Operator Comparison

Chaokoh Travel Center vs Koh Yao Sun Smile

Q: Which operator has the higher customer rating?

Koh Yao Sun Smile has a higher average rating of 4.62 from 1,340 reviews compared to Chaokoh Travel Center's 4.38 from 1,922 reviews. Both have strongly positive sentiment overall.

Q: What routes do both operators serve?

Both Chaokoh Travel Center and Koh Yao Sun Smile operate the shared routes Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi to Railay, Krabi to Koh Phi Phi, and Krabi to Phuket.

Q: Which operator offers more route options overall?

Koh Yao Sun Smile operates significantly more routes, including many to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai from Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket, and Railay, while Chaokoh Travel Center focuses more on connections between Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, and Phuket.

Q: How do the reputations of the two operators compare?

Chaokoh Travel Center is seen as a reliable, fair-value operator that gets the job done, though some reviews note older boats and timing issues. Koh Yao Sun Smile is described as reliable, efficient, and well-organised, with many repeat users and consistently high ratings across service classes.

Q: Which operator is better for routes to Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai?

Koh Yao Sun Smile is the only one operating routes to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai from multiple locations including Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket, and Railay.

Q: What are the main traveller complaints for each?

For Chaokoh Travel Center, some mention older boats, aggressive onboard upselling, and timing or communication gaps. For Koh Yao Sun Smile, a minority note overcrowding, undisclosed stops, and occasional pickup or timing issues.

Q: Do both offer combined van and boat services?

Yes, both operators have van + speedboat or ferry combinations in their offerings, with Koh Yao Sun Smile showing particularly strong ratings for these combined services.

Q: How should travellers decide between them on shared routes?

On shared routes, Koh Yao Sun Smile's higher rating and reputation for efficiency may appeal to those prioritising organisation, while Chaokoh Travel Center offers solid reliability with a larger volume of reviews and specific high-rated ferry classes.

Q: Where is the best place to book these operators?

ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book both Chaokoh Travel Center and Koh Yao Sun Smile, with our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook for any questions.

Compare Chaokoh Travel Center and Koh Yao Sun Smile — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.

Operator A Chaokoh Travel Center vs

Operator B Koh Yao Sun Smile

Chaokoh Travel Center 4.4 / 5 1920+ reviews

Koh Yao Sun Smile 4.6 / 5 1340+ reviews

What travellers say: Chaokoh Travel Center vs Koh Yao Sun Smile

Reviewers rate both operators positively for Andaman coast transfers, but Koh Yao Sun Smile edges ahead with higher scores and fewer complaints overall.

Chaokoh Travel Center

Travellers consistently praise Chaokoh Travel Center for smooth organisation, helpful staff, comfortable larger ferries, and good value on routes like Phuket-Phi Phi-Krabi-Lanta, though frequent delays, aggressive onboard upselling of transfers, older local ferries with cleanliness issues, and confusing boat changes pull the average to 4.38/5 from 1,922 reviews.

Koh Yao Sun Smile

Reviewers highlight Koh Yao Sun Smile for efficient speedboat service, punctual pickups, friendly crew, responsive communication, and scenic rides across Phang Nga Bay routes including Phuket-Koh Yao-Phuket, earning a stronger 4.62/5 from 1,340 reviews despite occasional overcrowding and unannounced stops.

Koh Yao Sun Smile receives stronger traveller sentiment for reliability, while both operators deliver solid experiences when booked via ThailandBoatTickets.com and supported by the 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram or Facebook.

Service areas at a glance

Based on currently active routes for each operator.

Both operators 6

Only Chaokoh Travel Center 0

No areas served exclusively by Chaokoh Travel Center.

Only Koh Yao Sun Smile 3

Routes & coverage compared

Both operators run head-to-head on Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi to Railay, Krabi to Koh Phi Phi, and Krabi to Phuket. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book these shared routes, with our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Chaokoh Travel Center uniquely covers Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi to Krabi, Koh Phi Phi to Phuket, and Phuket to Koh Phi Phi. Koh Yao Sun Smile uniquely covers Ao Nang to Koh Lanta, Ao Nang to Koh Yao Noi, Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai, Ao Nang to Phuket, plus extensive links such as Koh Lanta to Koh Yao Noi and Railay, Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai, all Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai routes, Krabi to Koh Lanta and Koh Yao Yai, Phuket to Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai and Railay, plus Railay to Koh Lanta and Phuket. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book these options, with our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Routes both operators run

Same departure and destination — true head-to-head options.

Price distribution

How ticket prices spread across each operator's routes (THB).

Chaokoh Travel Center tickets usually fall between 610 THB–960 THB (median 810 THB), while Koh Yao Sun Smile between 610 THB–1,060 THB (median 1,010 THB). On the whole, Chaokoh Travel Center offers the cheaper tickets.

0–250

250–500

500–1k

1k–2k

2k+

Chaokoh Travel Center — min 460 · median 810 · max 1460 Koh Yao Sun Smile — min 360 · median 1010 · max 1410

Which should you pick?

Best on a budget Chaokoh Travel Center — described as reliable fair-value operator with 4.38 rating across 1,922 reviews.

Fastest Koh Yao Sun Smile — speedboat-focused operator with 4.59–4.79 ratings across speedboat and van+speedboat classes.

Most comfortable Koh Yao Sun Smile — higher 4.62 overall rating with 91.9% positive reviews versus Chaokoh's 4.38.

Most travel options Koh Yao Sun Smile — serves wider Phang Nga Bay routes including Yao islands, Railay and Mook with multiple van+speedboat combinations.

Frequently asked questions

Chaokoh Travel Center vs Koh Yao Sun Smile

Which operator has the higher customer rating?

What routes do both operators serve?

Which operator offers more route options overall?

How do the reputations of the two operators compare?

Which operator is better for routes to Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai?

What are the main traveller complaints for each?

Do both offer combined van and boat services?

How should travellers decide between them on shared routes?

Where is the best place to book these operators?