Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Indonesia due to risk of natural disasters, unrest, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 07 Jul 2026
Full advisory →Is Surabaya safe? 🇮🇩
Indonesia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Surabaya scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Surabaya is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal urban caution, though petty crime and occasional protests require attention. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Fair
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all travel FCDO advises against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province to within 7km of the crater Mount Sinabung, Karo Regency, North Sumatra to within 5km of the crater Mount Marapi, West Sumatra to within 3km of the crater Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency, East Java to within 5km of the crater in the south-east of Mount Semura to within 500m from any riverbank of the Besuk Kobokan river for 13km from the crater Mount Ruang, Northern Sulawesi to within 7km of the crater Mount Ibu, North Maluku Province to within 7km of the crater See more details about why FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2026-06-10T08:18:15Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Indonesia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-22T14:05:10.160000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Indonesia0.3Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
98
Robbery / mugging
ModerateStreet robberies and motorbike snatch thefts occur mainly after dark in poorly lit or industrial outskirts.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded markets (Pasar Atum), transport hubs, and malls like Tunjungan Plaza.
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Yes — Surabaya is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal urban caution, though petty crime and occasional protests require attention.
The city’s homicide rate is very low and overall safety index places it in the safer half of countries, but travelers report moderate risks of pickpocketing, bag snatching and street robberies, especially after dark in quieter or industrial areas. Protests and demonstrations have occurred in mid‑2026, and scams targeting foreigners remain active. Staying in well‑lit central districts, using ride‑hailing apps, and keeping valuables concealed will keep most trips trouble‑free.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Police arrested dozens in an anti‑government protest in Surabaya; several protesters detained and charged.— The Straits Times
- Jun 2026Authorities detained 44 people in a Surabaya scam ring that targeted foreigners, including Japanese captives forced to work as operators.— The Jakarta Post
- Apr 2026U.S. Embassy issued a demonstration alert for an International Labor Day protest at the Grahadi Building in Surabaya on 30 April 2026.— U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia
Common scams
- Fake Bluebird taxi meter rigging and diversion to souvenir shops
- Street distraction scams targeting tourists near markets
- Accommodation overcharging or fake booking scams
- Taxi drivers claiming attractions are closed to divert to commission‑paying shops
Full briefing
Surabaya presents a mixed safety picture for travelers. Official data show a very low homicide rate (0.3 per 100 k) and a composite safety index of 71/100, indicating the city is safer than about half of the world’s nations. However, crowdsourced crime indexes and traveler reports highlight moderate levels of petty theft, pickpocketing, and occasional street robberies, especially after dark in poorly lit or industrial neighborhoods. The live dossier confirms that protests and demonstrations have been a recurring feature in mid‑2026, with notable events in April and June that led to arrests and heightened police presence. Additionally, a scam ring targeting foreigners was broken up in June, underscoring the persistence of taxi‑meter rigging, fake Bluebird cabs, and distraction scams in markets and tourist hubs.
On the ground, visitors generally feel safe in central districts such as Tunjungan, Gubeng, and Darmo, where hotels, malls, and major attractions are concentrated and well‑patrolled. These areas are bustling during the day and remain reasonably secure at night, though pickpocketing remains a concern in crowded spots like Pasar Atum market and Tunjungan Plaza. Conversely, industrial zones like Manyar and Sambikerep see higher reports of petty crime after dark and are best avoided unless you have a specific reason to be there. The beachfront area of Kenjeran is enjoyable by daylight but can feel isolated after sunset, so it warrants caution after dark.
To stay safe, rely on ride‑hailing apps rather than street taxis, verify vehicle details, and keep valuables out of sight—use a cross‑body bag and keep phones hidden in traffic jams. Avoid walking alone after dark in unfamiliar or poorly lit streets; stick to main, well‑lit avenues and consider traveling with a companion. Carry a mask for the moderate haze (AQI around 90) that can appear during rush hour, and stay hydrated. Keep an eye on local news or embassy alerts for any protest activity and steer clear of large gatherings. Following these precautions will let you enjoy Surabaya’s vibrant food scene, historic quarters, and gateway role to East Java’s volcanoes with minimal risk.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Surabaya districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Surabaya safety map.
ManyaravoidIndustrial zone with higher petty crime reports; limited lighting and fewer patrols at night.
SambikerepavoidIndustrial outskirts; reports of occasional theft and poor night‑time illumination.
KetabangcautionResidential area; safe by day but less foot traffic after dark – stay alert.
KenjerancautionBeachfront area; pleasant by day but can be deserted after dark – avoid isolated stretches.
TunjungansaferCentral shopping and business district; well‑lit, busy, but watch for pickpockets in malls and markets.
GubengsaferHospital and university area; good police presence and reliable transport.
DarmosaferModern business district with hotels and offices; generally secure.
Kampung ArabsaferHistoric Arab quarter; lively markets, generally safe but keep an eye on belongings in crowds.
07 · After Dark
Is Surabaya safe at night?
63% of people in Indonesia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Street robberies and motorbike snatch thefts occur mainly after dark in poorly lit or industrial outskirts.
After dark, be most careful around Manyar, Sambikerep, Ketabang, Kenjeran. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Surabaya's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight71
Solo, nightlife-focusedCrime +32% weight72
Family with kidsCrime +15% weight · Health & Air +12% weight72
Travellers 65+Crime +9% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight72
09 · Questions
Surabaya safety FAQ
Is Surabaya safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Surabaya is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal urban caution, though petty crime and occasional protests require attention. The city’s homicide rate is very low and overall safety index places it in the safer half of countries, but travelers report moderate risks of pickpocketing, bag snatching and street robberies, especially after dark in quieter or industrial areas. Protests and demonstrations have occurred in mid‑2026, and scams targeting foreigners remain active. Staying in well‑lit central districts, using ride‑hailing apps, and keeping valuables concealed will keep most trips trouble‑free. (Assessed 23 July 2026.)
Which areas of Surabaya should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Manyar, Sambikerep as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Surabaya?
- Fake Bluebird taxi meter rigging and diversion to souvenir shops
- Street distraction scams targeting tourists near markets
- Accommodation overcharging or fake booking scams
- Taxi drivers claiming attractions are closed to divert to commission‑paying shops
How does Surabaya compare with other places in Indonesia?
Surabaya scores 69/100 — see the Indonesia safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Surabaya safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 75% of the weight, field research 25%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Indonesia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: surabaya.json (CC BY 4.0).