A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Surabaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Surabaya?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Islamabad?

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 Islamabad is $53, while the average daily cost in Surabaya is $65. 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 Islamabad and Surabaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $21
    Surabaya $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $42
    Surabaya $76
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Surabaya

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Surabaya


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.69
    Surabaya $2.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Islamabad Airport Transfers : $54
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:

  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Samaan: $214
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Podokoyo: $214
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Batu: $171
  • Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $170
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Bangkalan: $137
  • Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $137
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Gresik: $94
  • Private Transfer from Gresik to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $94
  • Surabaya & Malang: Private Hotel or Airport Transfer: $69
  • Surabaya & Malang: Private Transfer To The Hotels or Airport: $68
  • Private Transfer from Tanggulangin to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $51
  • Private Transfer from Sidoarjo to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Surabaya?

Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $26
    Surabaya $23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.50
    Surabaya $4.89

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Half Day Private Instagram Guided City Tour : $80
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $85
  • Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Full Day Tour To The Ancient City Of Taxila From Islamabad: $90
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $98
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $99
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120

Tours and Activities in Surabaya

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

  • 1 Day Bromo Private Day Tour with Madakaripura Waterfall: $126
  • 1 Day Private Malang / Surabaya Bromo Sunrise Tour: $100
  • 1 Day Tour - Wonderful Sunrise Mount Bromo From Surabaya: $136
  • 1 days Majapahit temple history tour: $100
  • 1Day - Bromo Madakaripura Day Tour: $128
  • 2Days - Bromo Madakaripura Adventure via Surabaya or Malang: $155
  • 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Tour via Surabaya: $199
  • 2Days/1Night Bromo Private Tour with Hotel: $189
  • 3-Day Tour: Mount Bromo & Tumpak Sewu Waterfall from Surabaya: $292
  • 3D 2N Tour : Tumpak Sewu waterfall Bromo and Ijen Crater: $371
  • 3D2N Mount Bromo & Ijen Crater Tour from Surabaya: $290
  • 3Days - Adventure Bromo Ijen via Surabaya or Malang: $275

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.89
    Surabaya -


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Surabaya?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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.

Related Articles for Islamabad