Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Yangon International Airport (RGN), the usual ways into the city are taxis, the Grab ride-hailing app or a hotel pickup. Agree the fare or use the app before setting off, as street taxis are unmetered. Mandalay (MDL) is served in a similar way, with taxis and hotel transfers common.
- Yangon
- RGN airport
- Options
- Taxi, Grab, hotel pickup
- Fares
- Taxis unmetered, agree first
- Use Grab or agree the price before you set off
- Mandalay (MDL) served by taxis and hotel transfers
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
In Yangon, the YBS (Yangon Bus Service) network of city buses is cheap but can be crowded and mostly signed in Burmese. Many visitors prefer taxis or the Grab app for convenience. The scenic Yangon Circular Railway loops around the city and suburbs and is a popular slow way to see local life.
- City buses
- YBS network
- Easy option
- Taxi or Grab
- Sightseeing
- Circular Railway
- YBS is cheap but crowded and signed in Burmese
- Circular Railway is a slow, scenic loop
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
There is no single nationwide travel smart card like those in some countries. Yangon buses have used a card and mobile-payment based system (such as YPS) rather than cash, so carry small change or ask locally how to pay. For taxis, agree the fare in advance or use the Grab app.
- Nationwide card
- No single system
- Yangon buses
- Card / mobile payment
- Taxis
- Agree fare or use Grab
- Carry small change and ask locally how to pay
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Self-drive rental is uncommon for visitors; most people hire a car with a driver for day trips or intercity routes. Myanmar drives on the right, yet many cars are right-hand drive, which can make overtaking tricky. In Bagan, renting an electric bike (e-bike) is a popular way to explore the temple plain.
- Usual choice
- Car with driver
- Roads
- Drive on the right
- Bagan
- E-bike rental popular
- Many cars are right-hand drive despite driving on the right
- A car with driver is easier than self-drive
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Long-distance buses are the backbone of intercity travel, with comfortable VIP buses and overnight services linking Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and more. Trains run by Myanmar Railways are slower and more scenic. Book buses a day or two ahead in busy seasons and keep warm layers for chilly overnight air-conditioning.
- Main mode
- Long-distance / VIP buses
- Overnight
- Common between cities
- Trains
- Slower, scenic (Myanmar Railways)
- Book buses ahead in busy seasons
- Bring warm layers for cold night buses
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights save time over long bus or train rides, connecting Yangon with Bagan (Nyaung U, NYU), Mandalay (MDL) and Inle Lake (Heho, HEH), among others. Several local airlines operate these routes. Schedules can change, so reconfirm timings and allow a buffer, especially around weather or seasonal demand.
- Time saver
- Faster than bus/train
- Key airports
- NYU (Bagan), HEH (Inle)
- Schedules
- Reconfirm, allow a buffer
- Yangon–Bagan/Mandalay/Inle are common routes
- Reconfirm times as schedules can change
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Carry small banknotes for buses and taxis, and keep some cash as card acceptance is limited outside big hotels. Download offline maps in advance, as connectivity can be uneven. Note that Myanmar drives on the right but many cars are right-hand drive, so take care as a pedestrian and when overtaking. Check current local conditions before you travel.
- Cash
- Small notes, cards limited
- Offline maps
- Download in advance
- Roads
- Right side, many RHD cars
- Connectivity can be uneven; keep offline backups
- Check current local conditions before travelling