Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Melbourne or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne or Grand Cayman? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Melbourne or Grand Cayman?
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelbourne $179Grand Cayman $215
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $179, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $215. 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 Melbourne and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $120Grand Cayman $150
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $240Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne 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: Melbourne Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $20Grand Cayman $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$11
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Tram Ride$2.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne HTL-APT (MEL): $99
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne APT-HTL (MEL): $99
- Private Transfer from Melbourne hotels to Melbourne Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $52
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $52
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $86
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $79
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $86
- Private Airport Transfer in Melbourne: $99
- Mt Buller 1 Day Snow Tour (Direct Transfer To Mt Buller Village From Melbourne): $89
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $198
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: $54
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $54
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $54
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $54
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $54
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Melbourne 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 dayMelbourne $31Grand Cayman $39
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.64
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Pizza$4.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $53
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Pizza Making Party: $89
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $98
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melbourne $28Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Penguin Island Tour from Melbourne Penguins express: $79
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $125
- 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
- 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Eco Tour with lunch from Melbourne: $109
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $810
- 2-Hour Farm Experience in Gateway Yarra Valley: $66
- 2024 Mt Buller, Melbourne Snow and Sightseeing Day Tour: $92
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek: $40
- 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Small-Group Tour: $1,504
- 3.5 Hours Group tour Melbourne trouble-makers tour: $44
- 3/4 Day Sports Lovers Bus Tour of Melbourne with Tour Options: $178
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $40
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 Classic Food Tasting Walking Tour Shore Excursion : $159
- 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: $278
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $264
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelbourne $17Grand Cayman $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl: $17
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Day Trip with Local Wine Tastings from Melbourne: $102
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $129
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Mornington Peninsula Premium Tour with Wine Tasting at Yabby Lake : $172
- Yarra Valley Premium Tour Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Chandon: $178
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Melbourne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific 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 Melbourne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melbourne 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 Melbourne.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Melbourne Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Grand Cayman?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Grand Cayman?
Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Melbourne is cooler than Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Grand Caymanin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
Both Grand Cayman and Melbourne during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In April, Melbourne is generally much colder than Grand Caymanin October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Grand Caymanin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Grand Cayman. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Melbourne is much colder than Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F)in January.
In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Grand Caymanin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Grand Cayman. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
In the spring, Melbourne is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Grand Caymanin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.