Surabaya - Soerabaja

Surabaya (Indonesian: Surabaya) is the second largest city in Indonesia and is located in East Java.

Info

Arrive

By plane

Surabaya Juanda Airport (SUB) is one of the busiest in the country with frequent flights to Jakarta and other Indonesian destinations, as well as international flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Bandar Seri Begawan. A new terminal was opened in 2006, with all the facilities you would expect (ATMs, car rental companies, etc...). International and domestic flights now depart from the same terminal.

Officially, you are supposed to buy taxi coupons at the "Prima Taxi" counter for the 18-kilometer journey into the city, for about US$5–10. In practice it is better to take one of the taxis that is just dropping passengers. If you want to go further (Mount Bromo for example), it is cheaper to rent a car with driver. There is a poor Airport Bus Service to the Bungurasih bus station in the south of the city.

By train

Surabaya has two major stations, Surabaya Pasar Turic and Surabaya Gubeng. chairs in exsekutif (first class) and bisnis (second class) for any intercity, can be booked 30 days in advance at any major station in Java.

Trains serving the northern line from the Gambir station in Jakarta take at least 9 hours to get to Pasar Turi, while trains taking the south line take at least 15 hours. air-conditioned trains are available on both lines. The Argo Bromo Anggrek, Seminary and Gumarang trains use the northern line. The bima uses the southern one.

Trains from Bandung and Yogyakarta arrive at Gubeng station. The Argo Wilis runs during the day, so you can enjoy the fantastic view. The Sancaka drive to Yogyakarta via Solo twice a day and takes about 6 hours. Rides to Bali are driven twice a day with the Mutiara Timur express nasty banyuwangi - Gilimanuk.

Slow full trains to Malang depart from the Kota station (Semut) and go south via Gubeng station.

By bus

Surabaya has frequent bus connections to all destinations in East Java, and to major cities in the rest of Java. The big bus station is at Bungurasih, 10 km south of the city. There are frequent rides to Malang and probolinggo (Bromo (volcano)), so no need to book. It is best to reserve long journeys.

Another option is the minibus. A number of companies have door-to-door minibuses to larger cities in Java, including Malang and Yogyakarta. This service is also more luxurious and more expensive than the regular bus. Seats can be reserved through the companies themselves and also at much larger hotels.

By boat

• PT Angkutan Sungai Danau in Penyeberangan/PT ASDP: Daily sailings from Ujung Kamal, Madura nasty Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.
• PT Pelayaran National Indonesia/PT Pelni: Passenger ships from Makassar nasty Tanjung Perak, Surabaya. Other routes are also possible.

Travel around

Taxis, buses, and other public transportation have yellow number plates.

By taxi

There are plenty of taxis in Surabaya. Some taxi companies are not known for their honesty, so make sure to take the more famous ones like: Blue Bird Group, silver and express but keep looking at the meter. Count on Rp 20,000 for a ride through the city and Rp 70,000 for a ride to the airport. The meters start at Rp 4000, but drivers expect a minimum of Rp 10,000 for a ride. For longer journeys you pay the amount with Rp 1000 rounded up. Drivers also expect a tip of a few thousand rupiah, but this is not mandatory.

By train

There are only a few trains in the city itself to a.o. Sidoarjo.

By bus

It is not recommended to travel by bus in Surabaya, they are always crowded and there are many beggars and pickpockets. Even though there are 2 "classes" : a) standard bus (very full); and b) Patas Bus (full).

Other transport

Becaks are a traditional form of transport in Surabaya, but you probably won't use them because they are not allowed to drive on the main streets. bemos, Angkots (Angkutan Kota) or microlets are modified cars.

To look at

• The traditional port of Kalimas - the port of Surabaya.
• Masjid Al Akbar - A gigantic mosque (some say the largest in South East Asia). The mosque has a tower with an elevator, so that visitors can enjoy the view from a height of 65 meters.
• Grahadi - the home of the Governor of East Java.
• Tugu Pahlawan - A monument to the heroes of Surabaya during the 1945-1949 war of independence.
• Kya-Kya Kembang Jepun - At night, Kembang Jepun in Chinatown is converted into a street market with all kinds of eateries. Fantastic atmosphere.
• Monument Jalasveva Jayamahe - A monument in the harbor for the Indonesian navy.
• Monument Kapal Selam - A monument in the shape of a submarine.
• G-Walk - In western Surabaya (Citra-raya) has many eateries and a night market (Pasar Malam) with the best food in town. In the evening it is very busy and a place for young people to go.

To do

• THR; Taman Hiburan Raya - A large shopping center with a permanent funfair and park
• Surabaya Zoo, the largest zoo in Southeast Asia (Kebun Binatang/Bonbin), 3 kilometers south of the city. At the entrance is the Suroboyo monument.

To learn

To work

To buy

• Tunjungan Plaza - The largest shopping center in East Java.

Markets

• Pasar Atum - A large covered Chinese market, with food, clothing, jewelry, catering for Chinese. This is a good place for cheap DVDs.
• Pasar Genteng - Here you can get tiresg asap (smoked milkfish) and prawn crackers.
• Pasar Ampel - A large colorful Arab market.

Food

Surabaya is known for its rujak cingur, salad with sauce and cingur (slices of boiled cow's noses). Also try the satay kelapa, satay with coconut, which you eat Jalan Walikota Mustajab can find. Surabaya has many restaurants, from Indonesian to Western. Food stalls are available in all malls at reasonable prices. There are also a number of smaller restaurants.

Budget

• Soto Ayam Ambengan, jl. ambengan. Has soto, yellow soup with chicken, noodles and cabbage. The soup is yellow because of the different herbs that go into it.
• Puri Garden, Plaza Surabaya 1F. Indonesian food with meals from Rp 10,000-20,000. try puri kuali asam, an Indonesian version of Thai tom yam kung soup.
• Bakwan Dempo, Jalan Dempo, The most authentic Bakwan! They also have delicious fried/boiled stuffed intestines!
• Bakwan Gilic, Ps Atum, Another good address for authentic Bakwan!
• Bakwan KapasariMayjend Sungkono. Here they serve Bakwan with the soup, tofu (here called "tahu"), siomay and much more. This eatery has been around since the 1930s.
• Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang, jl. HR Muhammad. Here they serve nasi uduk, the Indonesian version of nasi lemak.
• Bakwan Dempo 19, Jl. HR Muhammad 46. Try the Bakwan campur with siomay.
• Ayam Bakar Primarasa, Jl.Kusuma Bangsa 3a, Jl.Raya Manyar Kertoajo 78, Jl.Raya Kupang Indah 1a. This is a well-known restaurant where many actors come to eat. Try the gurame bakar, fish barbecue with tasty soy sauce. gurame goreng is fried fish.
• Ikan Bakar CianjurMayjend Sungkono. try the ikan pesmol, fried fish with a local sauce.
• Ayam Goreng Pemuda, jl. Pemuda 38. tasty fried chicken.
• Ibu Hasan, for dessert, Jl. Manyar Rejo 8, Surabaya. Tel.: (62)(31) 594 8710. Jl. Kutai 25 A, Surabaya. Phone: (62)(31) 709 9975.
• Es Krim Zangrandi, for dessert, Jl Yos Sudarso.
• Turin Italian Es Krim, for dessert, Jl Embong Kenongo.
• Es Teler for dessert, 77, TP.

Average

• A&W, TP3.
• McDonald's, TP3, Galaxy Mall, Surabaya Plaza, and almost any other mall.
• KFC, jl. Basuki Rachmat 16-18 (Gelael supermarket), almost every shopping center has a KFC.
• Baskin and Robbins, J.L. Komp Ruko Mangga Dua Block A.9 No. 10. Tel: (62)(31) 843 2545. Galaxi, Jl. Dharmahusada Indah Timur No.37 Lt.2. Phone: (62)(31) 593 7159. Plaza Tunjungan 4 - Jl. Embong Malang 7-21, Tel.: (62)(31) 535 5081. Pakuwon Supermall, * Perumahan Pakuwon Indah, Tel.: (62)(31) 739 0331. Golden City Mall, Jl. H. Abdul Wahab Siamin 2-8. Phone: (62)(31) 565 3386.

Expensive

• Fish A Fish, JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya - The only French restaurant in Surabaya.
• Tang Palace, JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya - Chinese restaurant.
• Imari, JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya - Japanese restaurant.
• Pavilion, JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya - International buffet.
• Stuart Anderson's Black Angus, Raya Gubeng 40, Tel: 031-5021400 - A well known franchise steak house from the United States.
• Peking Duck, Tunjungan Plaza 4 - Crispy Peking Duck.
• Sea Master, Mayjend Sungkono - Fresh seafood.
• Bon cafe, Mayjend Sungkono - Popular steakhouse next to the Sea Master restaurant.
• Surabaya Suki, Jalan Raya Gubeng 34 - Serves a wide variety of Chinese, Thai and other Asian dishes. Try the "Thai Singkong" dessert. In the afternoon there is also Hong Kong style Dim Sum available.
• Depot You Yuen, Jl Undaan Kulon 87 - Cheap local vegetarian cuisine. The owners only speak Indonesian.
• portofino, Shangri-la Hotel, Mayjend Sungkono - Tasty Italian food, rather on the expensive side.
• arugula, Jalan Dr Soetomo 51 - Best Italian in town.

Going out

• vertical 6 - At the JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya - Jl Embong Malang
• Desperados - At the Shangri La Hotel.
• tavern - At the Hyatt Regency.
• lido - Expat oriented bar at Jl Mayjen Sungkono.
• colors - Popular night club.
• redboxx,- Good disco in the Supermall Pakuwon Indah (burnt down).

stay overnight

Budget

• Puri Kencana, Jl Kalimantan - Old rooms with AC and cold water for $10–15 including breakfast.
• Bamboo Den - The only backpacking place in Surabaya. old rooms and shared bathrooms (mandi), but very, very cheap compared to the alternatives. Aug 2006 Rp60,000 (about €6,-) per night.

Average

• Ibis Rajawali **
• Narita **
• sahidi ** Near Gubeng station, rooms are not really well maintained. Around US$30-35, including breakfast.
• Santika **
• Somerset Puri Darmo **
• Weta International ** Modern hotel in a central location. Around US$30 including breakfast.

Expensive

• JW Marriott. *****
• Majapahit Hotel. *****, 65 Jalan Tunjungan, tel. 62-31-5459002. Luxury hotel with a colonial feel, the only hotel in Surabaya that will make you dream of days gone by, from $70 but local travel agents can enforce better conditions. Like other 5 star hotels, this hotel will make your trip to Surabaya even more enjoyable, a hotel with friendly staff and a good reputation. In case of a birthday party or honeymoon, the staff will arrange everything for you.
• Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya. tel. 62-31-5661550. ***** Pleasant hotel with a swimming pool with slides and lots of greenery, located near a golf course, from $60.
• Hyatt Regency. **** Conventional business hotel. The Indonesian president often stays here.
• Sheraton. **** Conventional business hotel, near Tunjungan Plaza.
• Mercure Grand Mirama. **** A hotel of the Mercure group, located in the center of Surabaya.
• Equator. **** Bungalows located on a cobbled road, some also have a garage.
• Hilton International. ****
• Novotel. **** Pleasant hotel with a swimming pool with slides and lots of greenery, from $50.
• Garden Palace. *** Old and dirty, the water in the shower is yellow!
• Hotel Tunjungan,*** near Tunjungan Plaza with a connection to the shopping center and restaurant.
• Surabaya Plaza Hotel. *** Conventional business hotel, near Surabaya Plaza.
• Inna Simpang. ***

Safety

Useful phone numbers:

• Ambulance: 118.
• Police: 110.

Contact

Daily life

all around

• Taman Safari II is the 2nd Taman Safari in Indonesia, on Prigen. It is not a normal zoo and you will have to drive around in a car. Alternatively, you can also walk through the "jungle trail".
• The Bromo is a volcano, located two travel days (back and forth) from Surabaya.
• Tretes and Trawas are one hour away. Beautiful villages in the mountains where you can eat well.
• Malang and batu are 2 hours away.

This is a usable article. It contains information on how to get there, as well as the main attractions, nightlife and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but dive in and expand it!

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