Which place is cheaper, Washington or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman or Washington?
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 Washington. 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 Washington?
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.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Washington $198
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, while the average daily cost in Washington is $198. 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 Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Washington? 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 Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Washington $47
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Washington, DC: Airport Transfer to/from DCA or IAD: $350
- Washington to Washington Airport (IAD) Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Washington to Newark Airport Departure Private Transfer: $187
- Washington to NY Kennedy Airport(JFK)- Departure Private Transfer: $199
- Washington to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Washington to Baltimore Airport (BWI) Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA): Transfer to Washington: $173
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Washington DC: Private Transfer to Airports or Baltimore: $160
- Washington DC: DCA Private Transfer from/to Downtown: $110
- Washington DC: Bus transfer from/to Philadelphia: $5.74
- Washington Airport (DCA) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington 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 $39Washington $38
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $69
- Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $74
- Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $85
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $97
- Washington, DC: African American History Tour with Dinner: $108
- Washington,DC: Union Market Private Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $144
- Washington DC: Personalized & Private Food Tour with a Local: $151
- Private Traditional Filipino Cooking Class Near Washington DC : $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Washington $24
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 Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour : $99
- 2 For 1! DC Highlights & Arlington Cemetery Tour Bundle: $84
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
- 2-Hour African American Heritage Tour in Washington DC: $25
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 4 Hours Washington Tour with Boat Cruise: $169
- A Self-Guided Tour of Washington DC's Monumental Marvels: $25
- Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
- African American History Private Tour w/ Museum Entry: $450
- African American History Tour with Museum Admission: $89
- African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Washington $19
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 Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- From Washington DC: Seneca Creek Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
- Full-Day Private Virginia Wine Tour Experience from Washington : $242
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and Washington, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Washington is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Washington?
Washington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Washington, 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 Washington?
Washington 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 Washington in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Washington in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Washington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Washington averages at about 79°F (26°C).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Washington. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Washington 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Washington in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Washington. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Washington for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Washington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Washington. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Washington 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Washington in the Winter?
Both Washington 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 winter months attract visitors to Washington because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Washington can be very cold. Grand Cayman is much warmer than Washington in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Washington. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Washington 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Washington in the Spring?
Both Washington 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. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Washington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Washington averages at about 56°F (14°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Washington. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Washington 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Washington and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Washington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 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.