Maymyo – How to go

Bus

There are bus services between Mandalay and Maymyo (Pyinoolwin), as well as between Maymyo (Pyinoolwin) and Lashio. The buses are modified pickup trucks which carry passengers in the back as well as above the roof. The buses are slow, carry a lot of passengers and cargo, and sometimes drive quite recklessly. You can get a bus to Maymyo (Pyinoolwin) at the Highway Bus Station in Mandalay.

Taxi

A better way to go to Maymyo (Pyinoolwin) from Mandalay is to take a taxi. You can hire the whole taxi or share with other people. Usually, the private taxis run between Mandalay and Maymyo (Pyinoolwin) as a regular service. Sharing a taxi with other 3 passengers will cost around US$ 7 per person. Prices change frequently depending on the fluctuation in gas prices. You can also hire the whole taxi to go to Maymyo (Pyinoolwin) at about US$ 25 per taxi. If you want to hire a taxi to Maymyo (Pyinoolwin), either sharing or whole taxi, just ask the hotel/guesthouse you are staying. The taxi will come and pick up the passengers at the hotel. Alternatively, go to Unity Hotel in Maymyo (Pyinoolwin). There is a roadside taxi stand near the Unity Hotel.

Taxi from Mandalay International Airport to downtown Mandalay will cost your US$ 15, while you can hire a taxi direct from Mandalay Airport to Maymyo (Pyinoolwin) at US$ 45 per taxi.

Train

This is the slowest way to travel to Maymyo (Pyinoolwin). This railway is the old line that was built during the British occupation of Burma. Currently, a local train between Maymyo (Pyinoolwin) and Mandalay runs two times a day. The price is US$ 2 for ordinary class and US$ 4 for first class. The train will take six hours (probably more) to reach Maymyo (Pyinoolwin).

Getting around

Pyinoolwin (Maymyo) is a mountain resort town. However, the downtown area is located on the flat ground so it is possible to explore the whole town by bike. You can ask the hotel to arrange a bicycle for you. The rental fee for bicycle is kyat 1,000 to 2,000 per day, depending on the condition of the bicycle. You can also hire a taxi to travel in and around the town (half day or full day). A popular way to travel inside the town is by horse drawn wagons, a rather romantic way to travel in a cool mountain resort like Maymyo. These colorful small miniature wagons look like replicas of the American Wild West. These are popular among the local and foreign visitors to Maymyo, one of the things that a visitor must do in Maymyo. A trip to and from downtown Maymyo and kandawgyi Lake will cost around 2,500 to 3,000 kyat (they usually hire horse wagons for the return trip also as it is quiet difficult to get a horse cart from Kandawgyi lake). Always remember to agree the fare in advanced.

Update

New Aircon buses from Yangon direct to Maymyo (Pyinoolwin)

Ygn-Pyin Oo Lwin

Tat Lan, Shwe Mandalar
Leave: ~4:30pm
Arrive:~6:30am
Price: 11400ks/person
Air con buses

Ygn-Lasho (passes Maymyo on the way)

Tat Lan, Myat Mandalar, Man Shwe Pyi
Leave: ~3:00pm
Arrive:~11:30am
Price:14500ks/person
Air con buses

Tickets can be bought at west wing of Aung San Stadium. There are a lot of ticket agents to go anywhere around Myanmar. Also transport services themselves open offices there. The bus terminal is at Aung Min Ga Lar, North Okkalapa Township but they have charter buses from Aung San Stadium also. (Thanks Myo Thaw Aung for this information)

Editor’s Note: Many of the above information has been obtained from our reference book Lonely Planet Guide to Myanmar (Burma). This is a very good guide book on Myanmar, and essential book that you must bring on your trip to Myanmar. The book can be obtained from Amazon store.