THE SHORT VERSION
Chiang Rai to Phuket Town at a glance.
- From
- Chiang Rai เชียงราย
- To
- Phuket Town ภูเก็ต
- Road distance
- About 787 km
- Straight line
- 692 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~10 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Phuket Town to Chiang Rai →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is northern Thailand's second city and a gateway to the Golden Triangle and Laos. It has two bus terminals: one in the centre for regional buses and one south of town for long-distance services.
- Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1
In the town centre. Regional buses to Mae Sai, Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong. - Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2
About 5 km south of the centre. Long-distance buses to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and beyond.
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 Rai
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 Rai from Phuket Town by road?+
About 787 km by road (692 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Chiang Rai to Phuket Town take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 10 h 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 Rai?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Chiang Rai include Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, 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 Rai?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Phuket Town to Chiang Rai guide.
Where does the bus from Chiang Rai 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 Rai 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 Rai 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 Rai to Phuket Town bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Chiang Rai (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Phuket (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →