Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Edinburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Edinburgh or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Grand Cayman can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Edinburgh or Grand Cayman?
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEdinburgh £142Grand Cayman £171
The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is £142, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is £171. 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 Edinburgh and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEdinburgh £74Grand Cayman £119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEdinburgh £148Grand Cayman £238
Compare Hotels in Edinburgh and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh 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: Edinburgh Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Edinburgh £17Grand Cayman £25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
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Local Bus£3.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Royal Highland Braemar Gathering, transfer from Edinburgh: $56
- Private Transfer from South Queensferry Port to Glasgow Hotels: $50
- Private Transfer from South Queensferry Port to Edinburgh hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from South Queensferry Port to Edinburgh Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Glasgow city or GLA Airport to Edinburgh by Business Car: $157
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $280
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh Hotels to Newhaven Cruise Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to South Queensferry Port: $28
- Private Transfer - South Queensferry Port to Glasgow Airport(GLA): $46
- Private Tour with transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Glasgow.: $298
- Private One-Way Transfer from Edinburgh to Edinburgh Airport: $41
- Private Luxury Transfer Edinburgh (One Way - 7 Passengers): $257
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 or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $54
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $54
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $54
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $54
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $54
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Edinburgh or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Edinburgh 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 dayEdinburgh £39Grand Cayman £31
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast£8.50
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Dinner at Filling Station£10
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Lunch for Two£15
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Sandwich£1.85
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Cheese & bread£7.23
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)£25
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2 Coffees and Scones£5.80
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Turkish Delight£1.40
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Soup at the Pub£5.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $88
- Edinburgh Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Food Tour: $100
- 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
- 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $121
- The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $162
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $188
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Edinburgh £20Grand Cayman £33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Show Tickets£32
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Movie Tickets for Two£12
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Donation for Storytellers£6.00
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $153
- 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $79
- 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $261
- 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $183
- 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $273
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $234
- 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $275
- Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15: $19
- Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $72
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $74
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $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:
- 2-stop Adventure: Stingray City and snorkeling at Cayman Reefs: $79
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
- Cayman Classic Food Tasting Walking Tour Shore Excursion : $159
- Cayman Crystal Caves Tour in Grand Cayman Island: $126
- Cayman's Classic Food Tasting & Cultural Experience: $179
- East End Activities and Tour in Grand Cayman: $158
- East Island Tour : $298
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $278
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $264
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEdinburgh £15Grand Cayman £10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
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Beer & Wine£14
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Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern£1.65
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
- Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
- East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
- Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
- Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
- Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
- Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32
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£3.96
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 Edinburgh and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Grand Cayman?
Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Grand Cayman?
Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 28°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEdinburgh 14°C (58°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
Both Grand Cayman and Edinburgh during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Grand Cayman. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEdinburgh 10°C (49°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Grand Cayman. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Edinburgh is much colder than Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In January, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Grand Cayman. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEdinburgh 3°C (38°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Grand Cayman. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Grand Cayman. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEdinburgh 7°C (45°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Edinburgh
| Edinburgh | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.