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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Asheville?

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 Grand Cayman and Asheville. 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: Grand Cayman or Asheville?

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.

Asheville

Asheville is a beautiful mountain town between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a popular tourist destination in western North Carolina that attracts hikers, shoppers, and adventurers alike. It's the largest city in the area and is famous for it's liberal mindset and large art community. Local crafts are frequently available for sale in the downtown shops.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Asheville or Grand Cayman?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Asheville is $133. 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 Grand Cayman and Asheville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $150
    Asheville $89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $300
    Asheville $178
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Asheville

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Asheville? 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 Grand Cayman


Hotels in Asheville


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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and Asheville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Asheville $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

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

  • Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
  • Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
  • George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
  • George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
  • George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
  • Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Asheville?

Prices for flights to both Asheville and Grand Cayman 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
    Grand Cayman $39
    Asheville $33

Typical Food Prices in Asheville

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:


  • Biltmore Estate Entrance Fee
    $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asheville

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

  • 1-HR cooking class: $40
  • Electric Bike Tour of Asheville's Best Pizza: $98
  • Best Pizza E-bike Tour: $111

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Asheville $16

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
  • Stingraycity Adventure: $69
  • Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $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
  • Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99

Typical Entertainment Prices in Asheville

Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Massage
    $40

Tours and Activities in Asheville

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

  • (3 HR) Guided Safari Jeep Mile-High & Waterfall Adventure: $100
  • (3 HR) Off-Road UTV Wilderness Adventure : $175
  • (4 HR) UTV Sunset, Waterfall, and Eco Elk Wilderness Adventure : $275
  • 2.5-Hour Blue Ridge Parkway Guided Jeep Tour: $99
  • 4 Hour Guided Safari Jeep Eco ELK Wilderness Adventure : $144
  • Amazing Asheville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • An afternoon with the artist, private art gallery tour: $60
  • Asheville Coffee Tours: $65
  • Asheville Ghost Tour: A Walk Through Riverside Cemetery & Montford Neighborhood: $27
  • Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views: $75
  • Asheville Historic Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
  • Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Asheville $16
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville

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

  • Skip the Line: Copper Barrel's Premium Distillery Tour & Tasting: $10
  • Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $39
  • Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Samples: $65
  • Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
  • Premier Walking Guided Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
  • Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville: $74
  • Premier Mobile Guided Brewery Tour Around Asheville: $99
  • Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $99
  • Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Asheville, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Asheville is in North America, 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 Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Asheville.

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


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Asheville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Asheville, 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 Grand Cayman or Asheville?

Asheville 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 Grand Cayman or Asheville in the Summer?

Both Asheville and Grand Cayman during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Asheville. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Asheville. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Asheville 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Asheville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Asheville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Grand Cayman is much warmer than Asheville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Asheville. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Asheville 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Asheville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Asheville. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Asheville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Asheville averages at about 44°F (7°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Asheville. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Asheville 44°F (7°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Asheville in the Spring?

Both Asheville and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Asheville. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Asheville 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Asheville and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Asheville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)