Although Myanmar is one of Southeast Asia’s least developed countries, the cost of visiting is surprisingly high due to limited supply of accommodation and increasing levels of tourism. Here’s a rundown of how much money to budget for a Myanmar trip
Hot Air Balloons over Bagan © Christopher Michel
While the cost of visiting Myanmar is increasing every year, it’s still easy to travel in Myanmar on a backpacker’s budget of $50 a day or to enjoy a more comfortable trip on a budget of $75-100 a day.
For a five-star experience in Myanmar, expect to spend about the same as you would in Thailand or Vietnam: $200+ per day.
For a sense of what you can see and do in Myanmar, see our 1 week Myanmar itinerary and, if you have more time, our 14 Day Myanmar itinerary.
Myanmar Kyat and US Dollars
Kyat in the donation box © Shannon Holman
The national currency of Myanmar is the kyat, which is available in banknotes from one kyat to 1,000. The largest banknote, 1000K, is worth roughly $1 US dollar. Due to the simple exchange rate, most hotels and tours are priced in US dollars.
As in Cambodia and Laos, the US dollar doubles as the unofficial currency of most tourist-focused businesses in Myanmar. You’ll need kyat for food and drinks, but it’s worth carrying plenty of US dollars to pay for hotel rooms and bus tickets.
Cost of Visas for Myanmar
Aside from select Asean nations, travellers from most countries will need to have a visa in order to enter Myanmar. Myanmar offers an eVisa for over 100 countries for $50 – you can apply for this on the eVisa website or, if you’re already in Thailand, get a Myanmar visa at the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok.
ATMs and Credit Cards in Myanmar
Until recently, there were very few ATMs in Myanmar. Today, it’s easy to find ATMs in Yangon, Bagan and other areas popular with tourists. Despite the increasing ATM coverage, you’ll want to bring most of your spending money with you to Myanmar.
ATMs are often unreliable and low withdrawal limits mean that you could easily end up spending a lot on bank fees. Withdraw US dollars before you depart for Myanmar and bring them – it’s easy to find currency exchange shops while you travel.
While some high-end hotels will accept credit cards, restaurants and travel agencies will only take cash.
Daily Budget for Myanmar
Waiting at Yangon market © Nhi Dang
Travelling in Myanmar can be cheap, but high accommodation costs mean you will probably end up spending more than you would in Cambodia, Laos or, if you’re on a shoestring budget, even Thailand.
If you’re comfortable staying in guesthouses and hostels, a budget of $50 per day is enough to travel reasonably in Myanmar. With $50 per day to spend, you’ll have no problem visiting most attractions and eating local Burmese food.
For a comfortable three-star experience, budget $75 to $100 per day. This will allow you to stay in comfortable three-star accommodation, enjoy a better range of dining options and sleep with an air conditioner instead of a ceiling fan.
Accommodation in Myanmar
The Strand Hotel © Ronan Crowley
Accommodation in Myanmar is much more limited than Thailand. Guesthouses are easy to find, relatively cheap, usually quite comfortable and ideal for travellers on a strict budget.
In Yangon and Mandalay, you’ll be able to find simple guesthouse rooms from $20 to $40 per night. For this price you’ll get a twin or double bedroom. Cheaper hotels are generally a 10-15 minute trip from the city centre.
There’s no dedicated Yangon airport hotel, but there are several reasonably priced hotels near Yangon airport if you need to make an early start.
In Bagan, limited supply and huge demand mean that you’ll struggle to find hotels or guesthouses for less than $30 a night. Expect to pay double the rate of similar rooms in Yangon and Mandalay for a room in similar condition.
3-4 star hotels in Yangon and Mandalay are available from $60 to $100. Myanmar’s two biggest cities are also home to a range of luxury hotels priced from $150 all the way up to $600+ per night.
Affordable Hotels in Yangon
Royal Star Guest House: Comfortable, clean and centrally located. Twin and double rooms are available from $35 per night with Wi-Fi and breakfast included.
Mother’s Home Motel: Comfortable budget accommodation in East Yangon. Twin and double rooms priced from $38 per night with Wi-Fi and breakfast included.
Mid Range Hotels in Yangon
MK Hotel: Centrally located three-star hotel in Yangon. Double rooms start from $60 per night and include free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Mr Lee Hotel: Comfortable three-star hotel located close to Lanmada Railway Station. Double and twin rooms available from $58 per night with Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Luxury Hotels in Yangon
Sule Shangri-La: Spacious, comfortable rooms and a great location in Downtown Yangon make the Sule Shangri-La a good choice for luxury travellers. Double rooms from $215 per night.
Belmond Governor’s Residence: Yangon’s most luxurious hotel, Belmond Governor’s Residence offers a variety of luxurious rooms in a beautiful 1920s colonial residence. Located in the centre of Yangon’s embassy district. From $544 per night.
See also our guide to Things To Do In Yangon if you need inspiration.
Hotels in Bagan
Northern Breeze Guest House: Stylishly decorated and conveniently located guesthouse in New Bagan. Double rooms with free Wi-Fi and breakfast available from $39 per night.
Amazing Bagan Resort: Beautiful four-star hotel located close to Historical Bagan. Standard rooms and bungalows priced from $134 and $191 per night with free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
For more on Bagan, see Bagan’s Essential Temples and also my crash course in Bagan’s history.
Hotels in Inle Lake
81 Hotel: Centrally located three-star hotel in Northern Inle Lake. Double and twin rooms with free Wi-Fi and breakfast available from $52 per night.
Pristine Lotus Spa Resort: Beautiful five-star hotel with traditional décor and a quiet location. Rock pools, spacious rooms and great dining make it a fantastic romantic escape. Floating duplex rooms from $156 per night.
For more on Inle Lake, see Things To See And Do At Inle Lake and Inle Lake: How To Get There And Where To Stay
Hotels in Mandalay
Night Sweet Hotel: Clean, cosy rooms with free Wi-Fi and breakfast from $25 per night. Located in Eastern Mandalay. Ideal for budget travellers and backpackers.
Sedona Hotel Mandalay: A modern five-star hotel located on four acres of landscaped gardens in Eastern Mandalay. Double rooms with free Wi-Fi and breakfast from $230 per night.
Find out more about Mandalay, see Things To Do In Mandalay.
Food in Myanmar
Burmese street food © Alex Schwab
While accommodation in Myanmar is more expensive than in Thailand, food is tasty, cheap and incredibly easy to find. Rice, noodle and curry dishes such as mohinga or biryani are easy to find and cost as little as 1,000 kyat in lots of local restaurants.
Other cheap Burmese snacks include dosa, which is available from just 200 kyat, and deep fried stuffed tofu.
Local restaurants and street carts are your best bet if you’re aiming to eat cheaply, with filling meals available for 1,000-5,000 kyat. If you eat at local restaurants and stick to Burmese food, it’s possible to spend $10 or less a day on food in Myanmar.
Western food is surprisingly easy to find in Yangon, with everything from pasta and pizza to French fine dining on offer. Prices for Western food range from 5,000 kyat to 50,000 kyat or more at high-end restaurants in Yangon’s luxury hotels.
Street Food and Cafes in Yangon
Myanmar Juxtaposition: Street Food By The BMW © Christopher Michel
999 Shan Noodle Shop: Tasty, inexpensive noodle soup dishes. Priced from $1 a meal, making it one of the most affordable (and popular) restaurants in Yangon.
Feel Myanmar Food: A favourite of locals and visitors to Myanmar alike, Feel Myanmar Food serves a mix of Burmese dishes. Meals start from just $1 per dish.
Yangon Bakehouse: Good coffee and great baking at affordable prices. One of Yangon’s top cafés and a favourite for its sandwiches. Baked goods priced from $2 up.
High-end Dining in Yangon
Le Planteur: One of Yangon’s best fine dining establishments, Le Planteur serves classic French food with ingredients flown in from France. World class food with prices to match.
Mandalay Restaurant at the Governor’s Residence: Burmese and European food served in a stunning colonial home. Home to one of the city’s best fine wine lists. You can also see our review of the Governor’s Residence hotel.
Alcohol and Cigarettes in Myanmar
Mandalay Beer © CCFoodTravel.com
Nightlife in Myanmar isn’t the most exciting in the region, but if you stick to the local bars (known as “beer stations”) you’ll be able to enjoy a night out without spending more than 1,000 kyat per beer.
Expect to spend around $5 per drink in more upmarket places. Most Western bars in Myanmar are found in Yangon or, in other locations, inside hotels and resorts.
Cigarettes are cheap – a pack of Marlboro costs around $2 USD, and local brands are even cheaper.
Travelling Around Myanmar
Myanmar Tour Buses © Jason Eppink
Travelling around Myanmar isn’t expensive, although buses aren’t as cheap as they are in Vietnam or Cambodia. Long distance buses like the nine-hour journey from Yangon to Mandalay cost $13 or $22 for a more comfortable VIP bus.
Myanmar’s slow road transportation makes flying a good alternative. Return flights from Yangon to Mandalay (a 90-minute journey each way) are available from $290 on Air Bagan. Check Skyscanner for availability and exact pricing.
Flights from Yangon to Nyaung U, the airport closest to Bagan, are available from $276 return on Air Bagan. Return flights to Thandwe, the airport close to Ngapali Beach, are priced from $256. Again, check Skyscanner.
In Yangon and other cities, taxies are the easiest way to get around. Fares are always negotiated in advance and start from 1,500 kyat, with trips to or from the airport in Yangon priced at a flat rate of $10 each way.
In Bagan and Myanmar’s beachside resorts, transportation ranges from horse carts to bicycles. Travel costs can range from $5 to $20+ per day, depending on whether you’re happy walking or frequently take taxis and private buses.
Spend Your Kyat Before You Leave
Bagan Sunset © Christopher Michel
Exchanging kyat is difficult once you leave Myanmar, with few currency exchange shops accepting it. Make sure you spend your kyat before you leave the country or you’ll end up with unusable (although extremely low-value) notes in your wallet.
