Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Grand Cayman, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Grand Cayman?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesGrand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $179Grand Cayman $242
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $179, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $242. 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 Istanbul and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $83Grand Cayman $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $166Grand Cayman $298
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Grand Cayman? 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $39Grand Cayman $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $90
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $39
- VIP Transfer: $52
- Turkish Night Tour with Meyhane Experience and Transfer: $119
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul APT-HTL (IST): $43
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul HTL-APT (SAW): $52
- Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch : $138
- Transfer from Istanbul Port to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW: $44
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $144
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $29
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $29
- Sapanca and Masukiye Day Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $103
- Private Transfer from Airport to morritts: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $66Grand Cayman $67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Shows and Party : $30
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $34
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment & Private Table & Wi-Fi: $36
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $36
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks and Shows: $41
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $43Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $180
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Bosphorus Morning or Sunset Guided Cruise Tour: $26
- Digital Experience Museum Skip the Line Entry: $35
- Discover the Magic of Old City – A Walking Tour Through Time: $60
- Full day old city tour (LT1): $179
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $95
- Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
- Istanbul Wonders FullDay Skipping Lines Private Guided City Tour: $128
- Istanbul's Hidden Gems Private Walking City Tour: $144
- Private Guided Istanbul Walking Tour: $170
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13
- Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $25
- 2 Stop Reef Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Adventure: $35
- Grand Cayman Hop On Hop Off Island Adventure: $40
- Stingray City and Snorkeling Tour Starfish Point Adventure: $53
- Stingray City, Snorkeling, & StarFish Adventure: $55
- Stingray City and Starfish Experience with Coral Reef Snorkeling: $55
- Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
- West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $65
- 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
- Stingray City Sandbar Experience: $65
- StingrayCity ,Coral Garden & Starfish Tour. : $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $12Grand Cayman $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $30
- Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Adults-Only Nightlife Adventure: $31
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $210
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$4.95
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
- Cayman Art and Wine Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Grand Cayman?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 380 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Grand Cayman, 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 Istanbul or Grand Cayman?
Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In July, Istanbul is generally cooler than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Grand Cayman. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Istanbul is much colder than Grand Cayman in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Grand Cayman. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Grand Cayman. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
Both Grand Cayman and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Istanbul is generally much colder than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of rain as Grand Cayman. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
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.