Travel | Going In and Out Yangon, Myanmar

Inside Yangon International Airport

Myanmar has opened its doors to the international community. It is now among the top Southeast Asian countries to visit that attracted more than 4.6 million tourists in 2015. It is more than a million tourist arrivals from the previous year that entered the country via land, sea and air.

It is in my bucket list to visit the country doing a Thailand - Myanmar entry since there is no direct flight yet from the Philippines to Myanmar. The options I considered doing this travel is by land and air. However, browsing the internet of how the entry from Bangkok to Yangon be done is a bit time consuming. For atraveler like me, spending around 2 to 3 days in a country, it will be impractical to do the land travel. The other option I have is flying by a budget airline, it is just an hour fly from Bangkok to Yangon. I have chosen to fly round trip, by then, I am all set for the travel!

Yangon International Airport is new, huge and pleasantly carpeted. Airport staff are courteous but a bit unable to express themselves in English. The only option to take from airport to the downtown area is to ride a taxi. Oh no, I really am thinking of doing a train or bus to save a bit from a tight budget of around US$60. (Exchange rate that time is 1228 Kyats: US$1) My US$60 is exchanged to almost 74,000 Kyats. Well, I have no choice but to take the taxi since a train option will be impossible since, according to the airport staff, no train service during night time.

Reading some online reviews, yes, taxi is the only option from the airport that will cost around 8,000 to 10,000 Kyats or somewhere US$10. There are buses but only those who booked for a tour in the city. Backpacker as I am, D-I-Y is the game. So, upon exiting the airport, there are those taxis in queue somewhere at the rightmost part of the airport. However, a "taxi driver" approached me and said he is an official airport taxi driver. I followed. He then said that US$50 to the downtown - it is a sh%@! I politely declined then he asked me how much I can give, I only said 10,000 Kyats and repeatedly said 10,000 Kyats. I even bargained more to 8,000 Kyats but we settled with 10,000 Kyats. I really am not feeling good with it since he brought me to the parking space where his car is parked - therefore, not really a taxi driver but an opportunist. Then, I saw the queue of taxis and thought I should have been there. LOL

The driver speaks in English but not that clear. Well, we still manage to do the conversation while going towards my hostel. I am seated in front at the left side of the car since cars in Myanmar are mostly right-hand drive. Gladly, i arrived safely in my hostel at La Thar (La Tha) Township.

Train in Yangon, Myanmar

Then, I stayed for 2 days in Yangon, Myanmar. I actually saw the train station! I tried to ask how much it is from the station towards the station near the airport but they can't entertain me. Oh well, failed. LOL

My budget is surviving...

Instruction from La Tha Road to Yangon International Airport

I asked the help of my hostel receptionist on how to get to the airport from where we are. Aung-Aung, the name of the receptionist, is kind enough to write me the instructions in English and in Burmese. The bus option I can have is either bus number 51 and 135. He then said, I should get off at the '10 Miles' Bus Stop. I constantly asked if the bus stop is the final stop, and he frequently answered me with "YES". He also informed me that the fare is around 200-300 Kyats.

Bus 135 from La Tha Road to the Airport

On board the bus, I paid for my fare with 1,000 Kyats and got a change of 300 Kyats. I did not argue anymore that my change is lacking since I cannot understand them. The bus ride is just an hour from La Tha Road to the airport. I frequently watch my map and observe the road we pass - great to know we are on track. Then, we pass the arch saying "Yangon International Airport" and I keep on looking where the bus stop is. Oh well, it is not really a bus stop.

The bus stopped a kilometer away from where I saw the arch and it is not the final stop. I walked and upon arriving to the airport arch, I saw the 10 Miles but not really a bus stop. One should take note of the arch and stop any point after the arch.

From the arch, almost a kilometer walk is still to expect towards the airport. Oh yes, I am going back to Bangkok and catch the trip to Ayutthaya. It is a great experience in and out Yangon, Myanmar. Thank you for the experience!

I hope you'll share your story too here in my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Travel | First 5 Things I Observed in Yangon, Myanmar

Scwhedagon Pagoda

Myanmar is known to be the land of golden pagodas. Very scenic at night and the pagodas are well lit that make it more vibrant. Yet, Myanmar isn't just about those pagodas; there are things you will observe and will catch your interest.

First and foremost, prior my visit to Yangon, I just want to see in person the Scwhedagon Pagoda - that massive, vibrant golden pagoda. It is like the profile photo of Yangon in Myanmar. Yangon is the former capital and serves as the main gateway for international flights to Myanmar. On my visit, I notice things, small interesting things that will make you think of visiting Myanmar is a must in your bucket list. Thus, here I share the first five (5) things that caught my attention.

Birds on Electric Wires

First, upon checking the streets of Yangon, somewhere in Lathar township, it can be observed that the city has a lot of birds. Yes, you will see crows and pigeons at the electric wires. They fly freely from one post to another; from one building to another; and from trees to another. Fairly, the birds are not disturbed with the existence of buildings and people around.

Single Tricycle

Second, I have seen cute tricycle. Cute as it can accommodate single passenger and you will be a bit intimate with the driver. I am not sure if it is only in Yangon where to see such mode of transportation. Other transportation options in Yangon are the buses, taxis and train. I only have tried the taxi from the airport to my hostel and bus from my hostel to the airport. I have seen their train station but seldom English speakers are there and so I haven't attempted to ride in it going to the airport. Accordingly to the receptionist from my hostel, the train is very slow.

Male with Thanaka

Woman with Thanaka

Third, the thanaka on the faces. At first, I thought that what they put on their faces are white powder not properly spread like a foundation. I am surprised that it is spread not only on the face but also in their arms. Both men and women apply it. Some are put artistically, while others, I think, just put it on their faces just to put something. I am clueless actually about it and I am able to know about it after asking the hostel receptionist. He even thought if I wanted to buy. LOL

Male Accustomed Wear in Myanmar

Equality at its Best

Fourth, the male Burmese wears a skirt: the truest form of equality among men and women, I believe. Oh well, we have our own opinion about it and I respect such culture. Male Burmese people are used of wearing it and it is their fashion partnered with polo shirt, t-shirt or longsleeves. Usually also, they wear slippers or sandals than shoes.


Lastly, this is something that confuses me: right-hand vehicles on left-hand designed streets. It is a bit crazy but that's how they are used to. People will need to cross the street before getting into bus. People will need to go to the middle of the street to get in the front seat of a taxi. Yet, some vehicles are right-hand but can get passengers on board through the right side as well. It is a matter of design.

Yangon Streets and Vehicles - Right-hand Cars and Left-hand Roads

Yangon Streets and Vehicles - Right-hand Cars and Left-hand Roads

Oh yes, I conquered Yangon for 2 days. However, I regret not able to visit Bagan City. Well, soon, I will be back there and hopefully cross borders of nearby countries.

I hope you enjoyed this visit. Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.