Yangoon (RGN) from SIN or BKK
 

I may have a chance to go to Burma from either SIN or BKK for 3-5 days in December. I'd be interested in hearing if such a short trip is worth it, who flys there from SIN (more expensive than BKK right?) and other thoughts about a short trip. Yes, I know about the politics and would welcome suggestions about supporting locals when possible. thanks.

Silk Air flies SIN-RGN.

Definitely worth it! I have been Myanmar 3 times and it is great. If you can make it 5 days spend 2 in Yangon (Swedagon is worth at least half a day) and 3 in Bagan. From BKK you can fly Thai, Bangkok Air, or Myanmar International. You can support the locals by spending money in smaller shops and restaurants, and leaving some tips here and there. We felt very welcome and many ordinary people thanked us for visiting.

Just got back...
 

I arrived in BKK a few hours ago from Myanmar. A RT from BKK was 8,800 baht. For a short trip I think the highlight would be Bagan and second the Inle Lake region. Yangon was intersting to see, but I didn't really need more then a day or two there, despite spending 5.

I'm seeing Silk Air flights from SIN to RGN for about $900 US!! This seems crazy to me. Am i doing something wrong? Is there another carrier?

JetStar (LCC) flies the route SIN-RGN
No through luggage. Check in required.
base fare SG$158 each way
flex fareSG$399 each way.

Haven't flown them yet but suspect I will as they fly SIN-Siem Rep / Phnom Penh and I want to see Angkor Wat.

Happy wandering

Fred

Thanks to each of you for the great advice. If any of you want to share info about getting a visa, hotels/places of interst you liked that would be great. I plan to go alone. Does this work or do I need some kind of travel package for the basics? thanks again.

Any tips on Burma travel very welcome. And Visa is done in advance? Seems liek there is different info out there. Do you still have to buy $200 if you go without a group?

I think visas are done in advance. I have only been to Yangon and it was for 3.5 days, which I felt was a day and a half too much. People are very kind and you should not bring up politics, ever. If locals do, then just be quiet and listen and nod your head (its what I did). Bring cigarettes to tip porters and others with as they will appreciate it much more than just cash (my experience). I would check out Bagan and Inle Lake (which I have yet to do)...

definitely go there, i've been there two weeks in may / june. take a look at the asia forum here, some reports on burma there already.
yangon is nice, shwedagon pagoda a must see, inle lake and bagan also. convenient and cheap domestic flights available on private carriers. BUT you should really spend some time and go with the local flow... i did mandalay - bagan by boat in 11 hrs, the way back by plane in 30 mins. ... new world, old world.
lovely people, make sure to spend money there for the private people and small handicraft shops and also in the pagodas and temples.

you do not have to change 200$, just the visa fee and 10$ departure tax.

bring postcards from your hometown (to show and explain where and how you live) and stickers / pens from baseball/basketball/football whatever, the locals love foreign stuff as they do not get it. make sure to mingle around with them a bit, cup of tea here and there and visit as many pagodas. people love to talk, not only politics.

FYI, Air Asia is planning to launch flights from Bangkok to Yangon in August. Fares start from just US$25.

Visas do need to be arranged in advance. I ended up getting mine in Bangkok after jumping through some hoops. While you do not need to purchace $200 worth of Foreign Exchange Certificates upon arrival, I did get a few as change which I spent easily.

Bring plenty of cash, US Dollars, as there are no ATMs and from what I was told the best place to change travellers checks charged "only" 20 percent. I tried to change Pounds and when the money changer said to me, "Oh, could I see the notes? I have never seen pounds before" I knew the rate he was going to give me would be less then stellar. They don't want Baht either. Places to stay want dollars and most locals want Kyat. The black market exchange rate was about 1,300 Kyat (pronounced chat) to the dollar, depending on what town or moneychanger I went to. As I hadn't really planned to go to Myanmar, I ran out of cash. There is a travel agent with offices in Yangon & Bagan that take credit cards for flights, but charge 4 percent and it takes two days as they charge it from Vietnam. My fights from RGN to NYU (Bagan) was $74, the boat to Mandalay was $16, the flight from MDL to HEH (Inle Lake) was $32 and back to RGN $66 all through independent travel agents. They are able to offer discounts. Bear in mind that the airports for MDL and HEH are an hour taxi ride from "town", and the taxis will try to shake you down. In HEH I took local transport, got to sit on the roof of a truck with fruit, bamboo and flowers and had a great time with the locals.

I agree with the other posts. Bagan and a boat ride on Inle lake are the things to do. I could have easily given Mandalay a miss.

I thought I would be more likely to be mugged than see a tour bus, but that wasn't the case. Mostly because there were many tour buses (especially around Bagan) and the locals are so friendly it is unbelievable.