January 8, 2014
Travelling through Myanmar requires one to be a bit daring when it comes to getting from place to place. Trains are rare, slow and bumpy; buses often run at inconvenient hours and can be worse than the trains; and responsible travelers should forget about taking a plane as these are costly and are usually owned by companies with close ties to the government.
Getting from place to place therefore requires voyagers to do as the locals and employ a wide range of transportation options ranging from the amusing (tricycle), to the elegant (horse and carriage, to the downright terrifying (pretty much everything).
Myanmar from place to place
Bicycle
Where:
Around Inle and Bagan
Remarks:
Biking is really the best option for exploring Bagan. Make sure to rent one with gears for the sandy areas.
Times taken: 2
Bus
Kyaikto to Mawlamyaing
Hpa-an to Taungoo
Taungoo to Meiktila
Nang shwe to Bagan
Bagan to Mandalay
Local buses are the best way to go most places even if departure and arrival times are often a bit theoretical. Try to get seats toward the front…
Times taken: 5
Horse and carriage
Pyin Oo Lwin
If only I had remembered to bring my top hat.
Times taken: 2
Long tail boat
Pyin Oo Lwin
By far the coolest way to see things especially for the long-distance runs, where you can soak in the country side from the comfort of a teak wood vessel.
Times taken: 7
Motorcycle
Mandalay
Terrifying
Times taken: 1
Pick-up truck
Kyaikto to Kipun
Kipun to the Golden rock
Meiktila to Kalaw
Around Bagan
Pyin Oo Lwin
Pick-ups generally offer 3 classes: passenger seat, truck-bed, and roof, with the third option being the most economical. Plan on sharing our seat/sitting spot with firewood, vegetables, bags and sometimes monks. Avoid the roof when travelling through the mountains.
Times taken: 5
Rice paddy boat
Hpa-an
Quaint, but rewarding
Times taken: 1
Taxi
Yangon, Mandalay (mostly for airport and bus station transfers)
There are no meters in the taxis, so you must negotiate the price before hopping in. Luckily, Myanmar people are pretty honest.
Times taken: 5
Train
Yangon to Kyaikto
Hsipaw to Pyin Oo Lwin
Very bumpy. Naturally we took ordinary class, with wooden seats and floors, and plenty of locals. We recommend that you do not do this for over 5 hours per stretch!
Times taken: 2
Tricycle
Taungoo
By far the most amusing form of transportation
Times taken: 1
Tuk-tuk
Mawlamyaing
Bilu Island
Hpa-an
Inle
Bagan
Hsipaw;
some small village back to Hsipaw
Word of advice: tuk-tuks on the highway in a mountainous region at night are probably not to be considered a safe form of travel.
Times taken: 10+
Walking
Kalaw to Inle Lake (60km)
Hsipaw to Man Loi Village (50 km)
Easily the most rewarding form of transportation.
Times taken: pretty much everywhere
We unfortunately were unable to enjoy every form of transportation Myanmar has to offer, including VIP buses (we preferred to avoid these), airplane, water buffalo (only because we couldn’t find one willing to take us), ferries, sedan chairs, horse carts, mule, or oxcart. Next time.
There are also some cool photos of other things being transported by various means, including mule, pigs on motorcycles,
We managed to enjoy a wide variety of what the country has on offer during our 28 day stay:
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