Grab a notebook and pen , here you will find all the advice you need to organize your DIY trip to Burma! We have included all the information collected on our trip to this splendid land. We will see together when to go, how much it costs, how to get around and we will give you some advice on possible itineraries.
Myanmar has made us lose our minds. We are in love with its people, its valleys full of pagodas and caves with thousands of Buddhas. All you have to do is take notes, find out what to see in Burma , close your backpack and leave.
When to go to Burma
The best time to go to Burma is from mid-December to mid-February . The climate is dry and with very few clouds. Blue skies were a constant on our two trips in December and January.
Around Yangon and the sea it is pleasantly warm, while inland temperatures drop especially in the evening. In the area of Inle Lake, Kalaw and Pindaya, it is cold in the evening, so much so that we recommend a heavy jacket to protect yourself, while during the day you can easily walk around in short sleeves.
In August, Burma is the monsoon season , the rainiest period of the year. The entire coastal area is not recommended, where the rains are very heavy and there is a risk of cyclones. The areas of Inle Lake and Kalaw are also very rainy. Although it is not the best period, if you want to go in August we recommend that you focus on the central plains of Mandalay, Bagan and Monywa, where the climate is drier.
An additional reason to avoid the rainiest areas in August is that roads can be significantly damaged and create problems when traveling by land.
Tourist Visa
To travel to Burma, you must obtain a visa before entering the country. The tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and allows you to travel to Myanmar for a maximum of 28 days within the 90 days of validity. It allows a single entry and is accepted both at the airport and at land borders (for a list of airports and borders where it is accepted, see the Myanmar Immigration website ).
The visa application is done online on the official website and is very simple. The cost is 50 dollars for the standard procedure (issued in 3 working days) and 56 dollars for the express procedure (issued in 24 hours).
Recommended Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccinations. For all travel we recommend contacting the International Vaccination Center of your local health authority for a free consultation. Contact them a couple of months in advance because some vaccines may require more than one booster, or may not be immediately available.
Safety
Safety in Burma will be one of the strong points of your DIY trip. The population is exceptional , available and always ready to help. It is common to be approached for the simple pleasure of conversation, out of curiosity, to practice English or even to take a selfie, without ulterior motives.
We have traveled backpacking in cities, villages, day and night, with night buses and trains and we absolutely feel like saying that it is a safe country , even for those traveling alone. Obviously it is always essential to apply the common sense indispensable for any trip and, given that unexpected events can happen everywhere, we recommend taking out travel insurance. Here you will find some advice for choosing the best travel insurance .
A separate discussion must be made about the freedom of movement in some areas of Burma. In fact, there are areas of tension between the government and local ethnic groups or independence movements, where there can be clashes. These areas are not open to tourists, or require special authorizations and to be accompanied by guides. We are talking mainly about the border areas, while in the more touristy ones there are no problems.
The problem we have experienced is that it is not always easy to understand which areas are closed, because the situation is constantly changing and the information on the internet is not always up to date. To further complicate matters, it turns out that sometimes tourists are allowed into the cities, but not into the surrounding rural areas. We therefore recommend that you check the list of prohibited areas on the official website and to be safe, always ask on the spot .
For your safety, follow the directions and don’t be smart . For example, some tourists who have ventured on their own where a guide was mandatory and have discovered at their own expense that there are still uncleared mined areas.
Money in Burma: Currency, How to Withdraw, ATM and Credit Cards
The currency of Burma is the kyat (pronounced khat). Obtaining them in Italy before departure is very difficult, so you will need to withdraw or change on the spot.
- ATMs . We had no particular problems withdrawing money. ATMs are numerous in the cities and can also be found in towns with a minimum of tourism. If you go to more remote areas, however, it is advisable to stock up on cash beforehand, or have some euros or dollars with you to change if you cannot find an ATM. Dollars can also be useful for paying for hotels, which often have prices in dollars. It is important to know that the Burmese bank applies a fixed fee of 5,000 kyat to each withdrawal and that the maximum amount that can be withdrawn is 300,000 kyat . Therefore, many small withdrawals are not recommended, better to have a few and close to the maximum. Furthermore, not all banks accept ATMs, we had to proceed by trial and error (CB Bank usually does not cause problems).
- Changing cash . You can change euros upon arrival at the airport (usually not at a good rate), at official exchange offices in cities, at banks, or at unofficial exchanges. Find out the official rate of the day so you can search through the various options for the one that comes closest to it.
- Credit card . It is often accepted, especially by hotels, although with an additional commission (3-4%). It is often possible to book and pay with Booking to bypass any problems. Remember that it is not recommended to withdraw money with a credit card, since banks usually apply much higher commissions than with ATMs.
Before leaving, remember to ask your bank if the ATM/card can be used in Burma, to enable withdrawals abroad, which are sometimes disabled for security reasons, and to find out what commissions apply. Furthermore, since there can always be a problem with an ATM (breakdown, out of cash, etc.), we recommend not waiting until you run out of cash to withdraw, but to anticipate the times a little and, if possible, to bring more than one ATM. You can find lots of advice on cards and ATMs when traveling abroad in this article of ours.
Internet and telephone
Wifi is available in almost all hotels and hostels, although the speed is not always good. You can buy a sim without any problems, with packages designed specifically for tourists (although not very cheap) and with poor coverage outside the cities. For example, our Telenor sim with 5 GB of internet cost 6500 kyat. 5 GB is not a lot, but it will be enough to consult maps and search for information during the day while waiting for a wifi. And once the data runs out it is still possible to top up.
How to dress
In every country it is essential to respect the culture and customs, even in terms of clothing. In Burma it is not usual to have bare legs , both for women and men, who often wear a longyi, a sort of long skirt, or long trousers. Even shirts that leave the shoulders uncovered or excessive necklines are not frequent. This clothing is mandatory to access temples.
So how to dress in Burma?
- Long, light trousers (or skirts) (it is practically always hot during the day).
- Short-sleeved shirts that aren’t too low-cut.
- Quick-to-remove and put-on shoes : since it is common to visit many pagodas in one day where it is mandatory to enter barefoot, this will allow you not to waste hours tying your shoes.
- Bring a sweatshirt /sweater in summer, or a heavy jacket in winter, for mountainous areas (e.g. around Inle Lake) where temperatures drop significantly in the evening.
How to get around Burma
Getting around Burma on your own is easy, especially among the most touristic destinations, whether you choose the plane, bus or train. The costs are also quite low , but this will vary a lot based on the means of transport and the class you choose. The only flaw? The roads . Super dusty and some under construction and winding (if you suffer from car sickness they are not the best).
Warning! Always carry several photocopies of your passport and visa because they can be requested at many checkpoints and remember that during the rainy season there could be problems with blocked and impassable roads. Always inform yourself beforehand.
Taxi, Grab and chauffeur-driven cars
To get around the larger cities, there are classic taxis available, but we recommend checking if it is possible to use Grab taxis because they are usually much cheaper. It is an online taxi service like Uber, where you set the starting and ending points, see the cost immediately, find the nearest driver and pay in cash. Everything is done via an app, very useful if you don’t know the language.
Be careful because you usually can’t use Grab in train stations, ferry terminals or airports, where taxis have reserved areas. You can give it a try, but the worst case scenario is that the driver will cancel the ride or ask you for another meeting point.
Grab is not suitable for visiting attractions outside the city, as there are few drivers outside the major centers. In these cases, it can be a good choice to rent a private car with a driver , which allows you to save time and guarantees maximum flexibility.
Getting around by bus
Undoubtedly the most widespread way to get around Burma. With buses you can get practically everywhere and are often the only way to reach some isolated areas.
They are generally faster than the train and being the usual means of transport for the Burmese they are also cheap . An example: bus Yangok/Kalaw 10h, about €10 per person.
Types range from minibuses, to large low-end buses without air conditioning, to VIP buses with air conditioning. The quality is quite good , with enough space, reclining seats and good cleanliness. Beware of the polar-level air conditioning: always bring a sweatshirt and scarf to cover up.
For short trips, especially between towns and the surrounding countryside, there are also small vans adapted to transport people with benches in the back. They are very cheap and easy to take: just stop them quickly when you see them.
On long journeys, night buses are very popular , practical for optimising time and also saving a night in a hotel. However, if you are a light sleeper, expect a sleepless night: we often had music at full volume for the entire journey, which, let’s say, does not help us sleep. This is also an experience, don’t you think?
Buses usually leave from the city terminal (the larger ones have more than one), which is a large square overlooked by the companies, consisting of a stand and a small spartan room where you can wait for departure. As soon as you arrive, you will be intercepted by someone who wants to help you. Obviously, he will take a tip from the company, but we recommend following him: he will take you directly to the right place. We also recommend booking the day before to ensure your seat and find out the departure time.
As an alternative to the do-it-yourself method, to book a ride you can ask the hotel if it offers this service or if it can refer you to an agency. This will save you from going to the terminal, which is usually far from the center.
Taking the Train
Traveling by train in Burma is a great way to get close to the locals , travel like them, and have some fantastic experiences . Travel times are longer than by bus and they are not as widespread, but we recommend including at least one section of it in your DIY trip.
There are three main lines , all starting from Yangon. The first one passes through Bago and the Golden Rock and then continues south. The others go north allowing you to reach Bagan, Mandalay, Lashio and the Inle Lake area.
The lines date back to the British colonial period, they have not been modernized and the trains are not among the most recent. This translates into long travel times and a fun jostling. Try it and believe it! The comfort is all in all good , especially from Yangon to Mandalay where the best trains are in service.
There are 3 classes, plus 2 sleeper classes:
- Ordinary Class . This is the cheapest class, with assigned seats and wooden seats for two people, very acceptable for even long journeys. The comfort is not top, but the experience is truly worth trying: you will live the journey like the locals, you will make friends, they will ask you for selfies, you will eat from the street vendors who pass continuously. We have always traveled in this class, even on the night train from Yangon to Mandalay. We can’t say we slept much, but we certainly had fun. An idea of price: Yangon/Mandalay 18h €2.80 per person.
- First Class . Identical to Ordinary, but with a cushion on the wooden seat. Those who chose it told us that it is not worth the price difference. Note that it is not available on all trains.
- Upper Class . This is the most expensive class, with padded seats in the style of buses. On the main Yangon/Mandalay line it is quite comfortable and clean, while on the secondary lines the standard is lower. Yangon/Mandalay route 18h 6€.
- Upper Class Sleeper regular . On night trains you can take a comfortable 2 or 4 bed sleeper. Pillows and sheets are provided, but we recommend you cover yourself well because the temperature drops a lot at night, especially in winter. Yangon/Mandalay route 18h 8€.
- Upper Class Sleeper special . Only on some trains there is this special class where you will have a “private room” for 4 people with a private bathroom that takes up the entire width of the carriage. Maximum privacy, but it is not possible to have access to the other carriages.
The Burmese railway company does not have a website where you can buy tickets and even booking at the station is done manually by writing the passengers on the registers and filling out the ticket by hand.
So how to buy train tickets in Burma? The option we prefer is the do-it-yourself one, that is, directly at the station and without intermediaries. We give you some useful advice
- Buying tickets is very simple. Just go to the ticket office at the station, ask for the timetable and price for your destination (not all stations have English boards) and pay in Kyat.
- Remember to bring your original passport, it will be requested.
- You can only buy tickets for trains that stop at that station, not for other routes.
- Reservations for ordinary class open the day before departure, while for upper class 3 days before. Seats in upper class (especially sleeper) are limited, so buy them as soon as possible, while in ordinary it is not a problem to buy them even on the same day.
- In Yangon, tickets for trains departing on the same day are sold at the station, while to purchase them in advance you need to go to this booking office .
The other option is to go to agencies or sites like 12goasia . Remember that since there is no computer system to book trains in Burma, all you will do is send an order to these agencies, who will then go in person to buy the ticket as soon as they open for sales and will bring it to your hotel. Obviously in exchange for a small commission.
Internal flights
It is a very popular means of transport for those who have only a few days available, especially the routes that connect Yangon to Mandalay and Bagan. In some cases it is also the only way to reach certain cities where it is forbidden for tourists to reach them by land.
In our travels we try to fly as little as possible , both because it is not the most ecological choice, and to gain more experience in the country that hosts us. We also found internal flights quite expensive for low-cost travellers (Yangon/Mandalay €70).
It is certainly the fastest option for long distances, but it is not guaranteed that it will save time for visits compared to taking a train or night bus, a lot depends on the time. For example, a flight in the middle of the day can still waste a lot of time to reach the airport with the right amount of time in advance.
Rent a scooter
Perfect choice to explore a location with maximum freedom and at a low price (6/10€). As mentioned above, tourists cannot move freely in all areas of Myanmar, so be well informed. For example, in Yangon it is forbidden to drive a scooter and in Bagan only electric ones are allowed, while we absolutely recommend it for exploring the things to see in Hpa-an .
Always check the condition of the scooter upon delivery, always wear a helmet and go slowly! Road conditions are often not great and can suddenly get worse.
How much does it cost to travel to Burma on your own?
Burma is a cheap country , especially if you travel on your own. As you know, on our one-way trip we had a budget of €10 per day per person and, unlike other countries, it was difficult to stick to it. This is because even though it is cheap, there are several things that can increase expenses. Let’s look at the costs in detail.
- Internal flights . They are very expensive, from 70 to over 100€ for the Yangon/Mandalay route, another reason to avoid them.
- Excursions and trekking . Surely the most important expenses in a trip to Burma after flights. As mentioned above, in some areas the guide is mandatory and a multi-day trek can cost 25/30 € per day per person. Very reasonable expense given that it includes guide, food and overnight stay, but high for our budget. It is important to select the activity that interests you the most.
- Entrance fees to tourist and religious sites. Another expensive item compared to the local cost of living. Tickets for the Golden Rock and the Shwedagon Pagoda cost 10,000 kyat (about €6), while to enter some areas such as Bagan and Inle Lake you have to pay 25,000 kyat (about €16) and 12,500 kyat (€8) respectively. Luckily, the less touristy attractions cost much less. In fact, many pagodas are free and, being little known, are also almost deserted.
- Sleeping . Always choosing hostels and guesthouses we spent from 4 to 8€ per person. Remember that in Myanmar it is not allowed to use Couchsurfing.
- Eating . Absolutely the cheapest thing: you can eat easily for 0.5/1€ in local restaurants or street food.
- Transport . These are also very cheap: the Yangon/Mandalay night train ranges from €2.80 to €8, while for buses we can roughly say an average of €1 per hour of travel.
In total, excluding the days we volunteered in Burma and considering that we didn’t take any internal flights or go trekking, we managed to stay within the budget of €10 per person per day.
Burma Itinerary 10 days
Burma is not just a country to visit, but to live . With little time available we recommend a do-it-yourself itinerary that focuses on a few things, rather than seeing too much and badly. This can be an example.
Day 1 : Arrive Yangon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset
Day 2 : Visit Yangon and overnight bus to Bagan
Day 3 : Excursion to visit Mount Popa and return to Bagan
Day 4 : Sunrise in Bagan and visit the site
Day 5 : Visit Bagan and transfer to Mandalay in the afternoon
Day 6 : Visit Mandalay
Day 7 : Visit Mandalay surroundings (eg Amarapura, Mingun, Sagaig), overnight bus to Inle Lake
Day 8 : Visit Inle Lake
Day 9 : Visit Inle Lake surroundings (eg Inn Dein or Kakku), overnight bus to Yangon
Burma Itinerary 15 days or two weeks
With 2 weeks, you can add a trek from Kalaw through hills and small villages to Inle Lake to the 10-day itinerary. Alternatively, you can replace the trek with 3 days at the seaside in Ngapali.
Day 1 : Arrive in Yangon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset
Day 2 : Visit Yangon and night bus to Bagan
Day 3 : Excursion to visit Mount Popa and return to Bagan
Day 4 : Sunrise in Bagan and visit the site
Day 5 : Visit Bagan and transfer to Mandalay in the afternoon
Day 6 : Visit Mandalay
Day 7 : Visit the surroundings of Mandalay (eg Amarapura, Mingun, Sagaig), night bus to Kalaw
Day 8 : Book the trek, arrange with a driver to go to the Pindaya caves the next day and visit the village
Day 9 : Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw
Day 10/11/12 : Trekking with arrival at Inle Lake
Day 13 : Visit Inle Lake
Day 14 : Visit the surroundings of Inle Lake (eg Inn Dein or Kakku), night bus to Yangon
Burma Itinerary 20 days
We add some real gems to the 15-day itinerary: Bago, the famous Golden Rock and the little-known village of Hpa-An with its caves studded with Buddhas, sunsets over the river and sunrise on the summit of Mount Zwekabin.
Day 1 : Arrive Yangon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset
Day 2 : Bus to Bago and visit
Day 3 : Bus from Bago to Golden Rock and visit at sunset
Day 4 : Bus from Golden Rock to Hpa-An
Day 5 : Visit Hpa-An
Day 6 : Visit Hpa-An
Day 7 : Bus to Yangon
Day 8 : Visit Yangon and overnight bus to Bagan Day 9: Excursion to visit Mount Popa and return to Bagan Day 10: Sunrise in Bagan and visit the site Day 11: Visit Bagan and transfer in the afternoon to Mandalay Day 12: Visit Mandalay Day 13: Visit Mandalay surroundings (e.g. Amarapura, Mingun, Sagaig), overnight bus to Kalaw
Day 14 : Book the trek, arrange with a driver to go to Pindaya caves the next day and visit the village Day
15 : Visit Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day
16 : Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 17: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 18: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 19: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw
Day 20: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 21 : Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 22: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw
Day 23 : Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw
Day 24 : Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw
Day 25: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 26: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 27: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 28: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 29: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 30: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw Day 31 : Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Kalaw
Day 32: Visit the Pindaya caves and return to Ka 16/17 : trekking with arrival at Inle Lake
Day 18 : visit Inle Lake
Day 19 : visit the surroundings of Inle Lake (e.g. Inn Dein or Kakku), night bus to Yangon
