Bagan to Yangon

About the ride from Bagan to Yangon

Traveling from Bagan to Yangon is a great way to experience two of Myanmar’s most popular tourist destinations - and a great way to see how the nation is rapidly eschewing its traditional routes to embrace the relative modernity of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

While Bagan feels like a step back in time, Yangon has very recently begun embarking on huge swathes of redevelopment. Every day, new restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions are popping up, as Myanmar becomes the next welcoming hub for adventurous travelers taking to Southeast Asia.

Perhaps the most popular route in the whole of Myanmar, travelers journey from Bagan to Yangon every single day. For the approximately 630km (391 mile) journey from Bagan to Yangon, you have five options:

• Bus from Bagan to Yangon - typically around 10.5 hours
• Car from Bagan to Yangon - typically around 10 hours
• Minivan from Bagan to Yangon - typically around 10 hours
• Train from Bagan to Yangon - typically around 17.5 hours
• Flight from Bagan to Yangon - typically around 1.5 hours

 

What to see when traveling from Bagan to Yangon

If you travel by road from Bagan to Yangon, you have two options: a daytime journey or an overnight journey. While nighttime trips of course don’t offer many views, that’s also the case for daytime journeys - the route from Bagan to Yangon largely takes place on a well-built highway with relatively few views.

Taking a train from Bagan to Yangon is the best option for enjoying views and vistas. You’ll pass remote farms, dilapidated train stations and some of the most basic and rudimentary villages in the whole of Southeast Asia. Taking a train from Bagan to Yangon is always lengthy and bumpy, but it’s also charming, exciting and adventurous.

If you take a flight from Bagan to Yangon, you won’t see much, but some of the views can be good if skies are clear.

 

How to get from Bagan to Yangon

Taking a bus

Taking a bus to Yangon from Bagan is simple, comfortable and very affordable - and it’s the most popular way to tackle the trip. With frequent departures and an excellent road running between Yangon and Bagan, it’s a great way to travel.

While some buses to Yangon from Bagan are pretty basic, others are way more luxurious than you’d expect, offering food, drinks, electric sockets, blankets, reclining seats and TVs in the back of each seat. All buses from Bagan to Yangon have AC.

 

Taking a train

Taking a train from Bagan to Yangon is by far the most scenic option, with lots of great views. It’s also an excellent experience, as Burmese trains are clanking, juddering throwbacks to a way more basic time.

Though traveling by train from Bagan to Yangon is very fun, the lengthy journey time deters some travelers.

With some train tickets from Bagan to Yangon, you receive a relatively comfortable bed in a relatively rudimentary cabin. With others, you receive only an upright seat, so it’s best to book a ticket which entitles you to a bed.

 

Taking a car

Taking a car from Bagan to Yangon is expensive, but it offers lots of freedom and flexibility, as you can choose your own departure point, arrival point and departure time. If you take a car from Bagan to Yangon, you pay for the entire vehicle rather than buying one ticket for an individual seat. 

If you’re traveling in a large party, this is a great option - the car can seat up to 5 passengers.

 

Taking a minivan

Taking a minivan from Bagan to Yangon works exactly like hiring a private car for the same journey, but it offers plenty of space for up to 17 passengers - perfect if you’re traveling in a huge group!

 

Taking a flight

For travelers who don’t have much time, flying from Bagan to Yangon is the logical option. Though tickets can be expensive, flying allows you to reach Yangon quickly, comfortably and fuss-free.