Surabaya Java, Indonesia Travel Guide
A well-stocked personal health kit for common travel ailments.
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.
Comfortable, breathable sandals, walking shoes, or Sneakers are ideal. Pavements can be uneven.
Closed-toe Walking shoes or light hiking boots are necessary for day trips involving uneven terrain or light trekking.
Slip-on shoes are convenient for religious sites (remove before entering). Waterproof sandals or shoes are practical for heavy rain and puddles.
Keep both physical and digital copies of important paperwork.
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.
Recommended apps for navigation, translation, and local services.
Regularly back up photos and important documents. Use cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
A Small external hard drive provides a physical backup for large volumes of photos.
Use strong passwords or biometrics on your devices. Enable 'Find My Device' features.
The equatorial sun is intense. Protect yourself from mosquitoes and sun exposure.
Tap water is not safe to drink. Consider alternatives to bottled water. Prepare for potential motion sickness.
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.
Consider renting certain gear to reduce luggage and cost, especially for single-use items. Buying gear offers guaranteed fit and consistent quality.
Long-term travelers or those with specific needs may benefit from bringing their own. Hygiene and quality control are also considerations for rented items.
For long bus or train journeys across Java, or even for domestic flights, comfort items prove useful.
To reduce plastic waste and save money, carry a reusable water bottle. Many hotels or cafes offer water refill stations.
Reduces plastic waste.
Reduces plastic packaging.
Alternatives to plastic bags.
Avoids single-use plastics.
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.