Exploring Myanmar: How Expensive Is Traveling Here?

Myanmar is a relatively affordable travel destination, though it is more expensive than other Asian countries such as Thailand, India, Cambodia and Malaysia. The cost of living is low compared to Western standards, but there are additional 'tourist taxes' in the form of admission fees.

The cost of travelling in Myanmar depends on the type of traveller you are. The average daily cost is $35, including food and drink, but this can be as low as $10 per day for food and drink. The average cost of a low-budget hotel room is $25, while a bed in a dorm is approximately $10. Beer is relatively cheap at around $2 a bottle, and a meal at a local restaurant can cost as little as $1.50.

Transport is also affordable, with a single bus or train journey costing as little as $0.70. However, taxis can be unpredictable and it is essential to agree on a price before getting inside. Long-distance travel is also affordable, with regular buses leaving the major cities daily. A flight from Yangon to Sittwe, for example, costs around $100.

The cost of a visa to Myanmar is quite high at $50 for a 28-day single-entry visa. Most nationalities are now eligible for an e-Visa, but it is recommended not to apply for this too far in advance as the validity varies between one and three months.

Overall, Myanmar is an affordable travel destination, but there are some additional costs to consider such as entrance fees and visas.

Average daily costs

The average daily cost of travelling in Myanmar is around $35 per day, including food and drink. However, this can vary depending on your travel style and budget.

Accommodation in Myanmar can vary from $7.30 for a bed in a dorm to $146 for a night in a luxury hotel. Food and drink are also variable expenses, with a bottle of water costing between 0.21 and 0.50 euros, and meals ranging from $0.40 for street food to $15 for a Western lunch.

Transport is another factor to consider when budgeting for Myanmar. Local buses are the cheapest option, with tickets costing just a few kyat, but they can be unreliable and uncomfortable. Taxis are more convenient but be sure to agree on a price before getting in, as drivers don't use meters. Long-distance travel can be affordable if you opt for buses or trains, which cost between MKK 6000 and MKK 30000, depending on the distance and type of bus or train. Domestic flights are the most expensive option, ranging from $80 to $130 for a one-way ticket.

Other costs to consider when travelling in Myanmar include entrance fees to temples and pagodas, which can add up, as well as the cost of a visa ($50) and other small expenses like adapters and souvenirs.

Overall, with some careful planning and budgeting, it is possible to travel in Myanmar on a relatively low daily budget.

Cost of accommodation

Myanmar has a reputation for being an expensive travel destination, but this is not necessarily true. While it is more expensive than other Asian destinations such as Thailand, India, Cambodia, and Malaysia, accommodation in Myanmar is reasonably priced.

The average cost of a low-budget hotel room in Myanmar is $25 per night. A bed in a dorm room is approximately $10 per night. For a more comfortable mid-range hotel, prices start at around $36 per night. If you want to splurge on a bit more luxury, you will need to calculate a bit extra.

The cost of accommodation in Myanmar can vary depending on the location and the quality of the hotel. Most hotels fall into the price range of $25 to $60 per night. It is recommended to opt for a hotel with air conditioning as the temperatures can be persistently hot.

There are limited options for budget accommodations such as hostels and guesthouses, as the government doesn't allow many new businesses to open and obtaining licenses can be difficult. This drives up the prices for accommodations.

Camping is technically illegal in Myanmar, although some travellers have camped in remote areas. Couchsurfing and Airbnb are not very popular options due to registration requirements and the desire of the government to track the movements of tourists within the country.

When paying for accommodations in Myanmar, it is best to use US dollars, as this is the preferred currency for hotel rates and bus bookings. However, local transport, food, drinks, and local purchases such as street food and market items are usually paid for in the local currency, kyat.

Overall, the cost of accommodation in Myanmar is affordable, especially when compared to other Southeast Asian countries. The limited options for budget accommodations and the higher prices for mid-range and luxury hotels are due to government regulations and the desire to track tourist movements.

Cost of food and drink

The cost of food and drink in Myanmar is relatively low compared to Western countries. A daily budget of $10 is more than enough to cover food and drink expenses.

A meal in a cheap restaurant costs around 2 USD, while a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant costs around 22 USD. A McMeal at McDonald's or Burger King costs around 5.50 USD. A cheeseburger costs around 1.70 USD.

For drinks, a bottle of water (1 liter) costs around 0.33-0.50 USD, while a bottle of beer (0.65 liters) at a restaurant costs around 1.40-2.10 USD. A bottle of beer in a supermarket is around 1.60 USD.

• Dinner in a street cafe (soup, salad rice with chicken): 3.10 USD
• Rice with meat and salad: 1.50 USD
• Ice cream: 0.62 USD
• Small basket of strawberries: 0.09 USD
• Bottle of pineapple wine (0.33 liters): 2.60 USD
• Bottle of whiskey (0.5 liters): from 2 USD
• Bottle of Myanmar Beer: 0.31-0.55 USD
• Breakfast in a hotel: 1.50 USD
• Grilled seafood: 0.62-1.08 USD
• Whole grilled fish: 0.92-1.54 USD
• Royal shrimp (a couple of pieces): 1.50 USD
• Big lobster: 5.50 USD
• Noodles with seafood: 0.77 USD
• Dish of pork: 1.10 USD
• Fried fish in a beach cafe: 0.22-0.46 USD
• Portion of seafood in a beach cafe: 0.62 USD
• Glass of wine: 0.15 USD

Cost of transport

Myanmar has a reputation for being an expensive travel destination, but this is not necessarily true. While the cost of living is low compared to Western standards, it is expensive in comparison to other Asian destinations such as Thailand, India, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

Public transport in Myanmar is not the most comfortable or reliable way of getting around. In cities like Yangon and Mandalay, you can take a public bus or hail a taxi. Buses are unreliable, with schedules being hard to find, but a single ride costs just a few kyat. Taxis do not use meters, so it is essential to agree on a price before getting inside. In Yangon, it shouldn't cost more than MKK 4000-5000 to get from one place to another, and it is rare to find taxis that charge exorbitant prices.

Long-distance travel is affordable if you can endure the long journey. Regular buses leave major cities daily and cost between MKK 6000-30000, depending on the distance and type of bus. Trains are a popular way to get around, but they are slower and even more unreliable than buses, and don't go to every part of the country. The typical price range for a train journey is between MKK 1000-10000, depending on the length of the journey and the class of carriage.

Domestic flights are the most expensive option for long-distance travel, with prices ranging from $80-$130 for a one-way ticket. A popular route for those with higher budgets is flying from Yangon to Bagan to Mandalay to Inle Lake and back to Yangon.

Myanmar also has an extensive network of waterways, and one of the most commonly used water transport routes for tourists is from Yangon via the Irrawaddy River, passing through Mesquite, Magway, Bagan, and Mandalay to reach Bhamo. The one-way fee is about $43, including handling fees.

Myanmar's road transport system includes highways, expressways, and local roads. The Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, for example, is 365 miles long and features a double carriageway and four lanes on its entire length.

Overall, while Myanmar may be more expensive than some other Asian countries, it is still possible to travel on a budget, especially if you opt for public transport over domestic flights.

Cost of attractions

Myanmar has a reputation for being an expensive travel destination, but this is not necessarily true. While it is pricier than other Asian countries such as Thailand, India, Cambodia, and Malaysia, it is still possible to travel through Myanmar on a shoestring budget as a backpacker. Public transport, food at local restaurants, and simple accommodation are all affordable.

• Sule Pagoda, Yangon: Entry fee of 2,000 MMK
• Mount Popa: Entry fee of 10,000 MMK
• Chaukhtatgyi Paya, Yangon: Entry fee of 7,047 MMK
• Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon: Entry fee of 11,273 MMK
• Bagan Golden Palace: Entry fee of 5,000 MMK
• Kakku Pagodas, Pa-Oh: Entry fee of 4,227 MMK
• Mandalay Royal Palace: Entry fee of 7,047 MMK
• Ngapali Beach, Rakhine State
• Kalaw, Shan State
• Macleod Island, Mergui
• Thanboddhay Paya, Monywa: Entry fee of 3,000 MMK
• Kandawgyi Nature Park, Yangon
• Htukkanthein Temple, Mrauk U: Entry fee of 5,000 MMK
• Bodhi Tataung, Monywa: Entry fee of 3,000 MMK
• Taukkyan War Cemetery, Yangon: Entry fee of 6,500 MMK
• Maha Bandoola Garden, Yangon
• Mingun Temple, Min Kun: Entry fee included in the Mingun archaeological zone ticket, costing 7,047 MMK
• Thatbyinnyu Temple, Old Bagan: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Htilominlo Temple, Minnanthu: Entry fee of 21,137 MMK
• Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon: Entry fee of 2,000 MMK
• Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda, Mindhama Hill: Entry fee of 7,047 MMK
• Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay: Entry fee included in the Mandalay Archaeological Zone combo ticket, costing 14,092 MMK
• Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay: Entry fee of 7,047 MMK
• Snake Pagoda, Kyaukse, Mandalay
• Ananda Temple, Nyaung-U: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Abeyadana Temple, Bagan
• Nathlaung Kyaung Temple, Old Bagan: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Shwesandaw Pagoda, Bagan: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Gubyaukgyi Temple, Myinkaba Village: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Upali Thein Ordination Hall, Old Bagan: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Manuha Temple, MyinKaba Village: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Nanpaya Temple, Myinkaba Village: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Gawdawpalin Temple, Old Bagan: Entry fee included in the Bagan archaeological zone ticket, costing 25,000 MMK
• Nann Myint, Bagan Viewing Tower: Entry fee of 6,500 MMK
• Abeyadana Temple, Bagan
• Purcell Tower, Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay
• Win Sein Taw Ya Pagoda, Mudon: Entry fee of 5,000 MMK
• Saddar Cave, Kayin, Hpa-An

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