tour: $398
  • Bilbao 3-Day Package: Guggenheim, Hotel Stay and Bike Tour: $285
  • Bilbao : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $51
  • Bilbao All Iron Tour: Guggenheim and San Mamés with Lunch: $284

Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman

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

  • Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $25
  • Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $59
  • Oculus Glass Bottom Boat Tour : $60
  • FUN family tour StingrayCity Sandbar,Coral Garden Starfish Beach : $69
  • Stingray City Sandbar, Coral Gardens and 7-Mile Beach Tour: $70
  • Stingray City Sandbar/Double Snorkel 3-Stop Adventure: $73
  • Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $75
  • Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $79
  • Starfish Point, Stingray City & Coral Garden (3-STOP Adventure): $80
  • Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $80
  • Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $80
  • Cayman 2 in 1 Combo Tour Stingray City Reef Snorkel Adventure: $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bilbao 21
    Grand Cayman 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao

Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unique Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier - In Bilbao: $51
  • Basque Wine Tasting with Sommelier (Bilbao): $52
  • Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika, & Wine Tour: $56
  • From La Rioja Wineries Day Trip with Wine Tastings: $85
  • Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $97
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $188
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $191
  • Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $199
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Bilbao: $232
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $278
  • From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $278
  • From Private San Sebastian, Pintxo, and Wine Tour: $281

Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

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


  • Beer
    4.36

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 Bilbao and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao 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 Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao 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 Bilbao.

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


Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Grand Cayman?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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 Bilbao or Grand Cayman?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao or Grand Cayman in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Grand Cayman. The summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

In the summer, Bilbao is cooler than Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bilbao in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 28°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bilbao 20°C (68°F) 
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?

Both Grand Cayman and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Bilbao is generally much colder than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 16°C (62°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In October, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bilbao 16°C (62°F) 
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Grand Cayman in the Winter?

Both Grand Cayman and Bilbao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

Bilbao is much colder than Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Grand Cayman. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bilbao 9°C (48°F) 
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Grand Cayman in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Grand Cayman. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Bilbao is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bilbao in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Grand Cayman. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bilbao 12°C (54°F) 
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Bilbao

Bilbao Grand Cayman
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in) 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)