Back to Yangon: Return to the Big City
We boarded a VIP bus from Hpa-An back to Yangon, Myanmar's former capital. We had the best bus ever - leather seats, onboard entertainment, and more space than we needed. But it still took almost the whole day.
The VIP Bus Experience
Not much exciting to tell you today - just a long travel day. But the VIP bus made it significantly more comfortable than standard Myanmar buses:
- Leather reclining seats with plenty of legroom
- Onboard entertainment (though movies were in Burmese!)
- Air conditioning (a blessing in Myanmar's heat)
- Rest stops every 2-3 hours
- Smooth suspension compared to regular buses
After days of adventure in Hpa-An's countryside, the long bus ride gave us time to rest, catch up on photos, and mentally prepare for our last day in Myanmar before flying to Thailand.
Have you taken VIP buses in Myanmar? How do they compare to standard buses? Any bus company recommendations? Share your Myanmar transport experiences below!
Myanmar VIP Bus Travel
- VIP bus Hpa-An to Yangon: 6-7 hours, 300km. Multiple departures daily. Book through guesthouse or bus terminal. VIP costs 2-3x regular bus but worth it for comfort!
- Cost (2017): VIP bus 15,000-20,000 MMK ($11-15 USD), Regular bus 7,000-10,000 MMK ($5-7). VIP worth extra for long journeys. Book day before for best seats.
- VIP vs Regular: VIP has leather seats, A/C, entertainment, fewer stops, better suspension. Regular buses cramped, basic, frequent stops. Choose VIP for 5+ hour trips!
- Bus companies: JJ Express (best VIP), Elite, Golden Hill, Shwe Mandalay. JJ Express most reliable but pricier. Check reviews before booking. Quality varies!
- Departure times: Morning buses (7-9am) arrive evening. Overnight buses (8-10pm) save hotel night but harder to sleep. Choose based on preference.
- Rest stops: 2-3 stops at roadside restaurants. Food included with some VIP tickets, otherwise pay separately (2,000-3,000 MMK). Bring snacks just in case!
- Temperature: VIP bus A/C can be FREEZING! Bring light jacket or long sleeves. Can't control temperature. Better too cold than hot though!
- Luggage: Stored underneath bus. Keep valuables with you. Bring entertainment (book, music, downloaded shows) - onboard movies usually Burmese with no subtitles!
- Yangon arrival: Buses arrive at Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal (north Yangon). 30-40 min taxi/Grab to downtown (5,000-8,000 MMK). Arrange pickup or use Grab app.
- Booking: Can book online via 12Go.asia or BusOnlineTicket.com. Or book at guesthouse/bus terminal. Peak season (Nov-Feb) book 1-2 days ahead.
Note:
Not every travel day can be an adventure - sometimes it's just about getting from Point A to Point B. The VIP bus made our return to Yangon comfortable enough that we arrived refreshed and ready for our final Myanmar day before heading to Thailand!