This Indonesian city known for Chinese-Indo food was just voted as Asia's best budget destination
Being a hotel booking platform, Agoda based its ranking on average room rates in popular cities across Asia – not the most comprehensive picture of affordability, but nevertheless a good gauge, considering that accommodations do take a chunk out of the travel budget.
Surabaya came out tops thanks to an abundance of budget-friendly accommodation options. From cosy guesthouses to modern hotels, room rates here average out to US$35 – significantly cheaper than those in cities like Jakarta. Travellers on a shoestring budget can even find dorm beds for as little as $6 a night.
Besides being easy on the wallet, there are many more reasons to visit Surabaya. It's one of the world's busiest trading ports, home to more than 3.3 million people, and rich in culture and affordable street eats.
Get a crash course in history at landmarks like the Heroes Monument, which commemorates Indonesia's struggle for independence, or the House of Sampoerna, a preserved Dutch colonial building turned museum showcasing the clove cigarette industry. Visit the majestic Al-Akbar Mosque, one of the largest in the country, or take a slow stroll through Surabaya Old Town, a charming district filled with colonial buildings.
Food-wise, the city serves up some of the best Chinese-Indonesian street eats you'll find. Think smoky kwetiau medan, comforting bowls of bakmi, rich and sticky babi kecap and flavour-packed nasi campur – all delicious and very affordable. Head to Kya-Kya Street in the city's lively Chinatown to taste it all, with plenty of stalls and small eateries to explore on foot.
Surabaya is also a strategic base for exploring East Java. The iconic Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater are both within reach for short overnight trips, while Madura Island is just a drive away.
The most budget-friendly summer destinations in Asia, according to Agoda:
Surabaya, Indonesia
Tirupati, India
Hat Yai, Thailand
Dalat, Vietnam
Iloilo, Philippines
Kuching, Malaysia
Nagoya, Japan
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Daejeon, South Korea
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