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Travel to Myanmar isn’t possible right now.
Contents
Military Coup – February 2021
As of 1st February 2021, Myanmar’s military staged a coup d’etat after the National League for Democracy (NLD) party won the election for the second time. Senior party members, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, were detained in the capital, Naypyidaw. Tanks are on the streets, and lines of communication across the country are down. Civilians are being murdered every day.
This is not the time to visit Myanmar when the country is in a state of emergency.
Other ways to keep up to date on the situation:
- On Al Jazeera’s new feed
- BBC World News detailed coverage and background to the events.
- On-the-ground updates can be found on Myanmar Now.
Cost of Travel in Myanmar
One of the main questions I am asked about my time living, working and travelling around Southeast Asia is, “How much does it cost to travel in Myanmar?” and exactly how much money I ended up spending there in one month. It’s something that seems to be one of the main concerns about travelling here, there since it’s not as trodden as other areas in the region.
In reality, those who shout grand figures are scaremongering (or living in luxury) since Myanmar is not as expensive as you may think.
Myanmar Daily Budget for Travel
How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Myanmar – Budget Trip Tips Guide
Average Daily Costs in Myanmar
- Myanmar costs on average of $35 per day, including food and drink.
Travel in Myanmar does depend on the type of traveller you are. Whilst I was happy to crash in a dorm or share a room with a random traveller I met on the bus to split the cost, many preferred the comfort of having a room to themselves or the indulgence that came with the more premium hotels. However, as the latter are government military-owned, it brings in the whole other debate of responsible travel.
Costs of Accommodation in Myanmar
- The average cost of a low-budget hotel room in Myanmar is $25.
- A bed in a dorm is approximately $10.
Food and drink costs will obviously vary from person to person, and whether you can split the costs amongst a group, and it’s likely your alcohol budget will decrease here seeing as there is a distinct lack of night-life in the towns and cities. However, should you wish to unwind, beer is relatively cheap at approximately $2 a bottle.
Cost of Food and Drink in Myanmar
- Food and drink in Myanmar can fall within a reasonable $10 per day budget.
Myanmar Cost Planning
Myanmar costs can be low when you spend local and your money is also in better hands. As a budget guide to Myanmar, I have listed my main daily costs below to highlight how backpacking travel here can be done just as cheaply as in any other country in South East Asia.
Rough conversations for the Kyat to the dollar when dealing with a transport or tour related transaction is around 1,600 kyat to the dollar (as of the last quarter of 2018). When I was travelling, the exchange rate was around 800-900 kyat to the dollar, and they rounded the conversion to 1 dollar = 1,000 kyat. So, when a room for the night was $25, they typically asked for 25,000 kyats, rather than working to an official exchange rate. I was losing a small chunk each time but ’rounding up’ is typically the way things are calculated here.
Most locals are happy to accept kyat instead of dollars if you are running low, but you will be paying more – so if the current exchange rate is approximately just under 1600 kyat to the dollar, many will simply round your dollar up to a straight 1,600 kyat.
Generally, all accommodation rates and buses (if booked from your hotel) are paid in dollars, which is the best means to pay where possible. Local transport links and the hire of guides and motos are paid for in Kyat, as is food, drink and local purchases such as street food and at the markets.
For ease of reference, I have converted all Kyat transactions below to dollars. I have also included the names of the guesthouses and hotels I used, all of which I recommend and would use again – single room rates are listed, unless otherwise stated.
The Lonely Planet Myanmar is one of the best guidebooks for Myanmar and was my go-to aid, serving as a good resource for planning and for contacts details to pre-arrange accommodations etc.
READ MORE: A Comprehensive Guide to Travelling in Myanmar
How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Each Myanmar Destination?
Local Trains – One Form of Budget Travel in Myanmar
Yangon
- Taxi from airport to city centre
- $10
- Motherland Inn guesthouse per night
- $10 (dorm) $25 (room)
- Taxi within the city centre – the average journey
- $1.50
Mawlamyine
- Bus from Yangon to Mawlamyine
- $10
- Tuk tuk to the guesthouse
- $1
- Breeze Guesthouse per night
- $25 (shared by 2)
- Moto driver guide/moto hire
- $7
Dawei
- Bus from Malaymine to Dawei
- $13
- Tuk tuk to the guesthouse
- $1
- Coconut Bungalows Guesthouse per night
- $20 (shared by 2)
- Hire of moto for a day tour
- $7
Myeik
- Bus from Dawei to Myeik
- $6
- Tuk tuk to town centre/guesthouse
- $4.50
- Kyal Pyan Hotel per night
- $40 (shared by 2)
- Flight from Myeik to Yangon
- $140
Kalaw
- Bus from Yangon to Kalaw
- $11
- Golden Lily Guesthouse per night
- $7
- Three days, two-night trek to Inle Lake
- $50
Inle Lake
- Aquarius Inn Guesthouse per night
- $12 (single rate)
- Full-day boat your
- $15 (per boat)
Find hostels in Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe)
Book a hotel in Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe)
Bagan
- Bus from Inle Lake to Bagan
- $11
- New Park Guesthouse per night
- $20 (single rate)
Mandalay
- Bus from Bagan to Mandalay
- $9
- Nylon Hotel
- $20 (shared by 2)
- $15 (single rate)
- Bus from Pyin Oo Lywn to Mandalay
- $1.50
- Transfer bus to Mandalay airport
- $4
Hsipaw
- Bus from Mandalay to Hsipaw
- $6
- Mr Charles Guesthouse
- $10 (single) $7 (shared by 2)
- Half-day trek/half-day boat trip
- $18
Pyin Oo Lywn
- Train from Hsipaw to Pyin Oo Lywn
- $3
- Golden Dream Guesthouse
- $7 (shared by 2)
- Bus from Pyin Oo Lywn to Mandalay
- $1.50
The cost of travelling in Myanmar is only as expensive as you make it.
If you are happy to relinquish the need for home comforts, ultimate luxury and grand meals for a few days or weeks, and are willing to embrace living more simply and locally, then travel in the country is not out of reach of the average traveller’s budget.
Some of my best experiences were on local transport and residential street food stalls, and I can’t wait to go back, even if the prices do slightly increase.
Myanmar Tour Costs
Due to time or the fact you want a little more organisation in a country that can be more difficult to navigate in comparison to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam on the more trodden Southeast Asia Path, then you may be considering a small group tour in Myanmar or which includes Myanmar on a longer Asia itinerary.
Myanmar tour costs can vary depending on how many days and what extra activities you factor in (on top of what is already included in the itinerary), but budget for around $1800 – a total that typically includes all accommodation, some meals, all transportation between each destination, including the internal flight, site visits and guided tours, as well as the hill-tribe trek.
A budget to factor in if you want extra peace of mind.
Myanmar Budget Tips – Pin It!
Gill says
I’m heading to Yangon and Bagan tomorrow and the info as a rough guide was very helpful. Thankyou.
Becki says
I can’t determine how much people should bring with them, and what they spend as an individual, although you should always bring enough money to cover emergencies or if your card doesn’t work at the ATM. So, I would say you need to bring more than $300, especially as accommodation can get expensive. This guide is here to help you estimate average day-by-day costs and getting between cities.
All buses can be booked from your hotel/accommodation provider, who can also advise bus times so that you can go to the station beforehand and purchase a ticket directly. Local operators /small travel agents sell plane tickets.
Patricia Weg says
Hi Becki, I will be going by myself to Burma, lots of questions hope you can answer them.
I will arrive into Yangon from Mumbai India, want to stay 2 days, where can I book a flight to Bagan go to Inle Lake then Mandalay, trying to search for airfare or buses where do I start? really need your help hope you answer me. Thank you. Patricia
Becki says
Internal flights and buses can be booked from agents in each city. Your accommodation can point you in the right direction of outlets selling tickets.