A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Surabaya vs. Katoomba for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Surabaya or Katoomba?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Katoomba? 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Surabaya travel costs.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a serene, natural, and relaxing town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of Katoomba is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Katoomba travel costs.

Surabaya and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Katoomba?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surabaya than Katoomba, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surabaya is better known for its beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Katoomba is more popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Katoomba is more touristy than Surabaya and is known for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. 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 Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Katoomba 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 Katoomba?

Katoomba is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Katoomba. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

While most people don't head to Surabaya specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

Is the Food Better in Surabaya or Katoomba? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Surabaya and Katoomba can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Surabaya area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Katoomba. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Surabaya or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Surabaya or Katoomba has a better nightlife scene.

Surabaya has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Katoomba has a few options to choose from. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Surabaya or Katoomba Better for Beaches?

Surabaya is a good destination for its beaches. However, Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Surabaya offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Is Surabaya or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

People visit Katoomba specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Katoomba?

Surabaya is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Surabaya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Surabaya or Katoomba More Beautiful?

Katoomba is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Katoomba is one of the main draws. It's a town surrounded by natural beauty. It offers easy access to breathtaking views and impressive hikes through the Blue Mountains.

Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Surabaya or Katoomba Better for Families?

Katoomba is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Katoomba is a very family-friendly destination. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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 Katoomba Better for Couples?

Katoomba is a great destination for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Couples visit Katoomba frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

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 Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Katoomba is a great destination for backpackers. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Katoomba is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

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 Katoomba Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Katoomba is a popular place for its public transit. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Katoomba, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Is Surabaya or Katoomba a more walkable city?

Surabaya is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Surabaya Worth Visiting? and Is Katoomba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Surabaya or Katoomba. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Katoomba due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Surabaya, and 2-4 days is enough time in Katoomba.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Katoomba 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 Katoomba.

One day in Surabaya or Katoomba?

Surabaya is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Katoomba is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Surabaya or Katoomba?

Surabaya is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Surabaya, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Katoomba is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Katoomba, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Katoomba?

Surabaya 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.

Katoomba is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Katoomba?

Surabaya is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Katoomba is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 town 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surabaya and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Surabaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surabaya is in Asia and Katoomba is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Katoomba?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya and Katoomba, 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.