Directions to the Inle Lake and Nyaung Shwe, Myanmar

Directions to the Inle Lake and Nyaung Shwe, Myanmar

A quick and easy guide, such as those from Yangon, Mandalay or Bagan to the Inle Lake. This travel guide will also help you to plan further transport options and travel routes in Myanmar.

The Inle Lake lies in the Shan hills of Myanmar and attracts visitors from near and far because of its unique and authentic cultural charm. Visitors can explore huge floating communities from the capital Nyaung Shwe and admire the bamboo houses on stilts and the breathtaking floating gardens.

The Inle Lake is really a cultural jewel Myanmar, which is also home to one of the world's most unique settlements in lakes. The fishermen from Intha practice their bizarre efficient bone rudders while they drive their boats over the lake, past lively floating markets and fields with golden towers that dominate the distant coasts.

backpack tourists and travelers looking for an authentic travel destination in Southeast Asia will appreciate the fact that Myanmar is still a relatively unexplored miracle that does not yet fully feel the pressure of mass tourism. However, you may have noticed that it is not so easy or convenient to get from A to B. Well, at least if you don't know where to start.

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Alt = "Pagoda at Inle-See, Myanmar">
Alt = "Inle-See-Boat, Nyaung Shwe">

How to come to the Inle Lake

So what are the best options to get to the Inle Lake? It is cheapest and easiest to take an overland bus. Fortunately, there are several well-connected bus lines to the Inle Lake that run from popular nodes in all of myanmar.

Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight to Heho Airport. However, this airport is a 1-hour taxi ride from Nyaung Shwe and Lake Inle. Airport taxis are usually also expensive and cost an additional 25,000 kyat.

So if you don't have a lot of time or are simply not a fan of long journeys, then I would recommend taking a bus.
Alt = “floating boat markets on Inle See, Myanmar”> Floating markets at Inle-See

Connection: Boat trip on the Inle Lake-everything you need to know

Backpacker option: Transporting in Myanmar with the bus

The best way to get to the Inle Lake and all of myanmar in general is also the overland buses. I strongly recommend taking the night buses on "VIP" lines for a cheap and convenient journey.

In this guide, I will describe in detail how you get to the Inle Lake from most popular entrance courtyards in Myanmar with one of the best online transport resources. Bookaway.

Bookaway works with local transport agents and networks to list and compare the best land transport options. This means that I was able to find the best prices for buses and also plan my route flexibly without taking the risk of being stamped by any opportunistic booking agencies with a "tourist tax".

An advantage of Bookaway in Myanmar is that you can connect them to local buses, which means that you always get the local price and share the trip with locals and other tourists.

You now know me, I always prefer local transport to an organized tour. So the possibility of checking, comparing and booking the local transport in Myanmar online was a child's play.

Private transport to the Inle-See

To be honest, I found that most of the overland buses in Myanmar were surprisingly comfortable and spacious. This was particularly true compared to some in India and Sri Lanka.

But if you are still not convinced, you can also use Bookaway to find private transfers to the Inle Lake and many other destinations in Myanmar.

These private transport options are usually minivans that offer space for up to 9 people. These can also be quite affordable if they are shared in a large group.

I found that private vans are usually less comfortable compared to long -haul buses in Myanmar. This is certainly the case if you choose the "VIP" buses for the few more dollars.

domestic flights in myanmar

If you don't feel like long bus journeys, you can also take domestic flights. Usually flights from one city to another in Myanmar between 70 and 120

You have to take into account that airports are usually a good distance from the most important tourist centers. This means that you also have to consider additional airport buses, taxis or a grave to achieve your final goal.
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Bus lines for the Inle-See

In the following I have summarized everything you need to know to get to the Inle Lake from most tourist and traffic hubs in Myanmar.

There are several options to choose from, but check what is included in your tariff before booking. In most long-distance and night buses in Myanmar you can usually expect the following:

• lying seats
• air conditioning
• blankets (sometimes - bring warm clothes)
• water bottle
• free baggage (usually not too strict, with sufficient storage space for backpacks and suitcases in the base)

Arrival of Yangon to Inle-See

Yangon is one of the first goals in most Myanmar trips because it is well connected to several international airports in Asia.

A thing that you have to take into account when planning a trip from Yangon to the Inle Lake is that it can take up to an hour for this depot to be reached from the city, and sometimes even longer during the rush hour.

Remember that if you take a night bus that goes at 7 or 8 p.m., plan at least 2 hours to get to Aung Mingalar station

TIP: There are local, common minibuses that drive from the Sula pagoda to Aung Mingalar for around 2000 Kyat.

I have had good experiences with JJ Express. The bus was clean, the seats were wide and the air conditioning was cool. I paid about 26,000 kyat for the trip.
Alt = “inle-Seee sunset”>

Arrival from Mandalay to the Inle-See

Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar and the old royal capital of the Konbaung dynasty, is another must travel destination near several waterfalls and inevitable pagoda wonders.

from Mandalay to the Inle Lake is another popular travel route to Myanmar, which runs from the Chan Mya Mya Shwe Pyi Highway Station. Although this bus stop is much closer to most hotels and hostels in Mandalay than that in Yangon, I would still plan at least an hour to get here by taxi, grave or motorcycle taxi.

Most buses drive overnight and need about 11 hours and cover a total route of almost 300 km.

I actually covered this part of the trip in the opposite direction, again with JJ Express, which cost me about 23,000 kyat.
Alt = “Inle-Seee markets”> Markets at Inle-See

Arrival from Bagan to the Inle-See

Bagan is perhaps the most scenic and epic place that can be explored in Myanmar.

A common route for Myanmar is the journey from Mandalay> Bagan> Inle-See> Yangon, which means that there are numerous overland options to get from Bagan to the Inle Lake.

All Bagan long-distance buses leave the Bagan Shwe Pyi Highway bus station, which is only 10-15 minutes from New Bagan. It is possible to walk this route, but most take a taxi or a motorcycle taxi.

The trip from Bagan to the Inle Lake takes about 7 hours over 330 km. In addition, there are usually both night and daily options.

If you can't say it, I had great experiences with JJ Express buses and can recommend it without any problems. Again I decided to book one of her night buses from Bagan to the Inle Lake.

TIP: The bus ride from Bagan to the Inle Lake is a little shorter than the others. This can mean a very early arrival in Nyaung Shwe. Remember to book accommodation that contains an early check-in, or one that makes you sleep in the common area.
Alt = "Inle-Seee boats">

Tourist fee for the inle zone

Similar to Bagan, entering the inle lake area requires payment of a tourist fee. This is collected at a control point outside of Nyaung Shwe. Your bus driver will stop here and a pick -up will get on the bus and ask you for payment for admission.

Inle zone fee: All international tourists have to pay an inle zone fee of 15,000 Myanmar Kyat (± 10 USD).

Remember that this fee makes a major contribution to supporting the communities on Lake inle.
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Accommodation options in Nyaung Shwe and at Inle-See

Well, since they have arrived in Nyaung Shwe, it is time to book accommodation. Below you will find some of the best overnight accommodation at the Inle Lake.

• Viewpoint Ecolodge-This astonishing floating hotel is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the Inle Lake and the beautiful river city of Nyaung Shwe.
• Spring Lodge Inle-this is one of the top rated hotels on Lake Inle. This hostel is ideal for larger rooms with air conditioning and good WiFi.
• Sanctun Inle Resort - for those who want the best of the best, the Sanctun Inle Resort is unbeatable. This is classified as one of the best resorts in Myanmar and it is not difficult to understand why.

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More Myanmar travel guide and blogs

I hope that this guide was helpful in answering your questions about arrival to the Inle Lake. If you have any questions or updated information, please help other travelers by leaving a comment below.

For the time being, look at other travel and adventure operators for Myanmar from the following list.

My camera and photo equipment

• Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
• drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
• landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
• all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
• Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
• landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
• Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.

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