Yangon Circular Train

Taking the circular train around Yangon is an absolute must if you’re travelling in Myanmar. It’s by far the best way to take in the culture, meet plenty of friendly locals and take in the sights of this chaotic city and the surrounding suburbs. We had an amazing morning for just 300MMK (around 30 cents) travelling the full 45-kilometre loop, and getting a whirlwind introduction to Yangon.

The best place to board is from the central railway station which is near to the famous Bogyoke Aung San Market – it’s just a five minute walk away, and there are plenty of English speaking staff who can help you in the right direction. Indeed, it’s worth double-checking exactly which train you need as not only did ours depart several minutes early but we had to run with a crowd of commuters across several platforms to hop on and secure our seats. Luckily the circular route runs daily at regular intervals until around 5pm so if you do miss a train you shouldn’t have long to wait for the next one.

Whilst you can hop on and hop off at any stage to explore local areas of the city, our recommendation is to sit and enjoy the entire 3-hour loop. From the crowded city centre residential zones, to the local airfield, to peaceful farming communities on the outskirts of Yangon, there’s plenty to take in along the journey – not to mention the friendly locals who are keen to smile and wave on noticing a foreigner on board their commuter train. Any peace and quiet you might experience is soon interrupted by the calls of food sellers offering traditional foods from quails eggs to sweet corn and samosas. Try a local delicacy if you dare!

Be prepared for a vibrant travel experience – it’s loud, hot and busy, but there’s really no better way to get to know Yangon.