Taunggyi to Yangon tickets

Taunggyi to Yangon

 

When you’re ready to trade the unique stupas of Taunggyi for the impressive pagodas of Yangon, you’ll be thinking about how to organize your travel plans.

If you’re wondering, How do I get from Taunggyi to Yangon, look no further! Bookaway has you covered with several options to choose from. 

There are also some pretty cool things to do once you actually arrive in Myanmar’s former colonial capital. 

One of the best things you can do in Yangon is put on some comfortable walking shoes and wander around downtown. It’s a great way to admire the crumbling beauty of the city and get a sense of the complex colonial history that still impacts the city today. 

If you’d like to learn a bit more, take the Architectural Heritage Walking Tour. Your guide will explain the significance of some of the important buildings and discuss their current uses.

The number one tourist activity in Yangon is visiting Shwedagon Pagoda. It is the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world and the most sacred Buddhist site in all of Myanmar. 

Pro Tip – take your camera and visit right around sunset. You’ll catch the light glinting off the golden tops of the pagoda and experience a magical glow around the grounds.

Another must-see is Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda. It’s home to an impressive 66 meter (216 foot!) reclining Buddha, which is even larger than the one in Bangkok. Practice your Instagram skills and see if you can capture the entire statue in one shot.

 

About the ride from Taunggyi to Yangon

When it comes to transport from Taunggyi to Yangon, you have a few options. It is possible to travel overland via bus or private transfer, or you can fly.

Traveling overland in Myanmar can be a bit of a mission. Although infrastructure has improved a lot over the years, highways aren’t entirely connected yet, and covering even short distances can take time. This particular trip can take up to 17 hours on a bus.

The good news is that road conditions have gotten much better, so the ride won’t be nearly as bumpy as in the past. 

If you’re prone to getting car sick or prefer to check out tiny airports in less-explored countries, flying may be a better option for you. Considering how far it is from Taunggyi to Yangon, this could actually maximize your time enjoying your trip as well. 

 

How to get from Taunggyi to Yangon

Depending on your travel style and budget, there are a few ways to travel to Myanmar’s former capital city. 

If you are on a budget, the best way to get from Taunggyi to Yangon is by bus. It’s definitely the most cost-effective way to travel. 

There are a few private transfer companies that offer minivans and cars for hire. This option won’t take as long as the bus but will certainly be more pricey.

Sometimes you simply don’t have the time (or patience) to sit on a bus for more than half your day. If you’d rather spend more time exploring Yangon, flying may be a better choice. 

 

Bus

Taking the bus is a very popular mode of transportation in Myanmar. It’s relatively cheap and effortless to get from city to city. And it’s ideal for seeing as much of the country as possible.

The driving distance from Taunggyi to Yangon is 620 km (~385 miles), making the journey quite a long one. 

You have three class options for taking the bus: standard, tourist, and VIP.

Aung Thein Peik Express operates a standard bus route from Taunggyi to Yangon, with tickets starting at US$8 per person. 

Buses are air-conditioned, are relatively comfortable, and include an ample luggage allowance. In addition, they will provide you a light meal and a bottle of water.

While there are no toilets on the bus, it will make a few stops so you can get out to stretch your legs and go to the bathroom. You’ll need these breaks on a 16-hour trip!

Tourist buses are a little bit more expensive, between US$8-17 per ticket. However, the benefit of taking a tourist bus is that it includes TV screens and the trip only takes 12 hours instead of 16.

Shwe Taung Yeo Express operates this route, with several departures each day. 

Note that you cannot cancel or change a standard or tourist bus ticket once booked.

Mandalar Minn Express operates a VIP bus, with tickets at US$17 per person. The ride takes about 12 and a half hours, but you’re treated to a meal, reclining seats, AC, and a personal TV screen. 

While you cannot cancel your ticket once it has been booked, you can change it for free up to 48 hours before departure.

Pro Tip – bring earplugs or a great pair of headphones with you. The buses can be very loud!

 

Private Transfer

One downside to taking the bus is sorting out transportation from the bus station to your accommodation in Yangon. 

Organizing a private transfer via minivan or private car eliminates that hassle. 

You’ll pay by vehicle, so you can split the cost between everyone you’re traveling with. This makes a private transfer a great way to get to Yangon if you’re with a group or made some friends in Taunggyi and want to share the ride. 

If you want more control over how you get from Taunggyi to Yangon, this is a great option. The ride will take about 12 hours, plus you can ask your driver to stop for bathroom breaks and lunch whenever you like! 

Minivans can seat up to nine passengers, depending on how much luggage you and your group have. They cost between US$386-$400.

Cars are even more expensive. They start at US$475 and can carry four or five passengers, plus your luggage. 

If you’re looking for a bit more control over your schedule or privacy, a private transfer may be worth the hefty price tag.

 

Flight

Cutting down travel time can be essential if you don’t have a moment to spare and want to pack in as much sightseeing as possible.

The Taunggyi to Yangon distance is reduced by over 100 miles when flying, and it cuts down travel time to a mere two and a half hours. 

You should know that these flights can sometimes feel like a bus ride stopping to pick up passengers. You may take off and land to collect passengers on the way to Yangon. It may feel like a strange way to fly, but it still saves you some time!

You’ll fly from Heho, which is 40 km (~24 miles) from Taunggyi. Getting to the Heho airport is an easy 30-minute taxi ride away.

From there you’ll take an hour and a half flight to Yangon. Air KBZ offers daily flights to Yangon, sometimes for as little as US$20. Talk about a steal!

Getting to your accommodation from the airport should be easy enough. You can take a taxi or the Omni Focus shuttle bus.

Regardless of how you choose to travel, be prepared to be left in awe of Yangon and all its hidden charms.