How to Get Around in Nay Pyi Taw – What are the Types of Transport Available in the City?

 So, you’re putting together a trip to Nay Pyi taw in Myanmar. One of the first things you need to do in terms of destination research before you commit to other important elements of your vacation such as your accommodation and the budget that you’re going to allocate to this leg of your journey is to check on the types of transport available in the city. This can affect where you choose to stay and how you plan your itinerary as well. Here are some of the main ways to navigate the city.

                                                 Img via Pxfuel

 Option One – Use a Cab Service

Nay Pyi Taw is just one of those cities where everything is located quite far apart. That means that there’s quite a lot of distance to cover between places of interest. This makes walking or modes of transport such as cycling quite a bit more strenuous than you’d normally want it to be, especially when you’re on holiday – it would also take up a lot of valuable time to travel this way; time that would be best spent on relaxation and other more entertaining activities. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that one of the most popular ways for tourists to get around Myanmar, is by taxi.

 How can you hail a safe and reliable taxi? The best way is to call ahead and make a booking. If you’re not sure which service to go with, your accommodation provider should be able to help you on this front. For example, PARKROYAL Nay Pyi Taw, which is one of many Nay Pyi Taw hotels, mentions specifically on its website that it is happy to help its guests get around the city by assisting with taxi bookings. If you decide to stay at a luxury hotel, you can also usually request them to help you arrange a transfer to and from the airport via taxi, or, if you’re feeling swanky, by limousine! From such hotels, airport runs via taxi will probably cost you something in the range of USD 35 (one way).

 Option Two – Motorbike Taxi

An option that’s a bit risky but more cost-effective is to hop onto a motorbike taxi. If you’re on a small travel budget and you find that traditional cabs services are too pricey to use for the bulk of your travels, consider using a motorbike taxi instead. It’s exactly as the name implies – you pay a fare to have the driver take you around on the back of their motorbike. While the advantages are price as well as the increased efficacy when it comes to weaving through traffic, there are downsides to this option. Safety, for one, plays a much smaller role when you’re on the back of a motorbike compared to in the backseat of a car. Secondly, if you’re not used to the dust and fumes that tend to hover over the roads in places like Myanmar, India, and many other developing nations in Asia, then increased exposure to the same when you’re on the back of a motorbike, may increase the chances of you getting sick. Coming down with a cold or dust allergy is not ideal while you’re on vacation.

 Option 3 – Tuk Tuk

Another option that’s more cost-effective than a traditional taxi is to take a tuk-tuk to get around the city. A tuk-tuk is a widely used name in Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and similar others, for a three-wheeled vehicle, that’s only partially covered. The sides are usually uncovered and open to the outside. So, you can still feel the wind in your hair as you enjoy the ride. Usually, a tuk-tuk can hold two to three people in the backseat. In the front, there’s only one seat – the driver’s seat.