Major city · Indonesia
Surabaya
Use Surabaya as a transit and business stop before Mount Bromo or the Ijen area; one night is enough, and it is easiest booked as the start or end of a Bromo tour rather than a destination.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- May–Sep (drier)
- avoid Dec–Feb (heaviest rain)
- Airport
- SUB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Surabaya is the capital of East Java and Indonesia's second-largest city. It is a port and industrial hub with colonial buildings and a strong heroes-of-independence history. Most visitors pass through on the way to Mount Bromo and the Ijen area.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Surabaya, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 or 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)Indonesia-wide
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSUB Juanda International (South of the city; taxi or airport shuttle.).
- Getting aroundRide-hailing apps and taxis cover the city; rail and long-distance buses connect to Malang, Yogyakarta and beyond.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SUB Juanda International (South of the city; taxi or airport shuttle.)
Weather and climate
Surabaya: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Ride-hailing apps and taxis cover the city; rail and long-distance buses connect to Malang, Yogyakarta and beyond. Bromo and Ijen tours are usually arranged as pickups from a Surabaya or Malang hotel.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre near Tunjungan
Malls, restaurants and central location.
Gubeng
Near the main train station, useful for onward rail travel.
Darmo
Quieter residential streets with parks nearby.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Hot and humid year-round.
- Traffic congestion at rush hour.
- Few English speakers outside hotels and malls; save key addresses in Indonesian.
- Bromo sunrise tours start very early, often a 2–3am pickup: confirm the time and dress warmly for the crater rim.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Surabaya. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (drier) · avoid Dec–Feb (heaviest rain)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialWonderful Indonesia
- secondaryWikivoyage — Surabaya