Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Yogyakarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yogyakarta or Surabaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta or Surabaya? 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: Yogyakarta or Surabaya?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best Cultural Tours in Indonesia, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Indonesia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYogyakarta $58Surabaya $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $58, 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 Yogyakarta and Surabaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYogyakarta $37Surabaya $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYogyakarta $74Surabaya $74
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Surabaya
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yogyakarta $1.33Surabaya $2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Borobudur 5-Hour Guided Tour with Climb-up Access & Transfer: $29
- Borobudur Sunrise, Merapi Volcano & Prambanan Day Tour with Guide & Transfer: $85
- Borobudur Village Cycling and Temple Tour with Transfer: $48
- Canoeing Experience in Yogyakarta with Hotel Transfer: $50
- Jepara & One Way Private Transfer: $110
- Prambanan Cycling and Temple Tour with Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer Airport Jogyakarta ( Adisucipto ): $25
- Private Transfer From or To Yogyakarta Airport: $24
- Private Transfer From or To: Yogyakarta,Bromo,Ijen,Ketapang,Bali: $255
- Private Transfer From/To Yogyakarta Airport: $26
- Private Transfer from Banyuraden to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $92
- Private Transfer from Borobudur Temple to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $92
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: $68
- Private airport transfer surabaya: $21
- Private Transfer from Tanggulangin to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $50
- Private Transfer from Taman to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $31
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Waru: $31
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Tanggulangin: $50
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Tambak Sawah: $31
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Taman: $31
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Surabaya City : $31
Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Surabaya?
Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Yogyakarta 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 dayYogyakarta $12Surabaya $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Morning Food Tour with Tasting: $23
- Yogyakarta : Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $32
- Prambanan temple afternoon tour and dinner: $34
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- Night Walking and Food Tour: $37
- Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour : $38
- Yogyakarta : Ramayana Ballet Performance with Dinner: $39
- Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $40
- Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $48
- Javanese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $56
- Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yogyakarta $16Surabaya $4.74
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Obelix Hills Entry Ticket: $1.53
- Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $1.91
- Yogyakarta Batik Museum - Admission Ticket: $2.50
- Javanese Mask Painting - Admission Ticket: $6.00
- 6 hours Borobudur temple climb up tour only.: $19
- Jomblang cave Tour only.: $19
- Prambanan Afternoon Tour Discover Magic sunset: $19
- Yogyakarta tour to Volcano Tour, Borobudur Tour, Prambanan Tour: $20
- Yogyakarta : Jomblang Cave tour with local Guide: $21
- Walking Tour of Yogyakarta's Oldest Neighbourhood: $21
- Authentic Yogya Bicycle Tour: $22
- Jomblang Cave Tour: $22
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: $119
- 1 Day Private Malang / Surabaya Bromo Sunrise Tour: $98
- 1Day - Bromo Madakaripura Day Tour: $128
- 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Surabaya (Private Tour): $132
- 2Days - Bromo Family Tour via Surabaya: $163
- 2Days - Bromo Madakaripura Adventure via Surabaya or Malang: $243
- 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Tour via Surabaya: $199
- 2Days/1Night Bromo Private Tour with Hotel: $189
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYogyakarta $4.93Surabaya -
When comparing the travel costs between Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Surabaya?
Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Yogyakarta. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.