Yangon

Golden pagodas and colonial echoes

Yangon welcomes visitors with wide streets lined by colonial buildings and golden pagodas that reflect its deep cultural roots. The city’s heart beats around Sule Pagoda, a historic site where locals gather for daily rituals. Markets like Bogyoke Aung San buzz with vendors selling textiles, spices and handmade crafts. Riverfront docks hum with boats carrying goods along the Yangon River. Street food stalls serve noodle soups and fried snacks to hungry travelers. The mix of old traditions and modern life creates a lively atmosphere where history feels present in everyday moments.

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City in Myanmar

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.3

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, major attractions, and by younger locals, but less so in markets or with taxi drivers. Signage is often bilingual in tourist areas. A few Burmese phrases are appreciated.

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There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Yangon Summary

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World-class for Buddhist temples and colonial history. Visit golden pagodas, explore historic streets, browse markets and enjoy local food stalls.

Place score

5.7

Best at:

Architecture

Historic sites

Guided tours

Markets

Large cities

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

❤️ 6

Couples

🛡️ 5

Travel Beginners

Myanmar – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Myanmar Kyat (MMK) £1 ≈ MMK 2,795
Cashless info:	Rating 2/5 Cashless payments are not widely accepted in Myanmar, and cash is preferred in most places. However, credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	We cannot recommend an eSIM provider for this country. We advise getting a local SIM card.

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Myanmar, with 5-10% being the usual amount in restaurants. Taxi drivers expect small tips, and hotel staff may be tipped a few kyats for their service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not common in Myanmar, and alcohol consumption is generally restricted to licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but it may be restricted in certain public places and enclosed spaces.

Thingyan (April)	Myanmar New Year Festival, celebrated with water fights and various cultural events

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 199 (Police), 192 (Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	Myanmar offers rich cultural and historical experiences but is best visited with caution due to ongoing political and safety concerns.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Yangon, Myanmar

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🔥

Apr

⛈️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

🔥

Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Thingyan water festival, mid April: nationwide holiday of several days, most shops, banks and restaurants closed, transport very busy

Monsoon June to October brings heavy rain and flooding; many travellers skip these months

Security situation and travel restrictions in Myanmar can change at short notice; check official travel advisories before planning

Don't miss

🛕 Visit the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda at sunrise or sunset
🛍️ Explore the bustling Bogyoke Aung San Market for souvenirs
🌅 Stroll the peaceful Kandawgyi Lake and see Karaweik Palace
🚶‍♂️ Walk through Yangon’s historic Chinatown and Muslim Quarters
🧘‍♂️ Discover intricate Buddha statues at Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha
🚂 Ride the Yangon Circular Train for a local city experience

You've been here?

Why travel to Yangon?

Yangon is Myanmar’s cultural heart, famous for the dazzling Shwedagon Pagoda, vibrant neighborhoods and a mix of British colonial and Southeast Asian influences. Wander through Chinatown and the Muslim Quarter for a taste of daily life and street eats or ride the Circular Train to glimpse the city’s soul. You’ll find unique Buddhist traditions, lively markets and a street art scene tucked into alleyways. The city is budget-friendly and full of surprises, but be ready for heat, humidity and frequent power cuts. Infrastructure can be rough around the edges and traffic is chaotic, but the warmth of the people and the city’s authenticity make it worth the adventure.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Shwedagon Pagoda
The Shwedagon Pagoda stands as Yangon’s most iconic Buddhist monument, towering over the city skyline. Its gilded stupa houses relics and attracts pilgrims daily, offering a profound spiritual experience amid bustling streets.
2 National Museum
3 Botahtaung Pagoda the bus 57 in front of the pagoda goes beside the river
4 Sule Pagoda
5 Kandawgyi Park
6 Karen Baptist Church
7 Shwedagon Pagoda

🎡Places for activities

1 Bogyoke Aung San Stadium
2 National Races Village
3 water boom
4 Escape Gym and Fitness Club

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 People's Park
2 Inya Lake
3 Kandawgyi Lake
4 Hlawga National Park
5 Bogyoke Park
6 Yangon River

🛍️Shopping

1 Night Market (food)
2 Bogyoke Aung San Market
3 junction City
4 Yuzana Plaza
5 Myanmar Plaza

🎈Events

Thingyan Water Festival (April)
Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival
Thadingyut (Lighting Festival)
Independence Day celebrations
Chinese New Year in Chinatown
Kason Watering Festival
Martyrs’ Day
Pagoda festivals
Christmas at St. Mary’s Cathedral

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Knowledge before you go

Dress modestly for pagodas; remove shoes and socks inside.
Expect heavy traffic and few crosswalks; cross slowly, lane-by-lane, ideally with locals nearby.
Carry small cash for taxis, markets and entrance fees; card acceptance can be limited.
Ride the Yangon Circular Train for everyday-life snapshots, then end in Chinatown for evening street food.

How to travel to Yangon

Yangon International Airport (RGN) is the main gateway, with flights from across Asia. The airport is about 30–60 minutes from downtown by taxi. Long-distance buses and trains connect Yangon with other major cities in Myanmar, but travel times can be long and schedules may change. Ferries and riverboats serve nearby destinations.

Access summary

From Yangon Int’l Airport (RGN): taxi or shuttle bus, about 30–60 minutes.
From Bangkok: multiple daily direct flights, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From Mandalay: frequent domestic flights about 1 hour; long-distance buses overnight.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Yangon

Yangon has a range of accommodation, from colonial-era hotels and boutique guesthouses to budget hostels and modern chains. Most are in the downtown or near the lakes. Book ahead for the best deals, especially during festivals. Budget rooms fill up quickly and prices can rise on weekends and holidays.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon

8.6

Wyndham Grand Yangon Hotel

9.3

Sule Shangri-La, Yangon

8.6

Melia Yangon

9.0

Esperado Lake View Hotel

8.1

Jasmine Palace Hotel

8.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Yangon

Downtown Yangon is best explored on foot, but sidewalks can be uneven and crowded. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap and widely used, though traffic is often slow. The Circular Train is a unique way to see the city and its outskirts. Ferries cross the Yangon River to Dala Village. Buses are available but can be confusing for newcomers. Be prepared for some rough roads and limited pedestrian crossings.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-76 %

Daily expenses in Yangon are around 76% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-13 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to MMK) is 13% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£23	£45	£107
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£26	£53
🍝 Food per day	£10	£16	£42
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£3	£12

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£6
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.80
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.60
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.10
☕ Cappuccino	£1.25
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.75

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.18
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£8
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.75

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£12
🤧 Cold medication	£1.05
💇 Basic haircut	£2.30

Safety information overview

General safety

Yangon is generally safe for tourists, with low violent crime. Petty theft can occur in crowded markets and on public transport. Traffic is chaotic and sidewalks can be uneven — take care when walking and crossing streets.

Health & Medical

Medical care is basic compared to Western standards. Pharmacies are common, but bring essential medications. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled water. Mosquito-borne illnesses are a risk, especially in rainy season.

Accessibility

Most main attractions are accessible, but sidewalks are often uneven and some buildings lack ramps or elevators. Wheelchair access is limited in older areas. Plan ahead if you have mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. Avoid ice and raw foods washed in tap water. Stay hydrated, especially in the heat.