What to expect when visiting Mandalay
Mandalay is Myanmar’s second-largest city and last royal capital. Founded by King Mindom in 1857, the city is known for its unique architecture and white pagodas. Interesting fact: More than half of the country’s monks live in Mandalay and surrounding areas!
It’s a must to visit the Hsinbyume Pagoda, the U-Bein Bridge, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, the Mandalay Palace, and the Zay Cho Market. Head up to Mandalay Hill — a pilgrimage site famous for its panoramic viewpoints — for the best views of Mandalay.
2 ways to get from Hpa An to Mandalay
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 700 kilometers (435 miles) from Hpa An to Mandalay by bus (15 hours) and bus + flight (8 hours 25 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 8 hours 25 minutes to 15 hours and the quickest way is by bus + flight. The lowest priced tickets start from $15 for the bus.Where to stay in Mandalay?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Mandalay at the bottom of this page.
Hpa An to Mandalay by Bus
There are no direct buses going from Hpa An to Mandalay. Instead, you need to take a bus to Yangon first and then another separate bus from Yangon to Mandalay.
The journey between these 3 towns takes about 15 hours and Bear in mind that tickets need to be booked separately.
We recommend one of the two following schedules below:
Bus schedules from Hpa An to Mandalay
| Bus company | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Ba Gone Express (Hpa An – Yangon) Man Shwe Pyi (Yangon – Mandalay) |
17:30-00:30 03:30-11:30 |
7 hours 8 hours |
$5 $10 |
| Mandalar Minn (Hpa An – Yangon) Gi Group Express (Yangon – Mandalay) |
19:30-02:30 04:00-13:00 |
7 hours 9 hours |
$11 $12 |
The schedules indicated in the table above lets you leave Hpa An in the afternoon and arrive in Mandalay at a reasonable time in the morning. An advantage of this trip is that it should save you a night on accommodation.
Hpa An to Mandalay by Bus + Flight
The quickest option to reach Mandalay is by taking a 7-hour bus ride from Hpa An to Yangon and then continue with a 1 hour and 25-minute flight from Yangon to Mandalay.
We recommend taking the following schedules below:
Bus + Flight Schedules from Hpa An to Mandalay
| Bus company/Airline | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Ba Gone Express (Hpa An – Yangon) Golden Myanmar Airlines (Yangon – Mandalay) |
20:30-03:30 07:00-08:25 |
7h 1h 25m |
$5 $90 |
| Mi Ba Gone Express (Hpa An – Yangon) Golden Myanmar Airlines (Yangon – Mandalay) |
01:30-08:30 11:45-13:10 |
7h 1h 25m |
$5 $90 |
| Mi Ba Gone Express (Hpa An – Yangon) Myanmar Airways International (Yangon – Mandalay) |
03:00-10:00 13:30-14:55 |
7h 1h 25m |
$7 $115 |
The bus from Hpa an to Yangon arrives in Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Station. From the bus station, you need to travel 8 kilometers to Yangon Airport for your flight to Mandalay. A private taxi should only cost you about $2.
The flight from Yangon arrives at Mandalay Airport, which is located 40 kilometers south of the city centre.
To get to Mandalay city, there are buses near the baggage booth that can drop you off at your hotel for $4. Otherwise, you can take an airconditioned taxi for a fixed rate of $10. The journey should take about 1 hour to 1.5 hours.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Best places to stay in Mandalay
Ostello Bello Mandalay - Budget Friendly
Set 500 m from The Mandalay Palace, Ostello Bello Mandalay is in a great location and also the perfect place to meet other travellers. With its rooftop, bar and restaurant fellow guests gather together after a day of exploring. Grab one of the hotel’s board games and have a fun games night!
The hostel has both dorm rooms and spacious private rooms available. And whatever you need, the staff are more than willing to help.
- Fantastic location
- Amazing rooftop bar
- Spacious and clean rooms
- Delicious free breakfast
Private rooms start at $23 per night.
79 Living Hotel - Budget Friendly
If you fancy more of a hotel than a hostel but are still on a budget, check out 79 Living. It’s set in a perfect location, only a 5-minute walk from Mandalay Palace.
The rooms boast a simple and traditional Myanmar design. The star of the hotel has to be the rooftop restaurant that offers incredible city views. The restaurant serves European, Thai and Chinese cuisines, plus a free breakfast every morning.
- Great rooftop restaurant
- Simple and clean rooms
- Perfect location
- Free breakfast
Private rooms start from $22 per night.
Dragon Phoenix Hotel - Mid Range
The Dragon Phoenix Hotel boasts more modern rooms with incredible views of the city with their huge windows. Opt for a high floor for even better views.
The staff are helpful and full of recommendations. There’s also an onsite restaurant and bar. Plus, a free breakfast is served every day.
- Stunning views
- Modern and clean rooms
- Great staff
- Free breakfast
Private rooms start from $45 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hpa An to Mandalay
What is the distance from Hpa An to Mandalay?
The distance from Hpa An to Mandalay is 700 kilometers (435 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hpa An to Mandalay?
The fastest way to get from Hpa An to Mandalay is by bus + flight and takes 8 hours 25 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hpa An to Mandalay?
The cheapest way to get from Hpa An to Mandalay is by bus with ticket costs starting from $15.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hpa An to Mandalay. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
