Budget for a trip to Myanmar

Budget for a trip to Myanmar

Myanmar, ex Burma, is an amazing and charming country. It’s inhabitants’ natural curiosity and the authenticity of its traditions has turned this country into one of my favourite in Southeast Asia. With this post I’ll try to give you an idea of the necessary budget for a trip to Myanmar, so you can plan your trip in the most accurate way possible.

I’ve recently travelled for 3 months through Southeast Asia with a budget of $27 per day, which in certain countries was more than enough. But not in Myanmar. Myanmar was the one country where I most frequently went over budget. The prices, particularly accommodation prices, are higher than in neighbouring countries. For example: the type of room you would be able to get for $16 per night in Thailand, will cost twice as much in Myanmar.

Below you’ll find the average prices for accommodation, food, transports and entrance fees to some of its main attractions (check out the article What to do in Yangon, Myanmar). It will give you an idea of the necessary budget for a trip to Myanmar.

What’s the accommodation price in Myanmar?

As I’ve already mentioned above, accommodation is, without a doubt, one of elements that weigh the most on a budget for a trip to Myanmar. This is particularly noticeable to whomever has been travelling previously through its neighbouring country, Thailand, and is used to getting great rooms at really low rates. During my trip to Myanmar I made most of my bookings through Booking.com or Agoda. However, there’s another good website that you can use called Hotels Combined. This website gives you a price comparison for the same room, through different websites. This way, you’ll be able to book at the most convenient rate (check out the post Accommodation in Yangon | Where to stay).

Average prices for each type of accommodation:

Hostels (dorm rooms): $15

Private double room: $20 – $25

What’s the average price for food in Myanmar?

Like in all Southeast Asian countries, there’s a street food stall in almost every corner. And this is a good way to eat while on a budget, and most of the times, it is absolutely delicious. Below you’ll find the average prices for several food items.

Average prices for food (in MMK):

Bottle of water: 200 to 400 MMK (between $0,17 and $0,34)

National beer 0,33cl: 1200 MMK to 1500 MMK (between $1 and $1,30)

Full meal at a restaurant: 5000 MKK (around $4)

Street food meal: 2000 MKK (around $1,70)

What’s the transport price in Myanmar?

The best way to travel inside Myanmar is by bus. There are a few bus companies that connect the main cities in the country. I booked my tickets several times through the website Myanmar Bus Ticket. Remember to book at least 3 days ahead to guarantee your seat.

About the taxis: the majority of them don’t actually use a taximeter, so you’ll always have to bargain the price before you get in.

Below you’ll find the average prices for buses between cities, the average taxi fees as well as average e-bikes or bicycles rental:

Average transport prices:

Bus ticket (between cities): $15 to $20

Taxi (short distances, in the city): 2000 MMK to 3000 MMK (between $1,70 and $2,50)

Taxi (from the center of Yangon or Mandalay to the bus terminal): 10000 MMK (around $8,50)

Rickshaw: 500 MMK to 1000 MMK (between $0,40 and $0,85)

E-Bike in Bagan (electric bicycle): 5000 MMK/day (around $4,25)

E-Motorbike in Bagan (electric motorbike): 8000 MMK/day (around $6,80)

Bicycle in Inle Lake: 1500 MMK/day (around $1,30)

What’s the entrance fee for Myanmar’s main attractions?

Going to Myanmar and not visiting Inle Lake, Bagan or the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is to waste a trip and to miss out on the opportunity to see amazing and unforgettable places. But of course, it has a price. Some have higher prices, some not so high… But they are all worth the visit! Below you’ll find the entrance fees for some of country’s main attractions so you can consider them on your budget for a trip to Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon): 8000 MMK (around $6,80)

Sule Pagoda (Yangon): 3000 MMK (around $2,50)

Bagan Temples (5 day ticket): 25000 MMK (around $21)

Inle Lake (paid at the entrance of Nyaung Shwe): 12500 MMK (around $10)

Hot air balloon in Bagan (October to April): $300 (average price)

Mandalay combined ticket (Royal Palace + Shwenandaw Monastery +  Sandamuni Pagoda + Kuthodaw Pagoda + Maha Atulawaiyan Monastery + KyauKTaw Gyi Pagoda): 10000 MMK (around $8,50)

Mingun (Mandalay): 5000 MMK (around $4,25)

Golden Rock (Mount Kyaiktiyo): 7000 MMK (around $6)

Well, now that you have an idea about the necessary budget for a trip to Myanmar you can start planing! Take a look at some of the posts on the page “Planning a Trip”. You’ll find useful tips there on how to find cheap flights, how to book accommodation or what travel insurance to buy, some of the basic things to consider while planning a trip.

Planear a Viagem

Safe travels! 🙂