Which place is cheaper, New York City or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or New York City?
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 New York City. 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 New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
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 $214New York City $326
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in New York City is $326. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31New York City $49
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: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private Minivan from New York (Manhattan) Airport to City: $122
- Skip-the-line Tickets to Bronx Zoo with Private Transfers: $410
- Skip-the-line One World Observatory Tour with Transfers: $296
- Skip-the-line Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour with Transfers: $276
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers : $296
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in New York (hotel OR airport pick-up): $288
- Private Transfers between LGA Airport and New York City: $105
- Private Transfers between EWR Airport and New York City: $140
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Philadelphia: $523
- Private Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury SUV: $162
- Private Transfer: New York to Newark Airport EWR in Business Car: $152
- Private Transfer: New York to Newark Airport EWR by Luxury SUV: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $39New York City $50
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New York, Queens Culinary Stroll : Food Tour on Foot: $26
- Lower East Side and Essex Market Multicultural Food Tour: $39
- Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $40
- New York City Pizza Crawl: Best of Manhattan route: $41
- Ultimate Greenwich Village NYC Food Tour: $63
- NYC: Greenwich Village Guided Food Tour: $63
- Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $65
- West Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Greenwich Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- East Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- East Village Pizza Walk: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41New York City $180
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Days Niagara Falls USA, Watkins Glen and Scenic Hotel Tour : $257
- 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53: $42
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Amish FarmNHouse Tour from NY: $137
- Classic 1-Hour Central Park Pedicab Tour : $69
- Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour: $35
- Official Central Park Pedicab Tours: $50
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket : $110
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket with VIP Experience and Lunch: $299
- 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World: $195
- 1 Hour Private Guided Pedicab Tour in New York City: $45
- 1 pm Turkish Coffee + Fortune Telling Experience // East Village : $127
- 1-Day New York In-Depth Tour: $130
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13New York City $29
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 New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $19
- NYC Pub Crawl and Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $29
- NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $34
- New York Rooftop Pub Crawl: $39
- NYC: Manhattan's Only Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $42
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl: $74
- Guided Brooklyn Craft Brewery Tour: $99
- 1920s Schooner Sail with Wine Tasting: $139
- Full day Long Island Brewery Tour : $150
- Long Island Wine Tour from Manhattan (3 Wineries & Tasty Lunch): $159
- Snow Tubing and Brewery Day Trip From NYC: $159
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Grand Cayman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and New York City 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 Grand Cayman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Grand Cayman 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Grand Cayman.
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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and New York City, 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 New York City?
New York City 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 New York City in the Summer?
Both New York City and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in New York City. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than New York City. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City and Grand Cayman during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or New York City in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
New York City can get quite cold in the winter. Grand Cayman is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than New York City. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or New York City in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as New York City. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 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.