Surabaya Travel Tips and Etiquette
Surabaya sits under Indonesia’s standard US Level 2 “exercise increased caution” advisory, terrorism and natural-disaster boilerplate (verify exact current wording), not a Surabaya-specific warning. Day to day, the city functions as an ordinary big Indonesian city; here’s what’s actually worth knowing before you land.
Use Grab or Gojek, don’t plan to walk
Surabaya is hot, spread out, and not really built for walking between sights. Grab and Gojek, including motorbike ojek rides, are how almost everyone gets around, cheap, and they sidestep both the traffic and the language barrier. Bluebird is the reputable metered-taxi backup.
Dress modestly, especially near mosques
This is a conservative, majority-Muslim city. Cover shoulders and knees at the Sunan Ampel and Al-Akbar mosques, expect to be offered a headscarf if needed, and remove your shoes before entering prayer areas.
Carry cash for warungs and street food
Small eateries and street stalls run on cash, not cards; IDR amounts run into the thousands and tens of thousands, so keep small bills on hand. Tipping isn’t expected, though some tourist-oriented restaurants add a service charge automatically.
Check volcano conditions before a Bromo or Ijen trip
East Java’s volcanoes, Bromo, Ijen, and the more dangerous Semeru, are genuinely active; check the current PVMBG alert status before booking a trip to any of them. Kawah Ijen’s blue-fire crater vents toxic sulfuric gas, and a gas mask is a real safety item for the night hike, not just a photo prop.
Watch for pickpocketing, not terrorism
The real, honest daily risk here is petty theft in crowded markets and stations, plus the chaotic traffic and motorbike flow. Surabaya suffered a one-time coordinated bombing in May 2018; it’s a historical event, not an ongoing pattern, and the city today is an ordinary safe place to visit.
Health basics
Dengue and other mosquito-borne illness are a standing risk, use repellent and cover up in the evenings. Stick to bottled water, and be aware that flooding after heavy wet-season rain can raise leptospirosis risk.
Be considerate during Ramadan
Many locals fast during daylight hours; eating and drinking discreetly in public during Ramadan is appreciated, even though restaurants generally stay open for visitors.
Language and money
Indonesian is the national language, layered with the distinctive, direct Suroboyoan dialect locally; English is limited outside hotels and tourist businesses. The currency is the Indonesian rupiah, not euros or dollars, and it has weakened noticeably against the US dollar through 2026 (verify current rate before you travel).
Read more: our main Surabaya guide has the full essentials table, and the day trips guide covers Bromo and Ijen logistics in depth.