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

Should you visit Surat Thani or Surabaya?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Surat Thani and Surabaya can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Surat Thani or Surabaya?

Surat Thani

The best way to see the real culture of a country is to go where the tourists are not. If you are itching to experience real Thai culture, you may want to visit the city of Surat Thani. Located on the central gulf coast of southern Thailand, this city is usually the gateway to other Thai islands – meaning visitors run through it without stopping. Stay a while and get to know Surat Thani – known to the locals as the "City of Good People."

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Surat Thani?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $69, while the average daily cost in Surabaya is $71. 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 Surat Thani and Surabaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surat Thani $26
    Surabaya $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surat Thani $52
    Surabaya $66
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Surabaya

Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Surabaya? 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 Surat Thani


Hotels in Surabaya


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.
    Surat Thani $26
    Surabaya $2.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani

Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Donsak pier to Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $124
  • From Koh Phangan: Shared Transfer to Khao Sok/Ao Nang/Phuket: $24
  • From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
  • Koh Samui: Full Moon Party Boat Transfer to Koh Phangan: $39
  • Koh Samui: Official Hawk Adventure Zipline Park, No Transfer: $54
  • Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
  • Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
  • Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $38
  • Samui Airport Transfer: $33
  • Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:

  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta to Bromo: $234
  • Private Transfer from Cemoro Lawang to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $218
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Cemoro Lawang: $218
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Podokoyo: $213
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Samaan: $213
  • Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $174
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Batu: $174
  • Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $139
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Bangkalan: $139
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Gempol: $52
  • Private Transfer from Sidoarjo to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $51
  • Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Gresik: $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Surabaya?

Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Surat Thani 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
    Surat Thani $27
    Surabaya $35
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:


  • Dinner
    $4.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surat Thani

For Surat Thani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Koh Samui: Island Vista Tour with Dinner and Transfers: $36
  • Jungle Adventure with Bamboo Cooking Class in Khao Sok: $49
  • Bamboo Fire Cooking Survival Experience from Khao Sok: $52
  • Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao: $61
  • Koh Phangan: The Best Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $76
  • Koh Phangan: Jungle Walk and Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $105
  • Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $117
  • Koh Samui: Japanese Cooking Class w/ Chef Daniel at W Samui: $124
  • Koh Samui: All-Inclusive Romantic Dinner, Private Beach, and Sunset: $796

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surat Thani $5.54
    Surabaya $4.25

Tours and Activities in Surat Thani

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.

  • Koh Samui: Minigolf International Entry Ticket: $12
  • Private Taxi Services and Tourism in Koh Samui: $13
  • Samui Go-Karting Experience – Sodikart RT10 Outdoor Race: $21
  • Koh Tao: Full-Day Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pick-up: $25
  • Koh Tao: Half-Day Sunset Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Pickup: $26
  • Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $32
  • Koh Tao: 5-Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos: $34
  • Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $35
  • Koh Pha Ngan: Options Discover of ATV or Zipline Adventures: $48
  • Ko Samui: Private Longtail Boat Tour to Koh Madsum & Koh Tan: $48
  • Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking): $48
  • Koh Phangan: Thong Nai Pan & Than Sadet 4x4 Jungle Adventure: $54

Tours and Activities in Surabaya

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

  • 1 Day Bromo Private Day Tour with Madakaripura Waterfall: $129
  • 1 Day Madura Island Private Tour from Surabaya: $70
  • 1 Day Tour, Wonderful Mount Bromo Sunrise From Surabaya or Malang: $136
  • 1 Day Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Private Tour From Surabaya: $80
  • 1Day - Bromo Madakaripura Day Tour: $128
  • 2-Day: Mt Bromo & Kawah Ijen Crater Tour from Surabaya & Malang: $235
  • 2Days - Bromo Madakaripura Adventure via Surabaya or Malang: $155
  • 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Tour via Surabaya: $199
  • 2Days/1Night Bromo Private Tour with Hotel: $179
  • 3D2N Mount Bromo & Ijen Crater Tour from Surabaya: $269
  • 3D2N Mount Bromo Sunrise & Ijen Blue Fire Tour: $289
  • 3Days - Adventure Bromo Ijen via Surabaya: $245

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surat Thani $5.53
    Surabaya -


When comparing the travel costs between Surat Thani and Surabaya, we can see that Surabaya 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 Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Surabaya?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 2374660 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Surabaya, 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.