THE SHORT VERSION
Chiang Mai to Phuket Town at a glance.
- From
- Chiang Mai เชียงใหม่
- To
- Phuket Town ภูเก็ต
- Road distance
- About 688 km
- Straight line
- 588 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~8 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Phuket Town to Chiang Mai →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the main city of northern Thailand. Long-distance buses use the Arcade bus terminal, with services across Thailand and into Laos.
- Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal
North-east of the old city. Long-distance and international services.
Arriving in Phuket Town
From the terminal, songthaews, taxis and ride-hail apps reach Phuket Town and the beaches. Local buses to the beaches leave from near the old-town market.
- Phuket Bus Terminal 2
About 4 km north of Phuket Town. The main long-distance terminal. - Phuket Bus Terminal 1
The small old terminal in town. Some regional and local services. - Rassada Pier
Ferries to Koh Phi Phi, Krabi and Koh Lanta.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Tuk-tuk drivers at the terminal may say the local bus has finished. Check for yourself.
- Beach towns such as Patong and Karon are a separate drive from the bus terminal.
KEEP GOING
From Phuket Town, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Phuket Town
More buses from Chiang Mai
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Chiang Mai from Phuket Town by road?+
About 688 km by road (588 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Chiang Mai to Phuket Town take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 8 h 45 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Chiang Mai?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Chiang Mai include Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Phuket Town to Chiang Mai?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Phuket Town to Chiang Mai guide.
Where does the bus from Chiang Mai arrive in Phuket Town?+
It depends on the operator. In Phuket Town, services use Phuket Bus Terminal 2, Phuket Bus Terminal 1, Rassada Pier. From the terminal, songthaews, taxis and ride-hail apps reach Phuket Town and the beaches. Local buses to the beaches leave from near the old-town market.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Phuket Town?+
From the terminal, songthaews, taxis and ride-hail apps reach Phuket Town and the beaches. Local buses to the beaches leave from near the old-town market.
What kind of bus runs from Chiang Mai to Phuket Town?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Chiang Mai to Phuket Town bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Phuket Town by bus?+
Direct buses from Phuket Town include Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Don Mueang Airport (DMK), Kanchanaburi, Pattaya and more. See all connections on our Phuket Town bus page.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Chiang Mai to Phuket Town bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Chiang Mai (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Phuket (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →