The cities of Yangon and Mandalay are among the most popular tourist destinations in Myanmar. Yangon, the country’s largest city and most important commercial hub, is home to the beautiful Shwedagon Pagoda and has a well-preserved colonial-era downtown. Mandalay, further north, is Myanmar’s cultural hub. Once the royal capital of the country, now you can see the restored palace, beautiful pagodas and temples and enjoy the lively atmosphere. By road, train or plane, getting from Yangon to Mandalay is quite affordable.
Travel options from Yangon to Mandalay
By road, the simplest route from Yangon to Mandalay is 625 kilometers (390 miles) and buses run throughout the day. But that’s not the only way to make this journey. Myanmar Railways operates trains between the two cities, and if money is not an issue, you can also choose to fly. Flying from Yangon to Mandalay is the most expensive option, but it’s a great way to travel if you want to get to your destination in a short time. On the other hand, the trains run at a fairly low speed, which allows you to enjoy the scenery and relax along the way.
Bus from Yangon to Mandalay
Let’s start with buses, which are the cheapest way to travel from Yangon to Mandalay. JJ Express operates an express bus and a VIP bus between the two cities and offers four daily services, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. If you choose the express service, you will be able to buy a ticket at a very affordable price and you will travel in a comfortable bus with air conditioning and hostess service, so there will be someone on the way who will be happy to answer your questions. The VIP service improves comfort with seats with individual TV and a refreshment service along the way. The only drawback is that the VIP bus ticket costs almost twice as much as the express ticket. Therefore, if you want to save some money, it may not be worth spending more on the VIP service.
Buses are a good option as they travel faster than trains. The total drive from Yangon to Mandalay takes 8.5 to 9 hours. In the morning, the VIP and Express buses depart at 9:00 AM and arrive in Mandalay around 6:00 PM. At night, the express departs at 9:00 PM and arrives in Mandalay at 5:30 AM, and the VIP bus departs at 9:30 PM and arrives at 6:00 AM. In Yangon, they depart from Aung Mingala Bus Station and arrive at Chan Mya Shwe Pyi Station in Mandalay.
Trains from Yangon to Mandalay
If you look at the opinions of travelers who have traveled from Yangon to Mandalay, you will find that most people prefer to travel by train. There is no doubt that there is something special about traveling by train, and the case of Myanmar is no exception. Trains are cheap and the price of a first class ticket can vary between the price of an express bus and a VIP bus. In addition, it is possible to travel in a compartment with a bed.
Trains from Yangon to Mandalay are operated by Myanmar Railways. Depending on the train you choose, the journey will take between 14 and 15 hours. It’s certainly not the fastest mode of transport, but if you like to admire the scenery and travel leisurely, it may be the best way to get from Yangon to Mandalay.
If you choose to travel first class, you will have a comfortable seat and be able to move around the train to stretch your legs when needed, which is quite difficult on a bus. Trains depart at 6:00 am and arrive around 9:00 pm the same day. You can also choose the night train which departs at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM and arrives in Mandalay at 5:10 AM and 7:45 AM respectively. The downside to traveling at night is that you won’t be able to enjoy the scenery as much, but you will save on the cost of a hotel night.
If you want to travel at night, you can travel in a compartment with a bed so you can lie down and get some sleep. The price of this ticket is higher, but comparable to the price of the VIP bus. If you’ve been thinking about traveling by bus, consider taking the train from Yangon to Mandalay.
The important thing to keep in mind if you decide to travel by train is that you will need to book your tickets at least 5 days in advance. We recommend making your purchase as far in advance as possible to secure your seat on the train of your choice.
Yangon to Mandalay flights
Yangon International Airport. © Michael Mong / Shutterstock.com
If you don’t have much time, trains and buses are not the best option. Then the flight from Yangon to Mandalay will suit your plans best. It’s a bit more expensive than a bus or train ticket, but if you can’t afford to spend the whole day traveling, a flight is a good idea. You can choose from several airlines, so it is not difficult to find one that suits your plans. Don’t forget to check what is included in the ticket price with each airline. The cheapest companies do not cover checked baggage, so if you are traveling with a large suitcase, check that you won’t have to pay extra for checking it.
You can choose from airlines such as Air KBZ, Air Mandalay, Asian Wings Airways, Mann Yatanarpon Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, Myanmar National Airlines and Yangon Airways.
All in all, if you’re traveling at a leisurely pace, we recommend taking the train. However, if you don’t have a lot of time and money is not an issue, flying from Yangon to Mandalay will undoubtedly be the best option.