A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Surabaya vs. Koyasan for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Surabaya or Koyasan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Surabaya or Koyasan? 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.

Surabaya

Surabaya is a local, undiscovered, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Surabaya travel costs.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a peaceful, serene, and spiritual town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking. See Koyasan travel costs.

Surabaya and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Koyasan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surabaya. Although Surabaya and Koyasan are both popular with visitors, Surabaya has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surabaya is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Koyasan is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is more touristy than Surabaya and is known for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Surabaya is popular for its role in Indonesia's independence revolution. It is also home to the Submarine Monument.

How is Surabaya different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koyasan and Surabaya. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Surabaya or Koyasan?

Koyasan is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

Koyasan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

While most people don't head to Surabaya specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You'll likely pass through town on your way somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out Suramadu Bridge, the House of Sampoerna, Cheng Hoo Mosque, Sanggar Agung Temple, and Ampel Mosque. It's also worth a visit to the Submarine Museum and the Heroes Monument.

Is the Food Better in Surabaya or Koyasan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Surabaya and Koyasan can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Surabaya area. It's a port city, and the cuisine reflexs this. You'll find a mix of different flavors that combine Javanese, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian cuisines. Dishes include a lot of vegetables as well as tofu and tempeh. Many dishes are also sweet in flavor or incredibly spicy.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Koyasan. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Surabaya is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Surabaya has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Like the rest of the city, the nightlife scene has a local vibe. There are night markets, fascinating neighborhoods, and some lively clubs and bars.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for Beaches?

Surabaya is a good destination for the beach. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Surabaya offers a nice beach destination. You'll find a few beaches within a short drive of the city center. Some of the popular ones include Ria Kenjeran Beach, Bentar Beach, and Delegan Beach.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Surabaya does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Koyasan. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Surabaya does not have a historic old town.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Koyasan?

Surabaya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Surabaya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has a great mix of air-conditioned mega-malls and colorful street markets. Bratang Market has become a favorite but it's also worth checking out Tugu Pahlawan Market and Ampel Market.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan More Beautiful?

Koyasan is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for Families?

Koyasan is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koyasan. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

For families, Surabaya is not always the best place to visit. You'll like be passing through this city enroute to somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out the Submarine Museum. You can also wander through the market area of Qubah or explore Chinatown.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for Couples?

Koyasan is a great destination for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Couples visit Koyasan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

Surabaya is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are some sights an museums that you can visit while you're in town.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koyasan is a popular place for backpackers. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

Surabaya is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town but most backpackers don't spend more than a night in town.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koyasan is a popular place for its public transit. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Koyasan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Surabaya. There's a bus system, but it's mostly used by locals. There are two types of buses - normal buses and patas buses, which are express.

Is Surabaya or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Surabaya and Koyasan both are superb when exploring on foot.

Surabaya is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in Indonesia and it has the feel of a bunch of neighborhoods combined together.

Koyasan is very walkable. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Surabaya Worth Visiting? and Is Koyasan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Surabaya or Koyasan to fill your time. In our opinion, Koyasan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Koyasan than Surabaya. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Koyasan than Surabaya. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Koyasan, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Koyasan than Surabaya. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koyasan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koyasan than Surabaya if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Koyasan.

One day in Surabaya or Koyasan?

Because Surabaya is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Surabaya or Koyasan?

Because Surabaya is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Surabaya has to offer.

Koyasan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koyasan, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Koyasan?

Surabaya is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Koyasan is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Surabaya or Koyasan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surabaya. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Surabaya. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Koyasan is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surabaya and Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan is more expensive. And not only is Surabaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surabaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surabaya 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan than you might in Surabaya.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surabaya Expensive? and Is Koyasan Expensive?.