Tanjung Perak (Surabaya) Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

Surabaya is well-connected via Juanda International Airport, located about 25 kilometers from the city center, with regular flights from Jakarta (90 minutes) and other major Indonesian cities. Train services link Surabaya to Jakarta (9-10 hours), Yogyakarta (4-5 hours), and other Javanese cities via the efficient Indonesian railway network. From within Surabaya, the Tanjung Perak port is accessible by taxi or rideshare services (approximately 30 minutes from the city center), while regular city buses also serve the port area. For those arriving by private vehicle, the port offers secure parking facilities, though spaces can fill quickly during peak travel periods.

Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, stands as the bustling capital of East Java where history and modernity blend seamlessly along its storied coastline. The city's Tanjung Perak port has served as a crucial maritime hub for centuries, connecting Java to the eastern Indonesian archipelago with its strategic position. Visitors arriving by ferry will find themselves immersed in a dynamic urban landscape where colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and authentic street food create an experience that captures the essence of East Java's cultural heart.

Surabaya features a tropical climate with relatively consistent temperatures year-round, hovering between 24-34°C (75-93°F). The dry season from May to September offers the most pleasant conditions for exploring the city, with clear skies and lower humidity making urban adventures more comfortable. October through April brings the rainy season, with short but intense afternoon downpours that rarely disrupt travel plans for long. Ferry services operate year-round, though schedules may be adjusted during monsoon months when sea conditions can be less predictable. Consider visiting during May for the Surabaya Anniversary celebrations or August for Independence Day festivities, when the city comes alive with cultural performances and street parades.

Tanjung Perak serves as the gateway to Eastern Indonesia's island treasures, with regular ferry connections to Madura Island just a 30-minute journey across the strait, where traditional bull races and salt harvesting provide authentic cultural experiences. Bali can be reached in approximately 8 hours by ferry, offering travelers a more economical route to Indonesia's most famous island destination. For the adventurous, longer ferry journeys connect to Makassar in Sulawesi (18-20 hours), opening up opportunities to explore this island's unique cultural and natural wonders. The scenic route to the Masalembo Islands (12 hours) rewards travelers with pristine beaches and excellent snorkeling in waters far from the tourist crowds.

Begin your Surabaya adventure at the historic Hotel Majapahit, a colonial masterpiece where Indonesia's struggle for independence played out dramatically in 1945. The vibrant Arab Quarter beckons with its narrow lanes, fragrant spice markets, and the iconic Ampel Mosque dating back to the 15th century. Culinary explorers shouldn't miss sampling authentic East Javanese specialties like rawon (black beef soup), rujak cingur (mixed fruit with beef lips), and the city's legendary street food along Kya-Kya Kembang Jepun. The revitalized Submarine Monument and riverside Surabaya North Quay offer perfect sunset viewing spots within easy reach of the port area, while the House of Sampoerna provides fascinating insights into Indonesia's tobacco heritage in a beautifully preserved Dutch colonial building.

Surabaya's name derives from the Javanese words for shark (sura) and crocodile (baya), referencing a legendary battle between these creatures that symbolizes the fusion of land and sea forces. The city's Kalimas River once served as the main highway for spice traders, with boats replacing roads as the primary transportation method well into the 20th century. Tanjung Perak port handled over 3.9 million shipping containers in 2019, making it Indonesia's second-busiest port and a vital link in the nation's maritime highway. Surabaya is home to Southeast Asia's largest Chinatown district, established in the 1400s and still thriving today with temples, markets, and culinary traditions that have influenced the city's unique cultural identity.