Getting around Myanmar
Asia
From Europe ✈️
Direct flight from Paris
No (1-2 stopovers)
Duration
14-20h with 1 stopover (Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur)
Indicative round-trip price
600-1000 EUR A/R
Book
1-3 months ahead
Recommended airlines
Local transport
Bus
Comfortable overnight VIP buses on the tourist routes (Yangon–Bagan–Mandalay–Inle), operators JJ Express or Elite. Rarely more than 14 EUR per trip.
Train
Slow, decrepit and unreliable colonial network; the Yangon loop journey and the Gokteik viaduct are of touristic interest but the long lines are best avoided.
Taxi
Taxis a negocier a Yangon et Mandalay, rarement plus de 1,25 EUR la course en ville. Peu de compteurs.
Metro
No metro. In Yangon, the Circular Train loops around the city for a few cents.
Essential apps
Common routes and indicative prices
| From | To | Mode | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yangon | Bagan | Overnight VIP bus | 9-10h | 12-16 EUR |
| Yangon | Bagan | Vol interieur | 1h20 | 80-120 EUR |
| Bagan | Inle Lake | Bus | 8-9h | 12-15 EUR |
| Yangon | Mandalay | VIP bus | 8-9h | 12-14 EUR |
Indicative prices for 2025-2026. Fares vary by season, demand and how far ahead you book.
Vehicle rental 🛵
Scooter / Motorbike
5-10 EUR / day
Motorcycle licence; banned in central Yangon
Car
40-70 EUR with a driver / day
Rental with driver only in practice
International permit : Required or strongly recommended
Transport scams to know ⚠️
Fake guides and checkpoints
People posing as official guides or informal roadblocks demanding money.
Tip :Go through trusted accommodation; never force a military checkpoint.
Taux de change au marche noir
Big gap between the official rate (~3500 kyats/USD) and the parallel market (4000-4500); risk of fake bills or miscounting scams.
Tip :Change at reputable offices, count the notes, bring fresh, unfolded USD.
Phantom domestic flight tickets
Vols annules ou compagnies fermees sans remboursement, frequent depuis 2021.
Tip :Book through a reliable local agent and confirm the flight the day before.
Practical tips
- Se limiter au triangle Yangon–Bagan–Inle : le reste du pays est coupe par le conflit.
- Withdraw and carry enough kyat and USD in cash: foreign cards are unusable because of the sanctions.
- Verifier chaque trajet la veille — routes, vols et bus sont regulierement annules ou detournes.
Other transport guides
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