Insider Tips for Traveling in Myanmar

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Insider Tips for Traveling in Myanmar

Understanding the pricing and mastering the art of catching transportation will seamlessly take you to Yangon, Mandalay, or Inle Lake on your Myanmar journey.

Insider Tips for Traveling in Myanmar

Embarking on a backpacking adventure in Myanmar promises an exciting journey to captivating destinations. The chosen backpacking route typically includes Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, and Inle Lake.

1. Booking Flight and Transportation Tickets

Booking Flights to Myanmar

Airlines frequently introduce promotional programs. You can book cheap direct round-trip tickets to Yangon or round-trip flights to Bangkok and then to Yangon.

Bus Tickets for Domestic Travel in Myanmar

Contact Seven Diamond Express for bus ticket reservations via email. You can choose to visit their office to collect tickets or have them delivered and pay at Myanmar airports as they offer on-site ticket delivery services.

The bus ticket prices for various routes covered by Seven Diamond include service fees: Yangon – Bagan route (Ye’ Thu Aung Bus) 20,000 Kyats (over 19 USD); Bagan – Mandalay route (Myat Mandalar) 9,500 Kyats (over 9 USD); Mandalay – Heho route (Myat Mandalar) 12,000 Kyats (over 11 USD); Heho (Shwe Nyaung) – Yangon (Yan Kyee Aung) route 25,000 Kyats (over 24 USD). Airport ticket delivery fee is 10,000 Kyats (almost 10 USD).

If you're purchasing tickets to Pyin Oo Lwin plateau, you can buy bus tickets departing from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin at Mandalay hotels. The price for air-conditioned bus tickets is 8,600 Kyats (over 8 USD).

2. Transportation in Myanmar

Transportation in Yangon

As you step out of the airport, you'll find numerous taxis lined up along the roadside. Taxis in Myanmar operate on negotiated fares between the driver and the passenger. To avoid overpriced fares from the airport to the city center, take a short walk from Arrival Hall to Departure Hall of the airport. There, you can easily negotiate fares with taxi drivers since taxis returning empty from the airport are more willing to bargain.

Before using any public transportation, make sure to inquire about the fare, negotiate, and finalize the price with the driver. If the driver doesn't speak English, ask them to write down the fare to avoid any misunderstandings.

A non-air-conditioned taxi ride for up to 6 people from Yangon airport to Shwedagon Pagoda costs 5,000 Kyats (around 5 USD), while an air-conditioned taxi costs 7,000 Kyats (around 7 USD). After visiting Shwedagon Pagoda and needing to get to Aung Mingalar Bus Station for Bagan, negotiate a taxi ride for 7,000 Kyats. An air-conditioned taxi from the airport to Sule Pagoda costs 6,000 Kyats (around 6 USD).

To take a taxi ride from Aung Mingalar Bus Station to Yangon airport and avoid being hassled by touts, walk a short distance away from the taxi stand area and easily find a taxi for 3,000 Kyats (around 3 USD).

Transportation in Bagan

The primary modes of transportation in Bagan are horse carts and bicycles. A horse cart in Bagan can accommodate up to 3 passengers, taking you to explore temples from dawn to dusk for 25 USD or 25,000 Kyats (over 24 USD) per ride. For half-day trips, it costs 15,000 Kyats (over 14 USD).

If you have ample time, you can rent a regular bicycle or an electric bicycle to wander around every corner of Old Bagan. The rental price for a bicycle is 1,500 Kyats (1.5 USD) per day. The rental price for an electric bicycle ranges from 6,000 Kyats to 7,000 Kyats (6-7 USD).

Transportation in Mandalay

Myat Mandalar Bus Station offers taxi rental services for tourists to visit famous attractions in Mandalay such as Mahamuni Pagoda, U-Bein Teak Bridge, Sagaing Hill, and the ancient capital of Inwa from early morning until noon for 50 USD per trip.

The ferry ticket to the ancient capital of Inwa costs 1,000 Kyats (1 USD) for a round trip. A horse cart in Inwa village can accommodate up to 3 passengers for sightseeing at a price of 8 USD per ride.

If you have an extra day in Mandalay, you can visit the ancient village of Mingun – home to temples, monasteries, and many historical and cultural landmarks of Myanmar. Renting a private ferry for a flexible time from Mandalay to Mingun costs 30,000 Kyats (over 29 USD). Cow taxis in Mingun can accommodate up to 5 passengers for sightseeing at a price of 5 USD per ride.

Getting Around in Pyin Oo Lwin

Pyin Oo Lwin plateau is situated approximately 70 km east of central Mandalay, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters above sea level. Formerly known as May Myo, which means City of May. The weather here remains cool throughout the year.

From Mandalay, there are two ways to reach Pyin Oo Lwin plateau: by renting a small tourist car for 43,000 Kyats (almost 42 USD). Returning from Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay center, you can hire a tuk-tuk for 30,000 Kyats (over 29 USD), which takes less than half an hour compared to the journey there.

Getting Around in Inle Lake

- Taxi from the bus station to downtown Heho (Shwe Nyaung) costs 6,500 Kyats (over 6 USD) per ride.

- Boat rides on Inle Lake from sunrise to sunset cost 16,000 Kyats (15.5 USD) per trip.

- Tuk-tuk from hotels to Heho bus station costs 8,000 Kyats (around 8 USD) per ride.

3. Foreign Currency

Carry USD (new, unfolded bills) to exchange for Kyats (Myanmar currency, pronounced as Chat) at currency exchange counters in Myanmar international airports. The exchange rate at the airport fluctuates every 10 minutes. Depending on the time, 100 USD can be exchanged for 88,400 to 90,000 Kyats.

Myanmar currency notes feature intricate patterns, local numerals, large dimensions, and thickness. Myanmar currency holds higher value than Vietnamese currency but comes in smaller denominations, hence money stacks are measured by thickness in centimeters.

Kyat currency comes in 3 denominations: 20, 1,000, and 5,000; among which fresh 20 Kyats are in series, old 1,000 Kyats are faded in color. In daily life in Myanmar, people mostly use 20 and 1,000 Kyats for convenience, while 5,000 Kyats are only used for expensive purchases.

According to VnExpress

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour

MytourSeptember 30, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best transportation options to travel around Myanmar?

Traveling around Myanmar can be done via buses, taxis, horse carts, and bicycles. Buses are the most common, while taxis are available in major cities. For a unique experience, horse carts are popular in Bagan, and renting a bicycle is an excellent way to explore the area.

How can I book bus tickets for domestic travel in Myanmar?

You can book bus tickets in Myanmar by contacting Seven Diamond Express through their email or visiting their office. They also offer ticket delivery services at airports, ensuring you can easily secure your travel plans upon arrival.

What should I know about negotiating taxi fares in Yangon?

In Yangon, taxi fares are typically negotiated between the driver and passenger. To avoid overpriced rides, it’s advisable to walk a short distance from the airport to negotiate better fares with drivers returning empty, ensuring a fair price for your journey.

What is the currency exchange process like in Myanmar?

In Myanmar, it's recommended to carry new, unfolded USD bills for currency exchange. You can exchange these for Kyats at counters in international airports, with the exchange rate fluctuating every ten minutes, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

How much does it cost to travel from Yangon airport to the city center?

A taxi ride from Yangon airport to the city center typically costs around 5,000 Kyats for non-air-conditioned taxis and 7,000 Kyats for air-conditioned options. It's best to negotiate the fare beforehand to ensure you get a fair deal.

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