How to Travel From Yangon to Bagan - South African Tourist Guides

There are different ways to get from the vibrant capital of Yangon to mystical temples of Bagan (which recently recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site) for travelers to choose from. Depending on your interest and the kind of experience you are looking for, our Vietnamtravels.co.za has some suggestions for you.

Train from Yangon to Bagan

The train ride takes 17 hours but it does not mean it should be avoided or so. The ride takes tourists through several rural areas providing an authentic insight to Burmese life as well as remarkable lush scenery that can only be seen from the train.

Myanmar Railways is the sole service provider. Overnight trains normally leave Yangon in the afternoon (around 4 p.m) and arrive in Bagan the next morning after 10 a.m.

Train in Burma comes with many classes from the ordinary with hard seats to upper class with soft reclining seats and the local luxury class with sleeping berths.

Most of foreign visitors choose the upper-class sleeper cabin ticket category which costs around R840 ($60USD) and available in the advanced booking. If you are travelling in group with your friends or family, this is definitely the best choice as you can have the whole compartment for yourself. Otherwise, you can take the soft reclining seat for the most comfortable and cheaper price than the sleeper cabin.

Sleeper cabin on Myanmar train

The train ticket can be booked online or bought on spot at the train station but usually does not include the sleeper option (seating only). As such, a pre-arranged ticket via a travel agent is recommended. Ticket price is exclusive of food and beverage. Tourists can buy food and drinks on board with extra fees. To be noted that, this train ride has no air conditioning (ceiling fans only and fresh air from the open windows) so it is better to dress for the temperature.

The ride finishes at Bagan Railway Station which is 4 kilometers from Nyaung U. 

Soft reclining seats on Myanmar train

Flight from Yangon to Bagan

If you are not a fan of long hours sitting on a bumpy ride, catching a flight from Yangon to Bagan can be considered as the best choice for you. Air travel is certainly more expensive regardless of the airline and booking time, the fare ranges from R1,300 to R2,800 ($95USD - $200USD). The considerable high fare comes with significant comfort in comparison with the train or bus ride.

Direct flights only take less than one hour and a half. There are several airlines offering this route including Air KBZ, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Man Yatanarpon Airlines, Myanmar National Airline, Yangon Airways, etc.

Opting for this option, one must think of the time to be at the airport as well as transfer method from hotel to airport and vice versa. It takes a bit more time to plan ahead in accordance with the flight but surely worth the effort once you get to Bagan in a pleasant condition.

Furthermore, you will have to pay for the Bagan Archaeological Zone Fee of 25,000MMK (R300) when you exit the terminal. And there is no ATMs and exchange services at the airport so that make sure you have enough local currency at hand. See more tips on Myanmar currency and money exchange.

Bus from Yangon to Bagan

Departing from Aung Mingalar Bus Station in Yangon, a bus ride to Bagan Shwe Pyi Bus station often takes nine to ten hours. For this route, taking the bus is the most common method of transport for foreign travelers. A bus ride from Yangon to Bagan saves lots of money compared with the aircraft and also outweighing the train ride in terms of facilities and duration.

JJ Express Bus and Bagan Min Tha are reputable companies that make the trip with abundant of amenities like pillows, light blankets, snacks, steward service, and wifi.

There are two options between a day-trip and a night-trip to choose from. Due to the length of this ride, many people choose to have an overnight trip to save a night at the hotel and not to waste the day time (for sightseeing and other tourist activities of course).

One negative point of the bus is the loud Burmese music and movies turned on until midnight that somehow might annoy travelers especially light sleeper or sensitive to noise. It is advisable for an overnight trip to pay a bit more for a VIP bus as it provides more relaxation and luxurious experience. 

Facilities inside JJ Express bus - a Myanmar VIP bus company

Tickets are available online. Mentioned bus companies often sell out their tickets very quickly so make sure to plan ahead a certain time to reserve your expected seats. Once you have the ticket, think of the way you get to the station. A small tip is to take a taxi then inform the driver name of the bus company so he/she can drop you off at the right place as the bus station is big which might take more time to find the right bus to get on. 

The price for a bus ride from Yangon to Bagan is around R280 ($18 - $20USD) for a one way ticket.

» NOTE:

• Bring along light jacket as the bus get freezing at night and the blanket is not enough.
• The bus will make several stops during the ride for passengers to stretch the legs, have some snacks or dink and go to the toilets.

Above are some travel transportation which are commonly used to travel from Yangon to Bagan. Each transportation has its own interest and no matter which one you choose, it is still promising to bring you the convenient, safe and unforgettable experience. Therefore, don't hesitate to grab your backpack to visit this beautiful golden land.