THE SHORT VERSION
Phuket Town to Railay at a glance.
- From
- Phuket Town ภูเก็ต
- To
- Railay ไร่เลย์
- Road distance
- About 182 km
- Straight line
- 51 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~3 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Railay to Phuket Town →
Ready to travel from Phuket Town to Railay?
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 Railay
Check whether your ticket includes the boat. At low tide you may need to wade to the boat.
- Longtail boat landings
Boats from Ao Nang beach and from Krabi Town.

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.
- Pack light: there's no road access and the boats are small.
KEEP GOING
From Railay, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Railay
More buses from Phuket Town
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Phuket Town from Railay by road?+
About 182 km by road (51 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Phuket Town to Railay take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 3 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 Railay to Phuket Town?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Railay to Phuket Town guide.
Where does the bus from Phuket Town arrive in Railay?+
It depends on the operator. In Railay, services use Longtail boat landings. Check whether your ticket includes the boat. At low tide you may need to wade to the boat.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Railay?+
Check whether your ticket includes the boat. At low tide you may need to wade to the boat.
What kind of bus runs from Phuket Town to Railay?+
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 Railay 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 Railay by bus?+
Direct buses from Railay include Krabi Town, Surat Thani, Patong, Bangkok, Khao Sok and more. See all connections on our Railay bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Phuket Town → Railay 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 Railay bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Phuket (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Ao Nang (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →