Which place is cheaper, Honolulu 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Grand Cayman or Honolulu?
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 Honolulu. 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
-
Grand Cayman Prices
Cayman Islands PricesHonolulu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $242Honolulu $329
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $329. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $149Honolulu $190
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $298Honolulu $380
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Honolulu $26
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
-
Rental Car for One Day$35
-
Airport Shuttle for Two$30
-
Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 【ARRIVAL】Honolulu Airport -Private Transfer to Waikiki: $85
- Waikiki Private transfer Airport to Hotel *1-12 Passengers: $150
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $47
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $25
- Round Trip Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu City: $55
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Sedan Car: $118
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Luxury SUV: $149
- Private Transfer waikiki to HNL airport * 1-12 passenger*: $140
- Private Transfer from Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Minibus: $266
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu / Waikiki hotels: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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
-
Food Meals for one dayGrand Cayman $67Honolulu $91
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
-
Dinner for Two$73
-
Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
-
Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
-
Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
-
Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
-
Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
-
Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Oʻahu: Nā Lei Aloha Lūʻau & Dinner or Cocktail Show Option: $93
- Waikiki Food Tour with Local Guide: $100
- Da Local's Food Tour of Oahu: $150
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show with Transportation: $166
- Sunset 5 Course Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $193
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz: $236
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $600
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Honolulu $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:
- 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 Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Parking for Hike$5.00
-
Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
-
2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
-
1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $100
- #1 Private VIP USS Arizona Memorial & Historic Honolulu Tour: $799
- 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
- 18 Minutes PRIVATE Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $269
- 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
- 3 Zipline Adventure with Waikiki Transportation: $157
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure: $87
- 4 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
- 5 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
- 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
- 7 Day Hawaii Tour!: $8,800
- Afternoon at McGarret - Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour: $239
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Honolulu $6.47
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
-
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 Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Waikiki Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Grand Cayman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Honolulu is in North America, 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Honolulu?
Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).
Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Honolulu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Honolulu. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than Honolulu. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Honolulu in the Winter?
Both Honolulu 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, many travelers come to Honolulu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Honolulu in the Spring?
Both Honolulu 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. Also, many visitors come to Honolulu in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than Honolulu. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.