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

Should you visit Surabaya or Sado?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Sado? 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.

Sado

Sado is a off-the-beaten-path, traditional, and cultural island. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking. See Sado travel costs.

Surabaya and Sado: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Sado?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surabaya than Sado, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surabaya is better known for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Sado is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and hiking. Sado is more touristy than Surabaya and is known for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis. 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 Sado?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sado is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

Sado offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The former gold mines are open to the public and fascinating to explore. For a traditional town, head to Shukunegi, which has narrow alleys and historic homes. Also worth a visit is the Sado History Museum.

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 Sado? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sado is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Surabaya is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Sado is an experience not to be missed. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.

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.

Is Surabaya or Sado Better for Nightlife?

Surabaya is a popular place for nightlife. However, Sado is a mediocre island for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Surabaya. 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.

Sado doesn't offer many options. This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.

Is Surabaya or Sado Better for Beaches?

Surabaya is a popular place for its beaches. However, Sado is not a beach destination.

Surabaya is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Sado is not a beach destination.

Is Surabaya or Sado Better for Hiking?

Sado 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 Sado. There is wonderful hiking on the island. Head to the Osado Mountain Range for wildflowers and spectacular views and scenery.

Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Sado?

Surabaya is notable for shopping. However, Sado is a mediocre island 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Sado has some nice offerings. You'll find shops where you can pick up any necessities that you may have forgotten. There are also souvenir shops where you can find local items to remember your trip.

Is Surabaya or Sado Better for Families?

Sado is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sado. The former gold mines are fascinating and open to the public. There are also parks and interesting wildlife such as the Japanese ibis that you can see.

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 Sado Better for Couples?

Sado is a popular place for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Sado is a good island for couples to visit. The area's history and nature make it a unique place for a couple's trip. There are museums, and outdoor spaces that you visit as well as the interesting mines.

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 Sado Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sado is a popular place for backpackers. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sado. There are a couple of hostels as well as guesthouses that backpackers can stay at while they're in town.

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

Surabaya is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Sado. There are no trains on the island and the bus routes are infrequent and slow. You really must have a car to explore the area.

Is Surabaya or Sado a more walkable city?

Surabaya is notable for its walkability. However, Sado is a mediocre island 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.

Sado is not a very walkable city. The island isn't particularly walkable, so you'll want to have a vehicle to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Sado or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Sado?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Surabaya and Sado. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sado than in Surabaya. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Surabaya, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sado.

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

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

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

One day in Surabaya or Sado?

Surabaya is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The island of Sado offers museums and food. 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 Sado?

Surabaya is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Surabaya or Sado?

You'll find food and shopping around the local big city of Surabaya. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sado 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 Sado?

The authentic city of Surabaya offers shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Sado 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 island 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Surabaya and Sado, we can see that Sado is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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