There are many cities to discover when visiting Southeast Asia, but two of the most striking are Bangkok and Yangon. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a city that never sleeps. Its bustling streets feature markets and food stalls lined with amazing temples, parks and palaces. Though smaller than Bangkok, Yangon is also a large and bustling city. Until 2006, it was the administrative capital of Myanmar, and is now the commercial capital of the country. It is adorned with spectacular pagodas and its colonial center is very well preserved with the largest number of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia. Both cities have similarities, but both are worth visiting to experience their culture first hand.
Border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar near Mae Sot, Thailand © Karasev Victor / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Bangkok to Yangon
Traveling by road, the shortest road route from Bangkok to Yangon is 830 kilometers, so the distance between the two cities is quite a distance. While traveling from Bangkok to Yangon is possible by road, keep in mind that you will be crossing an international border from Thailand to Myanmar (more details below). It’s not a particularly complicated process, but it can make your journey longer. Perhaps the best option is to fly from Bangkok to Yangon. It is much faster than the road and tickets can be found at reasonable prices.
From Bangkok to Yangon by taxi
Thinking of taking a taxi for a 830-mile journey may seem a bit odd, but it’s actually not crazy. You can book a private taxi through the travel website 12Go.asia travel with glassflower taxi company. They have a 9 seater van to pick you up from your hotel in Bangkok and take you to your hotel in Yangon. For convenience, it is an ideal option, because you do not have to worry about getting to the train station or airport, and instead enjoy convenient door-to-door service.
You will wonder what is the cost of choosing a taxi. Paying for the entire vehicle is an expensive option, but if you’re traveling with friends or family, you can split the cost between everyone. If you’re traveling from Bangkok to Yangon with nine people, the individual price will be lower than many airline tickets, so it’s not an option that should be ruled out in advance.
It is clear that the main disadvantage is the time it takes to get to your destination. The allotted time is 15 hours, including stops to stretch your legs, use the toilet, eat something and cross the border. When it comes to crossing the border, find out well before you start your journey. Make sure you meet the requirements to enter Myanmar. Depending on your country of origin, you may be able to get an electronic visa in advance.
The best thing about traveling by road is that you can enjoy amazing landscapes. You will pass through several national parks, and passing through small towns and cities, you will be able to get an idea of what life is like for the people of Thailand and Myanmar, which you cannot enjoy from an airplane.
By bus from Bangkok to Yangon
Ticket offices at Mo Chit Bus Terminal, Bangkok © Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock.com
If you like the idea of traveling by road and don’t mind planning a bit more independently, you might want to consider a bus trip from Bangkok to Yangon. It is a less comfortable alternative to a taxi, but much cheaper. First you need to get to Bangkok’s North Bus Station, in Morchit. There you would have to take a bus to Mae Sot, a border town in Thailand. VIP buses are the best option as they cover this part of the tour in 8 hours, while standard buses can take up to 11 hours.
There are 4 kilometers from Mae Sot bus station to the border, which can be done by motorbike or tuk-tuk. After crossing the border to Myawaddy village, you will have to walk or find a means of transport that will take you to the bus station to continue your journey. The roads are in better condition than they were a few years ago, so the ride is not as bumpy as you may have heard. Still, it’s a slow journey and you’ll have to endure another 12 hours before you reach your destination. If we add to this the time needed to reach the border, it turns out that this is a trip that not everyone will want to do in this way.
Bangkok to Yangon flights
Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia at Don Mueang Airport north of Bangkok © Camera_Bravo / Shutterstock.com
Because the journey takes so long, the option that tourists usually choose to get from Bangkok to Yangon is by plane. Several flights depart daily from both Bangkok airports, both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Since there are many airlines operating on this route, competition helps keep prices reasonably low.
If you want to find the cheapest tickets, it’s best to fly from Don Mueang Airport, as low-cost airlines operate from here. Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai AirAsia offer multiple daily flights from Bangkok to Yangon, with scheduled flight times ranging from 45 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
Thai Airways’ Suvarnabhumi Airport is a hub for almost all long-haul flights from Bangkok
If you want a more comfortable seat on the plane, choose a flight from Suvarnabhumi. The planes are bigger and tickets contain 20 kilograms of checked baggage, which is not offered by low-cost airlines. From Suvarnabhumi you can fly with Thai Smile, Myanmar National Airlines, Bangkok Air or Thai Airways. Tickets will be more expensive, but if you book in advance and are flexible with departure dates and times, you can find good deals.