Sulpicio Lines – Cebu to Tacloban
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.
Passing under the Mactan Bridge – youtube video taken while passing under the bridge
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.
little tugboats in Cebu – youtube video of tugboats in the harbor
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.
Update
Important Note: Sulpicio had been suspended from taking on passengers after the Princess of the Stars ferry capsizing incident during the typhoon Frank. The info on this page is not current.
ALWAYS CHECK THE LATEST NEWSPAPERS FOR CURRENT SCHEDULES FOR ALL SHIPS
The case is still in litigation. A good option for travel from Cebu to Tacloban would be to take the Lite shipping ferry to Ormoc City on Leyte and then continuing onwards by mini-van.
Lite Shipping ferry – youtube video
Sulpicio Lines
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Hi,
I’ll be travelling to Samar this November. I’d like to ask which is the best route to take from Davao. Is it davao-cebu (plane) cebu-Calbayog by boat? or Davao-Cebu-Tacloban (plane) then bus ride to Calbayog? Thanks.
Seneca
Which part of Samar are you visiting? Is it the North, East, or West? There are only two airports in Samar (Catarman and Calbayog). You can take a flight from Davao to Cebu then an Air Phillippines flight to Catarman. Another options is to take any of the flights from Davao to Manila, and catch a connecting flight to Catarman or Calbayog through PAL, CEB, or ZestAir.
Hello,
Do you still travel from cebu to tacloban?
Hello chris,
No Sulpicio anymore
take the SuperCat, SuperFerr, Weesam
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/leyte/ialodge-ormoc-city-accommodation.html
cheers
dp