City in East Java, Indonesia
Getting around Surabaya
How to get around Surabaya
Grab, Gojek and Maxim cover the city. Suroboyo buses and trains help for specific routes; most visitors pass through en route to Bromo, Ijen or Bali.
Ways to get around Surabaya
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Grab / Gojek car or bike | About 20,000–50,000 IDR in town | Cheapest and most convenient |
| Suroboyo Bus | About 5,000 IDR | Air-conditioned city bus on a few main routes |
| Trains from Gubeng and Pasar Turi | Varies by destination | Frequent services to Malang, Banyuwangi, Yogyakarta, Jakarta |
| Angkot (shared minivans) | About 5,000–8,000 IDR | Colour-coded routes; slow and crowded |
Ride-hailing apps in Surabaya
A 5 km ride costs about Rp20,000–45,000 ($1.1–2.5).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Grab | Reliable cars; airport and station pickups |
| Gojek | Most bikes and cars; fast in traffic |
| Maxim | Often cheaper; fewer drivers at peak times |
- Apps beat taxis for price. Blue Bird-style taxis use meters but quoting flat fares at the airport is common.
Arriving in Surabaya
Juanda (SUB)
About 20 km south; Grab or taxi about 150,000–250,000 IDR, 30–60 min; Damri airport buses are cheaper.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rentals about 80,000–120,000 IDR a day, but traffic is heavy and not recommended for newcomers.
- Driving: on the left. Bring an IDP plus your home licence with the motorcycle category; Bali police fine unlicensed scooter riders at checkpoints.
- Onward travel in Indonesia: Fly between islands (Garuda, Lion Air, Citilink, AirAsia); trains run the length of Java; ferries and fast boats link Bali, Lombok and the Gilis. Allow for delays.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Surabaya?
No. Use Grab, Gojek, Maxim instead.
What's the best way to get around Surabaya?
Grab, Gojek and Maxim cover the city. Suroboyo buses and trains help for specific routes; most visitors pass through en route to Bromo, Ijen or Bali.
How do I get from the airport to Surabaya?
About 20 km south; Grab or taxi about 150,000–250,000 IDR, 30–60 min; Damri airport buses are cheaper.
Is Surabaya walkable?
You'll need transport.
More about Surabaya
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Sources
- KAI (Indonesian railways)
- Wonderful Indonesia (Ministry of Tourism)
- National Hospital Surabaya
- Siloam Hospitals
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.