Which place is cheaper, Gatlinburg or Grand Cayman?
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 Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg?
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 Grand Cayman and Gatlinburg. 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: Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg?
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.
Gatlinburg
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesGatlinburg Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242Gatlinburg $253
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Gatlinburg is $253. 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 Grand Cayman and Gatlinburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149Gatlinburg $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298Gatlinburg $160
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Gatlinburg
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg? 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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and Gatlinburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Gatlinburg $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport to morritts: $180
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg?
Prices for flights to both Gatlinburg and Grand Cayman 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 dayGrand Cayman $67Gatlinburg $148
Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste the Smokies Appalachian Inspired Cooking Classes: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Gatlinburg $24
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- StingrayCity ,Coral Garden & Starfish Tour. : $69
- 2 Stop Reef Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Adventure: $35
- 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $79
- Cayman 2 in 1 Combo Tour Stingray City Reef Snorkel Adventure: $77
- Cayman 3 in 1 Combo Adventure Stingray City Reef Snorkeling: $104
- Cayman Adventure Stingrays Starfish plus Crystal Caves : $89
- Cayman Bioluminescent Bay Night Tour: $144
- Cayman Combo Tour: Starfish Point, Stingray City & Coral Gardens: $119
- Cayman Crystal Caves Tour in Grand Cayman: $143
- Cayman's Classic Food Tasting & Cultural Experience: $179
- CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- 2 hour Extended Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg: $40
- 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience: $65
- 6-Line Zip at Night Tour: $72
- 7-Line Zipline Experience in Sevierville: $119
- Admission Ticket: Brian Hoffman's Remembering Red - A Tribute to Red Skelton: $38
- Admission Ticket: Patty Waszak Show in Pigeon Forge: $38
- Best of the Smokies Private Half-Day Tour with Picnic Lunch: $225
- Cades Cove Jeep Tour: $242
- Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Clingmans Dome Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Digital Ocean Adventure in Sevierville: $26
- Dolly's Backroads, Bush Beans & Dandridge, Foliage Photo Tour: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Gatlinburg $15
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $85
When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Gatlinburg is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is Gatlinburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg?
Grand Cayman has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Gatlinburg, 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 Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg 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 Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Gatlinburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the summer for the hiking.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Gatlinburg averages at about 81°F (27°C).
Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Gatlinburg. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Gatlinburg 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Gatlinburg. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Gatlinburg. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Gatlinburg 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg in the Winter?
Both Gatlinburg and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Gatlinburg can be very cold. Grand Cayman is much warmer than Gatlinburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Gatlinburg 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Gatlinburg in the Spring?
Both Gatlinburg and Grand Cayman during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Gatlinburg averages at about 62°F (17°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in April than Gatlinburg. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Gatlinburg 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Gatlinburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
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.