Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wellington or Grand Cayman?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington 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: Wellington or Grand Cayman?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $104Grand Cayman $215
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, 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 Wellington and Grand Cayman in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61Grand Cayman $150
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Grand Cayman
Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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: Wellington Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Grand Cayman $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
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 Wellington or Grand Cayman?
Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Wellington 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 dayWellington $30Grand Cayman $39
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wellington $16Grand Cayman $41
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $106
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $167
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
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 dayWellington $12Grand Cayman $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
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 Wellington and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Grand Cayman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or Grand Cayman?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Grand Cayman?
Wellington 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 Wellington or Grand Cayman in the Summer?
Both Grand Cayman and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, 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, Wellington is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°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, Wellington usually receives less rain than Grand Caymanin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?
Both Grand Cayman and Wellington during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
In April, Wellington is generally much colder than Grand Caymanin October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than Grand Caymanin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 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 OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Grand Cayman in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Grand Cayman. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Wellington is much colder than Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F)in January.
Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Grand Caymanin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 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 JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Grand Cayman in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Grand Cayman. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
In the spring, Wellington is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Grand Caymanin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 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 AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Wellington
| Wellington | Grand Cayman | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.