Travelling on the ground always seemed to be a big part of every journey and that was especially true for Myanmar. As local transport was generally slow and usually arrived later than expected, a significant amount of time was actually spent in all sorts of different vehicles. While on the one hand this additional time needed to be factored into the overall schedule, on the other hand every single one of these travel experiences provided a great opportunity to participate in local travel culture. Not only was it always possible to meet many friendly local people and practice silent communication, but it was also great to participate in all sorts of interesting means of local transport.
Tip: If you are really pressed on time when visiting Myanmar, skip Yangon altogether and fly directly into Mandalay. Mandalay makes a more convenient base to reach Bagan and the Inle Lake area, plus other interesting sights like Amarapura, Kalaw, Pyin Oo Lwin and even Hsipaw are close by as well.
Natural Transportation
1. Horse Carts
Two Wheeled Horse Cart on the Streets of Bagan
Surprisingly enough, but simple two-wheeled horse carts were still widely used in Myanmar and they seemed to be a common way to travel. My first accounter with them happened when arriving in Bagan and thereafter I saw them consequently in every place I visited. Originally designed as a passenger vehicle, these horse carts could sometimes be seen transporting goods as well.
2. Horse Carriages
Four Wheeled Horse Carriage by the Road in Pyin Oo Lwin
These beautiful horse carriages of the former British colonial hill station Pyin Oo Lwin looked like a big tourist trap, but actually they weren’t at all. In fact, almost no tourists could be seen in Pyin in Oo Lwin and almost all local transport happened in these classic four-wheeled beauties.
Tip: The horse carts of Bagan have become a real tourist attraction and prices were stated in US dollars only. For a more local experience try them elsewhere or even better, visit Pyin Oo Lwin and rather take a nice horse carriage instead.
Two Wheeled Travel
3. Bicycles
Bicycle parked on the famous U Bein’s Bridge in Amarapura
Bicycles were widely used in Myanmar to cover short distances and of course, whoever used them never seemed to be in any sort of a rush. For me personally they became the best way to mingle and explore a town or village. I ended up renting a bicycle in Bagan, Mandaly, Katha and Pyin Oo Lwin.
4. Motorcycles
Motorcycles of George Orwell’s Katha Village in Northern Myanmar
Like in any other Asian country, motorcycles were the most popular way to travel and literally every single person seemed to own at least one of them. As a traveller I sometimes used a motorcycle taxi and I even found some friendly locals, happily offering me a lift on the back seat and dropping me at my desired destination.
Tip: Motorbike rentals didn’t seem to really exist in Myanmar, but renting a bicycle for a half or full half day was very easy. They really shouldn’t cost more than 1500 Kyat (1.5 USD) per day, but make sure to shop around and negotiate the price.
Three Wheeled Travel
5. Bicycle Trishaws
Typical Bicycle Trishaw for two Passengers in Myanmar
While cycle rickshaws in Asia usually looked like a bicycle in the front with a double seated bench in a back, the trishaws in Myanmar rather came with a little side car attached to an actual bike. This unusual design required the two passengers to travel sitting back to back on designated wooden seats.
6. Motorcycle Three Wheelers
Typical Motorcycle Three Wheeler in Shwebo
Where the sealed roads ended and the regular traffic thinned out, the motorcycle three wheelers became the best way to travel. Linking villages and small towns, these vehicles did only hit the dirt road when jam-packed with people and goods. By the way, the photo was taken half empty already after the arrival in Shwebo.
7. Three Wheeler Cars
Three Wheeler Car with two small Benches in Mandalay
This adorable little vehicle would have easily become my favorite means of transport in Myanmar, but unfortunately I only ever saw them parked. It surely would have been a fun experience to travel in one of these three-wheeled cars and the only better thing I could imagine would be actually test driving one of them.
Tip: Take trishaws only for the experience, they are incredibly slow when fully loaded and only move in walking speed. Also bring time when using motorcycle three wheelers. While they drop you exactly at your destination, in return expect them to pick up the kids from school, the grandma from her house and the bags of rice from the shop along the way as well.
Four Wheelers
8. Hood-less Tractors
Typical Hood-less Tractor with Passengers in Myanmar
Probably the most rudimentary of all moving vehicles, these hood-less tractors were as universally used as they were noisy. The machines had to be started manually with a winch and while in other countries the front part was only used to plow fields, in Myanmar they had evolved to real vehicles, carrying everything from construction material over human passengers to skyscraper high loads of goods.
9. Hood-less Trucks
Different types of Hood-less Trucks in Mandalay, Myanmar
These hood-less trucks really seemed to be some interesting creatures as they didn’t look like anything that a regular automotive company would produce and sell. And in fact, I passed by some small shops that seemed to macgyver these trucks together out of all sorts of available spare parts. But whatever these vehicles were, they were widely used all over Myanmar and they looked extremely fascinating, especially when fully loaded and rattling around town.
Tip: Hitching a ride on the back of one of these hood-less beauties can be really good fun. Expect a true cultural experience and communicate with your best smile only as certainly no English is spoken.
10. Pick-Up Cars
Fully loaded Pick-Up Car on the Way to Pyin Oo Lwin
Pick-ups were definitely one of the most popular ways to travel in Myanmar. They were really cheap, connected all sorts of different destinations and they could be entered or left at any point in time. While they were also usually cramped to the top with all sorts of stuff and they really did a lot of stops along the way, they still were certainly a great local way to travel Myanmar.
11. Pick-Up Trucks
Parked, empty Pick-Up Truck on the Streets of Mandalay
The range of pick-ups went from actual cars to smaller trucks, but the principle of operation was always the same and once they understood your destination, they tried everything to get you there, or at least as close as possible. Although pick-ups could be hailed anywhere along the road, they usually had designated starting points as well where the empty pickups waited to slowly fill up before they left.
Tip: Pick-ups were usually the cheapest way to travel in Myanmar. When using them, try to find the designated starting point to make sure you catch the correct one and to actually get a seat.
12. Big Trucks
Actual big Truck, giving a Ride to People on the Roof in Myanmar
Big trucks existed in Myanmar in all sorts of different forms, shapes and conditions. While they were normally used to carry heavy loads, more often than not they also functioned as a local means of transport with people sitting, standing or hanging onto them.
Tip: As fun as it may look and as local as it may seem, try to resist the temptation. Being hospitalized in a foreign country and explaining to your insurance why you fell from the roof of a moving truck is not nearly as much fun as it may sound.
Long Distance Travel
13. Local Buses
Local Long Distance Bus with operable Windows in Myanmar
Local buses came as well in all different sizes and conditions. They usually operated during the day and the real advantage was that they had operable windows. Even though cramped at times and toilet stops could be infrequent, these buses still were a great way to participate in local travel.
14. Air-Con Express Buses
Air Conditioned Sleeper Bus on the Way to Yangon
Air conditioned overnight buses were unfortunately the best way to travel between Yangon and Mandalay, Bagan or the Inle Lake area. They were used by locals and travellers alike and they always made sure to use their air-con on full power when driving. The freezing temperatures and the constant food stops throughout the night in combination with the occasional breakdowns really made sure that a night in these buses was not quite as restful as one had hoped for. But hey, at least Mr. Bean was always there, looking out the front door…
Tip: Bring not only all your warm clothes inside the air-con bus, but also some duct tape to close off the broken fans above you that are blowing freezing cold air right into your face.
15. Myanmar Railways
Myanmar Railways Train at the Hill Station of Kalaw
While the railway system existed throughout the country and while trains would have been the best way to travel in other countries, unfortunately in Myanmar they were not. Incredibly slow service at higher prices than air-con buses, there was really not much reason to use Myanmar Railways for long distance travel. But for shorter trips and to enjoy the beautiful scenery, using these trains certainly was a great local travel experience.
Tip: To learn more about the train system in Myanmar, please have a look at Adventure Travel on Myanmar Railways.
Have you travelled in Myanmar? Did you use any other local transport?
We did some of those! When we went to Bagan we rode bikes around the ruins and then the next day rode in a horse cart. We also did the circle train in Yangon. So much fun! The one thing you didn’t have on your list is a jeep. Bagan has tons of WWII-style jeeps and our horse cart driver talked his friend into being our driver for a day to take us to Mount Popa in one. He said they do that kind of thing often.
Erin recently posted…Visiting Kuala Lumpur’s National Mosque
Hi Erin, great to hear you also went around the ruins in Bagan with a bike and even with the horse cart! We actually ended up doing the same what you did and hired a jeep type of car with driver to go to Mount Popa. Divided by three passengers the price came out about the same as the bus, but this still didn’t really strike me as very local way to travel. So I rather left it out, along with the elektro bikes..
I would like to take a hood-less truck ride, that’s for sure. They are so old and wicked!
Agness recently posted…What the Heck is Jeepney?
I totally agree with you Agness, the hood-less trucks were my favorite as well! We actually hitchhiked one and drove through a river that had flooded the street. That was really a really fun experience, because the people were not only super friendly but also really happy that they could give us a ride in their rattling vehicle…
We have also tried several kinds of these transportation alternatives, but I haven’t really thought it over that there are so many different ones! Really great idea to collect them in one post, and you didn’t forget to take a picture of every type of them!
I really loved Myanmar, the country, the people and exploring Bagan by bicycle during 4 days is amongst my favorite memories from SE Asia!
Gabor Kovacs recently posted…Photowalk – Rio de Janeiro
Thank you very much Gabor! I was actually so fascinated by all the different means of transport that it wasn’t until much later that I realized how many photos I had taken. But overall I thought that Myanmar was a fascinating country and I too have spent 4 full days just biking around Bagan. So I can only agree with you, Myanmar was quite different from the rest of Southeast Asia and it left me with a lot of great memories as well…
A good insightful article. You should have tried the wooden buses of Mawlamyine, fomerly known as Moulmein (similar to the big buses you mentioned in number 12) formerly used by the British military in World War II and later to ferry teak from the surrounding forests to the Mawlamyine’s port for export. These days, the converted trucks are mainly used to carry passengers from central district to various districts in Mawlamyine. I am sharing your article on on our facebook page. =) Cheers. I am looking forward to your future updates.
Thank you very much, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the post! Unfortunately I didn’t make to Mawlamyine because the south of Myanmar was still very rainy when I arrived and so I rather focused on some other areas. But the old British military trucks sound really great and I would have loved to see them. Thank you for the great suggestion, I will definitely make sure to include Mawlamyine in my next visit to Myanmar…
so many different ways to travel, Myanmar is on my bucket list for next year hopefully.
Carol aka Traveller recently posted…Texture Tuesday: perfectly imperfect
That is great to hear Carol! Myanmar is a beautiful country to visit and if you get the chance, you should go rather sooner than later because it is changing rapidly at the moment…
Myanmar is an unexplored jewel to me. Love all these travel options. I wouldn’t like to be pushing the bicycle trishaw. The three wheelers look like my kind of transport. Great Post.
budget jan recently posted…Tortum to Dogubayazit in Eastern Turkey
Thanks a lot Jan! After travelling in all the usual Southeast Asian countries, Myanmar was to me as well this kind of hidden treasure that I only knew rumors about. So finally having the chance to go and participating in all the different kinds of local transport was a great experience. And I can only agree with you, the three wheeled vehicles were a great choice…
I really like this overview of ways to travel. I think I would have immediately leaped into that horse carriage just for the novelty of riding in one without the scariness of some of the other options. The hood-less trucks were a surprise to me. I don’t think I’ve seen them elsewhere. Just this week, I took a photo in Malaysia of a bicycle with sidecar, although mine only has 1 seat and doesn’t look as pretty as the one you picture. Your tip for riding on Big Trucks sounds like you are speaking from experience.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…Family Trip Tips: Angkor Wat and Siem Reap, Cambodia with Kids
Thank you Michele, luckily I didn’t speak of my own experience in that case
The horse carriages are an excellent choice and I really couldn’t believe they still were still in use like this. Not only were they really pretty, but they also turned the whole street scene into a time that seemed long gone. What the bicycle rickshaws are concerned, I have also seen many different variations, but this trishaw from Myanmar was still a very unique construction. The same is true for the hood-less truck, they too seemed unique to Myanmar and added one more layer to this already fascinating country… 
What a fun post! The three wheeler cars are probably my favorite
I’ve definitely rode many of these types of vehicles before, though not in Myanmar yet. A place I really want to visit.
Casey @ A Cruising Couple recently posted…That Time We Slept In a Hotel Made of Snow â Our Experience at the Snow Village, Finland
It’s great to hear that you liked the post Casey! The three-wheeled cars were absolutely cute and I really would have loved to take one, or even better drive one. I am sure it would have been good fun. Myanmar is definitely well worth a visit and when you get the chance to travel around, maybe you have more luck than me and you can catch one of these cute little vehicles…
Love this post, thanx for sharing. For some odd reason, this reminds me of Cuba where we traveled by motorbike, open top truck, bike and coco-taxi. Loved it!
Esther.
(Found you through #SundayTraveler)
Esther recently posted…Stedentrip Hamburg: 5 must do’s
Thank you very much Esther! Unfortunately I haven’t been to Cuba yet, but from your description it does sound pretty similar. Hopefully one day I will get to travel there as well and see all the nice old 1950’s American cars. I am sure I would love it as well…
Great read! My first thought was how is he going to get to 15? Great work in rounding up all transport options. We used many of these options ourselves, but I would love to go back just to check out those wooden horse carriages! Thanks for sharing and happy easter to you!
Margherita @The Crowded Planet recently posted…Thaipusam: Piercing Devotion
Thank you very much Margherita, I hope you had a great Easter as well! It’s good to hear that you went to Myanmar as well and had the chance to use some of the local transport. The horse carriages were definitely great and since they only existed in Pyin Oo Lwin, I assume you didn’t make it there during your trip. But if you do get a chance to go back, check out this former colonial hill station, it’s well worth a visit, not only for the horse carriages…
Excellent post, Dennis! Informative and very entertaining. When you said you traveled Myanmar like a local, you’ve really meant it. What a range of vehicles?! Have you actually embarked on a two-wheeled horse cart or a hood-less tractor? For a 1.5$ a day, a bicycle would definitely be my transport of choice.
frankaboutcroatia recently posted…Three reasons to visit Peljesac peninsula this summer (photos)
Thanks a lot Frank, I am glad that you enjoyed reading it!There really was quite a range of vehicles in Myanmar and the bike was definitely a great way to explore a town on your own terms. I actually took the hood-less truck and even one of the horse carts in Bagan as a driver gave us a free ride to promote his services for a full day tour. The ride was nice, but the tour way too expensive for my budget and so I rather opted for the bike again…
I immediately thought of the Amish in Pennsylvania when I saw your first two pictures. If I was visiting a town with an Amish community nearby, it wasn’t uncommon to see piles of horse dung on a road, and you’d know a horse-drawn carriage had just been there. And the hoodless trucks do look pretty cool to ride in. I’ll be keeping an eye out when I visit this year, or the next.
Ming recently posted…The Ceilings And Statues Of The United States Capitol Building
You are right Ming, the hood-less trucks really were great to ride in and you will definitely spot them when visiting Myanmar! Unfortunately I never visited the Amish people myself, but I have heard lots of great stories from friends and would certainly love to see their community and horse buggies at some point…
Myanmar is on our top list to visit soon. Thanks for the tip that its okay to skip Rangoon. I enjoyed this round up of local means of transport. A lot of them are certainly novelties for me and would love to try them just for the fun of it. I definitely would like to ride on the hood less tractor. I looks like it would be a great joy ride! The three wheeled cart looks interesting as well. Too bad you didn’t get to try it. Thanks for the fun post.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted…The Old City of Jerusalem
Thank you Marisol, it’s great to hear that you enjoyed the post! The transport in Myanmar was definitely fun to try out and especially the hood-less vehicles provided quite unique street scenes. Definitely make sure to out as many different means of transport as you can, since they are not only novelties, but also a perfect way to explore the country…
What came first…the realization that you had so many transportation options or the photos? Your post made us smile!
The Travel Sisters recently posted…Our Day as Panda Keepers in Chengdu, China
I am glad to hear that my post made you smile! What came first is a good question, but the truth lies probably in-between. As the range of transportation options seemed to grow by the day, so did the collection of photos until I finally realized how many of them I actually had on my camera…
Who knew there were so many different varieties of transportation there?! Those 3-wheeled vehicles look really funny, especially that tiny yellow vehicle. I would love to drive around by bicycle to slowly take in everything!
Lauren recently posted…Farm Animals and Raptor Centre at Mountsberg
You are right Lauren, I didn’t know either how many different vehicles there were in Myanmar until it dawned on me after taking so many photos of them! The three wheelers were definitely great and I am still somewhat upset that I couldn’t try out the little orange one, but it gives me another reason to go back. Definitely get a bike when you go to Myanmar, it’s a great way to explore on your own terms…
Such a fun post! I love seeing the transportation in other countries, like 15 people squeezed into a tractor!
Anna | slightly astray recently posted…Of steep hills and colorful houses: 3 Days in Valparaiso
Thanks a lot Anna! I obviously love all sorts of transportation as well, not only in Myanmar. But every time there are more people in a vehicle than I ever thought possible and they even wave for me to get on as well, it simply puts a big smile on my face…
I was always amazed at the number of people that would crowd into any vehicle. I agree, that Mandalay is a better base than Yangon. I really didn’t care for Yangon. Other than the temple, I didn’t find it to be a particularly interesting city. When I was there they seldom at power. It would go off for 12 to 14 hour stretches, everyday. I took quite a few long distance buses. They are a great way to see the country. Although, my knees did not thank me!
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You are right Nancie, Yangon didn’t really have that much to offer and it took painfully long bus rides to go up north and come back. The amount of people that could fit in any kind of vehicle really was astonishing, not only in Myanmar but any given Asian country. That to me is always part of what makes travel in other countries so exciting…
What a fantastic post looking at all the transportation options. That first pick up truck looks impossibly full.
Adelina | PackMeTo recently posted…6 Things Teaching Abroad Has Taught Me
Thanks a lot Adelina, it’s great to hear that you liked the post! The first pick-up truck was in fact the fullest I have seen in Myanmar, but unfortunately it was in motion when I was quickly taking a snap and I couldn’t catch everything. So if you look closely you will see that loads of people were still hanging from the back, making this indeed an unbelievably space efficient means of transport…
Haha great idea for a post! I can’t wait to go to Myanmar later this year and I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts about it. Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler!
Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy recently posted…Meet the Gypsies : Beth of Besudesu Abroad
Great that you enjoyed reading the post Ashley! Definitely make sure to check out some of the transportation options when you visit Myanmar, it’s well worth it and a fun way to explore the country…
I’ve seen pretty crazy way of transportation in Asia but I guess I need to go to Myanmar to see even more crazy stuff. I’d like the idea of taking a three wheeler car, it’s pretty small and it looks and feels like a little toy
You are right Franca, Myanmar is a very different league in many ways. But after having seen almost every other Southeast Asian country, this little bit of crazy stuff made travelling in Myanmar really rewarding, even if I never managed to take the little toy three wheeler…
We haven’t been to Myanmar yet but it looks like it would be so much fun hitchhiking on all these funky vehicles!
Hitch-Hikers Handbook recently posted…Travel Photography Competition – week 89
You should definitely go to Myanmar then, I am sure you would have a great time! We hitchhiked on the those hood-less trucks and it was definitely great fun…
Looks like an amazing place. Thanks so much for sharing – some of these methods of transit look fun and some just pretty dangerous. Will try them out when I visit Myanmar later this year! Found another article that I really found interesting, it’s all about Myanmar and may be of interest to fellow South East Asia travellers: http://www.travelindochina.com/blog-articles/welcome-to-burma/
Thanks Coby! Myanmar is definitely a great place to visit and I am sure you will have an amazing time trying out all the different forms of local transport…
I love this post Dennis, I’m a bit obsessed with different forms of transportation so it is like being in heaven!
Marysia recently posted…Friday Lens Affair #80
Thank you Maysia! It’s great to know that you are as well a lover of all sorts of transport and the ones in Myanmar were definitely creating a transportation heaven…
I was curious about the bicycle trishaws, but didn’t give them a try because it was between two choices: too intimate with the driver or the awkwardness of facing backwards. I regret it now! I should have tried that, at least facing backwards! Could be so much fun!
I tried one small pick up car for the transfer from the terminal in Bagan to my hotel in New Bagan. It was hilarious.. We were laughing all the way because the space was too small.
Great post!
Firsta | Discover Your Indonesia recently posted…Authentic Javanese Bites: Warung Handayani
Thanks a lot Firsta! It’s great to hear that you also had the chance to travel Myanmar like a local, even if you missed out on the bicycle trishaw. But hopefully one day we will visit this curious country again and try all the interesting vehicles that we haven’t managed to use yet…
woow great….
Thanks Tom, I am happy that you enjoyed learning about all the different types to travel in Myanmar…