Useful Information

Getting Myanmar

Available flights include Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways International, Silk Air, All Nippon Air,Air China, Biman Airlines, Indian Airlines, Emirates airlines ,Eva Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Mandarin Airlines, Nok Air,Qatar Airways, Thai Air Asia and Malaysian Airlines.

Useful Information

Visa : Tourist and business visas are valid for 28 days. Tourist visa are non-extendable; business visa may be extended for 28 days. Transit visas are valid for 24 hours. Apply to a Myanmar Embassy or consulate, with for photos and your passport. The cost of a tourist visa is approximately US$ 50; the cost of a business visa is approximately US$70.E-visa can be applied at Myanmar Immigration website, https://evisa.moip.gov.mm

Customs : Besides personal effects visitors are allowed 400 cigarettes (100 cigars or 250 g of unrolled tobacco), two quarts of liquor and 500 ml of cologne or perfume. Cameras, radios, cassette players, calculators etc must be declared at Customs on arrival and taken out on departure. Foreign currency in excess of US$ 2000 must be declared. Retain a copy of the customs declaration form to be presented when you leave Myanmar.

Airport Tax : Airport tax is US$ 10 per head to be paid on departure. But, domestic flights are not taxed.

Vaccinations : None are required.

Airport Transfers : Taxis from the Yangon International Airport to downtown will cost about US$7 to US$ 10 depending on the destination. Taxi travel within Yangon will cost about 2000 kyats depending on distance traveled. Most taxis do not have charge meters. Thus one must negotiate before boarding a taxi.

Currency : The US$ is widely used and peered. Credit cards are now accepted mostly at hotels ,restaurant & some souvenir shops . The national currency is kyat and at present the following kyat bank notes are in general use : K5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500,1000,5000 and 10000.

Exchange Money : Exchange money is available at Money exchange counter and at the banks.

Domestic Travel

By Air : Apex Airlines,FMI,Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay,Air KBZ, Asia Wings, Golden Myanmar,Mann Yadanapon and Myanmar National Airlines flies between Yangon and Bagan (Nyaung U), Mandalay, Heho (Inle), Tachileik, Kyaing Tong, Lashio, Thandwe (Ngapali Beach), Sittwe, Dawei, Meik, Kaw Thaung, Myit Kyi Na, Bhamo, Nay Pyi Taw and so on….

By Train : Many Myanmar Railway destinations are open to foreign tourists. The Yangon-Mandalay trip is the most popular. For ticket information consult the tourist counter at the station or consult a travel agent.

By Bus : Buses are operated by the state – owned Road Transport Enterprise. Air-conditioned express buses link Yangon to Myeikhtila, Pyay, Mandalay, Taunggyi, Thandwe with more routes planned.

Office Hours

Government Office – 09:30 am to 04:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Business and Private Company – 09:00 am to 05:00 pm, Monday to Saturday and some of them open the whole week.
Shop – 10:00 am to 09:00 pm, usually Monday to Saturday. Some of them open the whole week.

Shopping

Note that you are not allowed to export antiques or religious items.

Health

The same precautions are the same as anywhere else – drink only bottled water and do not eat raw vegetables, only eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. Be wary of eating food from street stalls. Use insect repellent when necessary and use sunscreen liberally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun.

Post & Telecommunications

The Central Post Office, located at the corner of Bo Aung Kyaw Street and Strand Road, opens from 09:30 am to 04:30 pm, Monday to Friday. You can make international calls, and send telexes and faxes at the Central Telegraph Office, 125 Pansodan Street, Yangon. IDD telephones are available at some government offices, businesses, hotels and via International top up cards.

Dress

Light cotton clothing is most appropriate for the long hot summer months. Do not wear short, mini-skirts or sleeveless shirts when visiting religious sites. While the Myanmar makes no demands, it is a mark of respect to dress modestly and neatly.

Driving

An International Driving Permit is required. This must be presented to the Police for endorsement, or in the case of a visitor’s license, for insurance.

Climate

Myanmar has three different seasons. The cooler season (winter) is from October to February with average temperatures between 20-24 ‘C, and this is the best time to visit Myanmar. The hot season (summer) is from March to May with average temperatures between 30-35 ‘C. The wet season occurs from June to September with average temperatures of between 25-30’C .Yangon normally receives early morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. Thandwe, Ngapali Beach is also not raining the whole day and get often sunny. The weather around Inle Lake and Shan State is pleasant year round, but cold at night from December to February.

Time

Myanmar standard Time (MST) is six hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC).