Ngwe Saung to Yangon tickets

About the ride from Ngwe to Yangon

Yangon is Myanmar’s bustling capital city and one of the best hubs for traveling around the country. Whether you are arriving from Ngwe Saung to explore Yangon for the first time or you are simply passing through before catching your next flight, there are a few spots in Yangon that are not to be missed. 

Yangon is an old colonial-era city, and downtown Yangon bears all the evidence of this. Make sure to take some time to wander the streets so you can check out one of the world’s greatest collections of colonial heritage buildings. While a lot of these buildings have fallen into disrepair, they still line the streets downtown and give this part of the city a lot of character. Most of the other tourist attractions are located near here as well, so give yourself a chance to savor all of the charisma of old Yangon.

If you have time in the afternoon, Shwedagon Pagoda is another must-see. Waiting until the sun is about to set is the perfect opportunity to capture this 2,500 year old stupa in all of its glory. You’ll be able to get the perfect shot of the diamonds, precious stones and rubies glinting off the gold leaf and the air is much cooler in the afternoon. Shwedagon is one of Myanmar’s most famous landmarks, and one of the world’s oldest Buddhist stupas. It costs around $8 to visit, but it is stunning and worth the cost. 

The Bogyoke Aung San Market is another fun place to explore if you have time. It is open daily (except Mondays) and sells everything from fresh produce to traditional textiles to handicrafts. The market is a fantastic place to visit even to simply take in the atmosphere. If you do visit, just be prepared to bargain with stall owners.

After having spent a few days relaxing in Ngwe Saung, you’ll be ready to take on the chaos and excitement of Yangon. If you’re lucky you may even uncover some of its charm as well. 

 

About the ride from Ngwe Saung to Yangon

Yangon is located about 155 miles (~250km) from the coastal village of Ngwe Saung. Taking a bus or hiring a car are the only options, as Yangon is the closest airport to both cities. Taking a bus will definitely be the most economical way to travel, and if you manage to get a window seat you will have some amazing views along the way.

You will also pass through Pathein and Pathwe, two charming towns full of trishaws and golden pagodas. The bus journey takes between 6-7 hours. Hiring a car could be slightly quicker. No matter which option you choose, consider yourself lucky.The roads have improved dramatically over the past few years and the ride is far less bumpy than it used to be. 

 

How to get from Ngwe Saung to Yangon

Taking a bus

The most popular way to get from Ngwe Saung to Yangon is probably to travel by bus. This is by far the cheapest option, with most tickets costing around $10. The journey takes about 7 hours with buses generally departing around 7 am. Because the ride is quite scenic and you will arrive in Ngwe Saung around lunchtime, this option is recommended if you are on a tight budget. The standard buses have A/C and usually provide you with bottled water. However, the buses can be quite old and the A/C may be pretty weak. You are generally allowed to bring one 20kg bag and your hand luggage with you. 

The bus station is conveniently located between Ngwe Saung Beach and Ngwe Saung Village, so no matter where you are staying it will be easy to get to your bus. The seats are standard coach seats, so they aren’t the most comfortable for long journeys, especially if you are tall. Again, as the buses can be quite old, the seats can feel crowded. They usually don’t recline, either, so be sure to pack your neck pillow as well. The bus will make a few toilet stops throughout the seven hour trip so you will be able to get out and stretch your legs, though. 

Taking a minivan

If traveling by bus doesn’t sound appealing to you or if you are traveling with a larger group of friends you could book a minivan from Ngwe Saung to Yangon. A standard minivan is essentially a private transfer, which has room for up to nine people. These minivans can be quite comfortable, as they have A/C, seats that recline and often provide you with bottled water. They will also pick you up directly at your accommodation in Ngwe Saung, which will save you from trekking out to the bus station.

Traveling by minivan is a great option if you would like more privacy or space to spread out during the journey. You also have the ability to control when and for how long you stop, which is great if you see a perfectly Instagrammable pagoda in Pathein or if you need frequent bathroom stops. A one way journey can cost between $260-300, so you would need to determine if the comforts are worth the price tag. The price of the minivan is the same no matter how many people take the journey though, so find some people to split the cost if this sounds appealing to you. 

 

Taking a car

The final option to get from Ngwe Saung to the capital is to travel by car. There is a lot of bureaucracy around renting a car in Myanmar, so foreigners rarely do so. It is possible, but you need to have a special permit and a local with you in the car at all times. Because of this, renting a car is not recommended. Hiring a private car with a driver is an option, but can be quite expensive, costing around $300 each way. However, you get to control the journey when you book this type of transfer.

When traveling by car you are able to stop as often as you like, so having lunch in Pathwe or stopping off at a stall on the side of the road is definitely a possibility. The journey can potentially take as little as four hours by car, so if you are in a big hurry you could consider hiring a car. If you have a bigger budget and prefer traveling in comfort, this may be the option for you.

Regardless of how you get there, Yangon is an exciting capital city to explore and a fantastic place to learn about Myanmar’s history and culture.