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| Yangon
Getting Around |
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Limousine
Many hotels provide limousine services (chauffeur driven).
Cars available in Yangon range from 4 wheel drive to Japanese vehicles
like Toyota/Mitsubishi or Nissan. Airport pick up
(one-way) with a Mercedes Benz costs approximately US$20.
Rental by the hour is US$25 within the capital city of Yangon.
Taxis
The easiest way to travel not surprisingly is by taxi. Taxis
don't all have meters and only some have air-conditioning. It is
recommended to negotiate the price before starting off. Government
operated taxis have a red stripe over a blue-painted
body; however, there are many privately run taxis also available.
The condition varies widely, taped up windscreens, no dashboards
and even holes in the floor aren’t rare.
Buses
Yangon features a fleet of dilapidated buses, looking like
much larger versions of the pick-up trucks which will take you just
about anywhere within Yagon and some will even take you outside
the capital. Buses are normally operated by the state-owned Road
Transport Enterprise. Within Yangon, buses are very cramped
and travellers are not advised to use.
Public bus
services tend to be uncomfortable and unreliable.
Travellers may pay the fare in Kyat (Myanmar currency) on some specific
lines only. Due to the progressing transport privatisation programme,
a group of privately run buses are now available. The principal
lines are from Yangon to Meiktila, Pyay, Mandalay
and Taunggyi. Private buses have air-conditioning and accept
payment in kyat, FECs or US dollars.
Railways
Myanmar Railways operate trains on many routes, the
main line is from Yangon to Mandalay with travel time of
approximately 12 to 14 hours. Overnight trains offer sleeping cars.
Sufficient up-country transport is available if you have spare time;
however, seats are quite limited. There are no dining cars, so its
recommended to prepare your own food and drinks.
Tickets must be purchased through Myanmar Travel and Tours
as part of a tour group. Regular services run from Yangon to
Mandalay and from Yangon to Thazi. Also a circular rail
service operates in yangon.
Bicycles
Bicycles are provided at some hotels. However,
you may buy one and resell it before departure or bring your own,
along with any spare parts you might require, as these are even
more difficult to obtain by than the bikes themselves.
Trishaws
You can easily find Trishaws anywhere in the city apart from
some very busy locations. Trishaws are the cheapest
and most convenient mean to get through the whole city.
Motorbike
These act like taxis and haggling over the fare is necessary
before riding. In fact, almost any vehicle will gladly offer their
services if you stand by the road and look like a lost tourist.
Pick-ups
Pick-ups
double as minibuses in the capital and are inexpensive if
you are daring enough to ride in one. This is absolutely not the
way to ride around if you desire comfort but is the way to travel
if you want to move around and talk to lots of different local people.
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