A Travel Price Comparison for Indonesia Surabaya vs. Bandung for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Surabaya or Bandung?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Bandung? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Surabaya or Bandung?

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.

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bandung or Surabaya?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Surabaya is $64, while the average daily cost in Bandung is $41. 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 Surabaya and Bandung in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surabaya $38
    Bandung $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surabaya $76
    Bandung $44
Compare Hotels in Surabaya and Bandung

Looking for a hotel in Surabaya or Bandung? 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 Surabaya


Hotels in Bandung


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 and Bandung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surabaya $2.82
    Bandung $5.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:

  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from SUB Airport: $27
  • Airport Private Transfers to Your Destinatination: $28
  • Surabaya & Malang: Private Transfer To The Hotels or Airport: $68
  • Surabaya & Malang: Private Hotel or Airport Transfer: $69
  • Private airport transfer surabaya: $21
  • Private Transfer from Tanggulangin to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $51
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya City to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Waru: $32
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Tanggulangin: $51
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Taman: $32
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Surabaya City : $32
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Sidoarjo: $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

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

  • Bandung Airport BDO to Bandung or Lembang Arrival Transfer: $28
  • Bandung Airport BDO to Bandung or Lembang Round Trip Transfer: $55
  • Bandung Airport BDO to Cipanas Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $47
  • Bandung or Lembang to Bandung Airport BDO Departure Transfer: $28
  • Bandung or Lembang to Jakarta Airport CGK Departure Transfer: $64
  • Private Bandung Airport to Cipanas Thermal Round Trip Transfer: $95
  • Private Cipanas Thermal to Bandung Airport BDO Departure Transfer: $47
  • Private Cipanas Thermal to Jakarta Airport CGK Departure Transfer: $28
  • Private Kertajati International Airport Transfers (KJT) for Bandung: $120
  • Private Rental Cars Bandung 10 Pax Free Airport Transfer: $139
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Arjuna: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Babakan Ciamis : $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Surabaya or Bandung?

Prices for flights to both Bandung and Surabaya 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
    Surabaya $23
    Bandung $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surabaya $4.83
    Bandung $5.78

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: $119
  • 1 Day Private Malang / Surabaya Bromo Sunrise Tour: $98
  • 1 Day Tour - Wonderful Sunrise Mount Bromo From Surabaya: $136
  • 1 days Majapahit temple history tour: $100
  • 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
  • 2Days/1Night Bromo Private Tour with Hotel: $199
  • 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 or Malang (Hotel Stay): $263

Tours and Activities in Bandung

For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adventure Citarik River Funtastic Rafting - Admission Ticket: $32
  • Private Walking Tour of Bandung with Guide: $33
  • Kawah Rengganis Private Hiking and Glamping Lakeside Tour from Bandung: $41
  • Private Tour Gunung Hawu Padalarang from Bandung: $41
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $43
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $46
  • Kawah Putih Private Tour and Angklung Performance: $47
  • Kawah Putih tour - Day trip Ticket etc all including : $49
  • Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $52
  • Private Tour to Patuhan Volcanic Crater and Angklung Show: $54
  • Kawah Putih Tour From Bandung City: $58
  • Tangkuban Parahu Volcano North Bandung Private Tour : $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surabaya -
    Bandung $3.52


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

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


Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Bandung?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Bandung. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya and Bandung, 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.