The international airports in Yangon and Mandalay are where most tourists arrive in Myanmar. However, in some cities, such as Bangkok and Singapore, travelers from Europe, America or Australia must change planes. There are no direct flights from these regions. However, Bangkok and Singapore are served by many major international airlines, and it is easy to get connected. Kuala Lumpur, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kolkata, Dubai and Doha have direct flights to Yangon.
From Bangkok to Yangon
There are about 20 flights a day from Bangkok to Yangon and the average flight time is 1 hour. Direct flights to Yangon are operated by the following airlines: Myanmar Airways International, Myanmar National Airlines, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways. Typically, a one-way ticket costs about $100-150. Cheaper flights are often available from budget airlines, such as AirAsia and Nok Air. Tickets can cost as little as $50.
How to get around Myanmar
The most convenient way to get around Myanmar is to travel by air. You will save a lot of time. And you will have an unforgettable flying experience. However, if your travel time is not limited, you can take a cruise on the Irrawaddy River. This will give you a full “taste” of life on the river.
Trains and buses are more difficult to travel by. They are slow and you can only dream of comfort. To compare, it takes only one hour to fly from Yangon to Mandalay, 7 hours to drive and 15 hours to be transported by train.
Domestic flights
Air KBZ, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Asian Wings Airways, Yangon Airways, Golden Myanmar Airlines and Myanmar National Airlines are the main airlines for domestic routes. The planes used by these airlines are small. For example, an ATR 72 can seat up to 78 passengers.
It is possible to book tickets online on any of the airlines’ websites. However, be prepared for slow service. It is safer to buy tickets through a travel agent. Flights are sometimes postponed, so it is advisable to keep track of the schedule. If you have booked tickets through an agent, they will inform you of any changes and help to re-route.
Also be careful - some airlines exchange codes with other airlines, which means that they can regroup passengers from different flights onto one common flight if there are not enough people.
Ticket prices for different airlines are almost the same because their planes fly at the same time and on the same route. It costs about $70 to $120 for a one-way ticket on the main routes. A convenient service for booking with Air KBZ, and the flight schedule is as convenient as possible.
Traveling by Land Transportation
Unfortunately, the roads in Myanmar are very bad, so the buses are slow and quite “hard”. A long distance trip will not be pleasant. Most intercity buses leave between 16:00 and 10:00 at night, stopping every two hours at cafes along the way. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will have a good night’s sleep. You will arrive at your destination early in the morning. You will be tired, but not hungry!
In large cities, such as Yangon and Mandalay, intercity bus stations are located far from the city center. Tickets can be purchased at bus station ticket counters or through local agents. The cost depends on the duration of the trip and usually ranges from 10 to 20 US dollars - it is quite suitable for lovers of saving).
Travelling by train
It is much more pleasant to travel by train. There are several reasons for this - picturesque views open up from the carriages, you can chat with the locals in a friendly way. Unfortunately, trains are even slower than buses and often break down. This means that delays occur and arriving and departing times can vary.
Tickets are sold at the ticket office at the train station. There are huge queues and it usually takes a long time to get a ticket. Another disadvantage is that train travel is much more expensive than bus travel, and foreigners have to pay a higher dollar exchange rate, about five times more than locals.
Irrawaddy River Trip
You can not only travel between the cities along the river. You can also buy a two-day cruise between Mandalay and Bagan. The most pleasant and relaxing way to experience the timeless charm of the country is to travel by ship. If you choose to go on a cruise, you’ll travel along the most picturesque stretches of the river, with several stops in nearby villages. For example, at the Pottery Village, where you can see the process of making authentic ceramics.
Spacious and well-appointed cabins, delicious food, swimming pools and a good observation deck with a beautiful view of the water await travelers on cruise ships.
Register here as an assistant or local guide if you live in one of Myanmar’s towns or villages and want to become an ambassador of the Friendly World to help people have an unforgettable trip around your town. Learn more about the opportunities that Friendly World offers you. Not only can you help people, but you can also make new friends and earn money.
