So you have booked your trip to Myanmar, now what? There are a few things you might want to know before boarding your flight. Below, I answer some of the most frequently asked questions and give you some tips to help you prepare your trip to Southeast Asia’s most adventurous country.
Ready? Here are 23 things to know when traveling to Myanmar.
- Do I need a Visa to enter Myanmar?
- How to get around Myanmar?
- What to wear in Myanmar?
- Do Locals speak English?
- How to deal with currency in Myanmar?
- How expensive is traveling to Myanmar?
- Is Wifi available everywhere?
- What sort of plugs do I need for Myanmar?
- My final tips for traveling to Myanmar
- How expensive is traveling to Myanmar?
Do I need a Visa to enter Myanmar?
Unless you are a citizen of one of the few eligible visa-exempt countries, you will need to apply for an E-visa before traveling to Myanmar. It’s an easy process. You just need to feel out a quick application form online and pay a fee (You will need a credit card for that). The visa will be sent to your email within a few hours. A 28 days visa costs $50 and is valid 90 days from the date of issue. Note that a passport valid for 6 months is required for entry into Myanmar.
➵ Order you visa online here
How to get around Myanmar?
▪ Domestic flights in Myanmar are quite expensive. Depending on the route, a one-way ticket costs around €90 – €130.
▪ We traveled around Myanmar by bus, and in order to save time and money, we sometimes used overnight buses when distances between destinations were huge. Buses were comfortable and usually ran on time.
▪ Bus ticket prices range from K12000 (€7) to K25000 (€15) for longer journeys.
▪ Use 12go to book your bus ticket online or simply ask the front desk staff of the hotel you are staying at to order one for you.
▪ When purchasing a bus ticket online, the price of the ticket may differ from the price offered by the travel agency or the hotel. The prices may actually be higher on internet.
▪ Except in Yangon, transport companies offer free pick-up.
▪ Aung Mingalar is the main bus station in Yangon and is located far from downtown. The bus station is huge, a total mess and full of people who try to scam tourists. Ask your taxi driver to drop you off at the office of the bus company you are traveling with. If for some reason he does not, then the best thing you can do to avoid scammers and not miss your bus is to get in any bus agency and ask the staff for directions.
What to wear in Myanmar?
Overall, men wear whatever they want, but women need to dress more conservatively. To all the ladies out there: pack modest clothes that will cover your shoulders and knees. Also, don’t forget your flipflop, it will come in handy when you visit the temples.
Do Locals speak English?
While hotel receptionists can speak some English, most Burmese people don’t. Be patient and don’t hesitate to use body language.
h2>How to deal with currency in Myanmar? ▪ The kyat, pronounced “chat” is the official currency of Myanmar.
▪ In 2019, $1≃ MMK1500
▪ ATMs that accept international bank and credit cards are found everywhere.
▪ Withdrawals are limited to MMK 300,000 each time. There is a withdrawal fee of MMK6500.
▪ Make sure that you have enough cash on you. Only large hotels and some travel agencies accept international credit card payment.
▪ US dollar bills taken to Myanmar must be in perfect condition.
▪ You can use US dollar to pay for hotels and cultural/historical sites.
How expensive is traveling to Myanmar?
Myanmar is not an expensive destination. You can spend as little or as much money you want. We were in Myanmar for a total of 28 days and spent around € 2,200. This amount includes activities, admission fees, accommodation, food, withdrawal fees, and transport (flight tickets not included) for both of us. If you apply our budget to a 2-week trip, it should cost you about 1,100 euros, or 1,500 euros for 3 weeks – and don’t forget, that’s for two people. If you are traveling alone and sleeping in hostels, you will definitely save some money.
Is Wifi available everywhere?
Wifi is available at many hotels, hostels, and also at some restaurants, and cafes across the country, but it’s not always fast. If you want to stay connected, you may want to consider getting a Simcard, which comes as cheap as K2,500. I recommend you to buy it at the airport as you will probably need to check Google Maps to get to your hotel.
What sort of plugs do I need for Myanmar?
There are four associated plug types in Myanmar: type C, D, F, and G. Do yourself a favor and buy a travel adaptor before traveling to Myanmar.
My final tips for traveling to Myanmar
▪ When visiting Yangon, be wary of accepting anything for free. Sadly, there are scammers everywhere.
▪ Don’t bring up politics with locals, they might feel uncomfortable talking about this topic.
▪ Don’t buy fruits that have been peeled or sliced. They are exposed to strong sun. Don’t drink fruit shakes even if it’s tempting. I can tell you from my own experience that you can get sick.
▪ If you eat street food always eat where locals eat.
▪ Blackouts are common in Myanmar. Get a flashlight or a headlamp.
▪ Bring your own toilet paper. Public restrooms don’t bother providing it.
▪ Traveling to Myanmar during the water festival is such a funny experience. In case you don’t know, the Water Festival is a Buddhist celebration that falls in mid-April and celebrated over a period of five days. So if you happen to be in Myanmar during this time, restaurants and other businesses may be closed, and transportation limited. But that’s not to say you should avoid visiting during the Water Festival. Go have fun with the locals!
I hope you enjoyed this Myanmar travel tips. If you have any questions or tips, scroll down and leave me a comment.
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