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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Memphis?

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 Memphis. 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 Memphis?

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.

Memphis

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a city famous for the blues, soul, and Rock 'n' Roll music that originated there. There are a number of museums and historic landmarks like Elvis Presley's Graceland dedicated to that history, while areas of the city like Beale Street keep the musical culture alive today with a vibrant scene of bars, restaurants, and live music.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Memphis 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 Memphis is $167. 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 Memphis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $150
    Memphis $84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $300
    Memphis $168
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Memphis

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Memphis? 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 Memphis


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 Memphis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Memphis $59

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 Memphis

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

  • Private Departure Transfer to Memphis Airport MEM: $72
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Memphis Airport MEM: $72
  • Guided Tour with Riverboat Cruise & Hotel Transfers: $339
  • Memphis Airport Transfers: $60
  • Memphis Airport MEM to Hot Springs Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $285
  • Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Memphis?

Prices for flights to both Memphis 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
    Memphis $43

Typical Food Prices in Memphis

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:


  • Baskin Robins (for 2)
    $6.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Memphis

For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Memphis $45

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 Memphis

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.

  • 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour: $72
  • Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure - Memphis: $44
  • Beale Street & Sun Studio: Private Half-Day Walking Tour: $160
  • Beale Street Experience Audio App Self Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Beale Street Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Best of Memphis Walking Tour: $149
  • Downtown Memphis : Ultimate Party Experience - Public: $35
  • Downtown Memphis : Ultimate Private Party Experience: $430
  • Elvis Presley's Childhood Home Sightseeing Daytrip from Memphis: $111
  • Elvis Unleashed: Private Elvis Walking Tour: $150
  • From Tupelo Elvis Presley's Upbringing Tour: $102
  • Guided Memphis City Tour with Riverboat Cruise along Mississippi River: $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Memphis $26
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 Memphis

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:

  • Drinking Spirits with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
  • Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis: $27
  • Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $69
  • Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $69


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

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 Memphis Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Memphis?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Memphis, 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 Memphis?

Memphis 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 Memphis in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Memphis. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, most visitors come to Memphis for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Memphis in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Memphis fluctuates around 83°F (29°C).

Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Memphis. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Memphis 83°F (29°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Memphis in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Memphis. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Memphis because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Memphis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Memphis averages at about 64°F (18°C).

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Memphis. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Memphis in the Winter?

Both Memphis 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Memphis this time of year.

It's quite cold in Memphis in the winter. In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Memphis. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Memphis fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In January, Grand Cayman usually receives around the same amount of rain as Memphis. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Memphis 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Memphis in the Spring?

Both Memphis 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, many travelers come to Memphis for the activities around the city.

Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Memphis in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Memphis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Memphis. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Memphis and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Memphis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 40°F (5°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 54°F (12°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 64°F (18°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 80°F (27°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 83°F (29°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 82°F (28°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)