Which place is cheaper, Oahu or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Oahu?
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 Oahu. 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 Oahu?
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.
Oahu
Hawaii is the epitome of paradise, and at the heart of paradise is the island of O'ahu (or Oahu). While it's only the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, O'ahu, or "the gathering place," is the most populous in the state with approximately 976,000 people calling O'ahu home, many of which live in the capital city of Honolulu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Oahu $333
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Oahu is $333. 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 Oahu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Oahu $237
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Oahu $474
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Oahu
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Oahu? 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 Oahu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Oahu $21
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oahu
Also for Oahu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Honolulu to Honolulu Airport HNL in Sedan Car: $108
- Private Transfer from Wakiki Beach to Honolulu (HNL) Airport: $87
- Private Transfer from Waikiki to Honolulu (HLN) Airport: $87
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu / Waikiki hotels: $37
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Cruise Port to Honolulu Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HNL) Airport to Wakiki Beach: $87
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Waikiki : $87
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Pupukea: $203
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to North Shore : $203
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Ko Olina: $127
- Private Transfer from Beach Resorts to Honolulu Airport HNL by Executive Sedan: $157
- Private Transfer Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Executive SUV: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Oahu?
Prices for flights to both Oahu 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 $39Oahu $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oahu
For Oahu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $97
- Moonlight Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $106
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $125
- Honolulu Sunset & Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $129
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower: $129
- Hawaii Semisub Classic Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $170
- Hawaiian Food Tour by Bike in Oahu: $179
- Germaine's Traditional Luau Show & Buffet Dinner: $191
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz: $225
- Traditional Canoe Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Oahu $27
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 Oahu
For Oahu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Tour de Honolulu" Foodie Bike Tour: $189
- New Year’s Eve Midnight Cruise: $246
- 1.5 -Hour Guided Whale and Marine Life Tour: $89
- 18 Minutes PRIVATE Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $248
- 2-Hour Private Botanical Facial with Hand Dip Experience: $175
- 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide, Snorkel and Wild Life Cruise: $109
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure : $87
- 30 Minutes SHARED Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $284
- 4 Hour Guided Scuba Diving Adventures in Waikiki: $249
- 5:00PM Sunset Cruise & Whale Watch from Oahu (Wahine Koa): $57
- ATV Adventure in Hawaii by Da Mongoose EzRaider: $139
- Afternoon Waikiki Glass Bottom Boat Cruise: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Oahu $6.47
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 Oahu
Also in Oahu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Whiskey Tour - Koʻolau Distillery - Kailua, Hawai'i 96734: $25
- History Tour Pub Crawl in Waikiki: $45
- Waikiki History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Oahu, we can see that Oahu 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 Oahu 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu 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 Oahu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grand Cayman or Oahu?
Oahu 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 Oahu in the Summer?
Both Oahu 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, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Oahu. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Oahu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Oahu in the Autumn?
Both Oahu 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Oahu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Oahu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Oahu. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Oahu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Oahu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Oahu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Oahu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Oahu averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Oahu. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Oahu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Oahu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Oahu. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Oahu. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Oahu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Oahu and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Oahu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.