Myanmar Travel FAQ


Please see our FAQ list below to assist you in planning the best trip to Myanmar

Myanmar Tourist Map


Activities           What are the best things to do in Myanmar ?…………….

Flights              ▸  Where should I book my return flight from Myanmar ?…….

Visa                   ▸  What is the current Covid-19/Visa policy?

Kids                     What are the best tips when traveling with children in Myanmar?

Lodging               What type of lodging should I book & stay in Myanmar? 

Airports               What are Myanmar’s major international airports?

Time                   What are the best months to visit Myanmar?

Food                   What are some Myanmar foods to try?

Destinations        What are the top destinations in Myanmar? 

Souvenirs            Are there any suggestions for Myanmar souvenirs?

Laundry               Are laundry services available in hotels or in the town?

Clothes               What should I wear to visit Myanmar’s Buddhist temples/pagodas?

Tips                     What are the standard tips for a tour guide & driver?

Pack                   What should I pack for my trip?

Passport             How long must my passport be valid for international travel?

Physical               What are the physical demands of the tour?

Tours                   What are some suggested itineraries for traveling in Myanmar?

Southeast Asia     What are some suggested itineraries for Southeast Asia?

Where should I book my return flight from Myanmar?
You can book directly from your country yourself or through a local travel agent. Always double-check the allowable luggage weight with your airline because being overweight at the airport usually comes at a high cost.
Yangon International Airport (RGN) in Yangon is the busiest international airport in Myanmar, where the majority of international flights land and depart.

What type of lodging should I book & stay in Myanmar?
With average temperatures in Thailand’s major regions ranging from 28-36 degrees C, you might want a hotel with a pool. If you book your room in advance online or with a travel agent, double-check everything that’s included in your room rates, such as breakfast, a daily service charge, and tax.
Also, location is important, staying in a hotel in the heart of tourist areas will allow you to explore the area’s highlights easier and not pay as much for transportation such as taxis, buses, and subways. 

What are some Myanmar foods to try?
The food section of China Town in Yangon is the most distinctive feature, as it is always crowded with customers and tourists and is open all night. You can eat Myanmar-style snacks such as pies, coconut cake with quail eggs, Shan noodles… or tropical fruits such as watermelon, durian, and mangosteen,… in this area.

What are the best tips when traveling with children in Myanmar?
1. Take an umbrella & suitable clothes with you
Myanmar has two seasons: dry, and rainy (wet) seasons. Since temperatures can vary from very hot to a sudden rainstorm, bring an umbrella and layer your clothing, ready for any weather changes. 

2. Keep water handy
During Myanmar’s dry season from October to April when the temperature range from 25-30 degrees C, your car should have air conditioning. Bottled water is also useful to have on excursions because you will be walking a lot and there aren’t many places to buy water near the sites, temples, and pagodas.

3. A stroller and some familiar items are helpful for travel with children
Bring their favorite snacks and toys. Also, remember to pack some medical supplies like medicine and bandages.
A stroller is highly useful to transport children and other items, like drinks or packages. 

4. Limit transfers as much as possible
If you’re traveling with children, try not to do too much in one day.

5. Combine entertainment complexes into your itinerary
At entertainment venues such as parks, zoos, and game complexes, children can play on their own … Plan to take your children to these incredible locations so they can share these memorable adventures with you.

Are there any suggestions for Myanmar souvenirs?
Bogyoke Aung San is the largest market in Yangon, built-in 1926 using British architecture. The market is always busy, and the majority of customers are foreigners. Bogyoke Aung San market is a miniature Myanmar because visitors can find every item associated with Myanmar culture here.
However, most visitors to Bogyoke Aung San do not pass up a chance to purchase handicraft items, particularly jewelry with sophisticated designs sold here. Almost all tourists love to buy at least some mementos from the locations they visit while on vacation. However, before you go shopping, make sure you have enough room in your luggage as well as the permissible weight allowance.

What are the standard tips for a tour guide & driver in Myanmar?
Regardless of the tip, a tour guide generally gives it his or her all. Because almost all tour guides are sensitive to the subject, tipping is rarely suggested and not required, but very much appreciated for doing a good job. As a result, visitors should consider tipping each of their tour guides and drivers $5 to $20 or more per person each day.

Are laundry services available in hotels or in the town?
It is becoming more common for hotels to offer laundry service because more tourists are learning to pack light, but if they don’t, they can usually direct you to a reasonably-priced laundry service nearby. 

What are the physical demands of the tour?
Regardless of your age, our tours are moderately active. Always wear comfortable walking shoes. 

What should I pack for my trip?
1. Personal items
Myanmar is not cold even in the rainy season, as temperatures range from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. Bring lightweight clothing as well as shirts with sleeves, a lightweight sweater or jacket, and long pants or skirts, in order to be able to enter Myanmar temples or pagodas, per their restrictions at historical landmarks.

2. Update the current state of Covid-19, as well as politics & security
To avoid unexpected problems with Covid-19, check the most up-to-date information prior to travel. Often your airline will inform you of vaccination documents to upload in order to be travel-ready and whether you will need to bring a test kit before or after travel. 

3. Learn some basic daily habits & local customs before you arrive
To ensure that you adhere to the customs of the country you are visiting, your tour guide will review some basic daily habits and local customs. Simple greetings of hello are welcomed, as well as a thank you or goodbye. When you speak with the locals directly, they will appreciate it.

4. Bring any necessary medicine
Bring your own prescriptions in their regular containers, as well as sunscreen or insect repellent, depending on your location. Medicine is available in Myanmar but it’s convenient if you come prepared.
(Always remember to pack LIGHT – one carry-on and one purse/backpack only, whether it is a 1-week or 4-week trip.) 

How long must my passport be valid for international travel?
A passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of a journey in most countries. If your passport expires sooner, you will need to apply for a renewal before you leave. 

What should I wear to Buddhist temples & pagodas in Myanmar?
Myanmar is a Buddhist country, so avoid wearing short skirts and pants when visiting temples and pagodas.  

What are Myanmar’s major international airports?
Yangon international airport (RGN) in Yangon is the primary gateway to Myanmar.
These flight times are to/from Yangon:   Ho Chi Minh City/ Hanoi, Vietnam:   2hrs 15min flight
                                                            Bangkok, Thailand:                        1hr 20min flight
                                                           Chiang Mai, Thailand:                     1hr 20min flight
                                                           Phnom Penh, Cambodia:                 2hrs flight
                                                           Singapore:                                    3hrs flight

What are the best months to visit Myanmar?
There are two distinct seasons in Myanmar: the dry and wet season
•  The dry season lasts from October to April
•  The wet season lasts from May to early October
Temperatures vary within each season, with the hottest months from March to June.
The best time to visit Myanmar is the dry season from October to April when the weather is cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 25-30 °C and the rainfall is minimal. 

Myanmar weather

Myanmar weather

 Best Myanmar Tours
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What are the current Covid-19 & Visa policies in Myanmar?
The Covid-19 updates in Myanmar 
•  Incoming travelers need to present evidence on the arrival of a COVID-19 (PCR) test completed within 72 hours prior to departure”s date.
•  Fully vaccinated travelers (with a Myanmar-approved vaccine) need to complete 10 days of hotel quarantine on arrival. All non-vaccinated travelers need to complete 14 days of hotel quarantine on arrival.
•  All travelers must undergo COVID-19 testing at the direction of the Ministry of Health and Sports.
Travelers who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 3 months prior to entry into Myanmar and can present appropriate evidence of a COVID-19 positive result to the Ministry of Health and Sports will be subject to reduced quarantine requirements.
•  Travelers should confirm details directly with Health and Sport’s Ministry as quarantine protocols are subject to change at short notice.
•  Incoming travelers identified as COVID-19-positive will be immediately isolated and a transferred to government medical facility. Travelers may need to meet all of the costs of isolation and treatment at the facility.
Covid-19 travel updates may change, so please check prior to travel. Currently, above are the guidelines to follow.                                                    

Visa Policy in Myanmar
To begin, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Myanmar and contain at least one blank visa page.

Visa Exemption for Myanmar
•  With a passport from the countries below, you can travel to Myanmar without a visa for up to 30 days.
14 Days for Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar:
30 Days for Singapore
•  The length of stay for a tourist visa in Myanmar is 28 days from the date of arrival.

Visa Processing Fees
•  Tourist Visa (Online) US$ 50.00:  28 days Online Myanmar Travel FAQ Myanmar Travel FAQ Myanmar Travel FAQ Myanmar Travel FAQ
•  Tourist Visa Express (Online) US$ 56.00:  28 days Online Myanmar Travel FAQ Myanmar Travel FAQ Myanmar Travel FAQ
•   Business Visa (Online) US$ 70.00:  70 days Online Myanmar Travel FAQ Myanmar Travel FAQ Myanmar Travel FAQ
Don’t apply for your visa too soon or too late, as it can take up to two weeks to be processed.

E-Visa for Myanmar
•  Tourist e-visas are available to passport holders from over 100 countries.
•  Passengers with an e-visa can enter the country only through three main ports: Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw International Airport.

Click to apply online for your tourist E-Visa to Myanmar

What are the best things to do in Myanmar?

1. Visit the archaeological city of Bagan “Angkor Wat” of Myanmar

Exploring Bagan ancient city by the hot air balloon

Exploring Bagan ancient city by the hot air balloon

Bagan is a city in the central region of Myanmar. Bagan was the capital of the Pagan kingdom that ruled this region from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries. During the heyday of the Kingdom of Pagan, over four thousand pagodas, temples, and monasteries were built here between the 11th and late 13th centuries.
You are free to visit the approximately 2,220 Buddhist temples that remain in Bagan today (out of approximately 13,000 temples during the peak period). The Bagan temples are close together, so you can choose your mode of transportation based on the weather, such as walking, cycling, buses, tuk-tuks, or balloons. Bagan is now known as a “city of archeology” Bagan, like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, is a popular tourist destination in Myanmar.

2. Stroll through Yangon’s streets

Strolling around the streets of Yangon

Strolling around the streets of Yangon

Visitors will discover many interesting surprises while strolling through the streets of Yangon, a city of many mysterious colors. Walking not only allows visitors to stop whenever they want, but it is also a great way to explore the locals’ rich culinary streets.
The streets of Yangon are always bustling with people, regardless of the weather, and your journey of experiencing Yangon will begin when you simply walk out of your hotel door and enjoy yourself in the streets here.

3. Try Thanakha make-up powder “national cosmetics” of Myanmar

Myanmar girl is painting Thanakha pattern

Myanmar girl is painting Thanakha pattern

Those who have visited Myanmar will always mention the brilliant golden pagoda and a friendly smile, as well as the shining faces of Myanmar people with Thanakha streaks.
It is unknown when this “cosmetics” was invented, all that is known is that faces with Thanakha smiles have become iconic images of Myanmar people around the world. Every visitor who comes here is drawn in by Thanakha’s smile and wants to try this type of face powder.

4. Must see Shwedagon Pagoda, the pride of Buddhism’s sacred land

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon city, Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon City, Myanmar

Myanmar has long been regarded as a sacred Buddhist land, thanks to its gilded temples. This symbol has become a source of pride for Myanmar’s people, and Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the must-see temples. The Shwedagon Pagoda, which was built over 2,500 years ago, is said to house the Buddha’s eight hairs.
The main tower of the temple is 98 meters tall and covered in more than 30 tons of gold and hundreds of diamonds. At any time of the day, the golden color of the Shwedagon Pagoda will take your breath away. The color, on the other hand, changes according to different levels at different times, creating an irresistible allure for visitors.

Open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

5. See the sunset on U Bein Bridge 

U Bein Bridge in Myanmar

U Bein Bridge in Myanmar

The U Bein Bridge in Amarapura’s old village is the world’s longest teak bridge (1.2 km long). The nearly 200-year-old wooden bridge crossing the river is the way home for Amarapura’s villagers, as well as the pilgrimage route for monks dressed in long robes…
The sunset over the U Bein Bridge is brilliant and impressive, and visitors who have witnessed it will remember it for the rest of their lives. U Bein Bridge connects the two banks of the Taungthamna River and is a popular spot for locals and Buddhists to watch the sunset. CNNGo, a tourist-focused website, named this wooden bridge one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

6. Visit Mrauk U, a legendary and foggy land 

Stand on Shwetaung Paya Hill for a Sunrise View of Mrauk U, a Legendary and Foggy Land

Stand on Shwetaung Paya Hill for a Sunrise View of Mrauk U, a Legendary and Foggy Land

Mrauk U ancient city is Myanmar’s second-largest temple complex. At this point, you will notice brick temples built in the fifteenth century nestled in the hills and small villages. You will feel as if you are in a mythical land because the entire city is covered in haze in the morning. You can also visit the riverside villages for a more adventurous feel.

7. Relax at Ngapali, the most beautiful tropical beach in Bengal 

Swimming at Ngapali, the most beautiful tropical beach in the Bay of Bengal

Swimming at Ngapali, the most beautiful tropical beach in the Bay of Bengal

Myanmar’s most popular beach is Ngapali. With white-sand beaches and lovely cottages and hotels, this beach is regarded as the most beautiful tropical beach in the Bay of Bengal. Ngapali Beach is ideal for visitors with a romantic soul looking for pristine beauty and tranquility.
Ngapali Beach is Myanmar’s most famous beach, with unspoiled natural beauty, sparkling white sand in brilliant sunshine, and winding green coconut lines. Aside from swimming, walking, and exploring the natural landscapes around them, guests can go on excursions such as visiting small fishing villages and the local market or exploring the countryside on a small bike.

8. Discover the local markets in Yangon 

the Local Markets in Yangon

The Local Markets in Yangon

There is no better way for tourists to immerse themselves in local life than to go on a culinary adventure through the local bazaars. Exploring Yangon’s vibrant bazaars will provide you with even more thrilling experiences.
Aside from the well-known Bogyke Market, Yangon’s largest market, there are numerous other interesting markets, particularly those located directly on the sidewalk. At these street markets, a wide variety of food is available, including meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and Thanaka cream, a sunscreen cream that locals frequently apply to their faces.

9. Travel by local train in Myanmar 

Traveling by the local train in Myanmar

Traveling by the local train in Myanmar

The train is a popular mode of public transportation in Myanmar, and Yangon has a railway that circles the city and was built by the British and reopened in 1954. Trains on this railway line only run on the 50km long route, stopping at all 39 stops, and the journey will take approximately 3 hours.
Due to Myanmar’s long-standing and outdated rail system, you may feel uncomfortable, time-consuming, and even late. While traveling by train in Myanmar, you will have the opportunity to meet locals such as monks and women selling various items, as well as feel the rhythm of the locals’ daily lives.

10. Enjoy the cuisine in Yangon’s China Town

Enjoying the local food in Yangon's China Town

Enjoying the local food in Yangon’s China Town

The food section of Yangon’s China Town is always busy with customers and tourists, and it is open 24 hours a day. You can eat Myanmar-style snacks like pies, coconut cake with quail eggs, Shan noodles, and so on in this area, or savor tropical fruits such as watermelon, durian, and mangosteen, to name a few. Yangon’s Chinatown is also a shopping paradise, with a diverse selection of goods such as clothing, electronics, souvenirs, antiques, and musical instruments.

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Also:


 Thailand Travel FAQ


 Vietnam Travel FAQ


 Cambodia Travel FAQ


 Laos Travel FAQ   


 Southeast Asia Travel FAQ


▸  Best Myanmar Tours
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