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

Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Grand Cayman?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Zurich?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $271, 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 Zurich and Grand Cayman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $171
    Grand Cayman $150
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $342
    Grand Cayman $300
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Grand Cayman

Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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 Zurich


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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $36
    Grand Cayman $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Zurich:Transfer and Ticket to Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum: $110
  • Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $161
  • Private Transfer to/from Zurich Airport: $109
  • One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $133
  • 1-Way Private Transfer from the airport to Zurich: $190
  • Zurich Private Airport and Hotels Transfer, One-way or Round-Trip: $148
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Zurich City: $110
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Lucerne: $254
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Greater Zurich Area: $110
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer from Greater Zurich Area: $110
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Lucerne: $320
  • Zurich Airport: Private Lucerne Transfer by Mercedes: $395

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 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
  • Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
  • George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
  • Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Grand Cayman?

Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman and Zurich 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
    Zurich $62
    Grand Cayman $39
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $13

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $36
    Grand Cayman $41

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • (STTZ01) - Zurich Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour : $24
  • 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $633
  • 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $222
  • 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $100
  • Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $656
  • Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $808
  • Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $128
  • Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $155
  • Best of Zürich & Surroundings: Walking Tour, Cable Car and Ferry: $89
  • Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.95
  • Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
  • Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $115

Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman

For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $45
  • Reagan’s Honey Beekeeping Adventure: $67
  • Stingraycity Adventure: $69
  • Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $69
  • Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $69
  • Stingray City Sandbar, Coral Gardens and 7-Mile Beach Tour: $70
  • Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $75
  • Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $75
  • 2-stop Adventure: Stingray City and snorkeling at Cayman Reefs: $79
  • Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
  • Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
  • Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $30
    Grand Cayman $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $33
  • Informative wine tasting with Italian appetizers in the secure wine cellar: $155

Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

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


  • 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 Zurich and Grand Cayman, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Grand Cayman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich 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 Grand Cayman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Grand Cayman 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Grand Cayman.

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


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Grand Cayman?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or Grand Cayman?

Zurich 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 Zurich or Grand Cayman in the Summer?

Both Grand Cayman and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

In the summer, Zurich is cooler than Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 28°C (83°F).

Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in July than Grand Cayman. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Grand Cayman. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Zurich is generally much colder than Grand Cayman. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Grand Cayman. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Grand Cayman in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Grand Cayman. Many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. Zurich is much colder than Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Grand Cayman. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Grand Cayman in the Spring?

Both Grand Cayman and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Zurich is much colder than Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Grand Cayman. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Zurich

Zurich Grand Cayman
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)