Best Budget Accommodation in Myanmar Burma

If you have heard the rumours then you can be forgiven for thinking that accommodation in Myanmar is extremely expensive. The rumours are not true- we have worked our butts off (quite literally!) running around research and show you how to do Myanmar for around 6$ per person per night. Yep they are basic, but they all have clean enough bedding to get a decent nights kip ready for more epic adventures. Best budget accommodation in Myanmar Burma

PLEASE NOTE: The only time it can get tricky is if you’re going to the most touristy spots in high season. We have included the phone numbers and email address (if they had them!) to help you book. BUT, if you don’t want to risk it and can stretch your budget there are some great places to stay on Agoda. Best budget accommodation in Myanmar Burma

a

This page summarises our TOP PICKS. Click the links below for more accommodation in each place: 

Bagan>>     Inle Lake>>    Kalaw>>     Mandalay>>     Hpa An>>    Hsipaw>>      Pyin U Lwin>>     Myawaddy>>

Best budget accommodation in Myanmar Burma

Bagan, Nyaung U

 

Bagan is an absolute MUST SEE in Myanmar. Nyaung U (pronounced “Noo-wang Oo”) is a great hub to explore the mysterious maze of temples around Bagan and it also offers cheaper accommodation than New Bagan. Nyaung U has plenty of food places, bars and tour agents who can help you rent bikes, book buses and arrange tours.

Best budget places to stay in Myanmar 

Even in Nyaung U, trying to find cheap accommodation is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. If you are on a tight budget then we can save you a lot of hunting and overpaying!

Top Pick: Sa Bai Myaing, Jasmine Villa

Directions: Walk west along Lanmadaw 3 road away from the roundabouts. Sa Bai Myaing is on the right, about 300m from the roundabouts.  

Although this place is very basic, the bedding and bathrooms are clean. It is also the cheapest place we were able to find in the Bagan area. It is worth noting that they do not accept US$ here (this is rare in Myanmar, where most places are very happy to take your dollars!)

A double fan room costs 13,000Ks (equivalent to around $11 or £15) with a shared bathroom and warm water.

A solo traveller can get a room for 8,000Ks (equivalent to around $7 or £5)

The great news is that the price does not change in high season.

Free wifi and breakfast are included in the cost. They are also very happy to help booking buses.

Click here for more accommodation in Bagan>>

Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe town)

If you have trekked from Kalaw to Inle Lake, Nyaung Shwe will be your final destination. Nyaung Shwe is a town next to Inle lake and there is plenty to do in the area. There is also plenty of accommodation around town so it is easy to find places on arrival. Nyaung Shwe is a relatively expensive town, but you can still find cheap rooms if you search.

Top Pick: Gypsy Inn

Gypsy Inn, 82 Kann Nar road, Win Quarter, Nyaung Shwe, Myanmar

To reserve in advance call 95-081-209084

Directions: Kann Nar road runs next to the river on the east bank. After the Kalaw-Inle trek you will probably be dropped off by a boat at the end of Phaung Daw Pyan road. Follow Kann Bar road up to the left. The Gypsy Inn is not far on the right.

In spite of a rather ominous name this place is actually quite nice. It has the feel of a hotel rather than a guest house, and you get quite a good room for the money, especially in low season.

A twin fan room will set you back 14,400Ks ($12 or £8.50) with a shared bathroom with hot water. The same room costs 18,000Ks ($15 or £11) in high season. There are A.C. rooms for 30,000Ks ($25 or £18). There is also a dormitory for 7,200Ks ($6 or £4).

WiFi is included but only available in the reception area. A European style breakfast is included (I didn’t try this so please don’t yell at me if it is an odd Asian interpretation of European breakfast)

Click here for more accommodation at Inle Lake>>

Kalaw

Kalaw is the most popular (and best) starting point for trekking to Inle Lake. There are plenty of tour agents selling 2 or 3 day guided treks to Inle Lake. If you’re on a short time frame you can arrive early in the morning from a night bus and start trekking on the same day. If you want to stay in Kalaw there are many places to stay. Cheaper places will not have air conditioning or fans available. This may not be a problem because the temperature is cooler due to the higher altitude.

Top Pick: Pine Land Inn

Pine Land Inn, 5/36 Union road (Pyi Daungsu road), Kalaw, Myanmar

To reserve in advance call 95 81 50020 / 95 09 254435483 or email pineland.inn@gmail.com

Directions: This guest house is on the main road between Yadana Street and Aung Chan Thar Street. 

Great prices:

8,400Ks ($7 or £5) for a single, no fan or A.C.

12,000Ks ($10 or £14) for a double, no fan or A.C.

12,000Ks ($10 or £14) for a single with fan

14,400Ks ($12 or £8.50) for a double with fan

WiFi: yes

Breakfast: yes

Tours: none advertised

A.C. rooms available: no

Click here for more accommodation in Kalaw>>

Mandalay

The streets around Mandalay are numbered and local bus and taxi drivers know the numbers well. They can often also say and understand numbers in English. This makes navigation and communication easy. People tend to navigate by the nearest intersection.

All the hostels we recommend in Mandalay are close to each other in this 25th/83rd street area. The area is ideal for several reasons:

• 15 minute walk from the railway station
• 5 minutes walk to the palace walls.
• Pick up buses run from this area to U Bein (U Pain) bridge, city palace, Mandalay Hill and Pyin U Lwin
• 10 minute walk from the night market
• Cheap bicycle rental opposite Royal Hotel
• Motorbike rental- unfortunately this is quite expensive

Top Pick: Royal Hotel

Royal Hotel, Number 41, 25th street, Mandalay, Myanmar

At present the only way to reserve in advance is to call: 0952 65697 / 02 31400

Directions: The Guest House is easy to find. It is on 25th street between 82nd and 83rd street.

This is definitely the top accommodation we found in the area. It is clean, cosy and the staff are very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and professional. They also speak English well.

Low season prices are:

Single room with fan and shared bathroom for 7,080Ks ($6 or £4)

Double room fan and shared bathroom for 14,160Ks ($12 or £8.50)

Double room with A.C. and en suite 21,240Ks ($18 or £13)

In high season prices may increase by $1-2

Top tip: If you are traveling as a couple ask if you can share a single room for $8 or 9,440Ks.

WiFi: yes

Breakfast: yes

Tours: non advertised

A.C. rooms available: yes

Click here for more accommodation in Mandalay>>

Hpa An 

Hpa An (pronounced “Pa An”) may be your first stop if you enter the border overland from Myawaddy. There is plenty to do in the area so a few days is recommended. If you want to book a tour you can do it through Soe Brothers Guest House, even if you’re not staying there.

Top Pick: Kan Thar Yar Guest House (pronounced Kan Tie Yar)

At present the only way to reserve in advance is by phone: 058 21600 / 095 005722 / 097 81632017

This lovely guest house is situated right next to the picturesque Kan Thar Yar lake. It is a 15 minute walk from the clock tower (where you can rent a motorbike and book buses)

Directions: From the clock tower, walk 50m along the main road to the traffic lights. Turn right at the lights. Follow the road for around 15 minutes. The road bends round the the right, don’t panic, just keep following the road. The Kan Thar Yar Guest house is on the left just before you get to the lake.

Rooms are basic but spacious and start at 10,000Ks-12,000Ks ($8-10 or £6-7) for a double.

15,000-17,000Ks ($12-14 or £8.50-10)  for a triple. There are no single rooms here.

Be prepared to barter and check that the passport registration fee is included in the price. Nice A.C. rooms are available 22,000Ks ($18 or £13)

WiFi: no

Breakfast: no

Tours: some advertised but expensive

A.C. rooms available: yes

Click here for more accommodation in Hpa An>>

Hsipaw 

Hsipaw (pronounce “Thipaw”) is a small, friendly town with a surprisingly good range of accommodation available. There is plenty to do in the area and a few days is recommended in the beautiful town. Because it is a small town everything is within a conveniently short walk.

Top Pick: Yee Shin Guest House

Yee Shin Guest House, Mine Pon Street (Hsipaw-Namtu road), West Quarter, Hsipaw, Myanmar

To book in advance call +95 82 80711 / +95 95278501 / +95 95278201 / +95 9977131690 or email yee.shin2012@gmail.com

Directions: This Guest House is easy to find. If you are walking up the Mine Pon Street (Hsipaw-Namtu road) from the main road (the Mandalay-Lashio road), Yee Shin is just after the first crossroad on the left. It is a 3 minute walk from the main road.

Yee Shin is a friendly, clean, well ran guest house. Staff have great English. They have a wide range of rooms available. Yee Shin is centrally located.

Single rooms available for 7,200Ks ($6 or £4)

A double fan room with shared bathroom costs 1,200Ks. ($10 or £7)

A single room with air conditioning for 15,600Ks ($13 or £9)

A double room with air conditioning costs 21,000Ks ($18 or £13)

WiFi: yes

Breakfast: yes

Tours: yes

A.C. rooms available: yes

Yee Shin guest house offers bicycle rental 2,000Ks per day ($1.60 or £1.20) and motorbike rental 7,000Ks-10,000Ks per day ($6-8 or £4-6), bus booking and can arrange a laundry service.

Click here for more accommodation in Hsipaw>>

Pyin U Lwin

If your itinerary allows Pyin U Lwin (Pronounced “Pin Oo Loo-win”) is a nice town to spend a day or two in. It is between Mandalay and Hsipaw so you might consider a visit if you are on your way to Hsipaw. There is a good range of accommodation available here. You get less for your money compared to Mandalay and Hsipaw. The main road running through Pyin U Lwin is called the Mandalay-Lashio road or highway 3.

Top Pick: Grace Hotel II

Grace Hotel II, Number 46/48 Mandalay-Lashio road, Pyin U Lwin, Myanmar

To reserve in advance call 085 22081 / 085 28256

Directions: Grace Hotel II is centrally located. It is on the Mandalay-Lashio main road close to the clock tower. From the clock tower walk for 1 minute in the Mandalay direction and Grace II is on the right.There is also a Grace Hotel I on Nann Myaing road but it is more expensive.

All rooms are fan rooms, but the climate is not as hot due to the altitude. The hotel includes breakfast and free WiFi.

Single price (still a double room) 12,000Ks ($10 or £7).

Double room, 2 people for 19,200Ks ($16 or £11).

Triple room 28,800Ks ($24 or £17)

At present these prices are the same for high and low season.

WiFi: yes

Breakfast: yes

Tours: non advertised

A.C. rooms available: no

Grace Hotel II also offers motorbike rental. You don’t need to be a guest to rent their bikes.

Click here for more accommodation in Pyin U Lwin>>

Myawaddy

Entering Myanmar overland from north Thailand you will cross the Friendship bridge from Mae Sot to Myawaddy. If you’re arriving late (the border closes at 8pm) you may want to spend a night in Myawaddy. At the time of research many places are unable to accept foreign guests, but this is likely to change quickly. Evergreen Motel is close to the border and can take foreigners.

Top Pick: Evergreen Motel

Directions: Walk 1-2 minute straight down the main road from the border exit. Turn left down Ban Du La street walk 3 minutes, Evergreen Motel is on the left. Locals will probably know it and can help you find the way.

You can get a basic double or twin room for 10,000Ks-12,000ks ($8-10 or £6-7)

WiFi: none

Tours: none advertised

A.C. rooms available: yes

At present you can not book in advance, but this is unlikely to be a problem as they have many rooms.

Yangon (Rangoon)

Most travellers end up in Yangon either due to travel route or interest in seeing the city. Personally I wouldn’t recommend spending more than a day or two here but then I have never been a city person.

The streets around Mandalay are numbered and local bus at taxi drivers know the numbers well. They can often also say and understand numbers in English. This makes navigation and communication easy. People tend to navigate by the nearest intersection.

Having spent literally hours scouring the city, we were unable to find any accommodation for foreigners that beats the options online. Chinatown is the cheapest area and there are several guest houses by the name of Agga (they are all linked). It is advisable to book online in advance as they may be busy.

Note on currency:

The price is US$ is normally fixed and the price in the local currency (Kyats) may vary if the exchange rate changes. I have shown the price in GBP as a very approximate guide to help British folks understand the cost.

 

Click here for some TOP TIPS on finding your own accommodation in Myanmar>>

 

As we mentioned earlier, if you don’t hear anything back from trying to make the booking and really don’t want to risk just turning up there are some great places to stay on Agoda.

Best budget accommodation in Myanmar Burma 

There’s always more…

Don’t miss out on the epic awesomeness of Myanmar, make sure you check out our TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN MYANMAR and SHARE SHARE SHARE it with anyone you know who’s heading there …

First Time in China?? 

China be CRAZY!! If it’s you’re first time visiting China you will probably want to grab a travel guide. I always think you don’t need more than a ‘Rough Guide‘ as it is about making it your own adventure! They have a pretty cheap kindle copy as well as the actual book.

Best Budget Accommodation in Myanmar BurmaBest Budget Accommodation in Myanmar Burma Best budget accommodation in Myanmar Burma