How to Get from Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) to Juanda Airport

Important: Juanda Airport (SUB) does not have a railway station. However, you can use Surabaya's Commuter Line (KRL) as part of a multi‑leg journey. This option is not recommended for first‑time visitors or anyone with heavy luggage, but we explain it here for completeness.

Step‑by‑Step Route

1. ITS → Surabaya Gubeng Station – Take a Gojek/Grab motorcycle or car (10–15 minutes, IDR 20,000–40,000 / $1.50–3).
2. Gubeng → Sidoarjo Station – Board the KRL Commuter Line (direction: Sidoarjo). Travel time ~30 minutes, fare IDR 8,000–12,000 ($0.50–0.80). Trains run every 20–30 minutes from 05:00–21:00.
3. Sidoarjo → Juanda Airport – Take a local ride-hailing or taxi (10–15 minutes, IDR 25,000–50,000 / $1.50–3.50).

Total time: 60–90 minutes | Total cost: IDR 53,000–102,000 ($3.50–7) – only marginally cheaper than a direct ride-hailing, with much more hassle.

Why Most Travelers Skip This Option

• Two transfers – not ideal with suitcases.
• Limited operating hours – last train from Gubeng to Sidoarjo is around 21:00.
• No luggage space – KRL carriages can be crowded during peak hours (07:00–09:00 & 16:00–18:00).
• Time savings are minimal – a direct car ride is only 30–45 minutes.

KRL vs. Other Train Options

Indonesia does not have a Shinkansen (bullet train). The Jakarta–Bandung Whoosh high‑speed train is on Java, but does not serve Surabaya. Within Surabaya, the Commuter Line (KRL) is the only rail service. There are also intercity trains (Kereta Api) from Surabaya Gubeng to other Java cities, but they do not call at Juanda Airport.

Commuter Train Comparison – ITS to Juanda via KRL

Route Leg	Mode	Time	Cost (IDR)	Frequency
ITS → Gubeng Station	Ride-hailing (motor)	10–15 min	20,000–40,000	On demand
Gubeng → Sidoarjo	KRL Commuter	25–35 min	8,000–12,000	Every 20–30 min
Sidoarjo → Juanda Airport	Ride-hailing (car)	10–15 min	25,000–50,000	On demand
Total	–	45–65 min	53,000–102,000	–

Data source: KAI Commuter schedule & Grab fare estimator (May 2025). Official KRL info →

Juanda Airport (SUB) is the second‑busiest airport in Indonesia after Jakarta's Soekarno‑Hatta. It serves dozens of domestic routes operated by Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air, and Super Air Jet. If you are flying to another Indonesian city (e.g., Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta, Lombok, Makassar), your journey starts from ITS.

From ITS to Juanda – Door‑to‑Door Time Breakdown

Do not just look at the flight time. Add these intervals:

• ITS to Juanda (ground transport): 30–45 min (ride-hailing) or 45–60 min (bus).
• Check‑in & security (domestic): recommend arriving 90 minutes before departure (off‑peak) to 2 hours (peak / holiday).
• Boarding gate & waiting: 20–30 min.

Example – ITS to Bali (Ngurah Rai): Ground transport 40 min + check‑in 90 min + flight 55 min = ~3 hours 5 minutes door‑to‑door. Compare with a hypothetical train (not available) or bus+ferry (8+ hours) – flying is the clear winner for distances over 300 km.

Domestic Destinations & Airlines (Sample)

Destination	Flight Time	Airlines	Typical Fare (IDR)
Jakarta (CGK)	1 hr 30 min	Garuda, Lion, Citilink, Batik	400,000–1,200,000 ($27–80)
Bali (DPS)	55 min	Lion, Citilink, Garuda, Super Air Jet	350,000–900,000 ($23–60)
Yogyakarta (YIA)	50 min	Lion, Citilink, Batik	300,000–800,000 ($20–53)
Makassar (UPG)	1 hr 40 min	Lion, Garuda, Batik	500,000–1,500,000 ($33–100)
Lombok (LOP)	1 hr 10 min	Lion, Citilink, Super Air Jet	400,000–1,000,000 ($27–67)

Fares are one‑way, economy class, booked 2–4 weeks in advance (May 2025). Garuda Indonesia · Lion Air

Which Airport Terminal?

• Terminal 1: Lion Air, Citilink, Batik Air, Sriwijaya, Super Air Jet – most domestic flights.
• Terminal 2: Garuda Indonesia (domestic & international) and all international carriers.

The two terminals are about 1.5 km apart – a free shuttle bus runs every 15–20 minutes. Ride‑hailing drop‑offs go directly to the correct terminal entrance.

The Damri airport bus is the most economical direct connection from Surabaya to Juanda Airport. It is a fixed‑route, fixed‑schedule service operated by the state‑owned Damri company.

Damri Bus – Route & Practical Info

• Route: Purabaya Terminal (Bungurasih) ↔ Juanda Airport. From ITS, you first take a short ride (Gojek/Grab) to Purabaya Terminal (15–20 min, IDR 25,000–40,000).
• Frequency: Every 30–45 minutes, 04:30–22:00.
• Travel time (bus only): 30–40 minutes (excluding the leg from ITS to Purabaya).
• Fare: IDR 30,000–35,000 ($2–2.30) – cheapest direct option.
• Drop‑off: Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (the bus stops at both).

Total door‑to‑door (ITS → Juanda via Damri): 45–70 minutes | Total cost: IDR 55,000–75,000 ($3.50–5) – still very affordable.

Day Bus vs. Night Bus

Damri operates both day and night services to Juanda. The night schedule (22:00–04:30) has reduced frequency (every 60–90 minutes) and may require a longer wait. For late‑night departures, a ride‑hailing or taxi is more reliable.

Public Bus (Trans Jatim) – Even Cheaper, Less Convenient

• Trans Jatim (Suroboyo Bus) – route Sidoarjo–Surabaya with a stop at Purabaya Terminal. From ITS, take a feeder bus or ride‑hailing to Purabaya, then board Trans Jatim to the airport. Fare IDR 5,000–10,000 ($0.30–0.70). Very cheap but not recommended with luggage.
• Booking: No advance booking needed for Damri – just buy a ticket at the terminal counter or on the bus (cash or QR payment).

Bus Options Compared (ITS → Juanda)

Service	Total Time	Total Cost (IDR)	Luggage Friendly	Recommended For
Damri (via Purabaya)	45–70 min	55,000–75,000	✔️ Yes (under bus)	Budget solo travelers
Trans Jatim (public bus)	60–90 min	10,000–20,000	❌ Limited	Minimal luggage, local experience
Direct ride-hailing	30–45 min	80,000–150,000	✔️✔️ Best	Most travelers

Official Damri website →

For most visitors, Grab or Gojek (ride‑hailing apps) offer the best balance of speed, cost, and ease. Traditional taxis (Blue Bird) are also available but generally more expensive.

Ride‑hailing (Grab / Gojek Car)

• Time: 30–45 minutes (via toll road Jl. Ahmad Yani or bypass).
• Cost: IDR 80,000–130,000 ($5–9) – most recommended for 1–2 people with luggage.
• How to book: Use the Grab or Gojek app. Pick‑up at any ITS gate (main gate on Jl. Raya ITS, or alternative gates near the dormitories).
• Tip: Opt for GrabCar / GoCar (not the budget "GrabCar Rame" or "GoCar Share") for a direct ride.

Motorcycle Taxi (Grab / Gojek Motor)

• Time: 20–30 minutes – fastest option.
• Cost: IDR 40,000–70,000 ($2.50–5).
• Best for: Solo travelers with one backpack only. Not suitable for suitcases or carry‑on luggage.
• Safety: Helmets are provided. Traffic in Surabaya is moderate compared to Jakarta, but still requires caution.

Blue Bird Taxi (Traditional Metered Taxi)

• Flag‑fall: IDR 7,500 ($0.50) + IDR 4,500–5,000/km ($0.30). Typical fare ITS→Juanda: IDR 120,000–200,000 ($8–13).
• How to get: Call Blue Bird (call center 24h) or flag one on the street. At ITS, you can book via the Blue Bird app or ask the security post to call one.
• Reliability: Blue Bird is the most trusted taxi brand in Indonesia – metered, air‑conditioned, no haggling.

Private Transfer / Car with Driver

• Cost: IDR 150,000–300,000 ($10–20) – depends on vehicle type (Avanza/Innova).
• Best for: Groups of 3–5 people, families with children, or anyone with bulky sports equipment (surfboards, golf bags).
• Booking: Through local travel agencies, hotel concierge, or apps like Traveloka or Klook.
• Advantage: Fixed price, no surge pricing, door‑to‑door with meet‑and‑greet service.

Private & Taxi Options – Price & Suitability

Service	Cost (IDR)	Time	Best For
Grab/Gojek Car	80,000–130,000	30–45 min	Most travelers (1–2 pax)
Gojek/Grab Motor	40,000–70,000	20–30 min	Solo, hand luggage only
Blue Bird Taxi	120,000–200,000	30–45 min	Metered, reliable, no app needed
Private Transfer (sedan)	150,000–250,000	30–45 min	Families, groups, advanced booking
Private Transfer (MPV)	200,000–350,000	35–50 min	4–5 pax with luggage

Download Grab · Download Gojek · Blue Bird official

When to Choose Each Option

• Early morning flight (before 06:00): Pre‑book a GrabCar the night before (schedule feature) or use Blue Bird. Damri bus starts at 04:30, which may be too late for a 06:00 flight.
• Late night arrival (after 22:00): Grab/Gojek is available 24h. Damri night bus runs every 60–90 min – not ideal if you're in a hurry.
• Group of 4 with suitcases: Private MPV or two Grab cars – private MPV is often cheaper than booking two cars.
• Very tight budget: Damri bus + ride‑hailing to Purabaya (total ~IDR 55,000).

Use this table to quickly compare every transport mode from ITS to Juanda Airport. Best overall and cheapest are highlighted.

ITS → Juanda Airport: Full Comparison (May 2025)

Mode	Total Time	Total Cost (IDR)	Total Cost (USD)	Transfers	Luggage	Best For
🌟 Grab/Gojek Car	30–45 min	80,000–130,000	$5–9	0	✔️✔️	Best overall
Gojek/Grab Motor	20–30 min	40,000–70,000	$2.50–5	0	❌ (1 backpack)	Fastest (solo)
Blue Bird Taxi	30–45 min	120,000–200,000	$8–13	0	✔️✔️	Metered, reliable
💰 Damri Bus (via Purabaya)	45–70 min	55,000–75,000	$3.50–5	1	✔️	Cheapest direct
Trans Jatim (public bus)	60–90 min	10,000–20,000	$0.70–1.30	2+	❌	Ultra‑budget
KRL Commuter + ride-hailing	60–90 min	53,000–102,000	$3.50–7	2	⚠️	Rail enthusiasts
Private Transfer (MPV)	35–50 min	200,000–350,000	$13–23	0	✔️✔️✔️	Groups / luxury

Verdict: For 9 out of 10 travelers, Grab/Gojek Car wins. If you are on a strict budget, Damri bus is an excellent compromise. Motorcycle taxis are unbeatable for speed but only with minimal luggage.

Where to Book

• Grab / Gojek: Download the app (available in English). No cash needed – link a credit card or use e‑wallet.
• Damri bus: At Purabaya Terminal counter (cash / QRIS).
• Private transfer: Traveloka or Klook – book 24h in advance.

Based on feedback from hundreds of visitors and local students at ITS, here are the inside tips that make your journey smoother.

🚗 Traffic Timing – Avoid the Rush

• Peak hours: Surabaya's worst traffic is 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:30. On the ITS→Juanda route, the toll road (Jl. Ahmad Yani) can become bumper‑to‑bumper. Add 15–20 minutes during these windows.
• Best time to travel: 10:00–14:00 or after 19:00 – you'll hit the smoothest traffic.
• Friday afternoon: Jl. Raya ITS and surrounding roads get busy with students leaving campus – plan an extra 10 minutes.

🧳 Luggage – Use Takkyubin? Not in Surabaya, but…

Japan's Takkyubin luggage forwarding service does not operate in Indonesia. However, you have alternatives:

• Hotel luggage storage: Most hotels near ITS (e.g., Hotel Bumi Surabaya, Ibis Styles Surabaya) will hold your bags for a few hours or a day.
• Left‑luggage at Juanda: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have paid luggage storage (IDR 25,000–50,000 per item per day).
• Shipping via JNE / J&T: If you have bulky items (surfboard, camping gear), send them to your next hotel via JNE or J&T Express. They have drop‑off points near ITS (e.g., on Jl. Manyar Kertoarjo). Cost IDR 30,000–80,000 depending on size.

🚉 Navigating Station & Terminal Transfers

• Surabaya Gubeng Station is large and can be confusing. The KRL platform is on the north side (separate from intercity trains). Look for the blue "KRL Commuter Line" signs.
• Juanda Airport Terminal 1 has two floors: check‑in on the upper level, arrivals on the ground floor. Ride‑hailing pick‑up is at designated zones outside the arrival hall – follow the green "Grab/Gojek" signs.
• If you're transiting between terminals at Juanda: Use the free shuttle bus (every 15 min, 24h). Walking is not recommended – it's 1.5 km with no sidewalk.

📅 Peak Season – Book Ahead

• Eid al‑Fitr (Lebaran) – the busiest travel period in Indonesia. Planes and buses sell out weeks in advance. Book your ride‑hailing or private transfer at least 3 days ahead.
• Christmas & New Year – similarly high demand. Juanda Airport can be extremely crowded; arrive 2.5 hours before domestic flights.
• ITS academic holidays (mid‑July, late December) – the campus is quieter, but traffic around ITS actually decreases.

📱 Essential Apps & Numbers

• Grab – +62 21 8066 8800 (customer service)
• Gojek – +62 21 2298 8888
• Blue Bird – +62 31 372 1234 (Surabaya call center)
• Juanda Airport info – +62 31 298 6200 / official website
• Damri – +62 31 534 4444 (Purabaya terminal)