A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Surabaya vs. Chichibu-Tama-Kai for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? 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.

Surabaya

Surabaya is a authentic, local, and undiscovered city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food. See Surabaya travel costs.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing national park. With stunning beauty, Chichibu-Tama-Kai attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Chichibu-Tama-Kai travel costs.

Surabaya and Chichibu-Tama-Kai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surabaya than Chichibu-Tama-Kai, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surabaya is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Chichibu-Tama-Kai is more touristy than Surabaya and is popular for its beautiful hikes and accessibility from Tokyo. Surabaya is well known for its role in Indonesia's independence revolution. Also, Surabaya is famous for the Submarine Monument.

How is Surabaya different from Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Surabaya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai.

Surabaya offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You'll likely pass through town on your way somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out Suramadu Bridge, the House of Sampoerna, Cheng Hoo Mosque, Sanggar Agung Temple, and Ampel Mosque. It's also worth a visit to the Submarine Museum and the Heroes Monument.

While most people don't head to Chichibu-Tama-Kai specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are hikes that pass by historic villages and you'll see several ancient shrines such as Musashi-Mitake-jinja Shrine. Between the months of June and November you may even be able to see kagura, which is a traditional Shinto dance performance that has been passed down through the generations.

Is the Food Better in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Surabaya is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Surabaya. It's a port city, and the cuisine reflexs this. You'll find a mix of different flavors that combine Javanese, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian cuisines. Dishes include a lot of vegetables as well as tofu and tempeh. Many dishes are also sweet in flavor or incredibly spicy.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. There are a couple of restaurants in and near the park, but if you're going for a longer hike, you're better off packing your own picnic.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Nightlife?

Surabaya is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Surabaya has a few options to choose from. Like the rest of the city, the nightlife scene has a local vibe. There are night markets, fascinating neighborhoods, and some lively clubs and bars.

People don't go to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the nightlife. Soaking up the natural beauty is what brings people here, not the nightlife.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Beaches?

Surabaya is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Surabaya. You'll find a few beaches within a short drive of the city center. Some of the popular ones include Ria Kenjeran Beach, Bentar Beach, and Delegan Beach.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a beach destination.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Hiking?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chichibu-Tama-Kai. There are a range of hikes in this park that include everything from day trip hikes and multi-day treks with camping and mountain huts available. The trails run along gorges, pass by lakes, and take you through pristine forests.

Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Surabaya is great for shopping. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Surabaya. The city has a great mix of air-conditioned mega-malls and colorful street markets. Bratang Market has become a favorite but it's also worth checking out Tugu Pahlawan Market and Ampel Market.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai More Beautiful?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Chichibu-Tama-Kai attracts visitors from all around. This park is perfectly positioned to offer a natural escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. It's filled with beautiful forests and serene hiking trails that make for a wonderful day away.

Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Families?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This national park offers educational programs, hiking, and outdoor adventures that the entire family can enjoy. If you kids need a break from history and cities, then this is the perfect place to reconnect with nature for a few days.

For families, Surabaya is not always the best place to visit. You'll like be passing through this city enroute to somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out the Submarine Museum. You can also wander through the market area of Qubah or explore Chinatown.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Couples?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great destination for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Couples visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Hiking, natural beauty, and adrenaline-filled adventures all make this a wonderful couples destination for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of town.

Surabaya is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are some sights an museums that you can visit while you're in town.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a popular place for backpackers. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's less than two hours from Tokyo, so backpackers can enjoy easy access to an accessible natural area.

Surabaya is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town but most backpackers don't spend more than a night in town.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Surabaya and Chichibu-Tama-Kai.

Public transit is generally limited in Surabaya. There's a bus system, but it's mostly used by locals. There are two types of buses - normal buses and patas buses, which are express.

Public transit is mostly limited in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's recommended that you have a car to efficiently explore the park. There are some bus options within the park, such as the Nishi Tokyo Bus that runs to popular hiking spots in the Okutama and Mitake areas and the Yamanashi Kotsu bus service that goes to trails in Yamanashi.

Is Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai a more walkable city?

Surabaya and Chichibu-Tama-Kai both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Surabaya is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in Indonesia and it has the feel of a bunch of neighborhoods combined together.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is very walkable. There are hiking trails that cater to every level, from beginner to more experienced.

For even more information, also check out Is Surabaya Worth Visiting? and Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai to fill your time. In our opinion, Chichibu-Tama-Kai has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai than Surabaya. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai than Surabaya. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chichibu-Tama-Kai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai than Surabaya. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chichibu-Tama-Kai that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai than Surabaya if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai.

One day in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

When visiting Surabaya, people usually allow for lots of time. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

The beautiful national park of Chichibu-Tama-Kai offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

When visiting Surabaya, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chichibu-Tama-Kai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the undiscovered big city of Surabaya. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Surabaya or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

Surabaya is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This national park offers something for everyone.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surabaya and Chichibu-Tama-Kai, we can see that Chichibu-Tama-Kai is more expensive. And not only is Surabaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surabaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surabaya 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chichibu-Tama-Kai than you might in Surabaya.

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