What to expect when visiting Hpa An
Hpa An is a serene riverside town in Myanmar’s Kayin State. Home to the Karen ethnic group, it is a great place to experience local life in Burma.
This small town is well-loved by backpackers looking for a laidback destination and some quiet time with nature. Surrounded by karst mountains, rice paddies and cave systems, it’s so easy to get lost in the beauty of Hpa An.
2 ways to get from Inle Lake to Hpa An
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 490 kilometers (304 miles) from Inle Lake to Hpa An by bus (16 to 19 hours) and flight + Bus (8 hours 10 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 8 hours 10 minutes to 19 hours and the quickest way is by flight + bus. The lowest priced tickets start from $16 for the bus.Where to stay in Hpa An?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hpa An at the bottom of this page.
Inle Lake to Hpa An by Bus
At present, it is not possible to take a direct bus from Inle Lake to Hpa An. You will have to take a bus to Yangon first and then another bus from Yangon to Hpa An.
Step 1: Inle Lake to Yangon by Bus
There are several bus companies operating from Inle Lake to Yangon. See the schedules below:
Travel time usually takes about 9h-12h and ticket costs start from $11 depending on the type of bus.
Shwe Lun Pyan
- Departs from May Bus Ticket Centre (May Gate) located 10 kilometers from Inle Lake
- Arrives at Shwe Lun Pyan Express Bus Terminal in Oak Thar Street located about 10 kilometers from Yangon International Airport
Elite Express
- Departs from Full Moon Bus Ticket Office opposite Ever Green Restaurant located 10 kilometers from Inle Lake
- Arrives at Aung Mingalar Highway Station located 15 kilometers north of Yangon city
Lumbini
- Departs from Ko Kyaw Lwin Oo Lumbini Bus Gate in front of Nyaung Shwe Wet Market and next to KBZ Bank, Nyaungshwe, Myanmar
- Arrives at Aung Mingalar Highway Station located 15 kilometers north of Yangon city
Mandalar Minn
- Departs from Bagan Min Thar Bus Station located 10 kilometers from Inle Lake
- Arrives at Aung Mingalar Highway Station located 15 kilometers north of Yangon city
Step 2: Yangon to Hpa An by Bus
From Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Station in Yangon, there are several buses that depart for Hpa An. Travel time is 7 hours and you can buy a ticket for just $5.
Most buses arrive at Sat Pyit Kwin Bus Terminal located 4 kilometers from the centre of Hpa An.
If you choose one of the 2 schedules indicated in the table below, you will leave Inle Lake at a reasonable time in the evening and arrive in Hpa An in the early afternoon. Another advantage of this schedule is that you save a night on accommodation.
Bus schedules from Yangon to Hpa An
Inle Lake to Hpa An by Flight + Bus
The fastest way to reach Hpa An is by taking a 1 hour and 10-minute flight from Heho Airport to Yangon Airport. However, from there you will still need to take a 8 hours 10 minutes during bus ride from Yangon to Hpa An.
From Inle Lake, you can take a 1-hour taxi ride to Heho Airport. This 40 km journey will cost you $20.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Inle Lake to Yangon by Flight
A handful of airline companies serve the Heho Airport to Yangon Airport route including Golden Myanmar Airlines, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, Air KBZ, Myanmar National Airlines, and Hahn Air.
These airlines operate up to 10 flights daily. One-way ticket starts at $93.
Step 2: Yangon to Hpa An by Bus
From Yangon Airport, you will have to make your way to Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Station to take the bus to Hpa An. The distance from the airport to the bus station is 8 kilometers and a taxi ride should cost you only $2.
To continue your journey from Yangon to Hpa An, you choose from several bus companies.
The earliest bus leaves at 06:30 in the morning and the last bus leaves Yangon at 9 in the evening. Travel time is 7 hours and tickets cost as low as $5 for a standard bus and $15 for a VIP bus.
Best places to stay in Hpa An
Hotel Champion - Budget Friendly
Hotel Champion is located in central Hpa-an and features a shared lounge. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel offers a continental or buffet breakfast.
- Great location
- Helpful concierge
- Family-friendly
- Breakfast included
Private rooms start at $19 per night
Hpa An Boutique Inn - Budget Friendly
Hpa An Boutique Inn offers rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms. The property provides free private parking and free WiFi. A continental breakfast is available each morning. The staff are known to be very friendly and welcoming.
- Amazing staff
- Very good breakfast included
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Good location
Private rooms start at $28 per night
Hotel Perfect Hpa-An - Mid Range
Hotel Perfect Hpa-An is centrally located near amenities and sights. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. There is an on-site restaurant, 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. A buffet breakfast is included with your stay.
- Breakfast included
- Close to attractions
- Large and comfortable rooms
- Amazing staff
Private rooms start at $42 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Inle Lake to Hpa An
What is the distance from Inle Lake to Hpa An?
The distance from Inle Lake to Hpa An is 490 kilometers (304 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Inle Lake to Hpa An?
The fastest way to get from Inle Lake to Hpa An is by flight + bus and takes 8 hours 10 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Inle Lake to Hpa An?
The cheapest way to get from Inle Lake to Hpa An is by bus with ticket costs starting from $16.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Inle Lake to Hpa An. 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.
