Smart En Plus vs King Travel
Compare Smart En Plus and King Travel — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.
Operator A Smart En Plus vs 
Operator B King Travel What travellers say: Smart En Plus vs King Travel
Both operators receive strongly positive feedback for multi-leg Thailand transfers, though King Travel posts a higher average rating and fewer complaints across a larger review set.
Smart En Plus
Reviewers consistently highlight Smart En Plus for proactive WhatsApp communication the night before travel, punctual drivers, helpful staff meeting passengers by name, and well-organized van-and-boat journeys, while noting recurring issues such as unannounced island stops, occasional pickup delays, hard-to-find counters, and comfort concerns on speedboats or older ferries.
King Travel
Travellers praise King Travel for friendly and professional drivers who often arrive early, seamless name-sign airport meet-and-greets, smooth coordination across car-boat-motos transfers, and comfortable vehicles, with infrequent complaints focused on pier waits, isolated driving concerns, and occasional booking-detail confusion.
King Travel edges ahead in overall sentiment with a 4.79 rating and 95% positive reviews versus Smart En Plus at 4.5 with 88% positive, but both deliver reliable service; ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book either operator and access our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook for coordination.
Pros & cons
Smart En Plus Pros
- Strong proactive communication via WhatsApp/SMS the day before confirming pickup points and times
- Punctuality with many arrivals 30 minutes to hours ahead of schedule and reliable drivers
- Well-organised multi-leg transfers with staff meeting passengers by name at each point
- Helpful friendly staff who assist with issues like forgotten items or special needs
- Comfortable clean minivans often praised for space and contrasted favourably with boats
Cons
- Unexpected island stops on Pak Bara to Koh Lipe speedboat adding 1-1.5 hours
- Pickup delays of 30-75+ minutes at hotels or stations with occasional unreachable hotlines
- Hard-to-find check-in counters at airports piers and beaches requiring hotel staff help
- Speedboat issues including overcrowding bumps heat splashing water and no life-jacket briefings
- Old dirty larger ferries with poor windows rolling motion and smelly toilets especially on Langkawi routes
King Travel Pros
- Friendly professional drivers frequently praised for being kind safe and helpful
- Strong punctuality with drivers often arriving early and waiting for delayed flights
- Smooth well-coordinated multi-leg transfers between car boat and motorbike legs
- Airport meet-and-greet with name signs and extras like water candy or ATM stops
- Comfortable clean vehicles with occasional free upgrades to larger vans
Cons
- Waiting times of 30 minutes to 3 hours at piers often in heat with limited shade
- Isolated reports of aggressive driving speeding or texting while using multiple phones
- Communication issues including inaccurate booking info on durations or return-leg instructions
- Non-working seatbelts in some vans and occasional language barrier causing pickup confusion
- Overcrowded shared vans with limited luggage space leading to cramped seating
Service areas at a glance
Based on currently active routes for each operator.
Both operators 16
Only Smart En Plus 21
Only King Travel 5
Routes & coverage compared
Both operators run head-to-head on routes including Ao Nang to Khao Sok, Koh Kradan, Koh Muk, Satun and Trang, plus Khao Sok to Krabi, Koh Kradan to Trang, Koh Libong to Trang, Koh Muk to Trang, Koh Ngai to Trang, Krabi to Satun and Trang, Phuket to Satun, Satun to Phuket, and Trang to Koh Kradan, Koh Libong, Koh Muk, Koh Ngai and Satun. Book these shared routes at ThailandBoatTickets.com where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.
Smart En Plus uniquely serves Ao Nang to Hat Yai, Khao Lak, Koh Lipe and Pak Bara, plus Bangkok-Chiang Mai loops, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Nong Khai, Pai and Sukhothai, Hat Yai to Donsak, George Town, Koh Lipe, Pak Bara, Phuket and Songkhla, Koh Lipe to Khao Lak, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Langkawi and Phuket, Pak Bara to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, and Surat Thani to Satun. King Travel uniquely covers Ao Nang to Donsak, Koh Jum, Koh Libong, Koh Ngai and Phuket, Don Mueang Airport to Satun and Trang, Hua Hin to Krabi and Trang, Khao Sok to Koh Jum and Surat Thani, plus extensive Krabi, Phuket and Trang connections to Koh Jum, Koh Kradan, Koh Lanta, Koh Libong, Koh Muk, Koh Ngai, airports and more. Plan your unique itineraries at ThailandBoatTickets.com and reach our 24/7 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).
Smart En Plus tickets usually fall between 1,720 THB–6,170 THB (median 3,760 THB), while King Travel between 1,040 THB–4,620 THB (median 2,960 THB). On the whole, King Travel offers the cheaper tickets.
Which should you pick?
Frequently asked questions
Smart En Plus vs King Travel