Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Can Tho?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Can Tho or Surabaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Surabaya can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Can Tho or Surabaya?
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
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 Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCan Tho $57Surabaya $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Can Tho is $57, 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 Can Tho and Surabaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCan Tho $27Surabaya $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCan Tho $54Surabaya $74
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Surabaya
Looking for a hotel in Can Tho 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: Can Tho Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Can Tho $13Surabaya $2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $25
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Ho Chi Minh: $112
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $112
- Private Transfer from Thanh Thoi to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $106
- Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $105
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $40
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Samaan: $210
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Malang: $168
- Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $168
- Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $134
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Bangkalan: $134
- Private Transfer from Gresik to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $93
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Gresik: $93
- Surabaya & Malang: Private Transfer To The Hotels or Airport: $68
- Surabaya & Malang: Private Hotel or Airport Transfer: $67
- Private Transfer from Manyar to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $50
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Gempol: $50
- Private Transfer from Gempol to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Surabaya?
Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Can Tho 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 dayCan Tho $17Surabaya $22
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
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Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$5.19
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Coconut$0.28
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Mango$1.08
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Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$6.95
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Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.64
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Casual Lunch (for One)$2.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Can Tho food tour designed by local chef: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Eco Cooking Class and Market Tour: $47
- Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $47
- Full-Day Experience in Mekong Cycling and Authentic Home Cooking: $60
- Can Tho Cooking Class - Motorbike trip in the countryside: $69
- 2 Days Tour in Can Tho with Boat Trip and Cooking Class : $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Can Tho $17Surabaya $4.74
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sunset Boat Ride$2.00
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Half Day Floating Market Tour$8.39
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $32
- The hidden Fabulous Floating Market and small canal (Non-tourist small canal): $33
- Half-Day Private Cai Rang Floating Market & Small Canal Boat Tour: $33
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $33
- Discover Can Tho Floating Market and Small Canal Adventure: $35
- Can Tho Sunset Tour : $35
- From Cai Rang Floating Market Group tour: $39
- Private Half Day Tour - Cái Răng Floating Market: $39
- Private Half Day Tour - Sơn Islet: $39
- Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $40
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour -Amazing Can Tho : $45
- Rural and Tropical Island Tour at Can Tho: $48
Tours and Activities in Surabaya
Here are a few actual costs in Surabaya for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Bromo Private Tour with Madakaripura Waterfall: $118
- 1 Day Private Malang / Surabaya Bromo Sunrise Tour: $98
- 1 Day Tour - Wonderful Sunrise Mount Bromo From Surabaya: $136
- 1Day - Bromo Madakaripura Day Tour: $128
- 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Surabaya (Private Tour): $132
- 2Days - Bromo Family Tour via Surabaya: $163
- 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Tour via Surabaya: $199
- 3 Days - Mt Bromo & Ijen Experience from Surabaya or Malang: $263
- 3 Days Bromo Ijen Tour From Surabaya: $170
- 3 Days Private Tour in Bromo and Ijen from Surabaya: $275
- 3Days - Adventure Bromo Ijen via Surabaya: $245
- 3Days - Adventure Bromo Ijen via Surabaya or Malang (Hotel Stay): $265
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCan Tho $6.59Surabaya -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
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Beer$3.20
When comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Surabaya, we can see that Surabaya 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Can Tho Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Surabaya?
Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho 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.