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Up
trains are the ones leaving Yangon, down trains go towards Yangon.
Tickets are sold at the Myanmar tourist office, various hotels and
at the railway station. In Yangon there is a separate counter for
foreigners. Steam engines are still being used but diesel is taking
over. The entrance is in front of Thai International airways at
Bogoke Aung San road. Better idea is to visit the head station master
, the man who knows the actual fares for the trip. Travel guides
do not mention the possibility to go by train to Bagan from Yangon
but it is possible. The trip takes about 20 hours. The timetable
as given to me by the stationmaster proved to be rather correct.
As a foreigner you have to pay for your tickets with dollars or
FEC.(They still exist allthough no one likes to use them as the
exchange rate is worse than cash dollar)You pay more than locals
do. Hotels and tourist offices usually do not charge a surcharge
for the service of collecting the tickets for you. Boat tickets
is about the same story. Trains crossing bridges is an experience
not to be missed. The bus mostly is heavily overcrowded. Another
alternative is to take a private driver. This way you will see the
most. Update february 2011:As gasoline prices have gone up, so have
prices of private drivers. Nowadays the price of travelling long
distances can be cheaper by plane. |
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