Mandalar Minn

Mandalar Minn was established in 2007 and is based in Yangon. Both economy and VIP vehicles are available for passengers travelling on a number of routes. The main terminal is Aung Mingalar Bus Station, some 20 kilometres from Yangon city centre.

Mandalar Minn operates routes to the major destinations in Myanmar offering both an economy and VIP service. The typical routes for this operator including ticket price, duration, and the frequency of service are as follows:

Yangon–Bagan

Yangon to Bagan has three daily buses consisting of one in the morning and two leaving on night buses. Tickets cost USD15 for a one-way seat. Journey takes around 10 hours.

The return journey from Bagan to Yangon is limited where one leaves very early in the morning and one is on the night bus both priced at USD15. Buses arrive and leave from Bagan Shwe Pyi Highway Bus Terminal.

Yangon–Madalay

Yangon to Mandalay arrives at Kywel Sel Kan Bus Station. There are three departure times: two in the morning and a night bus. The journey takes about 8 hours and costs USD11.

Yangon–Nay Pyi Taw

Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw covers a distance of 370 kilometres with daily buses taking around 5 hours. Tickets are less than USD10.

A fleet of modern buses with comfortable and spacious seats
Safe drivers and good safety record
Two attendants to help passengers
Provides a free toothbrush, towel and drinking water
Tickets are relatively cheap

No online booking through their website
Not all the information is in English
Limited departure times for popular routes such as Bagan to Yangon
Onboard entertainment is often played at high volume throughout the journey on both the day and night buses
Difficult to find reliable information about routes

The website of the company doesn’t show all the bus routes, such as Yangon to Inle Lake. If you travel to/from Inle Lake, note that the bus stops at Taunggyi, which is about 30 kilometres from the nearest town at the lake (Nyaung Shwe). To get to the lake, you will have to pay for a taxi and the trip will take you around an hour.

You may need to check bus routes in person at the station or ask your hotel receptionist to call the company.

Only the VIP bus has a toilet. Economy class has a few toilet breaks along the side of the road. Toilets in Myanmar are very basic – keep that in mind; do not expect anything like in Thailand – clean and spacious bathrooms at the gas stations wherever you go.

The official website is very difficult to use if you’re unable to read Burmese.

Mandalar Minn Express is more budget friendly compared to other operators but needs a lot of patience to actually get a ticket if you buy directly.

Some of the reviewers report rather poor experience with Mandalar Minn on their night bus from Bagan to Yangon the main issue being the lights which were left on for the entire journey. Indeed, it is a common problem with the buses in Myanmar – well, be on board ready not to sleep all night or better bring your sleeping mask. Note also, that the entertainment isn’t in English and the volume can be very loud.

Another issue travellers complain of is that announcements are often unclear and only given in Burmese. Actually, it is the case with all the bus companies around Burma, so do not expect any English, alas!

Some find it disappointing that bringing their own food and eating is prohibited on board the buses. There are toilet and lunch stops and other than that the company requires you not to eat any food – especially with strong smell – on board of their buses.

Many travellers mention that the seats on board Mandalar Minn buses are comfortable; some note that drivers are very qualified and drive in a safe way.

Definitely one of the bright sides of travelling with Mandalar Minn for our readers is that the tickets are very affordable compared to the other companies.