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

Should you visit Surabaya or Chongqing?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Chongqing? 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 Chongqing?

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.

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

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 China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Surabaya?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Surabaya is $63, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $86. 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 Chongqing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surabaya $37
    Chongqing $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surabaya $74
    Chongqing $98
Compare Hotels in Surabaya and Chongqing

Looking for a hotel in Surabaya or Chongqing? 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 Chongqing


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.
    Surabaya $2.76
    Chongqing $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:

  • From Juanda International Airport: Transfer to Surabaya: $30
  • One Way Private Transfer: Juanda International Airport Transfer to/from Surabaya: $34
  • Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
  • Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
  • Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $134
  • Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $168
  • Private Transfer from Bungurasih to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
  • Private Transfer from Delta sari 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
  • Private Transfer from Kota Surabaya to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $24
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $50
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $128
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $158
  • Dazu Rock Carvings Private Transfer or Tour: $278
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $22
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $25
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Surabaya or Chongqing?

Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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 $22
    Chongqing $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

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

  • Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $115
  • CHONGQING:Strolling through the city(Include dinner): $127
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
  • Private Chongqing night tour with dinner hot pot: $170
  • Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193
  • From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $197
  • Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
  • Chongqing Night view private tour with hot-pot dinner: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surabaya $4.74
    Chongqing $13

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

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

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

  • 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
  • Private Chongqing Day Tour: Panda, E'ling Park, Three Gorges Museum: $99
  • city tour of Chongqing : $130
  • Chongqing Half Day Morning Private Tour including Eling Park & Chongqing Museum: $135
  • Private Chongqing Illuminated Night Tour : $138
  • Private Amazing Chongqing City Day Tour in Your Way: $139
  • 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
  • From Full-Day Private Tour Dazu Rock Carvings: $144
  • Half Day Afternoon Private Tour: General Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Panda: $156
  • Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $157
  • Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $158
  • Chongqing Private Day Tour Of Meet popular Chongqing: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surabaya -
    Chongqing $6.90


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surabaya and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Chongqing?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Surabaya. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya and Chongqing, 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.