| Myanmar
Travel - Internal |
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 AIR |
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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.
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 2 hours 10 minutes
Yangon
to Pagan is 1 hour 30 minutes
Yangon
to Heho is 1 hour 25 minutes |
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| SEA/RIVER |
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| 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 organized tour group. It is generally necessary to provide one’s
own food. |
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| RAIL |
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Myanmar Railways
provide services on several routes, the principal line being
Yangon to Mandalay (travel time – 12-14 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 organized tour group. There are regular services from
Yangon to Mandalay and from Yangon to Thazi. |
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| ROAD |
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Traffic drives on the
right. There has been some modernization of Myanmar’s once
antiquated vehicles.
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 privatization 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: An International
Driving Permit is required. This must be presented to
the police, who will endorse it or issue a visitor’s license. |
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| URBAN |
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| 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. |
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