A tourist class ticket on the air conditioned deck costs 400 pesos including tax on the Sulpicio ferry from Cebu to Tacloban, Leyte.
I actually prefer the common deck because there is a fresh breeze blowing through the bunks.
This is a good option but it only leaves once a week on Wednesdays 6pm from the pier in Cebu. It makes the return trip on Thursday.
The advantage of taking this slow boat is that you can bypass Ormoc and one bus ride if you are headed north into Samar.
This seems like a minor issue but it's a lot cheaper but you do spend one night on the boat.
Dinner and breakfast are included. For me the food is ok but some foreigners can't bring themselves to eat it.
Samar is one of the more difficult islands to get transport to and from for some reason so every little traveling tip can be useful.
On the way to Tacloban you pass under the San Juanico Bridge that connects the island of Samar and Leyte. Once in Tacloban one of the handy services is Grand Tours mini van north to Samar or Dup Tours heading south.
Buses also go north and south but it is easier to catch a lift in the morning than later in the day. They are slightly less costly than the mini vans and you can carry more gear without difficulty. The mini vans are a little quicker but the space is tight and I really prefer open windows.
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