Question 1

What is the "Fake Bromo Tour Package Touts" scam in Surabaya?

Accepted Answer

Touts near Gubeng Station and budget hotels along Jalan Semeru sell Mount Bromo tour packages framed as official or government-certified trips, typically priced at IDR 500,000–800,000 per person. In reality the "operator" is an unlicensed middleman: vehicles are poorly maintained, guides speak little English, promised inclusions (entry fees, jeep hire, hotel pickup) are missing on the day, and in some cases the tour does not depart at all. Mount Bromo is 2–3 hours from Surabaya and requires a jeep at the crater rim — a logistics chain that gives scammers many points to cut corners. Book Bromo tours only through hotels with verifiable reviews on Booking.com or TripAdvisor, or through established operators such as Indovisit or Panorama. Check that the price explicitly includes national park entry (IDR 320,000 weekdays, IDR 470,000 weekends for foreigners), jeep hire at the crater, and transport. Pay by card or bank transfer — never pay full cash to a street tout.

Question 2

What is the "Ijen Crater "Package" Scam" scam in Surabaya?

Accepted Answer

Similar to Bromo tour touts, street sellers near guesthouses on Jalan Semeru and around Gubeng Station sell purported overnight Ijen Crater packages (to see the blue fire phenomenon) at IDR 600,000–900,000. These packages often omit mandatory transport costs, the national park entry fee (IDR 150,000 for foreigners on weekdays), and the required trek guide fee at Paltuding trailhead. Travelers arrive at Ijen unable to proceed without paying additional fees they were told were included. Book Ijen trips through your hotel or a verifiable tour operator with written confirmation of all inclusions. Confirm the itinerary includes: transport from Surabaya to Banyuwangi or Bondowoso, national park entry, and a licensed guide for the crater trek. Avoid same-day bookings from strangers at bus or train stations.

Tour & Activity Scams in Surabaya

Fake Bromo Tour Package Touts

Ijen Crater "Package" Scam

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