Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varanasi 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 Varanasi 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: Varanasi or Surabaya?
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
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 Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Surabaya $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Surabaya is $63. 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 Varanasi and Surabaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Surabaya $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Surabaya $74
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Surabaya
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi 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.
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: Varanasi Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.94Surabaya $2.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.96
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Rickshaw Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $177
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $34
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from SUB Airport: $27
- Airport Private Transfers to Your Destinatination: $27
- Surabaya & Malang: Private Transfer To The Hotels or Airport: $68
- Surabaya & Malang: Private Hotel or Airport Transfer: $67
- Private airport transfer surabaya: $21
- Private Transfer from Waru to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Tanggulangin to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $50
- Private Transfer from Taman to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Surabaya City to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $32
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Waru: $32
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Tambak Sawah: $32
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Surabaya City : $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Surabaya?
Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Varanasi 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
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Food Meals for one dayVaranasi $7.14Surabaya $22
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$4.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
- Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
- 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
- Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Boat ride over Ganges & Dinner on a tuk-tuk : $59
- Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $62
- Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
- India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
- Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Surabaya $4.74
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.84
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.61
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $11
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Varanasi Walking Tour : $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Heritage Kashi Photography Tour (2 Hours guided walk): $13
- Vibrant Markets of Varanasi (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Varanasi Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
Tours and Activities in Surabaya
Here are a few actual costs in Surabaya for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Bromo Private Tour with Madakaripura Waterfall: $118
- 1 Day Private Malang / Surabaya Bromo Sunrise Tour: $98
- 1 Day Tour - Wonderful Sunrise Mount Bromo From Surabaya: $136
- 1Day - Bromo Madakaripura Day Tour: $128
- 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Surabaya (Private Tour): $132
- 2Days - Bromo Family Tour via Surabaya: $163
- 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Tour via Surabaya: $199
- 3 Days - Mt Bromo & Ijen Experience from Surabaya or Malang: $263
- 3 Days Bromo Ijen Tour From Surabaya: $170
- 3 Days Private Tour in Bromo and Ijen from Surabaya: $275
- 3Days - Adventure Bromo Ijen via Surabaya: $245
- 3Days - Adventure Bromo Ijen via Surabaya or Malang (Hotel Stay): $265
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Surabaya -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Surabaya, we can see that Surabaya is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Surabaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surabaya than you might in Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Surabaya?
Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.