Which place is cheaper, Surabaya or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kolkata (Calcutta) or Surabaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Surabaya, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Surabaya?
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.
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Kolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India PricesSurabaya Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKolkata (Calcutta) $45Surabaya $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $45, while the average daily cost in Surabaya is $76. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Surabaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKolkata (Calcutta) $16Surabaya $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKolkata (Calcutta) $32Surabaya $72
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Surabaya
Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.85Surabaya $2.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $23
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Kolkata Hotels to Kolkata Airport drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $65
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
- Private Airport Transfer Surabaya: $21
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Bungurasih: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Kota Surabaya: $33
- Private Transfer from Kota Surabaya to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Pabean: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Sedati: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Surabaya City : $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya City to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Delta sari: $33
- Private Transfer from Surabaya Airport (SUB) to Semampir: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Surabaya?
Prices for flights to both Surabaya and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 dayKolkata (Calcutta) $23Surabaya $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $26
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Alleyway Food Tour: $46
- Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $118
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $14Surabaya $4.56
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $14
- Walk Through Tales ( Heritage Tour ) : $35
- Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $37
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $41
- Kolkata 3-Hour Tour of Kumortuli - The Goddess Beckons: $41
- Photography Tour of Mesmerizing Markets of Kolkata: $41
- Heritage sightseeing tours(Walking tours): $41
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $41
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour : $44
- Kolkata Private Half Day City Tour To Majestic Temples: $45
- Magic Hour Tour: $46
- Private Calcutta Tour: $49
Tours and Activities in Surabaya
Here are a few actual costs in Surabaya for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Mount Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $46
- Epic Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya & Malang: $52
- From Malang: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Private Tour: $68
- Private Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture : $70
- Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour from Surabaya : $71
- Day Tour - Surabaya Heritage Colonial Tour: $73
- Bromo Sunrise Tour: $76
- Surabaya Private Tour: $78
- Probolinggo City Tour For Cruise Passengers: $78
- Bromo Tour Package: Midnight Bromo Open Trip from Batu: $79
- Start From Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour : $79
- Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKolkata (Calcutta) $7.85Surabaya -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Surabaya, we can see that Surabaya is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Surabaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Surabaya?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Surabaya. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.