Money and payments
Cards and cash
However, ATMs are widespread.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not practised by the Burmese themselves.
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Asia · South-Eastern AsiaUsable guideCountry in Southeast Asia
Photo: ::::=UT=::::, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Myanmar (မြန်မာ myanma), or Burma is a country in Southeast Asia. The country features awe-inspiring ancient temples, lively local markets, and captivating landscapes, such as unspoiled beaches, picturesque hills, and verdant forests. The genuine warmth of the Burmese people, combined with delectable cuisine, creates an ideal destination for gastronomes and culture aficionados alike.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Myanmar.
Cards and cash
However, ATMs are widespread.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not practised by the Burmese themselves.
Burmese
The official language of Myanmar is Burmese (မြန်မာစကား mien ma za ga) (known by the government as Myanmar), a Sino-Tibetan language related to Chinese and hence tonal (word pitch matters) and analytic (most words are…
You can buy GSM/4G sim cards at International airports or any convenience store.
Mobile networks
Restaurants are legally required to use ice made and sold by bottled water companies, so ordering ice is usually safe in major places.
Hygiene in Myanmar may seem terrible to the average Westerner but it is possible to stay healthy with some basic precautions such as prophylactic medication, care choosing food and water, and antibacterial ointment.
Covered in the guide
Unlike in many other cultures, there is generally no concept of a family name, patronymic or matronymic in Burmese culture, and most individuals only have a given name.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
newly designated capital of the country
historic city near Yangon full of Buddhist sights
beach town in the far south which is as much like Thailand as Myanmar gets
former capital of the Konbaung Dynasty built around the Mandalay Royal Palace and main commercial centre of Upper Myanmar
capital of Mon State and the third largest city
a cool town (in both temperature and attractions) which is a former British colonial hill station
capital of Shan State in the heart of the Golden Triangle
a delta town that is famous for pottery
an archaeological zone with thousands of ancient pagodas near the banks of the Irrawaddy River, and a
a large shallow lake famous for boat trips, visiting floating villages inhabited by the Intha people, hiking, and also a source of excellent silk
between Mong La (on the border with China) and Tachileik (on the border with Thailand) in the Golden Triangle, known for the Ann (black teeth people) and Akha tribes and trekking
a gold-gilded rock sitting atop a cliff and a major pilgrimage site
an extinct volcano regarded as the Mount Olympus of Myanmar, a green oasis high above the hot plains and an easy day trip from Bagan
former capital of the Rakhine Kingdom, with many ancient pagodas that serve as a reminder of that era
beach resort in western Rakhine State, on the Bay of Bengal
longest stretch of beach in Ayeyarwaddy (English: Irrawaddy) Division, white sandy beach and crystal clear water are the features of Ngwe Saung Beach
Places in Myanmar on the World Heritage List.
Bagan
Listed 2019
Pyu Ancient Cities
Listed 2014
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The lowlands of the Irrawaddy Delta with the largest city and former capital Yangon.
Mandalay, historical and archaeological sites and cool hill towns.
Remote mountainous regions and some lovely beaches on the Bay of Bengal.
A huge, fractious region including the southern reaches of the Himalayas and many tribes.
The Golden Triangle and a bewildering number of ethnic groups.
The southern coastal stretch bordering Thailand with a vast number of offshore islands.
Public transport and paid services in Myanmar.
By train
Myanmar has an extensive rail network, a relic of British rule. Unfortunately, there has been little maintenance or growth since the British left.
By boat
There is also a large river ferry network. Both are to a large extent run by the government, although there are now some private ferry services.
By bus
Buses of all types ply the roads of Myanmar. Luxury (relatively speaking) buses do the Mandalay-Yangon run while lesser vehicles can get travellers to other places.
By plane
The poor state of Myanmar's roads and railways make flying by far the least uncomfortable option when travelling long distances.
By car
You can hire a private car and driver at reasonable rates to tour independently. The licensed guides at Shwedagon Paya in Yangon can arrange to have a driver with a car meet you at your hotel.
By taxi
All taxis (and by extension all vehicles for transport of people and goods) have red/white licence plates, while private vehicles have a black/white licence plate.
By ride-hailing
The main ride hailing app is Grab, which took over Uber's former South-east Asian operations, including that of Myanmar.
By motorbike
In Yangon, riding motorcycles is illegal. Mandalay's streets, on the other hand, are filled with them.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Myanmar.
Finding apps for Myanmar…
Other ways to travel:Restricted areasBy pick-upBy bicycleOn foot
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Yangon · International · RGN
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Naypyidaw
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 29° | 32° | 35° | 38° | 37° | 35° | 35° | 35° | 35° | 34° | 33° | 30° |
| Avg. low | 14° | 16° | 20° | 24° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 20° | 16° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 11 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 32 | 44 | 33 | 38 | 30 | 33 | 9 | 7 |
| Humidity | 41% | 32% | 32% | 39% | 50% | 60% | 62% | 63% | 61% | 58% | 49% | 46% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$290
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $170 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2021). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
There was no change to the advisory level. Advisory summary was updated. Do not travel to Burma for any reason due to armed conflict, unrest, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, poor health infrastructure, landmines and unexploded ordnance, and crime. Advisory Summary The Burmese military regime deposed elected leaders and officials in a February 2021 coup d' tat. Protests and demonstrations against military rule can occur on significant dates and have the potential for violence. Unrest Due to the ongoing armed conflicts and civil unrest in Burma, U.S. government employees working in Burma may not be allowed to travel within the country. Due to safety risks, minor dependents cannot join U.S. government employees who work in Burma. Armed Conflict Armed conflicts occur throughout Burma. Instances of civil unrest are common. The amount of armed conflict and civil unrest varies across states and regions. The situation may change at any time. Opposition militias often attack facilities affiliated with regime security forces and administrative authorities in Rangoon and other areas. Local opposition militia groups operate throughout the country. Be aware that the regime may limit access to highways and airports. This could lead to isolation. Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. Improvised Explosive Devices Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are used in the ongoing armed conflicts, including within the municipal Rangoon area. From January to December 2025, the U.S. Embassy in…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to: Chin State Kachin State Kayah State Kayin Sate Mon State Rakhine State Sagaing and Magway regions Tanintharyi Region, excluding Myeik township, and the archipelago and townships south of Tanintharyi township Shan State North North Mandalay Region; the townships north of Mandalay City and Pyin Oo Lwin East of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway in Bago region FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: Shan State South and East Mandalay Region Tanintharyi Region south of Tanintharyi township the rest of Bago region the townships of Kyangin, Myanaung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Thabaung and Pathein in Ayeyarwady region The conflict is Myanmar is increasingly volatile. The security situation may deteriorate at short notice and the military regime can introduce travel restrictions at any time. Consider your travel plans carefully. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Myanmar.
Culture & historyExplore premier historical places in Myanmar, from Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and ancient Bagan temples to Mandalay palace ruins and Indein stupas.
7 min read
Travel tipsA practical Bagan travel guide to the temples, the archaeological zone fee, e-bikes, where to stay and daily costs, with the current safety advice.
6 min read
Travel tipsMyanmar travel advice for 2026, covering official safety warnings, the tourist eVisa, money and cash rules, SIM cards, photography and health.
6 min read
Food & drinkBurmese cuisine reflects the history, ethnic and climatic diversity of Myanmar. Less well known than the neighbouring cuisines of China, India and Thailand due to a smaller diaspora and reclusive government in modern…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyBuddhism is one of the world's most prolific religions, dominating in much of mainland Southeast Asia, and influential as well in South Asia, East Asia and parts of Russia.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Burma Road runs from Yunnan into Burma (now called Myanmar); it was built during World War II (see Pacific War for background) to bring supplies to beleaguered China, to help them resist the Japanese invasion.
Wikivoyage
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