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

Should you visit Surabaya or Zhangye?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Zhangye? 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 Zhangye?

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.

Zhangye

Zhangye, China is a city in the Gansu Province in the central north part of the country, close to Mongolia. This ancient city has often been used as a military strong hold, having been the headquarters of General Huo among many others. Zhangye is a fabulous day trip city to visit when staying in larger nearby cities.

Zhangye is privy to beautiful summer weather, with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the high 70's Fahrenheit. The best times to visit are between July and September, when temperatures and sunshine are at their highest. Autumn, Winter, and Spring tend to be a little chillier and rainier.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangye 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 Zhangye is $85. 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 Zhangye in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surabaya $37
    Zhangye $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surabaya $74
    Zhangye $76
Compare Hotels in Surabaya and Zhangye

Looking for a hotel in Surabaya or Zhangye? 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 Zhangye


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
    Zhangye $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:

  • Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
  • Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
  • Private airport transfer surabaya: $21
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from SUB Airport: $27
  • Airport Private Transfers to Your Destinatination: $27
  • From Juanda International Airport: Transfer to Surabaya: $30
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Pabean: $32
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya City to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
  • Private Transfer from Taman to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
  • Private Transfer from Waru to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Waru: $32
  • Private Transfer from Sepanjang to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangye

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhangye:

  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Airport (YZY) to Zhangye Hotel: $59
  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Hotel to Zhangye Airport (YZY): $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Surabaya or Zhangye?

Prices for flights to both Zhangye 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
    Zhangye $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surabaya $4.74
    Zhangye $10

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 Zhangye

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zhangye are as follows:

  • Zhangye One Day City Tour: $77
  • Private day tour to Zhangye Danxia Landform the Rainbow Mountain: $150
  • Private day tour to Zhangye Mati temple & Giant Buddha Temple start from Zhangye: $155
  • Zhangye Danxia Half Day tour: $195
  • Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Private Day Tour: $214
  • Private Hiking Tour: Pingshanhu Grand Canyon and the Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes: $235
  • Private Day Tour: Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes and Zhangye Danxia Landform: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Binggou Danxia and Zhangye Danxia Geopark from Zhangye: $299

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


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


Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Zhangye?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zhangye. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya and Zhangye, 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.