World Country Guide

Travel - Internal

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 British Embassy in London bans its staff from using Myanmar Airways for this reason; although the staff do use Myanmar Airways International. Air Mandalay and Air Yangon 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. For tickets and information, contact Myanmar Travel and Tours (see Contact Addresses section).

Internal flight times
From Yangon to Mandalay is two hours 10 minutes; to Pagan is one hour 30 minutes; and to Heho is one hour 25 minutes.

Sea/River
The best way of seeing Myanmar is by boat, particularly between Bhamo–Mandalay and Mandalay–Pagan. Myanmar has about 8000km (5000 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.

Rail
Myanmar Railways provide services on several routes, the principal line being Yangon to Mandalay (travel 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 4300km (2700 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 through Myanmar Travel and Tours 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.

Road
Traffic drives on the right. There has been some modernisation of Myanmar’s once antiquated vehicles. 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 are available for hire. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. This must be presented to the police, who will endorse it or issue a visitor’s licence. Otherwise, Burmese driving licences, valid for two years, are issued without test on production of a valid British driving licence and payment of a fee of 50 FEC/150 Kyat.

Urban
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.