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

Should you visit Mandalay or Surabaya?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Surabaya, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Mandalay or Surabaya?

Mandalay

Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Mandalay?

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 Mandalay is $12, while the average daily cost in Surabaya is $82. 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 Mandalay and Surabaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandalay $5.60
    Surabaya $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandalay $11
    Surabaya $76
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Surabaya

Looking for a hotel in Mandalay 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 Mandalay


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: Surabaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Surabaya $2.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:

  • Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
  • From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
  • From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
  • Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
  • Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
  • Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
  • Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
  • Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:

  • From Juanda International Airport: Transfer to Surabaya: $30
  • From Private Transfer To or From Mount Bromo: $34
  • One Way Private Transfer: Juanda International Airport Transfer to/from Surabaya: $34
  • Private Airport Transfer Surabaya: $21
  • Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
  • Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $134
  • Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $168
  • Private Transfer from Buduran to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
  • Private Transfer from Bungurasih 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Surabaya?

Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Mandalay 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
    Mandalay $6.66
    Surabaya $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.

  • Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
  • Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
  • Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Surabaya $4.89

Tours and Activities in Mandalay

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

  • A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
  • Private Tour in Mandalay and Amarapura: $41
  • Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
  • Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $45
  • Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $53
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $53
  • Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura : $61
  • Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
  • Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $65
  • Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
  • One Day Tour Of Mandalay,Sagaing,Innwa,Amarapura : $70
  • Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75

Tours and Activities in Surabaya

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

  • Tumpaksewu Day Tour with Guided Option: $45
  • Yogyakarta : Borobudur and Prambanan tour: $48
  • From Malang: Shared Bromo Sunrise Tour with Breakfast: $50
  • Surabaya & Malang: Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls Shared Guided Tour: $51
  • Bromo One Day Sharing Tour (Start MALANG): $52
  • Mount Bromo Sunrise Experience from Surabaya & Malang: $57
  • surabaya port : city tour surabaya, pick up drop off at port: $60
  • Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya: $69
  • Guided Tour from Probolinggo to Mount Bromo: $69
  • Private Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture : $70
  • Mount Bromo English Speaking Guide Shared Tour from Surabaya: $72
  • From Malang: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Private Tour: $72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandalay -
    Surabaya -


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

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


Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Surabaya?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay 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.