Every 1–2 hours, DAMRI still runs from SUB into Surabaya
DAMRI Surabaya City Bus is the legacy airport bus at Juanda International Airport (SUB), used most by locals and budget travellers who already know the stops. Buses depart roughly every 1–2 hours from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, but exact times shift and are rarely updated online. Routes that once ran deep into malls and downtown areas have been cut back or dropped, so treat any old blog timetable as history, not fact.
Fares are low compared with airport taxis or Grab, but current prices are only posted at the on-site DAMRI counter near arrivals in each terminal. Staff usually quote a flat rupiah fare per person for a specific route segment, for example to hubs like Purabaya (Bungurasih). You pay in cash, so bring small bills in Indonesian rupiah; cards are not accepted on the bus.
How to ride DAMRI from Juanda in 6 steps
- 1. Exit arrivals in T1 or T2. In Terminal 1, follow signs toward the public bus/angkot area beside the car park; in Terminal 2, walk to the ground transport zone just outside the main doors.
- 2. Find the DAMRI counter. Look for a small desk or kiosk labeled “DAMRI” near the taxi and tour counters; if in doubt, ask “Bus DAMRI ke kota?” and staff usually point you the right way.
- 3. Ask for today’s routes. Confirm which city points still run that day (for example, Purabaya / Bungurasih) and the next departure time; don’t rely on a printed sheet dated several months ago.
- 4. Buy your ticket in cash. Pay the quoted fare in rupiah at the counter or directly to the driver, then keep the paper ticket; inspectors occasionally board at the airport exit gate.
- 5. Board the marked DAMRI bus. Buses usually wait in a signed bay with “DAMRI” livery; load large luggage into the hold and keep valuables with you in the cabin.
- 6. Get off at a hub, then connect. Regulars often ride only as far as a major node like Purabaya and then switch to angkot or an online taxi app for the last 5–10 km into their neighborhood.
Watch out for timing and last buses
Online reviews from 2023–2024 complain about poor real-time information and limited English signage at SUB, so allow extra buffer to find the counter and bay. Late-night arrivals after 22:00 often miss the last bus; in that case, taxis and ride-hailing from the terminal curb are faster and usually the only realistic option. If your flight lands after dark or you have heavy bags, treat DAMRI as a backup, not a main plan.
Practical tip: on landing, walk straight to the DAMRI counter before using the restroom or buying a SIM; confirm the next departure time and route first, then decide if waiting 60–120 minutes beats calling a car.