Budget & Costs
What does Myanmar cost?
Myanmar is one of the most affordable travel destinations in Southeast Asia — not quite as cheap as Cambodia, but significantly cheaper than Thailand or Vietnam. However, prices fluctuate greatly between high and low seasons, and the economic instability since 2021 leads to sometimes unpredictable price changes.
Typical Prices (Guidelines)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea in the teahouse (Laphet-yay) | 0.10–0.30 EUR |
| Mohinga (national dish, street stall) | 0.30–0.80 EUR |
| Shan noodles in the restaurant | 0.80–2.00 EUR |
| Dinner in a good restaurant | 3–8 EUR |
| Myanmar Beer (0.65l bottle) | 0.80–1.50 EUR |
| Bottled water (1.5l) | 0.10–0.20 EUR |
| Bus Yangon → Bagan (overnight bus, 10h) | 10–18 EUR |
| Domestic flight Yangon → Bagan | 60–120 EUR |
| E-bike rental in Bagan (day) | 5–8 EUR |
| Boat tour Inle Lake (whole day) | 5–10 EUR |
| Kalaw-Inle trekking (2 days) | 25–40 EUR/person |
| Bagan zone entry | 8 EUR |
| Shwedagon Pagoda entry | 3 EUR |
| Double room guesthouse | 15–30 EUR |
| Double room 3-star hotel | 30–60 EUR |
| Double room 4-5-star hotel | 60–150 EUR |
Budget Levels
Backpacker (20–30 EUR per day)
Hostel dorms or simple guesthouses, street food and teahouse meals, overnight buses (saves hotel costs!), e-bike instead of taxi. Myanmar is a paradise for backpackers: Mohinga for breakfast for 30 cents, Shan noodles for lunch for 80 cents, a teahouse afternoon for 50 cents, and a clean guesthouse room for 10–15 euros. With this budget, you experience authentic Myanmar — you eat where the locals eat and travel as they do.
Budget Comfort (30–60 EUR per day)
Nice guesthouses or simple hotels with air conditioning, a mix of street food and good restaurants, one or two domestic flights on the route, occasionally a taxi or private driver. The most comfortable way to explore Myanmar on a small budget. A domestic flight Yangon–Bagan (approx. 80 EUR) saves 10 hours of bus travel — it can be worth it.
Mid-Range (60–120 EUR per day)
3–4-star hotels, good restaurants, and occasionally upscale dining, private driver for day trips, all major experiences (balloon ride, boat tours, guided trekking). For most travelers, the sweet spot: comfortable but not extravagant.
Luxury (150–400 EUR+ per day)
Boutique hotels and colonial hotels (Strand Hotel Yangon, Bagan Lodge), Irrawaddy cruise on luxury ships, private guide and driver, hot air balloon ride over Bagan. Myanmar has surprisingly good luxury options — and even these are astonishingly affordable compared to Thailand or Japan.
Tipp
In Myanmar, many things are paid for in US dollars — hotels, entry fees, domestic flights, and guided tours. Bring clean, undamaged US dollar bills (no creases, no tears, no stamps!). ATMs are available in the cities, but the fees are high (about 1.50 EUR per withdrawal). Currency exchange offices at the airport offer better rates than ATMs.
Savings Tips
Myanmar is already inexpensive, but with these strategies, you can get even more out of your budget:
- Use overnight buses: JJ Express and VIP Bus offer comfortable overnight buses with reclining seats, air conditioning, blankets, and snacks. You save a hotel night and arrive at your destination in the morning. Yangon → Bagan: from 5 EUR.
- Eat in the teahouse: Breakfast and snacks in the teahouse cost a fraction of restaurant prices. Mohinga, Samosa Thoke, and sweet milk tea — the most authentic and affordable food in Myanmar.
- Street food instead of restaurants: At street stalls, you pay 0.30–1.50 EUR for a complete meal. The quality is often better than in restaurants because the cooks specialize in one or two dishes.
- Travel together: Boats on Inle Lake and taxis/drivers are paid per boat or car, not per person. Team up with other travelers — a boat for the whole day costs 8 EUR, divided by 4 people, that's 2 EUR.
- Book early in high season: Hotels in Bagan and on Inle Lake are often twice as expensive in December/January as in November or February. Booking 2–3 months in advance saves significantly.
- Buy water in the supermarket: 1.5-liter bottles in the store cost 0.10–0.20 EUR. In restaurants and tourist spots, often three times as much.
- E-bike instead of a driver: Rent an e-bike in Bagan for 5–8 EUR/day instead of hiring a driver (25–40 EUR). You are more flexible and find the quietest temples off the standard routes.
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