Which place is cheaper, Charlottesville or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville?
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.
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Charlottesville $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Charlottesville is $154. 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 Charlottesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Charlottesville $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Charlottesville $160
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Charlottesville
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Charlottesville? 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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and Charlottesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Charlottesville $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Charlottesville?
Prices for flights to both Charlottesville 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
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Food Meals for one dayGrand Cayman $39Charlottesville $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Charlottesville $18
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 Crystal Caves & Pedro St James Castle Tour in Grand Cayman: $179
- 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: $276
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $263
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Grand Cayman Reef & Stingray City Snorkeling Adventure: $159
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Charlottesville $53
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$4.97
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 Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Charlottesville, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.
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 Charlottesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Charlottesville?
Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?
Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Charlottesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Charlottesville 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Charlottesville in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Charlottesville. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Charlottesville. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Charlottesville 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Charlottesville in the Winter?
Both Charlottesville and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.
Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Charlottesville 36°F (2°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Charlottesville in the Spring?
Both Charlottesville and Grand Cayman during the spring 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, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Charlottesville. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Charlottesville 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Charlottesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
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.