I’m a Surabaya Local — Here’s a Realistic Daily Budget to Explore Surabaya (Let’s Discuss!)

Image

Hi! I’m a Surabaya local, and I want to share a realistic budget guide for anyone visiting the city whether you’re traveling super cheap or planning a more comfortable trip.

(Quick reference: IDR 100,000 ≈ USD 6–7.)

And if you’ve been to Surabaya before, drop your own tips too 👇✨

Daily Budget Estimates in Surabaya (IDR)

Super Budget (IDR 150,000–250,000 / day)

Best if you:

• eat mostly street food

• walk a lot

• keep transport minimal

Comfort Budget (IDR 250,000–450,000 / day)

Best if you:

• do proper food hunting

• take Grab/Gojek more often

• still choose affordable places

Chill + Explore More (IDR 450,000–800,000+ / day)

Best if you:

• café-hop

• eat at popular spots

• use private transport more

• shop for souvenirs

What You’ll Spend Money On Most

Food (the real main attraction)

Surabaya is a food city.

The biggest “problem” isn’t expensive meals… it’s wanting to try everything 😭✨

Transportation

Grab/Gojek is easy and practical.

But if you’re okay walking, many areas are also fun to explore on foot.

Activities

Most activities in Surabaya are pretty budget friendly, so you can do a lot without spending much.

Local Tips to Save Money

Stay in a strategic area

Picking the right area helps you save time + daily transport costs.

Mix your meals

Do one “proper” meal, then snack on street food the rest of the day.

You’ll stay full and still save money.

Go out in the late afternoon

Surabaya feels better in the late afternoon cooler weather, better vibes, and more places come alive.

Let’s Talk 👇

What’s your Surabaya budget like?

If you’ve traveled to Surabaya before, share:

• your daily budget range

• what you spent the most on

• your favorite hidden gems in the city