THE SHORT VERSION
Phuket Town to Chiang Rai at a glance.
- From
- Phuket Town ภูเก็ต
- To
- Chiang Rai เชียงราย
- Road distance
- About 787 km
- Straight line
- 692 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~10 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Chiang Rai to Phuket Town →
Ready to travel from Phuket Town to Chiang Rai?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Phuket Town
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, joined to the mainland by a bridge, so buses run straight onto it. Long-distance buses use Phuket Bus Terminal 2, about 4 km north of Phuket Town, with services to Bangkok, Krabi, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and more.
- 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.
Arriving in Chiang Rai
Songthaews and tuk-tuks connect Terminal 2 with the centre.
- 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.
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.
- Buses towards Laos cross at Chiang Khong–Huay Xai. Check visa rules first.
KEEP GOING
From Chiang Rai, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Chiang Rai
More buses from Phuket Town
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Phuket Town from Chiang Rai 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 Phuket Town to Chiang Rai 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 Phuket Town?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Phuket Town include Phuket Bus Terminal 2, Phuket Bus Terminal 1, Rassada Pier, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Chiang Rai to Phuket Town?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Chiang Rai to Phuket Town guide.
Where does the bus from Phuket Town arrive in Chiang Rai?+
It depends on the operator. In Chiang Rai, services use Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2. Songthaews and tuk-tuks connect Terminal 2 with the centre.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Chiang Rai?+
Songthaews and tuk-tuks connect Terminal 2 with the centre.
What kind of bus runs from Phuket Town to Chiang Rai?+
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 Phuket Town to Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Rai by bus?+
Direct buses from Chiang Rai include Chiang Mai, Lampang, Pai, Luang Prabang, Sukhothai and more. See all connections on our Chiang Rai bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Phuket Town → Chiang Rai on 12GoFOLLOW 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: Phuket Town to Chiang Rai bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Phuket (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Chiang Rai (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →