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

Should you visit Surabaya or Taupo?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Taupo? 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 local, undiscovered, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Surabaya travel costs.

Taupo

Taupo is a otherworldly, striking, and stunning town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Taupo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Taupo travel costs.

Surabaya and Taupo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Taupo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surabaya. Although Surabaya and Taupo are both popular with visitors, Surabaya has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surabaya is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Taupo is known for its skiing, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taupo is more touristy than Surabaya and is known for its thermal hot springs, dramatic landscapes, and world class hikes. Surabaya is popular for its role in Indonesia's independence revolution. It is also home to the Submarine Monument.

How is Surabaya different from Taupo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Surabaya or Taupo Better for Skiing?

Taupo is an unbeatable place for winter skiing. However, Surabaya is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Taupo should be on your list. Nearby Mount Ruapehu offers access to the longest running ski season in both Australia and New Zealand. From June until October you can enjoy the largest commercial ski areas around. There are options for everyone from young beginners to experts. The two main ski resorts in the area are Whakapapa Ski Area and Tūroa Ski Area.

Surabaya is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Surabaya or Taupo?

Surabaya is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Taupo is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Taupo. Stunning natural beauty and adventure-filled activities are what Taupo is all about, but you won't find much in the form of museums.

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

Taupo 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 Taupo is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with local restaurants that make use of local ingredients such as fresh caught trout, local produce, and wild game. The town also has many farmers markets and a strong cafe culture.

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 Taupo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Surabaya or Taupo 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 Taupo has a few options to choose from. It's a small resort town that is active during the day and night. There are low key activities in the evening like soaking in the thermal hot pools or grabbing a drink at a bar.

Is Surabaya or Taupo Better for Beaches?

Surabaya is a popular place for the beach. However, Taupo 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.

Taupo is not a beach destination.

Is Surabaya or Taupo Better for Hiking?

Taupo 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 Taupo. The area is filled with beautiful hikes that take you through the natural beauty. During the fall season you can enjoy the fall foliage and during the summer months the wildlife and waterfront setting is at a peak.

Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Taupo?

Surabaya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Surabaya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Taupo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The lakefront town has a nice, pedestrian-friendly stretch with boutique shops, fashion outlets, and souvenir vendors.

Is Surabaya or Taupo More Beautiful?

Taupo is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Taupo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the lake, there is stunning natural beauty in the area and many breathtaking views.

Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Surabaya or Taupo Better for Families?

Taupo 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, Taupo is a very family-friendly destination. Set on the edge of Lake Taupo, there are many family-friendly activities in the area like swimming, boating, and hiking. There are also thermal hot springs and in the winter months skiing. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures will find no shortage of options year round.

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 Taupo Better for Couples?

Taupo is an unbeatable place for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Taupo makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Honeymooners and couples who enjoy romantic scenery, beautiful sunsets, and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this area. You can soak in thermal hot springs and picnic next to beautiful waterfalls. There are also breathtaking hikes and great water activities.

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 Taupo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Taupo is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Taupo is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. There's plenty of backpacker and hostel accommodation in the area. There are also free outdoor activities and adrenaline-filled adventures that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Taupo 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 Taupo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local bus service, the Taupo Connector, that travels around the town center. If you want to get outside of town, you'll need to have a 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 Taupo a more walkable city?

Surabaya is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Taupo is a somewhat walkable city. The town is fairly compact, but if you want to efficiently get around and experience everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Taupo or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Taupo?

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

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

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

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

One day in Surabaya or Taupo?

Each neighborhood in Surabaya has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The town of Taupo offers nightlife 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 Taupo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surabaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Taupo 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 Taupo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Taupo?

Surabaya is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Surabaya. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Taupo is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that skiing 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 Taupo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the local big city of Surabaya. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Taupo is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that skiing 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, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

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

Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Taupo?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya and Taupo, 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.