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

Should you visit Leh or Surabaya?

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 Leh and Surabaya. 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: Leh or Surabaya?

Leh

Leh is a small town located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. Today, the town is best known for its Buddhist sites and nearby trekking areas. It is situated in northern India, amidst the mountainous Himalayan range.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Leh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $39, 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 Leh and Surabaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leh $17
    Surabaya $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leh $34
    Surabaya $74
Compare Hotels in Leh and Surabaya

Looking for a hotel in Leh 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 Leh


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: Leh Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leh $7.86
    Surabaya $2.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:

  • Leh Airport Transfer: $33

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 Leh or Surabaya?

Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Leh 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
    Leh $14
    Surabaya $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leh $14
    Surabaya $4.74

Tours and Activities in Leh

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:

  • Leh-Ladakh Sameday Tour/ Capture the Majesty in Just One Day: $53
  • "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $80
  • LADAKH TOUR: $659
  • From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507

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 day
    Leh $5.57
    Surabaya -


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

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


Which is Bigger, Leh or Surabaya?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh 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.