Cebu to Samar — Tickets & Schedules (12Go)
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Getting from Cebu to Samar by ferry takes about varies, run by Kho Shipping. Here is the schedule, the ports involved, and how to book.
Samar is the third-largest island in the Philippines, spread across three provinces, so “Cebu to Samar” is really a regional heading rather than a single crossing. In practice, Kho Shipping’s only regular sailing under this heading runs to Calbayog, the province’s main western port. If you already know Calbayog is your destination, the dedicated Cebu–Calbayog page covers the same schedule with tighter detail; treat this page as the wider-lens view for planning which part of Samar to head to first.
🚢 Check Cebu–Samar schedules and book on 12Go
At a glance
| Operator | Departures | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Kho Shipping | 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 | — |
Schedule valid as of 2026-06-23 — check 12Go for current times.
Check Cebu–Samar ferrys and book on 12Go
Ports and location
- Departs: the Cebu terminal (confirm at booking) — Cebu, Central Visayas
- Arrives: the Samar terminal — Samar
Confirm the exact terminal on your ticket; in larger ports (Cebu, Tagbilaran) more than one pier operates.
Cebu’s departure point for this crossing is Pier 3, in the North Reclamation Area among a cluster of numbered piers that different inter-island lines have used for decades — a holdover from Cebu’s long-standing role as the Visayas’ main trading port, well before it became the island-hopping base it’s known for today.
What to expect
Kho Shipping is the main operator on this route, departing from the Cebu terminal (confirm at booking) in Cebu, Central Visayas and arriving at the Samar terminal in Samar. Fares are not published online for this route; book ahead on weekends and holidays when the popular departures fill, and confirm the exact terminal and time on the day — schedules shift in low season and during weather advisories.
The three evening departures shown here (15:00, 16:00, 17:00) are Kho’s Calbayog sailings — the operator’s only regular service under the “Cebu to Samar” heading. If your actual destination is elsewhere on the island, such as Catbalogan or the Allen–Matnog crossing toward Luzon, you’ll need a connecting trip from Calbayog rather than a direct booking; check 12Go’s route search for what’s actually available from your specific starting point.
This is as much a freight lane as a passenger one. Samar’s farms and fishing communities rely on inter-island carriers like Kho to move rice, dried fish, and produce toward the Cebu wholesale market, and that cargo traffic — not tourist demand — is what keeps the schedule running through slow months. It’s a modern version of a much older pattern: Samar and Cebu have traded by sea for generations, long before any bridge or budget flight connected the two islands.
How to book
- Open 12Go and search Cebu to Samar.
- Pick your date and a departure that fits your plan.
- Choose your class and pay for instant confirmation.
- Save or print your ticket — smaller operators do not always accept phone screens.
Book your Cebu–Samar trip on 12Go
Tips
One honest caveat — weather: the June–November monsoon window brings delays and the occasional cancellation; most operators reschedule free, but keep onward plans flexible. Arrive 60–90 minutes ahead and carry small bills for the terminal fee.
Because Kho is the only regular operator on this corridor, a cancelled sailing doesn’t have a same-day alternative to fall back on the way it might on a busier route — build in a spare day if you have onward plans in Samar that can’t slip. In fairness to the mode, an overnight boat like this one uses meaningfully less fuel per passenger than the equivalent short domestic flight, one of the genuine trade-offs for the extra hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Cebu to Samar ferry take?
About varies, depending on operator and conditions. The listed departures are Kho’s Calbayog sailing, which runs roughly 10 hours overnight. Check the live timetable on 12Go for your date.
Where does the Cebu to Samar ferry depart from?
From the Cebu terminal (confirm at booking) in Cebu, Central Visayas, arriving at the Samar terminal in Samar. For most travelers that’s Pier 3 in Cebu’s North Reclamation Area to Calbayog on the Samar side. Confirm the pier or terminal on your ticket.
Who runs the Cebu to Samar route?
Kho Shipping. Kho Shipping carries the most departures, and it’s the only regular operator on this specific link.
How much is the Cebu to Samar ferry?
Fares are not published online for this route; book for the live price on 12Go. Expect a fare well below the cost of flying the same distance — Kho prices this as budget inter-island transport, not a tourist premium service.
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Cebu’s city piers and terminal fees are administered by the Cebu Port Authority; confirm your pier and current port charges there.
Schedules, ports and fares reflect operator-published information via 12Go as of 2026-06-23. cebu.tips earns a commission on bookings made through 12Go partner links at no cost to you.