Bus from Mandalay to Naypyidaw

Riding the bus from Mandalay to Naypyidaw with the real experience of mr.hotsia

When it comes to traveling in Myanmar that I often experience, one of the interesting routes has to be the bus ride from Mandalay to Naypyidaw, the new capital of Myanmar. Although it seems like a long distance, with comfortable bus services and good roads, this journey is a story I want to share in detail with everyone.

Easy ticket booking through hotels with Mandalarminn Express

Before setting off that morning, I chose to use the service of Mandalarminn Express, one of the popular transport companies on this route. Booking tickets was very simple. Just inform the hotel in Mandalay where you stay, and the hotel will call to book for you and have staff deliver the tickets to your hand. I was very impressed by this because I didn’t have to waste time looking for tickets myself.

Traveling from the city center to the bus station

On the day the bus departed, I had to take a motorcycle taxi to the bus station about 5 kilometers from downtown Mandalay. The motorcycle fare was cheaper than a taxi, which charged about 5 US dollars. This price was consistent no matter which taxi I asked. The road from Mandalay to Naypyidaw is wide, a 6-lane road (3 lanes each way). The bus ran at a speed not exceeding 80 kilometers per hour, which made me feel safe and enjoy the scenery along the way.

Halfway rest stop with local food tasting

The bus stops for about 30 minutes halfway for a meal break. Anyone who wants to eat must buy their own food. The prices are not expensive at all. I noticed that the food stalls at these rest stops offer a variety of local Burmese dishes, especially the rich, home-style flavors I have tried before fromAmarapura Cuisine, MandalaySometimes I also recommend trying local snacks sold in markets along the way to satisfy hunger because it gives a feeling similar to riding a bus in our own country.

Cross-city bus experience with free drinking water

I took a long bus trip from Mandalay almost all the way to Yangon because I didn’t realize I had passed Naypyidaw by about 10 kilometers. I had to take a motorcycle back, which cost 300 baht. I thought it was quite expensive but had no other choice. Naypyidaw has two bus stations: one in the city and one outside. The bus I rode had well-organized seating and sturdy seats. Each passenger was given a free bottle of drinking water, which I considered very good service compared to Myanmar’s standards.

Return trip with self-ticket purchase and some small tips

On the return trip from Naypyidaw to Mandalay, I chose to buy the ticket myself at the bus station. I learned that hotels that offer ticket booking services receive only a 20 baht commission per ticket, which is very little compared to the convenience provided. The return bus stopped at a different meal break than the outbound trip. Along the way, there were frequent kilometer markers every 100 meters and speed monitoring points informing drivers of their speed. From my experience, almost no one drove over the speed limit.

Interesting route passing through Mandalay city

Mandalay is a city I am very familiar with, especially its diverse food options such as atMithila City Cuisineor the community atmosphere that still preserves traditional ways of life. Additionally, if anyone has time, they should stop by Pinlaung city, which is not far away and has interesting tourist attractions and accommodations such asRecommended hotels in Pinlaung citywhere I have stayed and was very impressed. Another activity I recommend is taking a horse carriage ride to explore Pinlaung’s public park.Horse carriage tour of Pinlaung city and Pinlaung public parkwhich will make you feel like traveling back in time.

Contact information and locations of Mandalarminn Express

For those interested in using Mandalarminn Express, this company has offices and bus stations at several locations in Mandalay and Naypyidaw as follows:

• Mandalay: Room (1), Kywe Se Kan, Chan Mya Shwe Pyi Highway Bus Compound, Tel: 02-78991 and 09-6807272
• Corner of 32x83 street, Tel: 02-91007993
• Naypyidaw: Bawgathiri Highway Bus Compound (A-2), Tel: 067-26020, 09-49245111
• Room (10), Myoma Market, Tel: 421939, 09-49-245222

I, mr.hotsia, guarantee that the service of this company is quite professional and truly worth traveling with on this route.

Summary of the real field experience

Traveling from Mandalay to Naypyidaw by Mandalarminn Express bus allowed me to see the real life of people on Myanmar’s roads, taste local food along the way, and feel safe with good road conditions and disciplined driving. It is convenient and worry-free to buy tickets through hotels. Additionally, free drinking water is provided and seating is well arranged. I think if anyone has a chance to visit Mandalay and wants to experience the new capital city of Naypyidaw, this bus ride is an experience not to be missed.

Read other stories related to Mandalay and central Myanmar atAmarapura Cuisine, MandalayandMithila City Cuisine, Myanmarto prepare yourself for the journey and truly experience the way of life in this land.