Operator Comparison

Matcha Tour vs Raja Ferry

Q: How do the ratings of Matcha Tour and Raja Ferry compare?

Matcha Tour has an average rating of 2.86 from 7 reviews, while Raja Ferry has an average rating of 4.21 from 2206 reviews. Raja Ferry shows 77.4% positive reviews compared to Matcha Tour's 28.6% positive reviews.

Q: Which operator offers more route options between the shared service areas?

Raja Ferry operates many more routes across the shared areas such as Ao Nang, Bangkok, Donsak, Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket and Surat Thani, while Matcha Tour has fewer options in these areas.

Q: What do reviews say about reliability and communication for Matcha Tour?

Matcha Tour reviews indicate below average to negative sentiment, with frequent shortfalls in communication, accuracy of booking details, and reliability of pickups, based on its 7 reviews.

Q: What do travellers praise about Raja Ferry?

Raja Ferry reviews highlight comfortable and spacious buses with reclining seats, leg room, USB ports, blankets and pillows, along with generally reliable service and good organisation, based on its 2206 reviews.

Q: Are there routes where only one operator is available?

Yes, Matcha Tour uniquely serves routes such as Ao Nang to Hua Hin, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and Koh Tao, while Raja Ferry uniquely serves routes such as Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Kradan and Penang, plus many more connections from Donsak, Hat Yai and Phuket.

Q: Which operator is better for combined bus and ferry journeys to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan?

Raja Ferry is positioned as reliable for combined bus plus ferry packages to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan with higher ratings and more review volume, while Matcha Tour offers fewer such options and has lower ratings.

Q: How can I book either Matcha Tour or Raja Ferry?

Both operators can be booked at ThailandBoatTickets.com, where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook to help with route comparisons and reservations.

Q: What are the main weaknesses mentioned for Raja Ferry?

Raja Ferry's main weaknesses noted in reviews are ageing ferries and occasional delays or poor communication during transfers, though its bus services rate higher than the ferry legs.

Q: Is Matcha Tour suitable for travellers needing strong customer support?

Matcha Tour's limited reviews point to issues with communication and pickup reliability, so travellers prioritising support may prefer the higher-rated Raja Ferry option.

Q: Which operator has more positive feedback overall for shared routes like Koh Lanta to Koh Samui?

Raja Ferry has substantially more positive feedback overall with its 4.21 rating across thousands of reviews, while Matcha Tour's smaller review base shows mostly neutral to negative experiences on its operated routes.

Compare Matcha Tour and Raja Ferry — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.

Operator A Matcha Tour vs

Operator B Raja Ferry

Matcha Tour 2.9 / 5 0+ reviews

Raja Ferry 4.2 / 5 2200+ reviews

What travellers say: Matcha Tour vs Raja Ferry

Review data shows a stark contrast in traveller sentiment between the two operators, with one earning consistently high marks and the other facing frequent criticism over reliability.

Matcha Tour

Matcha Tour receives a low average rating of 2.86 from just 7 reviews, with travellers often reporting booking inaccuracies such as receiving van+van instead of ferry+van, undisclosed multi-leg changes, forgotten pickups, and drivers not honouring drop-off points, though a few note helpful WhatsApp communication from drivers and decent problem recovery when issues arise.

Raja Ferry

Raja Ferry earns a solid 4.21 average from over 2,200 reviews, with praise for comfortable buses, good value, helpful staff, free meals on some routes, and smooth organisation on bus legs, offset by complaints about ageing dirty ferries, delays, lack of baggage assistance, and occasional transfer confusion.

Travellers express far greater satisfaction with Raja Ferry than Matcha Tour; book either operator confidently through ThailandBoatTickets.com where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram or Facebook can provide real-time booking support.

Service areas at a glance

Based on currently active routes for each operator.

Both operators 14

Only Matcha Tour 6

Only Raja Ferry 14

Routes & coverage compared

Both Matcha Tour and Raja Ferry operate the same routes from Ao Nang to Bangkok, Donsak, and Koh Samui, plus from Koh Lanta to Bangkok, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Surat Thani. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book these overlapping services, with our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram, and Facebook to help trip planners.

Matcha Tour uniquely covers routes such as Ao Nang to Hua Hin, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Tao, Phang Nga, and Ranong, along with Koh Lanta connections to Hat Yai, Krabi, Phuket, Khao Sok, Koh Tao, and Koh Yao Noi. Raja Ferry provides its own extensive routes including Bangkok to Ao Nang, Donsak, Hat Yai, Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Phuket, plus numerous links from Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Donsak, and other points to destinations like Krabi, Trang, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book these unique 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).

Matcha Tour tickets usually fall between 800 THB–1,130 THB (median 950 THB), while Raja Ferry between 590 THB–1,240 THB (median 865 THB). Overall the two operators sit in a similar price range.

0–250

250–500

500–1k

1k–2k

2k+

Matcha Tour — min 460 · median 950 · max 2460 Raja Ferry — min 60 · median 865 · max 3000

Which should you pick?

Best on a budget Raja Ferry — well-priced packages across many routes

Fastest Raja Ferry — reliable connections with multiple direct island routes

Most comfortable Raja Ferry — 4.21 rating and 77.4% positive reviews

Most travel options Raja Ferry — combined bus+ferry+van packages on routes to Samui, Phangan, Krabi and more

Frequently asked questions

Matcha Tour vs Raja Ferry

How do the ratings of Matcha Tour and Raja Ferry compare?

Which operator offers more route options between the shared service areas?

What do reviews say about reliability and communication for Matcha Tour?

What do travellers praise about Raja Ferry?

Are there routes where only one operator is available?

Which operator is better for combined bus and ferry journeys to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan?

How can I book either Matcha Tour or Raja Ferry?

What are the main weaknesses mentioned for Raja Ferry?

Is Matcha Tour suitable for travellers needing strong customer support?

Which operator has more positive feedback overall for shared routes like Koh Lanta to Koh Samui?