in need of advice for yangon

Old Jun 21st, 2010, 03:36 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
in need of advice for yangon

i am thinking of visiting yangon. i am a lone traveller n therefore hailing taxis may be wee bit expensive for me. i am a malaysian btw n tat should give u an idea of my financial circumstances.
so i am wondering issit possible to go around yangon by foot or is yangon too big to be on foot?
n also is there recommendation for a budget sleep in the city centre for a budget of maximum USD15/night?
another question i have is how much does it take to book a taxi for the whole day or travel between places within yangon? i have found inconsistencies in wikitravel which i want to clear up. "Most taxis will be only to happy to negotiate an hourly (3000 kyat) or daily (US$20-30) or longer rate." (from wikitravel). hourly costs 3000 kyat (RM1600) n daily costs USD 30 (RM100)??????
thanks in advance for any responses i might get. n dun hesitate to tell me ur experience in yangon.
ronoronorono is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2010, 03:56 PM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ps: the exchange rate i used was from several currency converter website. i read from another fodors member tat 1000 kyat is roughly 1 USD. tat would be consistent.
ronoronorono is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2010, 04:10 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Burmese consider Malaysian as rich so don't worry about finding accommodations and transportation there! Look for a package from Air Asia that include both hotel and air fare or you could just search the net for accommodations in Yangon.
Hanuman is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2010, 05:01 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Most taxis around town will cost about 2000 kyat at most. From the airport, US$5 or 5000 kyat - but don't exchange money at the airport. You can use US$ for the taxi from the airport.

Yangon is too big for walking, though you can have a taxi drop you in one area and walk that area.

Thorntree, Lonely Planet's website will have better info on inexpensive guesthouses www.thorntree.lonelyplanet.com

Hanuman's idea of looking for a package from Air Asia that includes lodging is a good one.

I'm assuming you know that you'll need clean (no marks) US$ to exchange in Yangon. You should be able to get about 1000 kyat to the dollar. Also, guesthouse charge in US $, and admission fee to Shwedagon (US$10) and airport departure fees (US$10) are all in US dollars.
Kathie is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2010, 06:12 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the downtown area is quite easy to walk around in but some of the sites and quiet parts of yangon will require a taxi or driver....

i would find my guest house first and then see if they can suggest a driver, etc for you in advance....
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2010, 07:19 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks. anyone with recommendation for a good tour guide? eng speaking of coz. might be dragging my pop along with me. lol. burmese appreciate USD so much more than kyat? sounds like everythin is using USD.
ronoronorono is offline  
Old Jun 21st, 2010, 09:23 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,609
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Lonely Planet lists quite a few places in your price range. This is the driver/guide I used: http://www.myinttours.com/index.htm - speaks good English. He can make your guesthouse reservation if necessary.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Jun 22nd, 2010, 10:25 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The downtown area is far too spread out to cover on foot and you also need to consider the heat, depending on the time of your visit. Taxi fares are flexible and you should not pay more than 2-3 dollars MAXIMUM to get to anyplace within the city.
ekscrunchy is offline  
Old Jun 22nd, 2010, 10:26 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry I meant to write, "the equivalent of 2-3 US dollars, or 2000-3000 kyat.
ekscrunchy is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kathie
Asia
82
Dec 15th, 2012 08:27 AM
SarahAB
Asia
22
Jan 25th, 2012 11:57 PM
Kathie
Asia
12
Nov 13th, 2011 03:19 PM
Kathie
Asia
114
Aug 29th, 2011 11:48 AM
offwego
Asia
16
May 20th, 2011 11:41 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -