Travelling within Myanmar
Road Travel In Myanmar
Road travel in Myanmar is a stimulating experience but visitors need to be prepared for variable conditions. The road infrastructure is underdeveloped and the vehicles in use are around 8-10 yrs old. Away from main roads the quality of the roads deteriorate. As in the rest of Asia, you can also expect to be sharing the road with an amazing array of vehicles including cyclists, oxcarts, trucks and animals.
From Yangon we recommend you take a domestic flight to reach the main tourist destinations like Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake. Road travel upcountry from Yangon is long and tedious. Car rental prices in Myanmar are very high considering the standard of vehicles used. Do not expect latest model cars - none available due to import restrictions on new cars. All cars come with a driver and no self-drive is possible. In Bagan one of the nicest ways to get to know the temple area is by renting a local horse cart with driver for the day.
Travelling by Train in Myanmar
Generally the train is an alternative to road travel on very few routes in Myanmar. The main route would be from Yangon to Mandalay and some interesting side trips such as the hill station of Pyn Oo Lwin and Hsipaw in the Shan mountains. Overnight trains have a limited amount of sleepers and reclining seats and the standard is modest. Train tickets can be booked only up to 3 days in advance and therefore we can only confirm this service at the last moment. Note that for train enthusiasts, Myanmar still has a collection of rare old engines running on certain routes or available for commercial charters.
Boat Travel in Myanmar
One of the best ways to get to know parts of the country is by boat cruises on the Ayeyarwaddy River (formerly Irawaddy). The river with its legendary name is one of the best inland water roads in the world and has been used for centuries as the main way of communication, transport (and invasion). The most popular route is from Mandalay to Bagan or vice versa. Various vessels ply this route - from the local ferry which stops at every village, to the public speed boat, the historic RV Pandaw class boats, the cozy Amara cruiser, the Irawaddy Princess and finally the luxurious 'Road to Mandalay'. Cruise length varies from 10 hrs to 4 days.
Air Travel in Myanmar
There are currently the reliable domestic airlines in Myanmar: Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Air Bagan. All three operate French-Italian made ATR aircrafts and have good safety and technical maintenance records. It is not advisable to use Myanmar Airways domestic planes. ATR planes are propeller planes with 40 to 70 seats. They are perfect for the small airports outside Yangon and Mandalay. Please note that it is advisable to check-in all pieces of luggage and keep only a small bag in the cabin due to limited storage space.
Flight departure times from Yangon are quite early (between 6 AM and 7 AM for the first morning flights). The flight itineraries are often on a circular route joining cities like Bagan, Mandalay and Heho before returning to Yangon. Assigned seats are available only when departing Yangon. If departing from other cities, free seating applies. Please be aware that flight schedules are often subject to change without prior notice.
