Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Hue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hue 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 Hue 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: Hue or Surabaya?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
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 Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $48Surabaya $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $48, 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 Hue and Surabaya in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $23Surabaya $37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $46Surabaya $74
Compare Hotels in Hue and Surabaya
Looking for a hotel in Hue 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: Hue Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Surabaya $2.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
-
Cyclo$0.48
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.88
-
Taxi Ride to Tombs$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hue City: $107
- Da Nang City : Private Car Transfer to Da Nang/From Hue City: $95
- Da Nang: Airport Transfer Pick up Service: $5.91
- Da Nang: Private Car Transfer to Hue Via My Son Sanctuary: $139
- Daily Transfer Hue - Hoi An with sightseeing on the way: $63
- Danang: Transfer to/from Hue by Private Car via Hai Van Pass: $41
- Deluxe Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Amazing way: $25
- From Da Nang : Private Transfer to Hue via Hai Van pass: $35
- From Hue : Transfer Hue To Hoi An with Sightseeing: $16
- From Hue Private Transfer to Phong Nha via DMZ & sightseeing: $67
- From Hue to Golden Bridge - Ba Na Via Hai Van Pass (Private Roundtrip Transfer): $85
- From Bach Ma National Park Private Car Transfer: $121
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
- Private airport transfer surabaya: $21
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from SUB Airport: $27
- Airport Private Transfers to Your Destinatination: $27
- From Juanda International Airport: Transfer to Surabaya: $30
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Pabean: $32
- Private Transfer from Surabaya City to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Taman to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Waru to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Waru: $32
- Private Transfer from Sepanjang to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Surabaya?
Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Hue 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 dayHue $15Surabaya $22
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
-
River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.99
-
Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.80
-
Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.20
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- Private Healthy Cooking Class In Ancient Vietnamese Garden: $20
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Walking street food tour: $30
- Hue : Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Family: $31
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hue: $31
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorcycle with Driver: $33
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $33
- Home Cooking Class in Hue City : $35
- Hue Walking Food Tour: $35
- Best Hue Street Food Tour: $35
- Exploring Hue Food Tour with Local Guide : $35
- Home Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Girl: $35
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hue $11Surabaya $4.74
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
-
Boat Ride$7.79
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.12
-
Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.20
-
Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $3.82
- Hue City Tour by Private Car & English Speaking Driver: $8.80
- Hue Car Rental: Sightseeing City Day Trip by Car with Driver: $9.23
- Sightseeing Travel Bus from Hue to Hoi An: $12
- Discover Vietnamese Cuisine E-Ticket: $15
- Hue Hoi An Bus Tour Sightseeing via Hai Van Pass 4 Stops: $15
- Sightseeing Bus from Hue to Hoi An (Seat in Coach): $15
- Hue Imperial City Sightseeing Full-Day Trip From Hue: $16
- From Hue : Full-Day Hue Imperial City Tour with Lunch: $16
- Hue : City Highlights Full Day Tour with Lunch: $16
- BUS TOUR HUE - PHONG NHA: $16
- HUE - HOI AN BUS TOUR (S.I.C): $16
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 dayHue $5.79Surabaya -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
-
Beer$1.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hue and Surabaya, we can see that Surabaya is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Surabaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surabaya than you might in Hue.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Surabaya?
Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue 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.