Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bangkok or Surabaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Surabaya can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bangkok or Surabaya?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
Surabaya
Surabaya, also known as the "city of heroes," is the capital of East Java and the second largest city in Indonesia, following Jakarta. While it doesn't highlight as many typical tourist monuments as other cities, Surabaya serves as a takeoff point or a landing base for travelers visiting Mount Bromo and Bali.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $76Surabaya $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $76, while the average daily cost in Surabaya is $63. 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 Bangkok and Surabaya in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $41Surabaya $37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $82Surabaya $74
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Surabaya
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Surabaya? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $5.77Surabaya $2.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.18
-
Skytrain Ticket$4.36
-
Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.87
-
Ferry Ride$0.71
-
Taxi From Airport$6.82
-
Short Taxi Ride$2.45
-
Boat Taxi$1.36
-
Trains to airport$4.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
- Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $12
- Ancient City (Mueang Boran) Entrance Tickets With Hotel Transfer: $44
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Luxury Car: $122
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Minivan: $27
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Sedan Car: $17
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Business Car: $71
- Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $82
- BKK Airport - Hua Hin/Cha-am 100% Electric Private Transfer : $94
- Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport Transfer - Central Bangkok Hotel: $43
- Bangkok Airport (DMK) to Bangkok - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
- Bangkok Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- From Juanda International Airport: Transfer to Surabaya: $30
- One Way Private Transfer: Juanda International Airport Transfer to/from Surabaya: $34
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
- Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $134
- Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $168
- Private Transfer from Bungurasih to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Delta sari to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Gempol to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $50
- Private Transfer from Gendangan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Gresik to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $93
- Private Transfer from Kota Surabaya to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Surabaya?
Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $18Surabaya $22
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
-
Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$25
-
Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.46
-
2 Rotis (Bread)$1.23
-
Mango & Sticky Rice$0.82
-
Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.46
-
Pad Thai$1.91
-
Airport Lunch for 2$15
-
Lunch for 2$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Bangkok Food Tour and Sightseeing with Tuktuk: $16
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $19
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $20
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $23
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $24
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
- Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $16Surabaya $4.74
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Movie Ticket$4.36
-
Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$9.55
-
Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.36
-
Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.46
-
Club Cover Charge$10
-
Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$65
-
Fish Pedicure$4.09
-
Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.73
-
Siriraj Museum (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
- Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.20
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.31
- Skip the line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.52
- Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
- Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.46
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.66
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour: $10
Tours and Activities in Surabaya
Here are a few actual costs in Surabaya for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bromo Sunrise Sharing Tour start Malang - Everyday: $51
- Bromo One Day Sharing Tour (Start MALANG): $52
- Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya & Malang - Depart Midnight: $52
- surabaya port : city tour surabaya, pick up drop off at port: $58
- Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya: $66
- Private Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture : $68
- Surabaya Historiculture Private Day Tour: $70
- Day Tour - Surabaya Heritage Colonial Tour: $73
- From Surabaya Port: Cultural and Historical Guided City Tour: $77
- Probolinggo City Tour For Cruise Passengers: $78
- Bromo Tour Package: Midnight Bromo Open Trip from Batu: $79
- Taman Safari Private Tour and PutukTruno Waterfall: $79
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.97Surabaya -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Beer$1.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Pub Crawl and Club Night With Shots & VIP Entrance: $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Surabaya, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Surabaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surabaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surabaya 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Surabaya.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Surabaya?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Surabaya. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Surabaya, 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.
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.