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Operator Comparison

Smile On Transport vs Ao Nang Travel And Tour

Compare Smile On Transport and Ao Nang Travel And Tour — routes, service areas, and coverage across Thailand. See where they overlap and where each operator goes its own way.

Operator A Smile On Transport vs Operator B Ao Nang Travel And Tour
Smile On Transport 4.5 / 5 20+ reviews
Ao Nang Travel And Tour 4.6 / 5 670+ reviews

What travellers say: Smile On Transport vs Ao Nang Travel And Tour

Travellers give both operators strong ratings, though Ao Nang Travel And Tour draws from a much larger review sample; ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book either, with 24/7 support from the Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Smile On Transport

Smile On Transport earns a 4.46/5 average from 24 reviews, with consistent praise for polite, professional and punctual drivers who sometimes go the extra mile, alongside reliable refund handling; a small number of reviews flag concerns over vehicle safety, licensing and occasional language barriers.

Ao Nang Travel And Tour

Ao Nang Travel And Tour scores 4.58/5 across 672 reviews, with reviewers highlighting comfortable smooth rides, helpful staff and easy processes, especially on Ferry + Van options, while noting that delays, variable cleanliness and occasional pier disorganisation are the main drawbacks.

Both operators enjoy positive traveller sentiment overall, with Ao Nang Travel And Tour showing broader consistency and Smile On Transport offering solid but more limited feedback when booked through ThailandBoatTickets.com.

Pros & cons

Smile On Transport

Pros

  • Professional, polite and punctual drivers praised in multiple 5-star reviews
  • Helpful trip coordinators and drivers who go the extra mile, such as a 30-minute doctor stop
  • Strong 4.64/5 rating for Economy taxi 3pax class across 11 reviews
  • Full refund processed correctly after last-minute cancellation due to vehicle breakdown

Cons

  • Safety concerns including drivers not wearing seatbelts, nervous driving and excessive vehicle vibration over 80 km/h
  • Lateness without apology and language barriers with drivers who spoke no English
  • Licensing issues with private black-plate cars instead of required green tourist plates
  • Hygiene problems such as interiors smelling strongly of cigarettes
Ao Nang Travel And Tour

Pros

  • Comfortable and smooth ferry rides ideal for seasickness-prone travellers, often smoother than speedboats
  • Helpful staff who assist with heavy luggage and easy/smooth booking and boarding process
  • On-time or early arrivals reported frequently, with high 4.85/5 for Ferry + Van combos
  • VIP upgrade option praised for top-deck access, premium seats and included snacks/drinks
  • Strong overall 4.58/5 rating across 672 reviews with 91.7% positive feedback

Cons

  • Frequent delays of 20 minutes to 4 hours, especially on Aonang Princess Ferry
  • Mid-ocean boat changes due to low tide causing stress and doubled journey times
  • Variable cleanliness with reports of stained seats, dirty interiors and cockroaches on larger boats
  • Poor communication during delays and confusing pier directions leading to disorganization

Service areas at a glance

Based on currently active routes for each operator.

Routes & coverage compared

Both operators run the same core routes connecting Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Krabi and Phuket in both directions, giving travelers multiple daily options for these popular southern hops. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book these shared services, with our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook to help compare schedules instantly.

Smile On Transport additionally serves routes to Phang Nga, Khao Lak, Donsak and many northern and Bangkok connections, while Ao Nang Travel And Tour uniquely covers Koh Phi Phi and Railay from Ao Nang, Krabi, Koh Lanta and Phuket. ThailandBoatTickets.com remains the best place to book either operator’s exclusive routes, 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).

Smile On Transport tickets usually fall between 2,740 THB–5,400 THB (median 4,100 THB), while Ao Nang Travel And Tour between 770 THB–980 THB (median 920 THB). On the whole, Ao Nang Travel And Tour offers the cheaper tickets.

0–250
250–500
500–1k
1k–2k
2k+
Smile On Transport — min 230 · median 4100 · max 17670 Ao Nang Travel And Tour — min 610 · median 920 · max 2380

Which should you pick?

Best on a budget Smile On Transport — offers private taxi, SUV and van options likely suited to cost-conscious travellers.
Fastest Smile On Transport — provides taxi-plus-speedboat transfers with noted punctuality in reviews.
Most comfortable Ao Nang Travel And Tour — higher 4.58 rating with recurring praise for comfortable rides across 672 reviews.
Most travel options Ao Nang Travel And Tour — operates standard ferries, Aonang Princess, and combined ferry+van transfers on multiple island routes.

Frequently asked questions

Smile On Transport vs Ao Nang Travel And Tour