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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Roanoke?

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 Roanoke. 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 Roanoke?

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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Roanoke 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 Roanoke is $164. 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 Roanoke in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $150
    Roanoke $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $300
    Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Roanoke

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Roanoke? 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 Roanoke


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 Roanoke Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Roanoke $23

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Roanoke?

Prices for flights to both Roanoke 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
    Roanoke $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roanoke

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

  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Roanoke $35

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 Roanoke

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

  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
  • Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Roanoke $30
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


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

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 Roanoke Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke?

Roanoke 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 Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Roanoke. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Roanoke 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 Roanoke. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Roanoke. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grand Cayman in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Roanoke averages at about 60°F (16°C).

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Roanoke. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke 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, most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Roanoke can be very cold during winter. In January, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 24°C (76°F), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke 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.

Grand Cayman is much warmer than Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Roanoke. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Roanoke
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)