Myanmar Getting Around

Market, Myanmar © www.123rf.com/Rusty Carr

Getting Around by Air

Air travel is the most efficient way of moving within Myanmar and the only permissible means of transport for independent travellers, but there is a rather limited schedule of flights, and a rather less than perfect safety record. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office bans its staff from using Myanmar Airways for this reason; although the staff do use Myanmar Airways International (UB) (website: www.maiair.com). Air Mandalay (website: www.airmandalay.com) and Yangon Airways (website: www.yangonair.com) operate internal flights. Internal security can restrict ease of movement. There are daily flights to most towns; charter flights are also available. There are over 60 airstrips in the country.

Approximate Flight Times

From Yangon to Mandalay is 2 hours 10 minutes; to Pagan is 1 hour 30 minutes; and to Heho is 1 hour 25 minutes.

Getting Around by Water

The best way of seeing Myanmar is by boat, particularly between Bhamo–Mandalay and Mandalay–Pagan. Myanmar has about 8,000km (5,000 miles) of navigable rivers. Trips can only be arranged as part of an organised tour group. It is generally necessary to provide one’s own food.

Getting Around by Rail

Myanmar Railways provides services on several routes, the principal line being Yangon to Mandalay (journey time – 12 to 14 hours). Overnight trains have sleeping cars. There is also a good service from Mandalay–Lashio–Myitkyina. The state-run railway has 4,300km (2,700 miles) of track and serves most of Myanmar. First class is available but, with the exception of the Yangon to Mandalay line, services are regularly afflicted with delays caused by climatic, technical and bureaucratic difficulties. Tickets must be purchased as part of an organised tour group. There are regular services from Yangon to Mandalay and from Yangon to Thazi. Visitors should be aware that much railway equipment is decrepit and some accidents are unreported.

Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the right. There has been some modernisation of Myanmar’s once antiquated vehicles. Roads are poorly maintained and can become impassable in the rainy season, from May to October. Visitors must remember that, under Burmese law, the driver of a car involved in an accident with a pedestrian is always at fault.

Bus: Buses are generally operated by the state-owned Road Transport Enterprise. Public bus services tend to be unreliable and uncomfortable; visitors may pay using the Kyat currency on certain lines only. Owing to the ongoing privatisation programme of the transport industry, a fleet of privately operated buses is also available. The main lines are from Yangon to Meiktila, Pyay, Mandalay and Taunggyi. Private buses are air conditioned and accept payment in Kyat, US Dollars or FECs.

Bicycles: Available for hire.

Documentation: International Driving Licences and British licences are not accepted. Those wishing to drive must apply for a Myanmar licence at the Department for Road Transport and Administration in Yangon (Rangoon).

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Yangon has a circular rail service. There are also antiquated and overcrowded bus services in all cities. Yangon has blue government taxis with set fares. Unmetered three- and four-wheel taxis are available in cities, as are rickshaws; it is wise to pre-arrange fares. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

Getting There

Climate

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