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

Should you visit Tel Aviv or Surabaya?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Surabaya, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Tel Aviv or Surabaya?

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.

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 Tours for Seniors to Israel, The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Tel Aviv?

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 Tel Aviv is $201, 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 Tel Aviv and Surabaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tel Aviv $109
    Surabaya $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tel Aviv $218
    Surabaya $66
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Surabaya

Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv


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: Tel Aviv Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tel Aviv $11
    Surabaya $2.47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:


  • Local Bus to Central Bus Station
    $1.99
  • Taxi to Airport
    $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:

  • Fast and Reliable Airport Transfers to Tel Aviv Hotels (or back): $94
  • Haifa to Tel Aviv or (TLV) Airport Transfers (Arrival/Departure): $290
  • Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
  • Private Airport Transfer - Dead Sea Hotels from or to Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport: $160
  • Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
  • Private Departure Transfer: From Tel Aviv City Center to Ben Gurion Airport: $48
  • Private Transfer from Herzlia to Ben Gurion Airport: $116
  • Private Transfer from Herzlia to Jerusalem: $247
  • Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport: $172
  • Private Transfer from Netanya to Ben Gurion Airport: $172
  • Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Haifa Cruise Port: $229
  • Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Int Airport (TLV) to Ashdod Port: $153

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:

  • From Private Transfer To or From Mount Bromo: $34
  • Private Airport Transfer Surabaya: $22
  • Private Transfer from Aloha to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
  • Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $139
  • Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $174
  • Private Transfer from Berbek Industri to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
  • Private Transfer from Buduran to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
  • Private Transfer from Cemoro Lawang to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $219
  • Private Transfer from Delta sari to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
  • Private Transfer from Gempol to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $53
  • Private Transfer from Gresik to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $51
  • Private Transfer from Kota Surabaya to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Surabaya?

Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Tel Aviv 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
    Tel Aviv $61
    Surabaya $35
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tel Aviv:


  • Dinner for Two
    $28
  • Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka
    $164
  • Lunch at Segev Sarona
    $43
  • Aroma Iced Coffee
    $4.73
  • Lunch at the airport
    $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tel Aviv $29
    Surabaya $4.24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv

Here are a few typical costs in Tel Aviv for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Masada tour from Tel Aviv
    $100
  • Etzel museum
    $5.07

Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv

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

  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Israel’s Neve Tzedek: $7.99
  • Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $8.15
  • Jaffa Gatekeeper’s Secret: Exploration Game and Tour: $9.33
  • The White City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the History of the Bauhaus Style: $9.99
  • The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
  • Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
  • Jaffa Walking Tour - Half-Day: $49
  • Discover Jaffa in a Guided Walking Tour: $50
  • Carmel Market Vegetarian Food, History & Culture Tour: $50
  • Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $50
  • Tel Aviv; Jaffa Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour: $60

Tours and Activities in Surabaya

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

  • From Probolinggo: Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $23
  • From Mount Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $43
  • Bromo Sunrise Tour: $45
  • Mount Bromo Shared Sunrise Tour 1 day from Surabaya (sharing): $64
  • Private Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture: $65
  • From Malang: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Private Tour: $68
  • Car and Walking Private Tour of Surabaya: $69
  • Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour from Surabaya: $70
  • Day Tour - Surabaya Heritage Colonial Tour: $73
  • Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya: $75
  • Day Tour Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls: $75
  • Start From Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour: $78

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tel Aviv $27
    Surabaya -

Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:

  • Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $26
  • Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Surabaya, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Surabaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Surabaya is in Asia, 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 Tel Aviv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Surabaya?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv 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.