Myanmar operates as a dual-currency economy where US dollars remain widely accepted alongside the kyat, the official currency issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar. The kyat floats on international markets but experiences frequent devaluation against hard currencies, with exchange rates shifting from approximately 1,300 kyat per dollar in 2018 to surpassing 2,100 kyat per dollar by late 2022 and reaching over 3,000 kyat per dollar in some periods following the February 2021 military coup. This volatility creates significant unpredictability for travelers holding kyat, as purchasing power can erode within weeks during periods of political or economic instability. Hotels, airlines, and upscale services typically quote prices in dollars and often prefer dollar payment, while street markets, local restaurants, and transportation operate in kyat. ATMs dispense kyat at variable exchange rates typically less favorable than money changers, and cash remains the dominant payment method as credit card acceptance exists only in high-end hotels and international establishments in Yangon and Mandalay. Western Union and money transfer services operate in major cities but faced restrictions and closures during 2021-2023 political disruptions.
Accommodation costs in Myanmar span from 5,000 kyat for basic guesthouse beds in regional towns to 300 dollars nightly for luxury properties at Inle Lake or Bagan. Budget guesthouse dormitory beds in Yangon and Mandalay ranged from 8,000 to 15,000 kyat in 2019, with private double rooms in the same establishments costing 20,000 to 35,000 kyat. Mid-range hotels with air conditioning, hot water, and breakfast in Yangon typically charged 35 to 65 dollars per night before 2021, though some properties switched to kyat pricing afterward. Naypyidaw hotels operate at significantly lower occupancy and often offer rates 20 to 40 percent below comparable Yangon properties to attract business. Bagan's hotel zone contains purpose-built tourism properties ranging from 40 to 200 dollars nightly, with rates varying sharply between low season, May through September, and high season, November through February. Inle Lake accommodation concentrates in Nyaung Shwe, where waterfront hotels charge premiums of 15 to 30 percent over equivalent mainland properties. Mawlamyine and regional capitals offer substantially lower accommodation costs, with acceptable double rooms available for 15,000 to 25,000 kyat in locally managed hotels.
Food costs in Myanmar divide sharply between local cuisine and tourist-oriented establishments. A bowl of mohinga from a street vendor costs 500 to 1,000 kyat, while a plate of shan noodles at a local teashop ranges from 800 to 1,500 kyat. Rice curry meals at neighborhood restaurants serving Yangon workers cost 1,500 to 3,000 kyat for a plate with multiple curry options, rice, soup, and vegetable sides. Local teashops serve milk tea for 200 to 400 kyat per cup and sweet or savory snacks including samusa and mont lone yay paw for 200 to 800 kyat per piece. Tourist restaurants in Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan typically charge 4,000 to 8,000 kyat for main dishes, with establishments in high-traffic areas near Shwedagon Pagoda or within the Bagan archaeological zone commanding higher prices. Western food availability concentrates in Yangon, where pizza ranges from 8,000 to 15,000 kyat, imported cheese adds 3,000 to 5,000 kyat to dishes, and coffee shop espresso drinks cost 2,500 to 4,500 kyat. Markets sell produce at minimal cost, with tropical fruits priced by the pile rather than weight, typically 1,000 to 3,000 kyat for several kilograms of mangoes, papayas, or bananas depending on season. Ngapi, the fermented fish paste fundamental to Myanmar cuisine, costs 2,000 to 5,000 kyat per container in wet markets. Laphet thoke served at local restaurants costs 1,500 to 3,000 kyat per serving, while packaged pickled tea leaves from shops sell for 1,000 to 2,500 kyat per bag.
Transportation within Myanmar cities relies on aging infrastructure where buses, shared taxis, and motorcycle taxis compete for passengers. Yangon's bus system charges flat fares of 200 kyat for most routes, with buses running from approximately 5:00 to 21:00 on primary corridors. Shared pickup trucks serving as buses in regional towns cost 200 to 500 kyat for in-town trips. Motorcycle taxis in Yangon charge 1,000 to 2,000 kyat for trips under three kilometers, negotiated before departure. Grab operates in Yangon and Mandalay offering metered motorcycle and car service, with typical cross-city car trips costing 3,000 to 8,000 kyat. Licensed taxi meters exist but many drivers prefer negotiated fares, with Yangon airport to downtown running 8,000 to 12,000 kyat depending on traffic and negotiation. Mandalay operates cycle rickshaws charging 1,500 to 3,000 kyat for tourist-area trips, while bicycle rentals cost 2,000 to 4,000 kyat per day in Bagan and Mandalay. Electric bicycle rentals in Bagan, introduced after a 2016 ban on tourists climbing temple structures, cost 4,000 to 7,000 kyat daily from numerous rental shops near Nyaung-U. Horse cart rides around Bagan archaeological sites cost 15,000 to 25,000 kyat for half-day tours seating up to four passengers.
Inter-city transportation costs reflect Myanmar's limited infrastructure development and geographical barriers. Government buses on the Yangon-Mandalay route, covering approximately 630 kilometers, charged 14,000 to 20,000 kyat for standard seats and 25,000 to 35,000 kyat for VIP sleeper buses with 2019 pricing. Private bus companies including JJ Express and Elite operate premium services between major cities, charging 18,000 to 28,000 kyat for Yangon-Mandalay day buses with air conditioning, electrical outlets, and included snacks. Yangon to Bagan buses cover roughly 600 kilometers in ten to twelve hours, costing 18,000 to 30,000 kyat depending on departure time and seat class. Night buses save accommodation costs but arrive at destinations between 4:00 and 6:00 before hotels allow check-in. Yangon to Inle Lake requires traveling to Shwenyaung, approximately 660 kilometers costing 20,000 to 32,000 kyat for overnight buses, then a 30-minute transfer to Nyaung Shwe for 1,500 to 3,000 kyat by shared taxi. Mandalay to Hsipaw in Shan State costs 8,000 to 12,000 kyat for the seven to nine hour journey on winding mountain roads.
Myanmar Railways operates an extensive but deteriorating network where trains cover major routes at speeds averaging 30 to 45 kilometers per hour. The Yangon-Mandalay express train costs 5,000 kyat for ordinary class hard wooden seats, 15,000 kyat for upper-class cushioned seats, and 35,000 kyat for sleeper berths, completing the journey in 14 to 17 hours compared to 9 to 11 hours by bus. Yangon Circular Railway runs a three-hour loop through suburban neighborhoods for 200 kyat, serving commuters and providing tourists a mobile observation platform through residential areas rarely seen otherwise. The Gokteik Viaduct between Pyin Oo Lwin and Hsipaw carries trains across a 689-meter steel trestle built by Pennsylvania Steel Company in 1900, standing 102 meters above the valley floor. This route costs 4,000 to 7,000 kyat depending on class and takes approximately nine hours including the slow crossing during which passengers photograph the structure. Mandalay to Bagan trains operate overnight, costing 10,000 to 22,000 kyat for sleeper berths in poorly maintained carriages often delayed two to four hours beyond the scheduled eight-hour journey.