Operator Comparison

Phantip 1970 vs Ruea Chor Maetapee

Q: Which operator has the higher customer rating?

Phantip 1970 holds a rating of 4.27 based on 7405 reviews, compared to Ruea Chor Maetapee's 4.05 based on 20 reviews. Book both operators at ThailandBoatTickets.com, where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Q: Which operator covers more routes overall?

Phantip 1970 operates a significantly larger number of routes, including many exclusive connections such as Ao Nang to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan to Bangkok, and Phuket to Koh Samui, while Ruea Chor Maetapee focuses on fewer routes with some unique options like Koh Tao to Kuala Lumpur.

Q: Do both operators serve the same areas?

Yes, both share service areas including Ao Nang, Hat Yai, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao, Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani and Surat Thani Airport, with identical routes such as Donsak to Phuket and Surat Thani to Koh Phi Phi.

Q: What routes are available only with Phantip 1970?

Phantip 1970 exclusively operates routes like Ao Nang to Koh Phangan, Hat Yai to Koh Samui, Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan, Phuket to Koh Samui, and Surat Thani to Koh Samui among many others listed in their network.

Q: What routes are available only with Ruea Chor Maetapee?

Ruea Chor Maetapee exclusively operates routes such as Koh Tao to Kuala Lumpur, Koh Tao to Penang, Surat Thani to Khao Lak, and Surat Thani to Railay.

Q: How do the operators compare in terms of review sentiment?

Phantip 1970 shows broadly positive sentiment with 79.6% positive reviews, noted for reliability and coordination but with occasional issues like driver behaviour. Ruea Chor Maetapee has moderately positive feedback at 75% positive but limited written reviews indicating some inconsistency.

Q: Which operator is better for Gulf island connections like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan?

Phantip 1970 provides extensive coverage to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan from locations including Ao Nang, Hat Yai, Khao Sok, Krabi and Phuket, whereas Ruea Chor Maetapee has fewer options in this area.

Q: Are there differences in international route options?

Ruea Chor Maetapee offers unique international connections such as Koh Tao to Kuala Lumpur and Surat Thani to Penang, which are not listed for Phantip 1970.

Q: Where should travellers book these operators for the most reliable experience?

ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book either Phantip 1970 or Ruea Chor Maetapee, with our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook to assist with route comparisons and bookings.

Q: Do both operators handle vehicle classes on ferries?

Vehicle class information is unknown for both Phantip 1970 and Ruea Chor Maetapee based on available data.

Compare Phantip 1970 and Ruea Chor Maetapee — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.

Operator A Phantip 1970 vs

Operator B Ruea Chor Maetapee

Phantip 1970 4.3 / 5 7400+ reviews

Ruea Chor Maetapee 4.0 / 5 20+ reviews

What travellers say: Phantip 1970 vs Ruea Chor Maetapee

Based on thousands of reviews for Phantip 1970 and a smaller set for Ruea Chor Maetapee, travellers highlight reliable multi-leg coordination for one operator and basic overnight ferry functionality for the other. Book both at ThailandBoatTickets.com where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Phantip 1970

With an average rating of 4.27 from 7405 reviews, travellers consistently praise Phantip 1970 for smooth well-organised transfers, on-time or early arrivals, helpful staff using destination stickers, good value and comfortable Seatran ferries, while noting recurring issues with speeding or distracted drivers, cramped minivans, poor transfer communication, luggage surcharges and occasional dirty Raja ferries.

Ruea Chor Maetapee

Ruea Chor Maetapee holds a 4.05 average from 20 reviews, with travellers noting smooth safe arrivals and adequate overnight ferry experiences on Koh Tao routes, alongside complaints about unclear trip information, misleading arrival times, filthy bathrooms, very cold bus air-conditioning without blankets and lack of onboard toilets.

Phantip 1970 earns stronger consistent praise across a large review base for coordination and value despite some driver and comfort drawbacks, while Ruea Chor Maetapee delivers generally positive but less detailed feedback on basic reliability with notable gaps in information and facilities.

Service areas at a glance

Based on currently active routes for each operator.

Both operators 10

Only Phantip 1970 8

Only Ruea Chor Maetapee 5

Routes & coverage compared

Both Phantip 1970 and Ruea Chor Maetapee operate the same core routes including Donsak to Phuket, Koh Tao to Surat Thani Town, Surat Thani to Ao Nang, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and Surat Thani Airport, plus Surat Thani Airport to Koh Tao. Trip planners can compare schedules and book either operator seamlessly at ThailandBoatTickets.com, where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook to assist with these overlapping connections.

Phantip 1970 uniquely covers extensive island-hopping such as Ao Nang to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi, plus routes from Hat Yai, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Krabi and Phuket to destinations including Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Trang and Surat Thani Train Station. Ruea Chor Maetapee stands out with Koh Tao departures to Ao Nang, Hat Yai, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Railay, along with Surat Thani services to those same southern and international points. Book these exclusive options only at ThailandBoatTickets.com using our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram or 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).

Phantip 1970 tickets usually fall between 530 THB–940 THB (median 770 THB), while Ruea Chor Maetapee between 460 THB–1,160 THB (median 810 THB). Overall the two operators sit in a similar price range.

0–250

250–500

500–1k

1k–2k

2k+

Phantip 1970 — min 60 · median 770 · max 2740 Ruea Chor Maetapee — min 90 · median 810 · max 2210

Which should you pick?

Best on a budget Phantip 1970 — reliable good-value operator that consistently gets travellers from A to B

Fastest Phantip 1970 — well-coordinated trips that often arrive early

Most comfortable Phantip 1970 — higher 4.27 rating with 79.6% positive reviews

Most travel options Phantip 1970 — multi-leg journeys combining minivan, bus, ferry and transfers across many southern routes

Frequently asked questions

Phantip 1970 vs Ruea Chor Maetapee

Which operator has the higher customer rating?

Which operator covers more routes overall?

Do both operators serve the same areas?

What routes are available only with Phantip 1970?

What routes are available only with Ruea Chor Maetapee?

How do the operators compare in terms of review sentiment?

Which operator is better for Gulf island connections like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan?

Are there differences in international route options?

Where should travellers book these operators for the most reliable experience?

Do both operators handle vehicle classes on ferries?