A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Surabaya vs. Railay Beach for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Surabaya or Railay Beach?

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

Should I visit Surabaya or Railay Beach? 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Surabaya travel costs.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a spectacular, fun-filled, and adventurous beach area. The famous beauty of Railay Beach is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife. See Railay Beach travel costs.

Surabaya and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Railay Beach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surabaya than Railay Beach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surabaya is better known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Railay Beach is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Railay Beach is more touristy than Surabaya and is known for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. 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 Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Surabaya is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Surabaya offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Railay Beach. This is an adventure sport destination that is popular for rock climbing and its scenic beauty. Therefore, there are no real museums or temples in the area.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Surabaya and Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach. You'll find a number of tourist oriented restaurants. Many are affiliated with hotels and resorts and serve the standard Thai options along with pizza and burgers.

Is Surabaya or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Surabaya or Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach has a few options to choose from. It's a secluded area with a decent number of laid back bars that are usually associated with hotels or resorts. There's also a young crowd, including backpackers, who come for the beautiful setting and great rock climbing. This population insures that there's always something going on at night.

Is Surabaya or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is a great destination for its resorts. However, Surabaya is not a resort destination.

Railay Beach is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Surabaya is not a resort destination.

Is Surabaya or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Surabaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Surabaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Surabaya or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is a great destination for the beach. Also, Surabaya is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Railay Beach is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are famous for their dramatic limestone cliffs. There are three areas: Railay Beach West is scenic with its surrounding cliffs and popular resorts. This is the place to swim or watch the sunset. Railay Beach East is most popular for its rock climbing. You should also check out Phra Nang Cave Beach, which is the location of Phra Nang Cave.

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 Railay Beach?

Surabaya is a well-known place for shopping. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its shopping opportunities.

Surabaya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Railay Beach has some nice offerings. The Walking Street has shops that sell bathing suits or anything you may have forgotten.

Is Surabaya or Railay Beach More Beautiful?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Railay Beach is one of the main draws. The dramatic limestone cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches make this a stunning place to visit.

Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Surabaya or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach. This is a favorite beach area for many visitors to Thailand. It's only accessible by water and it offers adventure sports and calm waters that are nice for kids.

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 Railay Beach Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Railay Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

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 Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Railay Beach is a great destination for backpackers. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Railay Beach is a very popular beach area for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of affordable accommodation that attracts budget travelers and backpackers. The area's world class rock climbing also appeals to the young and adventurous crowd.

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 Railay Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Surabaya and Railay Beach.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Railay Beach. The area is only accessible by boat and there is no road transportation.

Is Surabaya or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surabaya is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Railay Beach on foot is easy. The area has no cars or road transportation so everything, including the beaches are easy to walk to.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Surabaya or Railay Beach. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach.

One day in Surabaya or Railay Beach?

Each neighborhood in Surabaya has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

The beautiful beach area of Railay Beach offers nightlife and food. 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 Railay Beach?

Surabaya is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Railay Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this beach area makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Railay Beach, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Railay Beach?

You'll find nightlife and food around the authentic big city of Surabaya. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach?

Surabaya is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Railay Beach is a great place to explore. 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 beach area 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 Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surabaya and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach Expensive?.