Myanmar, the Golden Land, captivates with thousands of ancient temples in Bagan, the shimmering Shwedagon Pagoda, and rich Buddhist heritage. From bustling Yangon to serene Inle Lake, experience authentic Southeast Asian culture largely unchanged by mass tourism.
- Public
- City buses exist in Yangon but are crowded, use Burmese signage only, and not recommended for tourists. Yangon Circular Railway ($1) is a worthwhile scenic experience but not for efficient transport.
- Taxi
- Grab app is the safest option in Yangon and Mandalay — metered pricing, no negotiating, and reliable pickups. Street taxis require fare negotiation before getting in.
- Rental
- Car hire recommended WITH a driver rather than self-drive. Road conditions, right-side driving with right-hand drive vehicles, and limited English road signs make self-driving inadvisable for most visitors.
- Walking
- Old Bagan, downtown Yangon, and Nyaungshwe (Inle Lake) are all very walkable. Heat is the main challenge; early morning and evening walks are most comfortable.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi - fixed rate $10 (15,000 kyat) to city center, 30-45 minutes
- Shuttle
- Airport Shuttle Bus - $3-5, runs to major hotels
- Bus
- Hotel Pickup - many hotels offer free or paid pickup service
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Yangon
- Yangon Circular Railway - $1 for 3-hour loop around city, scenic but slow. City buses - $0.20-0.50, crowded, hard to navigate for tourists
- Mandalay
- Local buses available, $0.30-0.50 per ride, limited English signage
- General
- Not recommended for tourists due to language barriers and complexity
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, tuk_tuk, bicycle, e_bike, boat
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Standard
- Metered taxis rare. Negotiate fare before starting. Yangon: $2-5 for short trips, $5-10 across city. Mandalay: $2-7 typical fares
- Apps
- Grab available in Yangon and Mandalay but requires local SIM. More reliable pricing than street taxis
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
- Overview
- Most popular intercity transport. Range from basic to VIP. Book through hotel or online (myanmarbusticket.com). Depart from bus stations on city outskirts
- Yangon bagan
- 9-10 hours, $15-25 VIP, night buses available
- Yangon mandalay
- 9-10 hours, $15-30 VIP
- Bagan mandalay
- 4-5 hours, $8-15
- Mandalay inle
- 7-8 hours via Kalaw, $12-18
- Companies
- JJ Express, Elite, OK Bus (higher quality), VIP buses have AC, reclining seats, blankets
Flights
- Overview
- Save time but more expensive. Several carriers: Myanmar National Airlines, Golden Myanmar, Mann Yadanarpon
- Yangon bagan
- 1.5 hours, $60-120
- Yangon mandalay
- 1.5 hours, $60-130
- Yangon inle
- 1.5 hours (via Heho), $70-140
- Mandalay bagan
- 30 minutes, $50-90
- Tips
- Book early for better prices. Delays common. Weight limits strict (20kg checked, 7kg carry-on)
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Yangon International Airport (Mingaladon)
From centre: 15 km north of downtown
Options: Taxi - fixed rate $10 (15,000 kyat) to city center, 30-45 minutes; Airport Shuttle Bus - $3-5, runs to major hotels; Hotel Pickup - many hotels offer free or paid pickup service; Grab/Taxi Apps - available but must have local SIM; Private Car - book through hotel, $12-15
Mandalay International Airport
From centre: 35 km south of city
Options: Taxi - fixed rate $15-20 (20,000-30,000 kyat), 45-60 minutes; Hotel Shuttle - arrange in advance, $10-15 per person; Shared Minibus - $3-5 per person when full; Private Car - $20-25 for sedan
Bagan Nyaung U Airport
From centre: 5 km from Nyaung U town
Options: Taxi - $5-8 (7,000-12,000 kyat) to hotels, 10-15 minutes; Hotel Pickup - most hotels offer free pickup with advance notice; Horse Cart - traditional option, $3-5, slower but scenic
Heho Airport (for Inle Lake)
From centre: 30 km from Nyaungshwe
Options: Taxi - $20-25 (30,000 kyat) to Nyaungshwe, 1 hour; Shared Taxi - $8-10 per person when full; Hotel Shuttle - arrange in advance, $15-20 per car
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Grab
Primary ride-hailing app in Yangon and Mandalay — requires a local SIM card. Provides metered fares, driver tracking, and cashless payment. Far more reliable than street taxis.
Myanmar Bus Ticket
Online booking platform for intercity VIP and express bus tickets. Book Yangon-Bagan, Yangon-Mandalay, and other routes in advance to secure seats on popular departures.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Grab app before arriving — it works in Yangon and Mandalay with a local SIM and gives transparent pricing
Overnight VIP buses are the best value for intercity travel — Yangon to Bagan or Mandalay costs $15-25 and saves hotel nights
Book intercity buses through your hotel or myanmarbusticket.com at least a day ahead in peak season (Nov-Feb)
E-bike rental in Bagan ($5-8/day) is the definitive way to explore the temples — faster than bicycle, no vehicle license needed
Domestic flights save enormous time but add significant cost — Yangon to Bagan by air is 1.5 hours vs 9-10 hours by bus
Always negotiate taxi fares before getting in if not using Grab; ask your hotel for typical fare estimates as a reference