Destination Comparison
Yogyakarta vs Surabaya
Which destination has more documented tourist scam activity? Side-by-side comparison based on verified reports.
26
Total scams compared
Yogyakarta
13 warnings
Surabaya
13 warnings
Overall Risk Assessment
Yogyakarta
Higher documented risk
Surabaya has a lower overall scam risk score. Based on weighted frequency scoring across 26 documented reports. Both destinations are safe with preparation.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Yogyakarta
Lower riskIndonesia · Southeast Asia
Total documented scams13
Severity
High
0
Medium
11
Low
2
Scam types
Top scams
- Batik Art Gallery Scam
- Currency Exchange Shortchanging on Malioboro Street
- Fake Blue Bird Taxi
- Prambanan Unofficial Guide Overcharging
Surabaya
Lower riskIndonesia · Southeast Asia
Total documented scams13
Severity
High
1
Medium
9
Low
3
Scam types
Top scams
- Fake Bromo-Ijen Tour Booking Websites
- Juanda Airport Taxi Overcharge
- Becak Rickshaw Overcharging in Kota Tua
- Fake Bromo Tour Package Touts
Overlapping Risk
Scam Types Found in Both Destinations
These categories appear in both Yogyakarta and Surabaya. If you're visiting both on the same trip, these are the patterns to study first.
Taxi & Transport
See all Taxi & Transport Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta2 reportsSurabaya3 reports
Street Scams
See all Street Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta3 reportsSurabaya3 reports
Restaurant Scams
See all Restaurant Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta1 reportsSurabaya1 reports
Accommodation Scams
See all Accommodation Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta1 reportsSurabaya1 reports
Online Scams
See all Online Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta1 reportsSurabaya1 reports
Tour & Activities
See all Tour & Activity Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta3 reportsSurabaya2 reports
Money & ATM Scams
See all Money & ATM Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta1 reportsSurabaya1 reports
Other Scams
See all Other Tourist Scams worldwide →Yogyakarta1 reportsSurabaya1 reports
Common Questions
Yogyakarta vs Surabaya — Common Questions
Is Yogyakarta or Surabaya safer for tourists?
Based on documented scam data, Surabaya has a lower overall risk score. Yogyakarta has 13 documented warnings (0 high severity) vs 13 in Surabaya (1 high severity). Both are popular tourist destinations visited safely by millions each year — preparation matters more than the destination itself.
What scams should I watch for in both Yogyakarta and Surabaya?
Both cities have documented activity in: Taxi & Transport, Street Scams, Restaurant Scams, Accommodation Scams, Online Scams, Tour & Activities, Money & ATM Scams, Other Scams. If you're visiting both, these are the scam types to review first since the same tactics are used in each city.
Which city has more high-severity tourist scams?
Yogyakarta has 0 high-severity documented scams vs 1 in Surabaya. High-severity scams carry significant financial or safety risk and should be reviewed carefully before travel regardless of which destination you choose.
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