Indonesia · Asia
Surabaya, Indonesia: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 2.9MCurrency: IDRTime zone: Asia/Jakarta
US travel advisory
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Best months to visit
Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city, with a population of about 2.9 million people. It sits on the northeastern coast of Java and functions as a major commercial and industrial hub rather than a beach destination. Daily costs for visitors run from about $30 for a budget trip up to $140 for a luxury one, with a mid-range day costing around $65; over a full week those figures become $210, $455, and $980. The climate stays warm year-round, with highs typically between 30C and 34C, but rainfall and sunshine hours shift noticeably by month. The months of June through September see the least rain and the most sunshine, making them the most favorable stretch to visit, while January, February, and October tend to be the cheapest and quietest. Travelers should be aware that safety guidance from the US State Department and the UK FCDO applies at the country level rather than specifically to Surabaya, so it is worth reading the general context before arrival.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
31°
324mm
Feb
31°
343mm
Mar
31°
259mm
Apr
31°
197mm
May
31°
119mm
Jun
31°
37mm
Jul
31°
16mm
Aug
32°
13mm
Sep
33°
12mm
Oct
34°
48mm
Nov
33°
241mm
Dec
32°
287mm
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a week in Surabaya cost?
A 7-day budget trip runs about $210, a mid-range week costs around $455, and a luxury week comes to about $980. These figures cover a single traveler and scale with the daily cost tiers of $30, $65, and $140.
When is the best time to visit Surabaya?
June, July, August, and September have the highest visit scores, driven by low rainfall and the most sunshine hours of the year, ranging from about 10.7 to 11.2 hours per day. These months offer the most consistent dry weather for getting around the city.
Is Surabaya safe for travelers?
The US State Department rates Indonesia as Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, and the UK FCDO notes a high terrorism threat nationwide along with crime risks such as bag-snatching and scams. Both advisories are country-level, not specific to Surabaya, so general urban caution applies.
Can I visit Surabaya on a tight budget?
Yes, the budget tier is estimated at $30 per day, which covers basic lodging, simple meals, and local transport. Traveling in the off-season months of January, February, or October can help stretch that budget further since these are the cheapest and quietest times.
What is the cheapest time of year to go?
January, February, and October are listed as the off-season, meaning they are the cheapest and quietest months to visit. This contrasts with the peak season of June through September, when demand and visit scores are highest.
What about food and getting around the city?
A cheap meal at a local eatery and a sit-down restaurant meal are both included in the daily cost estimates, alongside local transport such as ride-hailing or public buses. Prices reflect Indonesia's overall cost level, which keeps daily expenses on the lower end compared to many other Asian cities.
Keep reading
More on Surabaya
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.