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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Grand Cayman?

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 Rotterdam and Grand Cayman. 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: Rotterdam or Grand Cayman?

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.

Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.

There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.

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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.


Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Rotterdam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €152, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is €200. 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 Rotterdam and Grand Cayman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rotterdam 77
    Grand Cayman 139
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rotterdam 154
    Grand Cayman 278
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Grand Cayman

Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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.

Hotels in Rotterdam


Hotels in Grand Cayman


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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rotterdam 26
    Grand Cayman 29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam

Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Rotterdam to Rotterdam Airport (RTM) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Schiphol Airport & Amsterdam City: $148
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM in Sedan Car: $81
  • Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM by Luxury Van: $83
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam in Sedan Car: $77
  • Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam by Luxury Van: $83
  • Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam cruise port to Amsterdam: $161
  • Private transfer from Rotterdam cruise port to AMS Schiphol: $161
  • Private transfer Schiphol (AMS) to/from Rotterdam.: $167
  • Private taxi transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $165

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: $108
  • Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $54
  • George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $54
  • George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $54
  • Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $54
  • Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Grand Cayman?

Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Rotterdam 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
    Rotterdam 54
    Grand Cayman 36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam

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

  • Self-Guided Rotterdam BiteMe Food Tour: $43
  • 4-Hour Food Tour - Self-guided: $48
  • Guided Food Tour: $80
  • Guided Walking Food Tour: $85
  • Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $86
  • Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $86
  • WALKING DINNER ROTTERDAM | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
  • Food Tour by Bike: $91
  • Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $120
  • Rotterdam Walking Dutch Food Tour: $153
  • Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $161
  • Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $274

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rotterdam 32
    Grand Cayman 38

Tours and Activities in Rotterdam

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

  • "Remastered" Audiovisual Experience in Rotterdam: $27
  • 2 hour Guided Walking Tour Rotterdam: $3.23
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour in Gouda All inclusive: $19
  • 90 Minutes Self-Guided Family Friendly Walking Tour in Gouda: $27
  • All Inclusive, Private Tour Rotterdam + Euromast 360º view: $209
  • Best of small-group walking tour: $97
  • Boat & Beer Walking Tour: $97
  • Breda Highlight Bike Tour: $32
  • Breda: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
  • Discover Breda with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
  • Discover Dordrecht with this Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
  • Discover Gouda with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $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 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rotterdam 19
    Grand Cayman 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:

  • Beer Brewery Noordt Tastings with Optional Tour: $8.07
  • Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.07
  • Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $12

Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:


  • Beer
    4.63

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 Rotterdam and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Rotterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Grand Cayman?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Grand Cayman?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Grand Cayman in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Grand Cayman. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Rotterdam is much colder than Grand Cayman in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rotterdam 17°C (62°F) 
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Rotterdam or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Grand Cayman. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in October than Grand Cayman. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rotterdam 11°C (51°F) 
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Rotterdam or Grand Cayman in the Winter?

Both Grand Cayman and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Grand Cayman. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rotterdam 2°C (36°F) 
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Rotterdam or Grand Cayman in the Spring?

Both Grand Cayman and Rotterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

Rotterdam is much colder than Grand Cayman in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in April than Grand Cayman. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rotterdam 8°C (46°F) 
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Rotterdam

Rotterdam Grand Cayman
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)