When you first arrive at your destination, the last thing you want to deal with is how to get to your accommodation.
You’re often tired, grumpy, and vulnerable, and it pays to have a clear idea in mind when wading through the hoards of touts!
Pre-Paid Taxi or Grab
The easiest way to get from Yangon Airport to the city centre is either by a prepaid taxi booked at the pre-paid taxi counter located at each terminal’s arrival hall or using the ride-sharing service, Grab.
It is worthwhile downloading the Grab app ahead of time and creating an account – or you do it at the airport using their free WIFI.
Grab is a ride-sharing service that has recently merged with Uber in South East Asia and is widely used throughout Asia. Like Uber, you have a fixed price so that you don’t get ripped off, you can pay through the app or pay in cash, and you have a set driver who already knows where you want to go.
You can use Grab during the rest of your time while in Myanmar to avoid haggling with taxi drivers over the price of trips.
By Bus
For the more budget-conscious or more adventurous, there is a bus stop close to the airport where you can take a local bus nearly anywhere in the city for around 10 cents!
The bus that we took was air-conditioned and didn’t take much longer than a taxi would have.
You can take the bus from Pyay Road, which is about a ten-minute walk from the airport, and depending on where you are going, catch the 35 or 37 to the western side of China Town or the 51 to Sule Pagoda.
If unsure, a friendly smile to a local and pointing at the map to where you need to go will usually get you pointed in the right direction!
An excellent app for viewing bus routes in Yangon is Ybus or the Yangon Bus Service Official app available on Google Play.
Conclusion
While the bus presents a viable option, given the low costs involved we strongly suggest you take a Grab.
You’ll be whisked from the airport to the city in air-conditioned comfort, and can get on with enjoying your trip.
Wondering what to do now that you’re there? Check out our guide to the 12 Best Things to do in Yangon!
