Raja Ferry vs Songserm

Both operators are generally well regarded, but the numbers favour Raja Ferry slightly on average score while Songserm has a larger review base.

• Raja Ferry: 4.21 / 5 from 2,206 reviews, with 77.4% positive (4–5 stars) and only 9.1% negative. Travellers describe it as a reliable, well-priced, generally well-organised operator, especially strong on bus + ferry packages.
• Songserm: 4.05 / 5 from 4,090 reviews, with 72.1% positive and 11.7% negative. It is widely seen as a cheap, functional, “gets you there” option that prioritises value over a premium feel.

If you want a slightly higher average score and strong package organisation, lean Raja Ferry. If you simply want a budget-friendly crossing with lots of traveller feedback, Songserm remains a solid choice. Compare live options for your dates on ThailandBoatTickets.com, where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) can help on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, LINE, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, WeChat Weixin, or ChatGPT.

The two operators package travel differently, which can matter for comfort and speed.

• Raja Ferry classes: Bus, Economy, Express, Ferry, Van. Many tickets are combined bus + ferry + van/taxi packages (for example Bangkok or Surat Thani airport/train to the islands). Bus products are consistently praised more highly than the ferry leg alone.
• Songserm classes: Express, Ferry, High Speed Ferry, Longtail Boat, Speedboat, Van. This gives more variety of pure boat types, from larger ferries to faster craft, often sold as joint tickets with buses, minivans, and hotel transfers.

Choose Raja Ferry when you want integrated bus–ferry packages and more emphasis on road comfort; choose Songserm when you want a wider mix of ferry and high-speed or smaller boat options. You can filter by vehicle class side by side on ThailandBoatTickets.com.

Both cover the main Gulf and Andaman island links, but their exclusive networks differ a lot.

Only Raja Ferry runs extensive mainland and long-haul connections, including many Bangkok routes (to Ao Nang, Hat Yai, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani and more), plus links such as Ao Nang ↔ islands, Donsak to Krabi/Phuket/Hat Yai, Koh Lanta, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Penang, and various airport/train-side transfers.

Only Songserm specialises in key island-hopping legs such as Koh Phangan ↔ Koh Samui, Koh Phangan ↔ Koh Tao, Koh Samui ↔ Koh Tao, Koh Tao ↔ Donsak, and Andaman links like Koh Phi Phi ↔ Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi ↔ Krabi, and Krabi ↔ Koh Phi Phi.

If your trip involves Bangkok or wider southern Thailand, Raja Ferry usually has the edge. If you need Koh Tao or certain Phi Phi–Krabi/Ao Nang hops, Songserm is the operator with those routes. Book the exact combination you need on ThailandBoatTickets.com.

Raja Ferry is clearly stronger for Bangkok and broader mainland connections based on the route lists.

• Raja Ferry alone offers numerous Bangkok pairs (to Ao Nang, Hat Yai, Khanom, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani, Trang, and more), plus return legs and links from Donsak, Hat Yai, Khao Sok, Koh Lanta, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Penang, Phuket and Surat Thani Train Station. It is known for bus + ferry + van/taxi packages from Bangkok and Surat Thani airport/train to the Gulf islands.
• Songserm serves the islands and Andaman/Gulf hubs and often pairs ferries with buses and transfers, but the exclusive long-haul Bangkok-style routes listed belong to Raja Ferry.

For seamless overland-plus-ferry travel from Bangkok or major mainland hubs, prioritise Raja Ferry packages. Check combined tickets and schedules on ThailandBoatTickets.com and ask our 24/7 VTA if you are unsure which pier or transfer fits your hotel.

For the classic Gulf island triangle, Songserm is the operator with the dedicated routes.

• Songserm only operates Koh Phangan → Koh Samui, Koh Samui → Koh Phangan, Koh Phangan → Koh Tao, Koh Samui → Koh Tao, Koh Tao → Koh Phangan, Koh Tao → Koh Samui, and Koh Tao → Donsak.
• Raja Ferry covers many Samui/Phangan–mainland and Andaman links, but the exclusive Tao and Samui–Phangan boat legs listed above belong to Songserm.

If your itinerary centres on Koh Tao or frequent hops between Samui, Phangan and Tao, book Songserm. For mainland connections or Bangkok–island packages around the same trip, you can still pair services via ThailandBoatTickets.com, where you can build multi-leg journeys and get help from the Virtual Ticket Assistant anytime.

Both operators run many of the same popular pairs, including Donsak ↔ Koh Samui, Koh Phangan ↔ Donsak/Khao Sok/Krabi, Koh Phi Phi ↔ Koh Phangan/Koh Samui, Koh Samui ↔ Khao Sok/Krabi/Surat Thani, Krabi ↔ Koh Phangan/Koh Samui, Phuket ↔ Koh Phangan/Koh Samui, and Surat Thani ↔ Koh Phangan.

When the route overlaps, choose by product style rather than destination alone:

• Raja Ferry: Stronger on bus + ferry packages, higher average rating (4.21), and bus comfort that travellers praise (reclining seats, space, charging). The ferry leg itself scores a bit lower; watch for occasional delays or communication gaps during transfers.
• Songserm: Wider boat mix (Ferry, High Speed Ferry, Speedboat, etc.), positioned as cheap and functional. Larger, slower boats are noted by some travellers as steadier; overall rating is 4.05 with a more polarised feel.

Compare departure times, vehicle class, and total package (bus/van included or not) on ThailandBoatTickets.com before you book — that is the easiest way to pick the better fit for a shared route.

Feedback patterns are quite different, which helps you match the operator to what you value.

Raja Ferry travellers most often praise comfortable, spacious buses — reclining seats, leg room, foot rests, USB/charging, blankets and pillows. “Comfortable” appears frequently, and Bus Express packages rate highest (4.39). The overall picture is of a reliable, well-priced operator whose bus product is liked more than the boat. Weak spots called out are ageing ferries and occasional delays or poor communication on transfers.

Songserm is praised for being a smooth, easy, value-for-money way to get between islands and the mainland. Reviewers frame it as functional rather than premium; a recurring positive is that its bigger, slower boats can feel steadier for people prone to seasickness. Sentiment is generally positive but more mixed than Raja’s.

If bus comfort and organised packages matter most, lean Raja Ferry. If low price and a simple boat crossing matter most, lean Songserm. Read class-specific options on ThailandBoatTickets.com so you book the product type that matches these strengths.

Comfort depends more on vehicle class than on brand alone, but the data points in clear directions.

• Raja Ferry: Best known for spacious bus legs with reclining seats and room that families and travellers with bags repeatedly like. Combined bus + ferry + van tickets simplify door-to-pier logistics. Note that the pure ferry segment rates lower than the bus products and ferries are sometimes described as ageing.
• Songserm: Offers Ferry, High Speed Ferry, Speedboat, Longtail Boat and Van options. Larger ferries can feel roomier and steadier; faster craft are tighter. It is framed as good value rather than premium, so pack light if you pick a speedboat-style ticket.

For families or heavy luggage, prefer Raja Ferry bus-inclusive packages or Songserm larger ferry classes rather than the smallest boats. Book early on ThailandBoatTickets.com so you can compare vessel types and package inclusions side by side, and use the 24/7 VTA if you need help choosing a family-friendly departure.

Neither operator is marketed only as a “seasick-friendly” brand, but the available insights give useful clues.

Songserm travellers often note that its bigger, slower boats feel steadier and can cause less seasickness than faster catamaran-style services. That makes its standard Ferry options attractive if calm is your priority. Faster classes (High Speed Ferry, Speedboat) will naturally feel more motion.

Raja Ferry is primarily a car-and-passenger ferry operator on classic Donsak–Samui/Phangan-style crossings. The ferry product itself has a solid but lower average (4.13) than its bus packages; comfort praise focuses more on the road legs than on sea motion. Ageing vessels are a known downside for some reviewers.

If seasickness is a concern, favour Songserm larger/slower ferry tickets (or Raja Ferry standard ferry over any express boat alternatives) and travel on calmer weather windows when possible. Filter by vehicle class on ThailandBoatTickets.com and confirm the boat type before you pay.

For travellers deciding between Raja Ferry and Songserm, the simplest place to compare shared routes, exclusive destinations, vehicle classes, and package types is ThailandBoatTickets.com.

You can see both operators’ options for the same dates, check whether a ticket is bus + ferry or boat-only, and pick the rating/comfort trade-off that suits you — Raja Ferry’s higher average score and strong bus packages, or Songserm’s broad boat mix and value positioning, including exclusive Koh Tao and certain Phi Phi–Krabi/Ao Nang links.

If you need help shortlisting, our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, LINE, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, WeChat Weixin, and ChatGPT. That way you get clear, up-to-date choices grounded in the same operator coverage and traveller feedback summarised here, without guessing which pier or class fits your trip.

Use the Virtual Ticket Assistant from ThailandBoatTickets.com and book tickets for Raja Ferry and Songserm directly in the chat via WhatsApp, Instagram, LINE, Messenger, Telegram, WeChat Weixin, and ChatGPT — including places like Ao Nang, Donsak, and Khao Sok.