1. Flight to Phuket
2. Train + Bus to Phuket
3. Bus / Van to Phuket
4. Taxi / Car to Phuket
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From Chiang Mai to Phuket you can travel by plane, bus, train+bus, car, taxi.
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- The distance between Chiang Mai and Phuket is approximately 1550 km by road, passing through Bangkok and Surat Thani. The most comfortable and fastest mode of transportation to Phuket from Chiang Mai is by taking a direct flight or a flight with a layover in Bangkok. Direct flights to Phuket from Chiang Mai typically take about 2 hours, with prices ranging from $40-100 per person. These flights are operated by Thai Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile, and other airlines in Thailand. Another option to reach Phuket is by train + bus via Bangkok and Surat Thani.
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- There is a train service from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, then from Bangkok to Surat Thani, followed by a bus or minivan journey to Phuket. Traveling by train + bus from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok and Surat Thani town) takes approximately 38-52 hours, with total costs averaging $50-100 per person. Surat Thani is the nearest railway station to Phuket town. Another option for transportation to Phuket from Chiang Mai is by tourist bus via Bangkok, and from there, you can also opt for a private car or taxi. You can easily search for and book tickets or flights from Chiang Mai to Phuket online. From Phuket, you can travel by ferry to Krabi or Koh Phi Phi, which are popular beach destinations in southern Thailand.
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- The largest and most popular island in Thailand, enchanting Phuket, lies off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Its coastline is lapped by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea, harboring a diverse underwater ecosystem – making it a diver’s paradise. Phuket is just an hour’s flight from Bangkok and boasts its own international airport. Connected to the Thai mainland by a modern bridge, Phuket’s 500 square kilometers are characterized by limestone cliffs, rocky promontories, and miles of sandy beaches. It stands as one of Thailand’s premier tourist destinations.
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- Main crops cultivated in Phuket include pineapple, rubber trees, and rice. For years, Phuket has welcomed visitors of all kinds, including athletes, families, and seniors. There are four primary ways to reach Phuket from Chiang Mai: by direct flight, by bus, by train + bus, or by private car/taxi via Bangkok and Surat Thani. The fastest and most convenient option is to fly directly. From Phuket, you can also journey to Railay Beach in Krabi or Ao Nang by speedboat, van, or taxi.
| Transfer Mode – Chiang Mai to Phuket: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Plane (direct flight) | 2-2.5 hours | $40-100/pp |
| Train + Bus | 38-52 hours | $50-100/pp |
| Tourist Bus / Van | 24-28 hours | $35-60/pp |
| Private Car | 21-24 hours | $650-750 (car) |
How do I get from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
1. FLIGHTS from Chiang Mai to Phuket
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- direct flight – the best and fastest option how to travel from Chiang Mai to Phuket
- flight is also a cheap option of transfer to Phuket from Chiang Mai
- direct flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket takes about 2 hours
- airlines from Chiang Mai to Phuket: Thai Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile…
- one-way direct flight to Phuket from Chiang Mai costs about at $40-100/pp
- there are also various flights with stopover in Bangkok – the capital of Thailand
- from Phuket Airport you can travel by bus or taxi to Patong or Karon / Kata
- flights from Chiang Mai International Airport to Phuket International Airport
- Book your direct flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket online on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜
2. TRAIN + BUS from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Surat Thani)
A) Train from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani (via Bangkok)
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- you can also travel by train to Surat Thani via Bangkok (not to Phuket town)
- travel by train of Thai Railways is also a popular way of transport via Bangkok
- 1.step – train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, 2.step – train from Bangkok to Surat Thani
- Surat Thani is the closest railway station to Phuket (about 230 km north-east of Phuket)
- there are seat or sleeper trains between Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Surat Thani
- train tickets from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani cost about $40-80/pp (1st, 2nd, 3rd class trains)
- transport by train from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani (via Bangkok) takes about 33-40 hours
- check this article > How to go from Bangkok to Surat Thani?
- you can check current Thailand Railway Map
B) Bus / Van from Surat Thani to Phuket
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- from Surat Thani to Phuket you can travel by bus, minivan or private car
- travel by bus or minivan from Surat Thani to Phuket takes about 4-5 hours
- modern, comfortable, air-conditioned tourist buses, vans or minivans
- transfer by bus from Surat Thani to Phuket costs about $6-12/pp
- you can also book your private car or taxi to Phuket from Surat Thani
- check this article > How to get from Surat Thani to Phuket?
3. BUS from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok)
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- you can also travel by tourist bus or van from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok)
- there are buses with stopover in Bangkok
- 1.step – tourist bus from Chiang mai to Bangkok, 2.step – tourist bus from Bangkok to Phuket
- travel by bus/van from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok) takes about 23-30 hours
- bus companies from Chiang Mai to Phuket: Green Bus, Transport Co, Phuket Travel, Phuket Central, Bus Express…
- transfer by bus from Chiang Mai to Phuket (with stopover in Bangkok) costs about $35-60/pp
- Book your bus tickets from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok) on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜
- there are also various buses from Bangkok to Phuket
4. TAXI / CAR from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok)
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- from Chiang Mai to Phuket you can travel by private car/taxi via Bangkok
- the most expensive option of transport from Chiang Mai to Phuket
- transport by private taxi/car from Chiang Mai to Phuket takes about 21-25 hours
- private companies from Chiang mai to Phuket: Bangkok Taxi 24, Jed Yord, Glassflower, Firstplan Transport…
- transport by private taxi from Chiang mai to Phuket costs about $600-750 (vehicle, car, van, minivan)
- there are various modern types of vehicles, minivans or luxury cars
- you can also travel by private taxi/car from Bangkok to Patong Beach in Phuket
- Book your private taxi/car from Chiang mai to Phuket (via Bangkok) online
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Chiang Mai to Phuket:
1. How to book and buy tickets or flights from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
2. What is the travel time from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
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- Travel time by plane (direct flight) from Chiang Mai to Phuket is about 2-2.5 hours.
- Travel time by train+bus from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok, Surat Thani) is about 38-52 hours.
- Travel time by tourist bus or van from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok) is about 24-28 hours.
- Travel time by private taxi/car from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok) is about 21-24 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
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- Travel distance from Chiang Mai to Phuket is about 1540 km by bus, train+bus and about 1350 km by plane.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
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- Travel by plane (direct flight) from Chiang Mai to Phuket costs about $40-100/pp.
- Travel by train+bus from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok, Surat Thani) costs about $50-100/pp.
- Travel by tourist bus or van from Chiang Mai to Phuket costs (via Bangkok) about $35-60/pp.
- Travel by private taxi/car from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok) costs about $650-750 (car).
5. What is the best way of transfer from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
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- The best and comfortable option of transport to Phuket from Chiang Mai is to take a direct flight. Travel by plane takes only about 2 hours so you will save a lot of travel time and sometimes these flights to Phuket are cheap.
6. What is the cheapest option of transfer from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
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- The cheapest option of transport to Phuket from Chiang Mai in Thailand is to travel by plane or tourist bus. There are low-cost flights of various thai airlines and these flights start already at $40/pp.
7. Where to rent a motorbike in Phuket?
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- If you want to rent a motorbike or scooter in Phuket, try to search these bikes online at Bikesbooking.
8. Is there an railway station in Phuket town?
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- No, Phuket has no railway station, travel by train to this town is not possible. The closest railway station to Phuket is in Surat Thani town, it is about 250 km from Phuket town center. From Surat Thani you can travel by bus or minivan to Phuket town, travel time by bus is about 4-5 hours.
9. Is there a private taxi or car from Chiang Mai to Phuket?
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- Yes, you can also use to travel by private car or taxi, this is the most expensive option of transfer between these cities. There are some private taxis or cars from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and from Bangkok to Phuket and you can search and book these cars online.
10. How you can travel from Surat Thani to Phuket?
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- From Surat Thani to Phuket you can travel by tourist bus, van, minivan or private car. There is no flight and no train between these cities. Travel time by bus or minivan is about 4-5 hours.
11. Where you can travel from Phuket?
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- From Phuket you can travel to various interesting sites of southern Thailand. You can travel by bus/van to Khao Lak in the north of Phuket or you can take a boat to Koh Yao Yai or Ao Nang in Krabi, there are various boat companies and you can search boat / ferry tickets to these sites online. You can also travel by van or taxi to Surat Thani town. Via Surat Thani you can also travel from Patong to Koh Samui.
12. How and where to book hotel in Phuket?
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- Phuket is a large and popular tourist place and offers various cheap guesthouses, hotels and private resorts or bungalows. Book your hotel, bungalow or resort in Phuket online > Book resort or hotel in Phuket.
13. What you can buy and bring home from Thailand?
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- From Thailand, you can bring home a variety of souvenirs such as traditional Thai jewelry, packaged herbal teas, handcrafted Thai puppets, exotic spices and sauces, artistic ceramics, quality Thai soap and cosmetics, traditional musical instruments, fine Thai silk products, herbal oils and balms, and traditional playing cards and board games. These items reflect Thailand’s rich culture, craftsmanship, and diverse offerings, making them unique and memorable souvenirs. Read this article: What to bring from Thailand?
14. Is traveling and living in Thailand cheap or expensive?
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- The cost of traveling and living in Thailand can vary depending on various factors such as lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. Generally, Thailand is known for being a budget-friendly destination, attracting travelers seeking affordable adventures. While Thailand is known for being a budget-friendly destination, costs can vary depending on whether you choose to live in popular tourist areas or less-explored regions. Overall, many people find that the cost of living in Thailand offers good value for money.
15. What is the official currency of Thailand and how to exchange money?
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- The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). To exchange money, you can visit banks, currency exchange booths, or use ATMs. Banks typically offer competitive exchange rates, but may charge transaction fees. Currency exchange booths are convenient, often open longer hours, but their rates might be less favorable. Using ATMs connected to banks is a common and convenient option; however, be mindful of potential withdrawal fees from both your home bank and the local Thai bank. Always check rates and fees beforehand to make informed choices.
16. What is the cuisine and food in Thailand and what to expect?
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- Thai cuisine is renowned for its vibrant and harmonious flavors, combining sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter elements in each dish. Expect a diverse range of dishes, often aromatic herbs and spices like lemongrass, basil or galangal. Rice, a staple, plays a central role, and street food is a must-try for an authentic culinary experience. Signature dishes include Pad Thai, Tom Yum, Green Curry, and Mango Sticky Rice. Embrace the rich cultural diversity through regional variations, and don’t miss out on the lively street food culture.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Phuket ➜
3 Ways of Transfer from Chiang Mai to Phuket:
| 1. FLIGHTS from Chiang Mai to Phuket | |
|---|---|
| Travel Option | Direct flight |
| Flight Duration | About 2 hours |
| Airlines | Thai Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile… |
| One-way Flight Cost | About $40-100/pp |
| Stopover Option | Flights with stopover in Bangkok |
| Transport from Phuket Airport | Bus or taxi to Patong, Karon, or Kata |
| 2. TRAIN + BUS from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Surat Thani) | |
| A) Train from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani (via Bangkok) | |
| Travel Option | Train via Bangkok |
| Train Route | Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Bangkok to Surat Thani |
| Closest Railway Station | Surat Thani (about 230 km north-east of Phuket) |
| Train Ticket Cost | About $40-80/pp (1st, 2nd, 3rd class trains) |
| Train Duration | About 33-40 hours |
| B) Bus / Van from Surat Thani to Phuket | |
| Transport Option | Bus, minivan, or private car |
| Transport Time | About 4-5 hours |
| Transport Type | Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned buses, vans, or minivans |
| Transport Cost | About $6-12/pp |
| 3. BUS from Chiang Mai to Phuket (via Bangkok) | |
| Transport Option | Tourist bus or van |
| Stopover Option | Buses with stopover in Bangkok |
| Transport Time | About 23-30 hours |
| Bus Companies | Green Bus, Transport Co, Phuket Travel, Phuket Central, Bus Express… |
| Transport Cost | About $35-60/pp (with stopover in Bangkok) |
🎫 Book train, bus tickets or flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket:
(You can change your departure or arrival, eg. Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Bangkok to Phuket…)
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