Surabaya
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose Surabaya if You want a workaday Javanese megacity with deep independence-war history and the easiest access to Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater..
- Best for
- Tugu Pahlawan independence-war history, Arab Quarter alleys, rawon and rujak cingur food crawl
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Budget anchor
- $70/day mid-range
- Skip if
- you want a polished tourist city — most travellers use it only as a Bromo and Ijen launchpad
Indonesia's second-largest city and East Java's industrial capital, a 3-million-strong port at the mouth of the Mas River that most travellers treat as a launchpad for Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater rather than a stop in itself. The Tugu Pahlawan (Heroes Monument) commemorates the 10 November 1945 Battle of Surabaya, the first major engagement of Indonesia's independence war, and Arab Quarter alleys behind Sunan Ampel mosque feel transplanted from Hadhramaut. Madura Bridge — Indonesia's longest at 5.4km — links the city to Madura island and its sapi sono cattle races. East Javanese rawon, lontong balap and rujak cingur define the food scene.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Surabaya
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in Surabaya
📍 Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 2.97M (city) / 9.5M (Gerbangkertosusila metro)
- Timezone
- Jakarta
- Dial
- +62
- Emergency
- 112 / 110
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city after Jakarta — about 3 million in the city proper and 9.5 million in the Gerbangkertosusila metropolitan area, which makes it the country's second-biggest urban region. Capital of East Java province since 1950
The city's name comes from a 13th-century legend of a fight between the suro (shark) and the boyo (crocodile) — depicted in the city seal and the famous Suro-Boyo statue at the zoo entrance
Surabaya was the site of the 10 November 1945 Battle of Surabaya, the first major engagement of Indonesia's independence war against returning Dutch and British forces. The day is now Indonesia's Heroes Day (Hari Pahlawan), and the 41-metre Tugu Pahlawan obelisk on Jl Pahlawan commemorates it
The 5,438-metre Suramadu Bridge — Indonesia's longest at 5.4 km — has linked Surabaya to Madura island since June 2009. Crossing replaced the half-hour ferry that defined Madura access for centuries
Surabaya is the closest major airport to Mount Bromo (3 hours by road) and Ijen Crater (5 hours) — most travellers fly into SUB, do a Bromo-Ijen 2-3 day overland tour, then continue to Bali by ferry from Banyuwangi
East Javanese cuisine has its own register distinct from West Java — rawon (black beef soup with kluwek nut), lontong balap (rice cakes with sprouts), rujak cingur (cow-snout salad), and soto Ambengan are all Surabaya signatures
Top Sights
Tugu Pahlawan (Heroes Monument) & Museum
📌A 41-metre obelisk on the site of the Indonesian republican headquarters during the 10 November 1945 battle. The underground museum (added 2000) covers the East Indies independence war with Dutch-Indonesian and British-Indonesian-language exhibits. Entry IDR 5,000. Allow 90 minutes including the museum.
Sunan Ampel Mosque & Arab Quarter
📌The 15th-century mosque founded by Sunan Ampel, one of the nine wali songo who brought Islam to Java. The lanes around the mosque (Kampung Arab Ampel) feel transplanted from Hadhramaut — Yemeni-style coffee houses, date sellers, perfume oil stalls. Best at Maghrib prayer. Modest dress required.
House of Sampoerna (kretek cigarette museum)
🏛️A converted Dutch colonial mansion that was the original 1932 factory of the Sampoerna kretek (clove-cigarette) empire. Free museum on the kretek industry; the working factory floor on the second level still shows hand-rolling. Excellent café and rooftop bar. Daily 09:00-22:00, free entry.
Suramadu Bridge & Madura island
📌The 5.4-km Suramadu Bridge (Indonesia's longest) crosses to Madura island and the famous sapi sono cattle races (held August-October only). The Madura side is much more conservative, with stronger Madurese-language presence and notable salt pans. Best as a half-day trip with a hired driver.
Surabaya Submarine Monument (KRI Pasopati)
🏛️The Soviet-built KRI Pasopati 410 submarine — donated to Indonesia in 1962, decommissioned 1990 — sits dry-docked in central Surabaya. Visitors crawl through the cramped interior reading exhibits on Indonesian Navy history. IDR 15,000 entry. Quirky, family-friendly stop.
Cheng Hoo Mosque
📌Indonesia's only mosque built in Chinese architectural style — pagoda roof, octagonal main hall, red-and-green colour scheme — completed 2002 to commemorate the 15th-century Muslim Ming admiral Zheng He who visited Java seven times. A symbol of Surabaya's Chinese-Indonesian Muslim community.
Mount Bromo (overnight trip)
🌳A 2,329-metre active volcano in a vast 16-km-wide caldera 3 hours southeast by car. Standard itinerary: 02:00 jeep pickup, sunrise at King Kong Hill viewpoint, dawn crossing of the Sea of Sand to the crater rim, return by 10:00. Operators in Surabaya pair Bromo with Ijen as a 2-3 day combo tour.
Ijen Crater blue flames (overnight trip)
🌳A 2,799-metre sulphur volcano near Banyuwangi famous for the electric-blue flames produced when sulphuric gases ignite, visible only before dawn. Standard tour: midnight start from your Surabaya or Bondowoso base, 1.5 hr climb up, gas masks issued, descent into the crater for the blue-flame view. Difficult; cardio fitness essential.
Off the Beaten Path
Rawon Setan (Jl Embong Malang)
A 1953-founded rawon specialist serving the iconic East Javanese black beef soup made with kluwek (keluak nut) in a tiny shophouse open 17:00-04:00. Single dish menu: rawon plus rice, sprouts, salted egg and lime. IDR 60,000.
Locals queue past midnight for what is widely considered the best rawon in Indonesia. The "Setan" (devil) name refers to the late hours, not the spice level.
Lontong Balap Pak Gendut
A 60-year-old warung specialising in lontong balap — pressed rice cakes with bean sprouts, fried tofu, lentho fritters and a sweet-savoury petis sauce. IDR 25,000-35,000. Locals pair it with sate kerang (cockle satay) on the side.
Lontong balap exists nowhere outside East Java; Pak Gendut is the spot every Surabaya native sends visitors to first. Open daily 06:00-15:00.
House of Sampoerna café & rooftop
The third floor of the kretek-cigarette museum complex in a converted 1932 Dutch mansion — colonial-era décor, balcony seating, decent Indonesian and Western menu, and the only spot in Surabaya old town for a sunset cocktail with a view.
The combination of free museum entry, working factory tour and the rooftop bar makes this the easiest cultural-and-cocktail half-day in the city.
Pasar Atom mall food court
The fourth floor of the venerable Pasar Atom mall is a 200-stall hawker court spanning Indonesian-Chinese specialities — bakmi godhog, ifumi, lumpia Semarang, tahu campur. IDR 25,000-50,000 a dish.
Locals avoid the modern shiny malls in favour of Pasar Atom for one reason — the food court has not changed since the 1990s and the recipes haven't either.
Climate & Best Time to Go
Surabaya has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons — dry from April to October and wet from November to March. Temperatures stay hot year-round (28-33°C); humidity hovers at 75-85%. The city sits at sea level on Java's flat northern coast and gets noticeably hotter than highland Bandung or Yogyakarta.
Dry Season
April - October75-91°F
24-33°C
Sunny, hot and dry — best window for the Bromo and Ijen overland trips since the volcano roads are not muddy. July-August is peak with the lowest humidity. UV is intense; bring strong sunscreen and a hat.
Shoulder
October - November75-91°F
24-33°C
First afternoon thunderstorms appear but mornings are usually sunny. Bromo viewpoints can fog over by late morning. Lower hotel prices than peak season.
Wet Season
December - March75-90°F
24-32°C
Heavy daily afternoon storms, very high humidity (85-90%). Some Bromo and Ijen access roads can wash out. Local flash floods on certain streets in the city. Worth avoiding for the volcano trips.
Best Time to Visit
May to September is the dry season and the best window — clear weather for the Bromo and Ijen volcano trips and lower humidity in the city. July-August is peak (Indonesian school holidays plus international visitors). April and October are the quiet sweet spot.
Peak Dry (July - August)
Crowds: High — peak seasonBest weather of the year — no rain, lower humidity, clear Bromo viewpoints. Indonesian school holidays plus European summer mean Bromo viewpoints can have 200+ people at sunrise. Hotel prices up 20-30%.
Pros
- + Best Bromo and Ijen visibility
- + Reliable dry weather
- + Cheap fruit (mango, durian) in season
- + All operators running
Cons
- − Bromo viewpoints crowded at sunrise
- − Higher hotel rates
- − Train tickets to Yogya book up far in advance
Shoulder (April-June, September-October)
Crowds: ModerateAlmost the same dry weather as peak with 20-30% lower prices and noticeably quieter Bromo trails. October starts to get the first afternoon rains.
Pros
- + Same weather as peak at lower prices
- + Quieter Bromo viewpoints
- + Easier hotel and train bookings
- + Lower humidity in May-June
Cons
- − First afternoon rains in late October
- − Some afternoon haze in early September from agricultural burning
Wet Season (November - March)
Crowds: LowHeavy daily afternoon storms, very high humidity, occasional flash floods on certain streets. Bromo views often clouded over at sunrise. Some Ijen trails close. Ferries from Bali (Banyuwangi-Ketapang) keep running.
Pros
- + Lowest hotel prices
- + Fewest tourists at Bromo
- + Lush green countryside
- + Indonesian Independence Day (Aug 17) just before peak
Cons
- − Bromo and Ijen often fogged out
- − Some volcano trails closed for safety
- − Flash flooding on certain Surabaya streets
- − Higher humidity
Christmas / New Year
Crowds: Moderate (domestic)A spike in domestic Indonesian travel as Indonesian families take week-long holidays. International visitor numbers low compared to Bali but Bromo viewpoints can be busy.
Pros
- + Festive atmosphere in malls
- + New Year fireworks at the harbour
- + Heroes Day commemoration just before (10 Nov)
Cons
- − Hotel prices spike for the holiday week
- − Bromo viewpoints crowded with domestic groups
- − Restaurants book out for Christmas Eve dinner
🎉 Festivals & Events
Hari Pahlawan (Heroes Day)
10 NovemberThe annual commemoration of the 10 November 1945 Battle of Surabaya — sirens at 10:00 across the city, military parade at Tugu Pahlawan, and historical re-enactment in Bubutan. The most patriotic moment of the Surabaya calendar.
Cheng Beng (Qingming)
April (varies)The Chinese-Indonesian tomb-sweeping festival is a major event for Surabaya's large Chinese-Indonesian community. Cemeteries fill with families bringing offerings; Chinese restaurants serve special menus.
Karapan Sapi (Madura cattle races)
August - OctoberThe famous Madura island bull races held weekly during the season — pairs of bulls drag a small chariot driven by a jockey down a 100 m straight track at speeds over 50 km/h. Day trip from Surabaya.
Surabaya Fashion Week
SeptemberEast Java's biggest fashion event held at Tunjungan Plaza and Grand City Mall — runway shows, batik exhibitions, designer pop-ups.
Safety Breakdown
Moderate
out of 100
Surabaya is generally safe for tourists — a working industrial port city rather than a tourism honeypot, so tourist scams are rare. Real concerns are dense traffic and motorbike accidents, opportunistic phone snatches in crowded markets, and Bromo or Ijen volcano gas exposure on the overnight trips. Late-night solo walks in Sunan Ampel and Bubutan are best avoided.
Things to Know
- •Traffic is dense and unforgiving — pedestrians have no priority and crossings rarely have signals; cross with locals in groups
- •Phone snatches by passing motorbikes occur occasionally in crowded markets and at tourist sites — keep phones in front pockets, not back, and not in hand at red lights
- •On Mount Bromo, do not approach the active crater rim — sulphur gas readings spike unpredictably and the 2024 phreatic eruption killed two visitors who ignored ranger warnings
- •On Ijen crater the descent into the active crater is officially closed — many guides take tourists down anyway; gas masks help only briefly and the Indonesian government recommends viewing from the rim
- •Use Grab or Gojek rather than street taxis to avoid meter-tampering scams
- •Tap water is not potable — drink only bottled or boiled water; ice in mid-range and upscale restaurants is safe (made from filtered water)
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
General Emergency
112
Ambulance
118
Police
110
Fire
113
Tourist Police
(031) 5341614
RS Mitra Keluarga (international hospital)
(031) 5999999
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers →
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$22-40
Hostel or guesthouse, warung meals, Grab around town, free monuments and mosques
mid-range
$60-110
Mid-range hotel, mix of warungs and mall restaurants, Bromo day trip
luxury
$200+
JW Marriott / Bumi Surabaya / Westin, fine dining, private Bromo+Ijen 3-day tour with driver
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationHostel dorm bed | IDR 100,000-180,000 | $6.50-12 |
| AccommodationMid-range hotel (double, AC) | IDR 500,000-1,200,000 | $33-78 |
| AccommodationLuxury hotel (5-star) | IDR 1,800,000-4,500,000 | $118-294 |
| FoodRawon at a warung | IDR 35,000-70,000 | $2.30-4.60 |
| FoodMid-range restaurant main | IDR 80,000-180,000 | $5.25-12 |
| FoodBintang beer (large) | IDR 35,000-55,000 | $2.30-3.60 |
| FoodMall food court meal | IDR 35,000-75,000 | $2.30-5 |
| TransportGrab car (in-city) | IDR 15,000-50,000 | $1-3.25 |
| TransportAirport taxi to centre | IDR 150,000-250,000 | $10-16 |
| TransportTrain Surabaya-Yogyakarta (executive) | IDR 250,000-450,000 | $16-30 |
| ActivitiesBromo sunrise tour (2 days) | IDR 1,200,000-2,000,000 | $78-130 |
| ActivitiesBromo + Ijen + Bali transfer (3 days) | IDR 2,500,000-4,000,000 | $163-260 |
| ActivitiesTugu Pahlawan museum entry | IDR 5,000 | $0.30 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Take the train rather than fly to Yogyakarta — Argo Wilis executive class IDR 250,000 vs flight IDR 700,000+
- •Book Bromo and Ijen tours through your hostel rather than online — typically 20-30% cheaper than booking platform listings
- •Eat at warungs and Pasar Atom food court — same dishes for IDR 30,000-50,000 vs IDR 100,000+ in mall restaurants
- •Use Grab Bike for short trips (IDR 8,000-15,000) instead of Grab Car (IDR 25,000-50,000) when travelling alone
- •The Suroboyo Bus is genuinely free if you bring 3 plastic bottles per ride — useful for sightseeing the city centre
- •Stay in Embong Kaliasin or Genteng rather than the Pakuwon area — same hotel quality at 30% less and walking distance to most central sights
- •Visit free attractions — Tugu Pahlawan grounds, Sunan Ampel mosque, Cheng Hoo mosque are all no-cost
Indonesian Rupiah
Code: IDR
1 USD is approximately 15,300 IDR (early 2026). ATMs are everywhere — use BCA, Mandiri or BNI ATMs in malls or bank lobbies to avoid skimmers. Daily withdrawal limits are typically IDR 2,000,000-3,000,000. Carry small denominations for warungs and Suroboyo Bus payment-in-bottles.
Payment Methods
Cash dominates outside the modern malls. Tunjungan Plaza, Pakuwon and Galaxy Mall accept Visa and Mastercard at virtually all stores. QRIS QR-code payment is growing rapidly — most cafés and convenience stores accept it. Carry small notes (IDR 5,000-50,000) for warungs and the wet markets.
Tipping Guide
Mid-range and upscale restaurants add 10% service plus 11% tax; no additional tip expected. At warungs, round up the bill to the nearest IDR 5,000.
IDR 20,000-50,000 ($1.30-3.25) per bag for porters at upscale hotels. IDR 30,000/day for housekeeping.
IDR 100,000-200,000 ($6.50-13) per day for the volcano-tour drivers, more if they doubled as guide and English interpreter.
IDR 20,000-50,000 ($1.30-3.25) per therapist; high-end spas include service charge.
No tip expected on the meter or app fare; round up by IDR 5,000-10,000 for friendly drivers.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Juanda International Airport(SUB)
20 km south of Surabaya city centre, in SidoarjoDamri airport bus IDR 30,000-40,000 to Bungurasih bus terminal then taxi to centre. Airport taxi (Bluebird Premium counter) IDR 150,000-250,000 to most hotels. Grab pickup from designated arrival level area. Travel time 30-90 minutes depending on traffic.
✈️ Search flights to SUB🚆 Rail Stations
Surabaya Gubeng
Central Surabaya, walking distance to Embong Kaliasin hotelsThe main long-distance rail station — Argo Wilis express to Yogyakarta (5 hr), Argo Bromo Anggrek to Jakarta (10 hr). Daily departures, executive and business class. Book via the KAI Access app or kai.id.
Surabaya Pasar Turi
3 km north of city centreThe northern long-distance rail station serving routes to Semarang and Jakarta along the Java north line. Less frequent than Gubeng but useful for some Jakarta trains.
🚌 Bus Terminals
Bungurasih (Purabaya) Terminal
The main long-distance bus terminal 17 km south of central Surabaya — eksekutif and ekonomi buses to all of Java including Yogyakarta (8-10 hr), Malang (2 hr), Probolinggo (Bromo gateway, 2 hr), and Bali (12-14 hr including ferry).
Getting Around
Surabaya has the Suroboyo Bus rapid transit system (5 routes, IDR 0 if you pay with empty plastic bottles, 100% recyclable bottle fare) and dozens of Damri and Trans Sidoarjo bus lines, but most travellers rely on Grab and Gojek for everything. Traffic is heavy 07:00-09:00 and 16:00-19:00. The city has no metro yet; an MRT is planned for 2030.
Grab / Gojek
IDR 12,000-80,000 (~$0.80-5) for in-city rides; bikes are cheaperThe dominant transport mode for visitors. Cars and motorbike taxis available across the city; surcharges apply during heavy rain and peak commute. Both apps now accept international credit cards.
Best for: All in-city trips, airport runs, late-night returns from restaurants
Suroboyo Bus
Free (3 bottles per ride)A free city bus network with 5 routes — payment is in recyclable plastic bottles handed to the conductor. Routes loop the city centre; signage in Indonesian only. Useful curiosity rather than primary transport.
Best for: Sightseeing the city centre, novelty, environmentally conscious travellers
Bluebird Taxi
IDR 7,500 flag-fall + IDR 4,500/kmThe reliable metered-taxi company across Indonesia — light blue cars with the Bluebird logo. Insist on the meter (argometer). Slightly more expensive than Grab but useful when apps are surging.
Best for: Airport runs, hotel pickups, when Grab is surging in heavy rain
Hired Car & Driver (Bromo/Ijen)
IDR 700,000-1,500,000/day (~$46-98) for car + driver; tour packages varyStandard for the volcano trips. Operators offer 2-day Bromo-only tours from IDR 1,200,000 per person and 3-day Bromo-Ijen-Banyuwangi combos from IDR 2,500,000. Includes 4WD jeep at Bromo, transfers and accommodation.
Best for: Bromo and Ijen overland trips, transfers to Bali via Banyuwangi ferry, multi-day East Java loops
Walkability
Surabaya is not a walking city — wide boulevards, no shade and dense traffic make most distances feel longer than they are. The Tunjungan, Embong Malang and Genteng areas of central Surabaya have improved sidewalks since 2018; the Sunan Ampel and Tugu Pahlawan areas are walkable in compact 20-30 minute loops. For most other neighbourhoods, a Grab is the practical choice.
Travel Connections
Mount Bromo
Indonesia's most photographed volcano — a 2,329 m active cone in a 16-km wide caldera. Standard sunrise tours pair pickup at 02:00 with the King Kong Hill viewpoint, then a Sea of Sand crossing to the crater rim.
Ijen Crater
A 2,799 m sulphur volcano famous for the electric-blue flames produced when sulphuric gases ignite at night. Standard combo tour pairs with Bromo as a 2-3 day overland trip ending in Banyuwangi.
Yogyakarta
Java's cultural heart — Borobudur, Prambanan, the Sultan's Palace and excellent street food. The Argo Wilis express train Surabaya Gubeng to Yogya runs 5 hours.
Bali (via Banyuwangi ferry)
The classic overland — train Surabaya to Banyuwangi (6 hr), Ketapang to Gilimanuk ferry (1 hr), then road to Denpasar (3 hr). Many travellers do this as part of a Bromo-Ijen-Bali combo.
Madura
A more conservative, salt-pan and cattle-race island reached by the 5.4 km Suramadu Bridge. Best August-October when the famous sapi sono bull races are running.
Entry Requirements
Indonesia offers Visa on Arrival (VOA) to citizens of most Western countries valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days. The VOA costs IDR 500,000 (~$33) at the airport. The e-VOA is recommended (apply at molina.imigrasi.go.id before travel). Indonesia's tourist tax of IDR 150,000 applies only to Bali arrivals, not Juanda (SUB).
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Visa-free | 30 days (VOA, extendable to 60) | IDR 500,000 fee. Passport must be valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages. |
| UK Citizens | Visa-free | 30 days (VOA, extendable to 60) | Same VOA terms; e-VOA recommended. |
| Australian Citizens | Visa-free | 30 days (VOA, extendable to 60) | Most Australians enter via Bali; Surabaya direct flights operate via Jetstar and AirAsia. |
| EU Citizens | Visa-free | 30 days (VOA, extendable to 60) | Most EU nationals qualify for VOA. |
| Singaporean Citizens | Visa-free | 30 days | Visa-free entry for ASEAN nationals. |
Visa-Free Entry
Visa on Arrival
Tips
- •Apply for the e-VOA online before travel — saves 30-60 minutes at Juanda arrivals
- •If extending the VOA, allow 5 working days at the East Java immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi Klas I Surabaya, Jl Jenderal S Parman) — a Tugu Pahlawan area location
- •Carry a digital copy of your passport on phone — useful at hotel check-in and Bromo park entry
- •Bromo and Ijen national parks charge separate entry fees (IDR 220,000 for foreigners on weekdays at Bromo) — keep receipts as rangers check at viewpoints
- •Customs limit on duty-free cigarettes is 200 sticks; declare any kretek purchases over the limit when departing your home country
Shopping
Surabaya is a major regional shopping hub for East Java — modern megamalls (Tunjungan Plaza, Pakuwon Mall, Galaxy Mall) sit alongside venerable wet markets and traditional batik shops. Surabaya batik runs to bolder colours and floral motifs than the Javanese heartland (Solo, Yogyakarta) and is collected as its own register. Bargaining is expected at traditional markets but malls and batik boutiques are fixed price.
Tunjungan Plaza (TP)
modern megamallSurabaya's flagship megamall — 6 connected buildings (TP1 through TP6) with international fashion, electronics, food court, cinema, and the city's best Western chain restaurant cluster. Air-conditioned escape from the heat.
Known for: International fashion, Apple Store, Uniqlo, food court, last-minute Western pharmacy supplies
Pasar Atom
traditional market complexA four-storey covered market north of the centre — clothing, electronics, batik, dried foods, the famous fourth-floor hawker court. Better prices than the malls but requires bargaining. Open 09:00-21:00.
Known for: Indonesian-Chinese household goods, kretek cigarettes, dry-good groceries, hawker food
Pasar Turi (after the 2007 fire reconstruction)
wholesale textile marketThe wholesale textile and batik market rebuilt after the 2007 fire — bulk-priced batik, songket, kebaya fabric. Better for traders than tourists but worth a visit if you want batik by the bolt.
Known for: Wholesale batik fabric, kebaya material, kerudung headscarves
Jl Tunjungan batik shopping strip
specialty shopping streetA 1-km strip of established batik boutiques (House of Tunjungan, Batik Keris, Danar Hadi) selling mid-range to high-end Surabaya batik. Fixed price; the better houses include workshop tours.
Known for: Surabaya batik, kebaya, songket from Madura
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Surabaya batik in characteristic bold floral and bird patterns
- •Madura songket cloth woven with metallic gold thread
- •Sampoerna A or Dji Sam Soe kretek (clove cigarettes; declare on customs at home)
- •Petis udang (East Javanese fermented shrimp paste) from Pasar Atom
- •Surabaya Suro-Boyo statue replicas (the shark-and-crocodile city seal)
- •Madura salt — coarse, hand-harvested from the salt pans on the eastern side of the bridge
- •Ratna jewellery from Madura island artisans
- •Tahu Sumedang (deep-fried tofu) packaged for travel
Language & Phrases
Indonesian is the lingua franca; Javanese (Bahasa Jawa) is widely spoken at home, particularly the more direct Suroboyoan dialect with its famous "rek" (mate) and "cak" (older brother) sentence-tags. A few Suroboyoan tags earn instant warmth from locals. Indonesian uses the Latin alphabet and is largely phonetic.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Halo | ha-LOH |
| Good morning | Selamat pagi | seh-LAH-mat PAH-ghee |
| Thank you | Terima kasih / Matur nuwun (Javanese) | teh-REE-mah KAH-see / MAH-toor NOO-woon |
| You're welcome | Sama-sama | SAH-mah SAH-mah |
| Yes / No | Ya / Tidak | yah / TEE-dak |
| How much? | Berapa harganya? | beh-RAH-pah har-GAH-nyah? |
| Mate (Suroboyoan tag) | Rek | rek |
| Older brother (term of address) | Cak | chak |
| Older sister (term of address) | Mbak | mbak |
| Delicious | Enak | eh-NAK |
| Where is...? | Di mana...? | dee MAH-nah...? |
| Sorry / Excuse me | Maaf / Permisi | mah-AHF / per-MEE-see |
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