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

Should you visit Grand Cayman or Norfolk?

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 Norfolk. 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 Norfolk?

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.

Norfolk

The city of Norfolk in the U.S. state of Virginia is a port city holding a large Navy and shipping presence in its harbor. With a long history as a strategic military point, Norfolk is home to the largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk. Other attractions include opportunities for dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as many parks and memorials.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Norfolk 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $242, while the average daily cost in Norfolk is $202. 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 Norfolk in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $149
    Norfolk $84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $298
    Norfolk $168
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Norfolk

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman or Norfolk? 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 Grand Cayman


Hotels in Norfolk


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 Norfolk Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Norfolk $54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

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

  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $103
  • Private Transfer from Airport to morritts: $180

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Norfolk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Norfolk:

  • Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Norfolk?

Prices for flights to both Norfolk 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 day
    Grand Cayman $67
    Norfolk $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Norfolk

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Norfolk.

  • City Cruises Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner Buffet Cruise: $57
  • City Cruises Buffet Dinner Cruise : $103
  • 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise with Fireworks: $210

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Norfolk $14

Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman

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

  • CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13
  • Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $25
  • 2 Stop Reef Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Adventure: $35
  • Grand Cayman Hop On Hop Off Island Adventure: $40
  • Stingray City and Snorkeling Tour Starfish Point Adventure: $53
  • Stingray City, Snorkeling, & StarFish Adventure: $55
  • Stingray City and Starfish Experience with Coral Reef Snorkeling: $55
  • Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
  • West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $65
  • 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
  • Stingray City Sandbar Experience: $65
  • StingrayCity ,Coral Garden & Starfish Tour. : $69

Tours and Activities in Norfolk

Here are a few actual costs in Norfolk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City Cruises Signature Lunch Cruise: $84
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Norfolk with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Half-Day Self-Guided Tour E-Bike Rental in Norfolk: $75
  • Norfolk's Combo Tickets - Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin: $40
  • Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin Combo Ticket: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Norfolk $10
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 Norfolk

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Norfolk:

  • Norfolk Bar Crawl: $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Norfolk, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is Norfolk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Norfolk 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 Norfolk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Norfolk 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 Norfolk.

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 Norfolk Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

Norfolk 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 Norfolk in the Summer?

Both Norfolk and Grand Cayman during the summer 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 travelers come to Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Norfolk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Norfolk averages at about 79°F (26°C).

Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Norfolk. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Norfolk 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Norfolk in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Norfolk. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Also, many visitors come to Norfolk in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Norfolk. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F) 
    Norfolk 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Norfolk in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Norfolk. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Norfolk can be very cold during winter. Grand Cayman is much warmer than Norfolk in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Norfolk. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Norfolk 39°F (4°C)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Norfolk in the Spring?

Both Norfolk and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Norfolk averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Norfolk 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Norfolk
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)