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What to Pack for Surabaya

What to Pack for Surabaya

Surabaya Java, Indonesia Travel Guide

Health & Wellness Items

A well-stocked personal health kit for common travel ailments.

First Aid Essentials

Personal Medications & Care

Carry an adequate supply of all your prescription medications. Keep medications in their original containers with clear labels. A copy of your prescription and a doctor's note avoid issues at customs.

Additional Items

Footwear Recommendations

City Walking

Comfortable, breathable sandals, walking shoes, or Sneakers are ideal. Pavements can be uneven.

Comfort & Durability

Uneven Terrain / Hiking

Closed-toe Walking shoes or light hiking boots are necessary for day trips involving uneven terrain or light trekking.

Grip & Support

Religious Sites & Wet Weather

Slip-on shoes are convenient for religious sites (remove before entering). Waterproof sandals or shoes are practical for heavy rain and puddles.

Convenience & Protection

Essential Documents

Important Paperwork for Your Trip

Keep both physical and digital copies of important paperwork.

  • Passport and Visa Documentation: Carry original passport at all times. Bring physical and digital copies of your visa or VoA payment receipt. Keep these separate from your original passport.
  • Travel Insurance Policy Information: Print a physical copy of your travel insurance policy details, including emergency contact numbers and policy numbers. Store a digital copy on your phone or in cloud storage.
  • International Driving Permit: If you plan to rent and drive a vehicle in Indonesia, an IDP is legally required. Carry your valid national driver's license alongside your IDP.
  • Vaccination Records and Health Documentation: Bring your International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) if Yellow Fever vaccination is required. Carry a list of prescription medications with a doctor's note. Keep medications in original containers. Research any potential restrictions.
  • Printed and Digital Copies of Reservations: Have printed and digital copies of flight tickets, hotel bookings, and pre-booked tour confirmations.
  • Emergency Contact Information: Compile a list of important phone numbers for family, your embassy/consulate, travel insurance emergency line, and local emergency services (112).
  • Student/Senior/Press IDs: If applicable, carry relevant identification cards (ISIC, press card) for potential discounts.
  • Digital Backups: Scan all important documents and email them to yourself or store them in a secure cloud service. This supports access even if physical copies are lost.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Indonesia uses a standard voltage of 230V and frequency of 50Hz. Surabaya mainly uses Type C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with two earth clips on the side) plug types.

Essential Items

Useful Apps & Camera Gear

Recommended apps for navigation, translation, and local services.

Apps & Photography

  • Navigation: Google Maps for walking directions, driving routes, and public transport options. Download offline maps for Surabaya and surrounding areas.
  • Ride-hailing/Delivery: Gojek and Grab are indispensable. These "super-apps" offer transportation, food delivery (GoFood/GrabFood), and grocery delivery (GoMart/GrabMart). Install them and set up your account before arrival.
  • Translation: Google Translate. Download the Indonesian language pack for offline use. This aids communication with locals.

Data Backup & Security

Regular Backups

Regularly back up photos and important documents. Use cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.

External Storage

A Small external hard drive provides a physical backup for large volumes of photos.

Device Security

Use strong passwords or biometrics on your devices. Enable 'Find My Device' features.

Health & Wellness Items Continued

Insect & Sun Protection

The equatorial sun is intense. Protect yourself from mosquitoes and sun exposure.

Protection Essentials

  • Insect Repellent: High-DEET (30-50%) or Picaridin-based insect repellent is important against mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue. Reapply as directed.
  • Sun Protection: Broad-spectrum Sunscreen (SPF 30+), apply generously. Wide-brimmed hats and Sunglasses.
  • After-sun lotion: To soothe any sunburn.

Water Purification & Remedies

Tap water is not safe to drink. Consider alternatives to bottled water. Prepare for potential motion sickness.

Water & Wellness

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking/Outdoor Gear

Rental vs. Own Gear

  • Basic jackets and headlamps are often available for rent at volcano bases.
  • Mask and snorkel can be rented at coastal areas, but bringing your own may be preferred for hygiene.

Activity-Specific Equipment Continued

Swimming & Water Activities

Pack a Swimsuit and a Quick-dry towel if your accommodation has a pool or if you plan any water-based activities outside the city.

  • Swimsuit
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Water shoes (optional)

Rent vs Buy: Advantages

Consider renting certain gear to reduce luggage and cost, especially for single-use items. Buying gear offers guaranteed fit and consistent quality.

  • Reduced luggage weight
  • Cost-effective for single-use items
  • No post-trip storage hassle
  • Access to locally appropriate gear

Rent vs Buy: Considerations

Long-term travelers or those with specific needs may benefit from bringing their own. Hygiene and quality control are also considerations for rented items.

  • Guaranteed fit and comfort
  • Higher hygiene control
  • Consistent quality
  • Long-term value for frequent travelers

Rent vs Buy Decision Matrix

Advantages of Renting

  • Reduced luggage weight on your journey.
  • Cost-effective for single-use or occasional items.
  • No post-trip storage hassle for bulky gear.
  • Access to locally appropriate gear.

Considerations for Buying

  • Guaranteed fit and comfort with your own equipment.
  • Higher hygiene control for personal items.
  • Consistent quality and reliability for specialized gear.
  • Long-term value for frequent travelers or specific hobbies.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security Items

For long bus or train journeys across Java, or even for domestic flights, comfort items prove useful.

Travel Essentials

Reusable & Region-Specific Items

To reduce plastic waste and save money, carry a reusable water bottle. Many hotels or cafes offer water refill stations.

Sustainable Travel

  • Reusable Water Bottle: Supports saving money and reducing plastic waste. Many hotels or cafes offer water refill stations.
  • Reusable Shopping Bag: A collapsible Reusable shopping bag for shopping at markets or malls. Avoids single-use plastic bags.
  • Travel Utensils: A reusable set of Travel utensils (fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks) if eating much street food, as plastic cutlery is common.
  • Region-Specific: A small, lightweight umbrella or Rain poncho for the wet season. Hand sanitizer for hygiene.

Sustainable Travel Items

Reusable Water Bottle

Reduces plastic waste.

Solid Toiletries

Reduces plastic packaging.

Cloth Shopping Bag

Alternatives to plastic bags.

Portable Utensils

Avoids single-use plastics.

Destination-Specific Items

Mountain Excursions

  • Warm layers (jacket, beanie, gloves).
  • Sturdy hiking shoes.
  • Headlamp.

City Exploration

  • Lightweight, breathable clothing.
  • Comfortable walking shoes.
  • Compact umbrella (wet season).

Packing Pro Tips

Always carry a small amount of local currency in small denominations (IDR 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 notes). This simplifies transactions with street vendors and for small purchases, avoiding issues with large notes.

When packing medications, keep them in your carry-on luggage. This prevents issues if your checked luggage is delayed or lost and supports immediate access to required prescriptions.