Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taxi drivers will approach you before you exit the airport terminal. The fare for a ride
from the airport to downtown Yangon is around K8000 and will take an hour (more if
coach transfers to major hotels for $10, as well as a chauffeur service.
BUS
With taxis in Yangon being such a fantastic deal, you'd really have to be pinching pen-
nies to rely on buses. They're impossibly crowded, the conductors rarely have change,
the routes are confusing and there's virtually no English, spoken or written.
If you're determined, the typical fare within central Yangon is K100 (use small bills -
bus conductors don't tend to have change). Prices often double at night, but they're still
cheap and still crowded.
TAXI
Yangon taxis are one of the best deals in Asia, despite not using a meter. Most drivers
speak at least some English (although it's advisable to have someone write out your des-
tination in Burmese) and are almost universally honest and courteous.
All licensed taxis have a visible taxi sign on the roof, but many other drivers will give
you ride for a negotiated fare. If you'd prefer to book a taxi, a service we've had recom-
mendations for is
Golden Harp
(
09 4500 19186, 09 4281 17348)
, run by ex political pris-
oners.
The following should give you idea of what to pay: a short hop (say from the Strand to
Bogyoke Market) will be K1000; double this distance will be K2000; from downtown to
Shwedagon Paya and the southern half of Bahan township will be K3000 depending on
the state of traffic; from downtown to the Inya Lake area K4000.
From downtown to either bus terminal, drivers ask for K7000 and the trip takes from
45 minutes to an hour. You can also hire a taxi for about K5000 an hour. For the entire
day, you should expect to pay $60-80, depending on the quality of the vehicle and your
negotiating skills. Be sure to work out all details before you agree to a price and itinerary.
For all types of taxi the asking fares usually leap by 30% or so after sunset and on
weekends. Late-night taxis - after 11pm or so - often cost double the day rate, mainly
because the supply of taxis is considerably lower than in the day, so the drivers are able
to charge more.
TRAIN
Yangon Circle Line
($1;
Click here
)
loops out north from Yangon to Insein, Min-
galadon and North Okkalapa townships and then back into the city.
