Operator Comparison

Songserm vs Phantip 1970

Q: Which operator has the higher customer rating?

Phantip 1970 holds a higher average rating of 4.27 out of 5 from 7,405 reviews, compared to Songserm's 4.05 out of 5 from 4,090 reviews.

Q: How do their review volumes and positive feedback percentages compare?

Phantip 1970 has nearly twice the reviews (7,405) with 79.6% positive (4-5 stars) and only 7.6% negative. Songserm has 4,090 reviews with 72.1% positive and 11.7% negative.

Q: Which routes are operated by both Songserm and Phantip 1970?

Both operate these routes: 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 Donsak, Koh Tao to Koh Samui, and Krabi to Koh Phi Phi.

Q: Are there routes available with only one of the operators?

Yes. Songserm uniquely operates Koh Tao to Koh Phangan. Phantip 1970 offers many exclusive routes including Ao Nang to Koh Phangan, Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang to Koh Samui, Donsak to Krabi, Hat Yai to various islands, Khao Sok connections, Koh Lanta routes, Phuket connections, and multiple Surat Thani links.

Q: What is Songserm's reputation according to traveller reviews?

Songserm is viewed as a cheap, functional option that gets travellers there reliably. It receives praise for smoother rides on bigger boats that may reduce seasickness, though experiences can vary.

Q: What do reviews say about Phantip 1970?

Phantip 1970 is described as reliable and well-coordinated for multi-leg trips combining vans, buses, and ferries, often arriving early, though some note issues like cramped vehicles or transfer communication.

Q: Which operator appears better suited for extensive southern Thailand connections?

Phantip 1970 operates far more routes overall, especially multi-leg journeys linking mainland spots like Surat Thani, Khao Sok, Hat Yai, and Phuket with the islands.

Q: Where is the best place to book Songserm or Phantip 1970 tickets?

ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book either operator. Their 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook for help comparing routes and securing tickets.

Q: How do the operators compare for travellers choosing between them?

Phantip 1970 shows a higher rating and more routes with stronger positive feedback, while Songserm is noted for value and potentially smoother sea conditions on select shared routes. Check ThailandBoatTickets.com for current options on your specific journey.

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

Operator A Songserm vs

Operator B Phantip 1970

Songserm 4.0 / 5 4090+ reviews

Phantip 1970 4.3 / 5 7400+ reviews

What travellers say: Songserm vs Phantip 1970

Phantip 1970 edges out Songserm with a higher average rating (4.27 vs 4.05) across more reviews, though both are viewed as affordable operators for Gulf and Andaman routes.

Songserm

Reviewers describe Songserm as a cheap, functional choice that reliably gets passengers from A to B, with praise for its big, stable ferries that reduce seasickness compared to faster catamarans, smooth booking via QR codes, and helpful staff on some legs. Common complaints centre on frequent delays of 30 minutes to over an hour, disorganised luggage handling, overcrowding, old or dirty vehicles with poor toilets, and poor communication on multi-leg bus-ferry trips, especially Bangkok-island routes where Bus Express scores lowest at 3.38.

Phantip 1970

Travellers highlight Phantip 1970 for well-coordinated transfers using destination stickers, frequent on-time or early arrivals, flexible earlier departures at no extra cost, and comfortable Seatran ferries, making it feel reliable for multi-leg journeys. Drawbacks include reckless or distracted drivers, cramped and overcrowded minivans, inconsistent luggage surcharges, weak communication at changeover points, and occasional older or dirty vehicles like Raja ferries.

Overall sentiment favours Phantip 1970 for smoother coordination and timing, while Songserm appeals for value and seasickness comfort; both deliver budget travel with trade-offs. Book either seamlessly through ThailandBoatTickets.com and access 24/7 support via the Virtual Ticket Assistant on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram or Facebook.

Service areas at a glance

Based on currently active routes for each operator.

Both operators 7

Only Songserm 0

No areas served exclusively by Songserm.

Only Phantip 1970 11

Routes & coverage compared

Both Songserm and Phantip 1970 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 Donsak, Koh Tao to Koh Samui, and Krabi to Koh Phi Phi. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book these overlapping routes, where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available on WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Telegram and Facebook.

Songserm alone runs Koh Tao to Koh Phangan, while Phantip 1970 alone covers extensive additional routes including Ao Nang to Koh Phangan, Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang to Koh Samui, Ao Nang to Surat Thani, Donsak to Krabi, Donsak to Phuket, Hat Yai to Donsak, Hat Yai to Koh Phangan, Hat Yai to Koh Samui, Khao Sok to Koh Phangan, Khao Sok to Koh Samui, Khao Sok to Surat Thani Airport, Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan, Koh Lanta to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan to Ao Nang, Koh Phangan to Bangkok, Koh Phangan to Hat Yai, Koh Phangan to Khao Sok, Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan to Krabi, Koh Phangan to Phuket, Koh Phangan to Surat Thani Train Station, Koh Phangan to Trang, Koh Phi Phi to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi to Surat Thani Train Station, Koh Samui to Ao Nang, Koh Samui to Don Mueang Airport, Koh Samui to Hat Yai, Koh Samui to Khao Sok, Koh Samui to Koh Lanta, Koh Samui to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui to Krabi, Koh Samui to Phuket, Koh Samui to Surat Thani, Krabi to Koh Lanta, Krabi to Koh Phangan, Krabi to Koh Samui, Krabi to Koh Tao, Krabi to Phuket, Krabi to Surat Thani, Phuket to Koh Phangan, Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, Phuket to Koh Samui, Phuket to Surat Thani, Surat Thani to Ao Nang, Surat Thani to Khao Sok, Surat Thani to Koh Lanta, Surat Thani to Koh Phi Phi, Surat Thani to Koh Samui, Surat Thani to Surat Thani Airport, Surat Thani to Trang, Surat Thani Airport to Koh Phangan, and Surat Thani Airport to Koh Tao. ThailandBoatTickets.com is the best place to book these unique routes, where our 24/7 Virtual Ticket Assistant (VTA) is available 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).

Songserm tickets usually fall between 410 THB–710 THB (median 510 THB), while Phantip 1970 between 530 THB–940 THB (median 770 THB). On the whole, Songserm offers the cheaper tickets.

0–250

250–500

500–1k

1k–2k

2k+

Songserm — min 160 · median 510 · max 1260 Phantip 1970 — min 60 · median 770 · max 2740

Which should you pick?

Best on a budget Songserm — repeatedly described as the cheap, functional, good-value option.

Fastest Phantip 1970 — consistently gets travellers to destinations, often even early.

Most comfortable Phantip 1970 — higher 4.27 rating and 79.6% positive reviews for reliable experience.

Most travel options Phantip 1970 — specialises in multi-leg journeys combining minivan, bus, ferry and transfers on extensive routes.

Frequently asked questions

Songserm vs Phantip 1970

Which operator has the higher customer rating?

How do their review volumes and positive feedback percentages compare?

Which routes are operated by both Songserm and Phantip 1970?

Are there routes available with only one of the operators?

What is Songserm's reputation according to traveller reviews?

What do reviews say about Phantip 1970?

Which operator appears better suited for extensive southern Thailand connections?

Where is the best place to book Songserm or Phantip 1970 tickets?

How do the operators compare for travellers choosing between them?