How to Plan a Trip to Surabaya
The complete 2026 guide — flights, hotels, things to do and airport transfers, all in one place. Everything a first-time visitor to Indonesia needs.
Your 4-step Surabaya plan
Step 1 — Book flights to SUB
Juanda International Airport (SUB) is the main gateway to Surabaya. Compare fares across major airlines and OTAs before locking a date.
See flight deals to SUBStep 2 — Pick a neighborhood
Base yourself in Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan) for the best first-time visit — Surabaya's 41m obelisk for the 1945 Battle of Surabaya independence struggle.
Where to stay in SurabayaStep 3 — Plan your itinerary
Start with Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan), then build outward. Most first-time visitors need 3-5 days to see the highlights of Surabaya.
Things to do in SurabayaStep 4 — Sort your airport transfer
Damri airport bus to Bungurasih terminal is IDR 30,000 and takes 30 min. Pre-book a private transfer for stress-free arrival.
SUB arrival guideBefore you book — visa check
Visa on Arrival for 92 nationalities — IDR 500,000 (~$33) for 30 days, extendable once. e-VOA available at evisa.imigrasi.go.id (3-day processing). NO visa for Indian, Pakistani, African nationalities — apply at embassy.