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

Should you visit Surabaya or Perth?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Perth? 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 authentic, local, and undiscovered city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food. See Surabaya travel costs.

Perth

Perth is a sunny, friendly, and relaxed city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Perth travel costs.

Surabaya and Perth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Perth?

You'll generally find more things to do in Surabaya than Perth. Surabaya is bigger than Perth, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Surabaya is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Perth is more popular for its museums and attractions and beaches. Perth is more touristy than Surabaya and is popular for its beautiful city beaches, sunny weather, and isolated location. Surabaya is well known for its role in Indonesia's independence revolution. Also, Surabaya is famous for the Submarine Monument.

How is Surabaya different from Perth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Perth 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 Perth?

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

Perth offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some interesting sights and museums around town like the Perth Mint, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Bell Tower, and Scitech. There's also the Perth Zoo and the Aviation Heritage Museum.

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 Perth? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Surabaya and Perth 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 Perth. There's a good selection of restaurants with many great international options as well as fine dining and casual. Family-friendly restaurants are also very common.

Is Surabaya or Perth Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Surabaya or Perth has a better nightlife 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Perth has a few options to choose from. The city has many nightclubs and music venues. There are also low key pubs and trendy wine bars. Northbridge is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, and this is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes.

Is Surabaya or Perth Better for Beaches?

Perth is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Surabaya is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Perth. There is an 80 kilometer coastline that has beautiful turquoise water and white sandy beaches. Within the city there are 19 beaches that offer snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. Many beaches have any amenity that you might need but it's also very easy to escape the city crowds.

Many people head to Surabaya to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Perth?

Surabaya is great for shopping. Also, Perth is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Surabaya. 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.

Perth offers some nice shopping areas. There are weekend street markets where you can pick up local crafts. There are also large shopping malls and trendy high end boutiques with international and local brands.

Is Surabaya or Perth Better for Families?

Perth is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Perth is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a family-friendly city with ropes courses, fruit picking, and many different playgrounds and kid-friendly activities. There's also the Perth Zoo and several kid-friendly museums like the Aviation Heritage Museum and Scitech. Kids will also enjoy spending a day or two at the beach.

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 Perth Better for Couples?

Perth is a popular place for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Perth is a good city for couples to visit. The city has many great restaurants and bars. There's also wine tasting and river cruises on the Swan River.

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 Perth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Perth. While most backpackers don't make it all the way to this isolated city, those that do will be rewarded with beautiful beaches, fun festivals, and an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience.

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 Perth Better for Students?

Perth is a popular place for students. However, Surabaya is not popular with students.

Perth is popular with students. Students love the low cost of living and the year round climate that is sunny and pleasant.

Surabaya is not popular with students.

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

Perth 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 Perth, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, trains, and ferries that help you get around the city.

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 Perth a more walkable city?

Surabaya is great for its walkability. Also, Perth is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Perth is a somewhat walkable place. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas with streets that are fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Perth or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Perth?

It's fun to spend time in either Surabaya or Perth. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Perth due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Surabaya, and 2-4 days is enough time in Perth.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Perth 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 Perth.

One day in Surabaya or Perth?

Each neighborhood in Surabaya has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The city of Perth offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Surabaya or Perth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surabaya. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Perth is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Perth, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Perth?

Surabaya is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Surabaya. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Perth is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 Perth?

You'll find nightlife and food around the authentic big city of Surabaya. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Perth is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surabaya and Perth, we can see that Perth is more expensive. And not only is Surabaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surabaya is in Asia and Perth is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Perth would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Perth 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 Perth Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Perth?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Perth. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya and Perth, 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.