Montanatip vs Nara Travel
Compare Montanatip and Nara Travel — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.
Operator A Montanatip vs 
Operator B Nara Travel What travellers say: Montanatip vs Nara Travel
Based on hundreds of reviews, Nara Travel earns stronger average ratings than Montanatip for similar multi-leg bus and ferry routes in Thailand, though both receive praise for value alongside recurring notes on transfers.
Montanatip
Travellers give Montanatip a 3.71 average rating, praising value for money, comfortable VIP coaches with blankets and snacks, and timely arrivals on the main leg, but frequently cite poor communication, long unexplained waits at Surat Thani, cramped minivans, pushy upselling, and inconsistent staff helpfulness between Bangkok and transfer points.
Nara Travel
Nara Travel holds a 4.24 average rating, with reviewers highlighting comfortable main buses, free meals and snacks, helpful drivers, smooth connections, and on-time performance, though some note issues with extra stops, cramped minivan legs, confusing meeting points, and occasional wrong drop-offs.
Nara Travel draws more consistently positive feedback than Montanatip, particularly on comfort and perks, making it the stronger-rated choice for these routes when booked through ThailandBoatTickets.com and supported by their 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram or Facebook.
Pros & cons
Montanatip Pros
- Good value for money with most travellers reaching destinations on time
- Comfortable VIP coach offering reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks
- Often arrives on time or early; overnight travel saves a hotel night
- Friendly and helpful staff at Bangkok/Khao San/Montanatip office
- Ferry leg frequently described as fine or good
Cons
- Poor communication about bus changes, waits, stops and drop-off points
- Long unexplained waits (2-4 hours) at Surat Thani transfer hub, often overnight
- VIP upgrade typically covers only part of the journey; minivan legs cramped
- Pushy upselling and suspected scams at Surat Thani for extra 200+ baht taxis/tickets
- Dirty/smelly toilets, excessively cold or leaking AC, and uncomfortable seating
Nara Travel Pros
- Comfortable main bus with reclining seats, USB-C outlets and blankets
- Free meals/snacks often included (e.g., dinner or watermelon in Surat Thani)
- Helpful and friendly drivers; some exceptional rebooking/refund support
- Efficient/smooth connections with onward bus frequently waiting on ferry arrival
- Frequently arrives on time or early
Cons
- Too many unscheduled stops turning trips longer than expected
- Disorganised transfers involving multiple shuttles, minivans and taxis
- Wrong or distant drop-off points, sometimes requiring extra taxis
- Cramped and hot minivan legs; some amenities not as advertised
- Confusion at meeting points/offices and heavy luggage handling issues
Service areas at a glance
Based on currently active routes for each operator.
Both operators 17
Only Montanatip 4
Only Nara Travel 3
Routes & coverage compared
Both operators run identical services on routes including Bangkok to Ao Nang, Bangkok to Hat Yai, Bangkok to Khao Lak, Bangkok to Koh Lanta, Bangkok to Koh Phangan, Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi, Bangkok to Phuket, Bangkok to Railay, Bangkok to Trang, Khao Sok to Bangkok, Khao Sok to Koh Chang, Koh Phangan to Bangkok, Koh Phangan to Koh Kood, Koh Phi Phi to Bangkok, Koh Phi Phi to Koh Chang, Koh Samui to Bangkok, Koh Samui to Koh Kood, Koh Tao to Bangkok, Krabi to Bangkok, Krabi to Koh Chang, Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao Sok, Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Samui, Suvarnabhumi Airport to Krabi, and Suvarnabhumi Airport to Surat Thani. 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 to assist trip planners.
Montanatip alone covers Ao Nang to Bangkok and Hua Hin, extensive Hua Hin departures to Chumphon, Hat Yai, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Krabi, Phuket, Railay, Surat Thani and Trang, plus Pattaya to Ao Nang, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Krabi, Phuket and Railay, and multiple Koh Chang and Koh Kood links. Nara Travel alone serves Bangkok to Koh Lipe and Koh Phaluai, Hat Yai to Bangkok, Khao Sok to Ao Nang, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Krabi and Surat Thani, Koh Lanta to Bangkok, Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Trat, plus Phuket to Bangkok, Koh Kood, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Trat along with various Koh Tao, Krabi and Surat Thani connections to islands and Trat. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book all unique routes from either operator, supported by our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) 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).
Montanatip tickets usually fall between 1,150 THB–1,980 THB (median 1,480 THB), while Nara Travel between 1,180 THB–1,900 THB (median 1,370 THB). Overall the two operators sit in a similar price range.
Which should you pick?
Frequently asked questions
Montanatip vs Nara Travel