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Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Indonesia Property Pack
Thinking about starting an Airbnb in Surabaya? The numbers might surprise you.
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city and a major business hub, which means steady demand from corporate travelers, not just tourists.
In this article, we break down what you can earn, what it costs, and whether running a short-term rental in Surabaya makes financial sense in 2026.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya.
Insights
- The average Airbnb in Surabaya earns around IDR 38 million per month gross, but realistic net profit drops to IDR 15 to 22 million after operating costs.
- Surabaya's STR occupancy sits at about 37%, lower than hotel occupancy (mid-40s) because many hosts don't operate full-time.
- There's no citywide cap on rental nights, but building management rules in condos are often stricter than any government regulation.
- The most crowded price segment is IDR 350,000 to 650,000 per night, where standard one-bedroom apartments compete heavily.
- West Surabaya neighborhoods like Dukuh Pakis and Wiyung command premium rates due to proximity to lifestyle malls.
- One-bedroom units get the most bookings because business travelers prefer them over studios for comfort at competitive prices.
- Legal hosting requires registration through Indonesia's OSS platform with an accommodation business code like KBLI 55193.
- Top hosts achieve 48% to 55% occupancy versus 37% average, mostly by offering corporate-ready amenities and flexible check-in.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Surabaya in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term renting is allowed in Surabaya, but the city treats it like running a small accommodation business rather than a casual side hustle.
The main legal framework comes from Indonesia's OSS licensing system combined with Surabaya's local tax regulation, Perda Kota Surabaya No. 7/2023, which governs accommodation provider taxes.
Hosts must comply with local accommodation tax obligations and, if hosting regularly, register through the OSS platform.
In practice, enforcement often comes from building management or neighbors rather than city inspectors, especially in condominiums.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Indonesia.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Indonesia.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Surabaya has no citywide minimum-stay requirement or maximum nights-per-year cap like London or Paris.
These rules don't vary by property type or host residency status, so there's no government-imposed restriction anywhere in Surabaya.
However, many condos and gated communities impose their own rules that effectively discourage hotel-like turnover, so building bylaws often matter more than city regulations.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Surabaya right now?
Surabaya has no primary-residence requirement, so you're not legally required to live in the property you rent out.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals, provided they comply with business licensing and local tax obligations.
No additional permits are required for non-primary residence rentals beyond standard OSS registration and accommodation tax compliance, and the rules don't distinguish between primary and secondary homes.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Surabaya right now?
Yes, you can operate multiple Airbnb listings under one name in Surabaya, but doing so makes you unmistakably a business operator.
There's no explicit maximum number of properties one person can list for short-term rental under current regulations.
Multi-unit operators should register through OSS with a business identity (NIB) and maintain consistent local tax reporting with Surabaya's Bapenda.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of early 2026, regular hosting in Surabaya requires business registration through Indonesia's OSS (Online Single Submission) system.
The process involves registering on OSS, obtaining a NIB (business ID), and selecting an accommodation KBLI code such as 55193 for "Vila" which covers private houses rented to tourists.
You'll need identity documents and property ownership or authorization proof, though requirements vary based on risk level.
OSS registration is free, but budget for compliance costs and local accommodation tax obligations.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Surabaya has no neighborhood-level bans or government-designated restricted zones for Airbnb.
Real restrictions happen at the building level: many condos in central areas like Tunjungan, Genteng, and Tegalsari have management rules that prohibit short-term rentals.
The same applies to modern apartments in Dukuh Pakis, Wiyung, and near hospitals in Gubeng, where security requirements can make short-stay hosting impractical.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Indonesia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Surabaya in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Surabaya is approximately IDR 570,000 ($34 USD, €31 EUR), while the median sits around IDR 500,000 ($30 USD, €27 EUR).
The typical range covering 80% of listings falls between IDR 300,000 and IDR 850,000 ($18 to $51 USD, €16 to €47 EUR).
Location has the biggest impact on pricing, with properties near malls, business districts, and hospitals commanding significantly higher rates.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, nightly prices range from IDR 300,000 ($18 USD, €16 EUR) in outer areas like Rungkut to IDR 850,000 ($51 USD, €47 EUR) in premium locations like Tunjungan.
The highest-priced neighborhoods are Tunjungan/Genteng (IDR 550,000 to 850,000), Dukuh Pakis/Wiyung (IDR 500,000 to 800,000), and Tegalsari (IDR 550,000 to 750,000), benefiting from CBD and mall proximity.
The lowest-priced areas are Rungkut (IDR 300,000 to 550,000), Kenjeran (IDR 300,000 to 500,000), and outer Sukomanunggal (IDR 350,000 to 550,000), though these still attract business travelers visiting industrial facilities.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Surabaya is approximately 37%, with most listings falling within 33% to 40%.
Surabaya's STR occupancy runs below hotel occupancy (mid-40s), which is normal since many hosts don't operate full-time or block calendars.
The biggest factor for above-average occupancy is offering a corporate-ready setup with fast Wi-Fi, proper workspace, and seamless self check-in.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Surabaya is approximately IDR 38 million ($2,260 USD, €2,080 EUR).
The realistic range covering 80% of listings falls between IDR 20 million and IDR 55 million ($1,190 to $3,280 USD, €1,095 to €3,020 EUR).
Top performers can achieve IDR 55 to 70 million monthly ($3,280 to $4,170 USD), translating to IDR 660 to 840 million annually if sustained.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Surabaya.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical low-season revenue is IDR 26 to 32 million ($1,550 to $1,905 USD, €1,425 to €1,755 EUR), while high season brings IDR 42 to 55 million ($2,500 to $3,275 USD, €2,305 to €3,015 EUR).
High season peaks around year-end holidays (December to January) and during major exhibitions, trade shows, and concerts throughout the year.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses range from IDR 14 to 23 million ($835 to $1,370 USD, €770 to €1,265 EUR).
The largest expense is typically cleaning/turnover costs combined with local accommodation taxes, representing IDR 5 to 8 million monthly ($300 to $475 USD).
Hosts should expect to spend 35% to 45% of gross revenue on operating expenses, leaving 55% to 65% net margin before mortgage payments.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Surabaya.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, realistic monthly net profit ranges from IDR 15 to 22 million ($895 to $1,310 USD, €825 to €1,205 EUR), with profit per available night averaging IDR 500,000 to 730,000 ($30 to $43 USD).
Most Surabaya listings fall within IDR 12 to 25 million monthly net profit ($715 to $1,490 USD), with hosts typically achieving 55% to 65% net margin after operating expenses.
Break-even occupancy for a typical Surabaya Airbnb is around 20% to 25%, meaning properly managed listings should be profitable even in slower months.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Indonesia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Surabaya as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of early 2026, there are approximately 1,450 active short-term rental listings (Airbnb and Vrbo combined) in Surabaya.
Supply has grown modestly as more owners recognize STR potential in Indonesia's second-largest city, though Surabaya remains far less saturated than Bali.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods are Tegalsari, Genteng, and the Tunjungan corridor (CBD), followed by Dukuh Pakis, Wiyung, and Gubeng where modern apartments cluster.
These areas became saturated because they combine high concentrations of investor-owned condos with strong business traveler demand, making them obvious first choices where hosts compete directly.
Relatively undersaturated opportunities exist in Sukomanunggal and Sambikerep (where landed houses with parking differentiate) and edges of Rungkut (targeting industrial business stays).
What local events spike demand in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, main demand spikes come from trade exhibitions, major concerts, and year-end holidays (December through New Year).
During peak events, hosts typically see 20% to 40% booking increases and can raise rates 15% to 30%, though spikes are less extreme than in tourist destinations.
Adjust pricing at least two to four weeks before major events; track upcoming demand via the city's official What's On calendar.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, top-performing hosts achieve 48% to 55% occupancy, while average hosts reach only 37%, meaning top performers fill roughly 30% to 50% more nights monthly.
New hosts typically need 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer levels, depending on review accumulation, listing optimization, and pricing for Surabaya's business-travel rhythm.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Surabaya.
What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in Surabaya right now?
In Surabaya's hot climate, air conditioning, strong Wi-Fi, and hot showers are absolute basics; listings without these struggle to get bookings.
Self check-in with clear instructions is also essential since many guests arrive on business schedules, plus a basic kitchen setup (kettle, cups, cookware).
Parking clarity is the final must-have: whether included, paid nearby, or unavailable, being explicit prevents negative reviews.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Surabaya right now?
The most crowded range is IDR 350,000 to 650,000 ($21 to $39 USD, €19 to €36 EUR), where standard one-bedroom apartments compete head-to-head.
White space exists at IDR 700,000 to 1.1 million ($42 to $66 USD) for corporate-ready units, and in 2 to 3 bedroom landed homes with parking for families and groups.
To compete in underserved segments, offer real desks, ergonomic chairs, business-grade Wi-Fi, blackout curtains, and professional photos, or focus on landed houses with parking that apartments cannot match.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Surabaya right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Surabaya as of 2026?
As of early 2026, one-bedroom units get the most bookings in Surabaya, followed closely by studios.
Estimated breakdown: studios 25%, one-bedrooms 40%, two-bedrooms 25%, three-bedrooms or larger 10%.
One-bedrooms perform best because business travelers want more comfort than studios but don't need or want to pay for larger spaces.
What property type performs best in Surabaya in 2026?
As of early 2026, well-managed apartments and condominiums perform best for consistent occupancy and ease of operation.
Occupancy by type: apartments 38% to 42%, townhouses 32% to 38%, landed houses 28% to 35%, though landed properties command higher nightly rates when offering parking and space.
Apartments outperform because Surabaya's business-heavy demand values convenience, security, and central locations for short stays.
What location traits boost bookings in Surabaya right now?
Location traits that boost bookings are about saving guests time: proximity to major malls, fast business district access, and being near universities or hospitals for steady non-tourist demand.
Easy transport access matters because ride-hailing is how most guests travel; properties where drivers easily access the building see better reviews.
These traits combine in Tegalsari, Genteng, and Tunjungan (CBD), Dukuh Pakis, Wiyung, and Sambikerep (west Surabaya hubs), and Gubeng and Mulyorejo (campus/hospital areas).
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Surabaya, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| AirDNA Surabaya | Most widely cited STR data provider with consistent global methodology. | We sourced active listings, occupancy, ADR, and monthly revenue. We converted USD metrics to IDR using official exchange rates. |
| BPS Kota Surabaya (TPK) | Indonesia's official statistics office publishing standardized hotel occupancy metrics. | We used TPK as a demand anchor for Surabaya's busiest months. We triangulated it with STR estimates to keep assumptions realistic. |
| BPS Surabaya Tourism Context | Official city statistics providing narrative context on tourism performance. | We sanity-checked that late-2025 tourism was stable entering 2026. We avoided overly bullish forecasts based on this context. |
| CEIC (JISDOR Data) | Widely used macro-data distributor pointing to Bank Indonesia sources. | We used the January 2026 rate of 16,785 IDR/USD for all conversions. We keep this explicit so readers can update it. |
| Bank Indonesia JISDOR | Central bank's official FX reference framework for USD/IDR. | We justified using official USD/IDR references for currency conversions throughout. |
| Bank Indonesia (RPPS) | Central bank's flagship survey for primary-market housing prices. | We used it as a signal on housing price growth. We triangulated with BPS to avoid cherry-picking indices. |
| Perda Kota Surabaya No. 7/2023 | Binding local regulation for Surabaya's local taxes. | We grounded accommodation tax obligations that hosts face. We estimated tax friction reducing net profit. |
| BPK Regulation Portal | Trusted index of Indonesian legal instruments and metadata. | We cross-verified regulation identity, dates, and status as a second check. |
| Bapenda Surabaya | City government's primary tax administration website. | We confirmed hotel-tax administration is active. We supported our recommendation for proper registration. |
| OSS Portal | Indonesia's official national business licensing system. | We anchored legal hosting pathways around OSS. We pointed readers to the direct compliance route. |
| OSS KBLI 55193 (Vila) | Official classification for private houses rented to tourists. | We showed Indonesian licensing recognizes Airbnb-style operations. This is the cleanest legal category for most hosts. |
| PP 28/2025 (BPK) | Official Government Regulation on risk-based business licensing. | We supported that Airbnb hosting sits inside risk-based OSS licensing. We explained activity-based requirements. |
| PP 28/2025 (peraturan.go.id) | Government portal showing regulation relationships. | We cross-checked that PP 28/2025 replaces PP 5/2021, ensuring as-of-2026 accuracy. |
| Airbnb Indonesia Tax Guide | Airbnb's official host-facing tax guidance for Indonesia. | We ensured we didn't miss common tax obligations. We cross-checked against local law. |
| Surabaya Tourism | Official city-government tourism portal. | We identified events and attractions driving demand. We translated this into neighborhood-level logic. |
| Reuters (BI Policy Rate) | Top-tier wire careful about central bank decisions. | We used December 2025 rate context for financing backdrop and opportunity cost. |
| BPS National (RPPI) | Official BPS methodology for residential price indices. | We framed residential price movement as buying cost context. We kept profitability separate from appreciation. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Indonesia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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