Phantip 1970 vs Songserm
Compare Phantip 1970 and Songserm — 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 Songserm What travellers say: Phantip 1970 vs Songserm
Reviewers rate Phantip 1970 slightly higher overall than Songserm, with both valued as affordable options for southern Thailand routes when booked through ThailandBoatTickets.com.
Phantip 1970
Travellers consistently praise Phantip 1970 for smooth coordinated transfers, frequent early arrivals, flexible earlier departures, helpful staff and good value, though they note recurring issues with speeding drivers, cramped minivans, poor transfer communication and luggage surcharges.
Songserm
Songserm earns praise for cheap fares, spacious big ferries that reduce seasickness and simple booking, but reviewers often highlight lateness, disorganised luggage handling, overcrowding, old vehicles and extra charges on multi-leg trips.
Phantip 1970 delivers stronger sentiment for reliability while Songserm suits those prioritising value and smoother seas; book either seamlessly via ThailandBoatTickets.com and reach our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram or Facebook.
Pros & cons
Phantip 1970 Pros
- Smooth, well-organised coordinated transfers with staff using destination stickers on clothing to guide passengers.
- On-time or often early arrivals, with flexibility to switch to earlier departures at no extra charge.
- Good value for money and cheap for multi-leg bus-ferry-van routes.
- Helpful, friendly staff at offices and counters, with strong recovery support for missed connections.
- Comfortable vehicles and ferries on good legs, especially Seatran ferries with AC, clean seats and onboard shop.
Cons
- Driver issues including speeding, reckless overtaking, phone use while driving and running errands that add delays.
- Poor communication at transfer points leaving passengers confused with no information on next vehicle or waits.
- Cramped, overpacked minivans with little legroom, luggage stuffed in aisles and occasional missing seatbelts.
- Luggage surcharges of 100-300 baht for larger suitcases, sometimes applied inconsistently.
- Longer-than-advertised journey times due to multiple stops, long breaks or detours, plus occasional old or dirty Raja ferries.
Songserm Pros
- Smooth and easy booking/boarding with QR-code check-in and colour-coded stickers for guidance.
- On-time performance when achieved, with flexible rebooking and refunds for cancellations.
- Good value for money as a cheap option, especially compared to alternatives for similar routes.
- Comfort and space on big ferries allowing lying across seats when uncrowded, with multiple decks and outdoor seating.
- Less seasickness than faster catamarans due to bigger, slower boats, plus helpful crew with sick bags.
Cons
- Frequent lateness and delays of 30 min to 1.5+ hours, with journeys often exceeding advertised times.
- Disorganised luggage handling with bags piled on deck, no tagging, risk of damage, wetness or loss during scramble.
- Poor communication on multi-leg trips including unannounced changes and passengers left without instructions.
- Overcrowding on boats, old/worn vehicles with dirty toilets, smells, broken AC or freezing AC, and occasional bugs.
- Hidden extra charges such as additional fees for hotel transfers after being dropped short, plus rude staff at some piers.
Service areas at a glance
Based on currently active routes for each operator.
Both operators 7
Only Phantip 1970 11
Only Songserm 0
No areas served exclusively by Songserm.
Routes & coverage compared
Both Phantip 1970 and Songserm operate the same routes on Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan to Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi to Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi to Krabi, Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui to Koh Tao, Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Koh Tao to Surat Thani Town, and Krabi to Koh Phi Phi. These shared connections can be booked easily on ThailandBoatTickets.com where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.
Phantip 1970 runs dozens of routes not offered by Songserm, including Ao Nang to Koh Phangan, Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi, Hat Yai to Donsak, Khao Sok to Koh Samui, Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan, Koh Phangan to Bangkok, Phuket to Koh Samui, Surat Thani to Koh Lanta and many others across southern Thailand. Songserm operates only one unique route, Koh Tao to Koh Phangan. Plan and reserve all services on ThailandBoatTickets.com with help from 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).
Phantip 1970 tickets usually fall between 530 THB–940 THB (median 770 THB), while Songserm between 410 THB–710 THB (median 510 THB). On the whole, Songserm offers the cheaper tickets.
Which should you pick?
Frequently asked questions
Phantip 1970 vs Songserm