Mandalay Airport serves Myanmar's second city, the last royal capital of the country before British colonization, approximately 35 km from the center.
It is the most convenient access point to the Bagan plain, with its thousands of ancient pagodas.
How to get to Mandalay International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to MDL
Parking near Mandalay International Airport
In front of the terminal there is a parking area of reduced size.
Parking here generally costs little.
How to get to Mandalay from MDL
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Mandalay International Airport
Car rental options are limited; most visitors rely on taxis or local drivers to reach Bagan.
You simply need a driver's license, passport, and credit card.
Hotels near Mandalay International Airport
City centre
About 35 km and 50 minutes by taxi from the airport, 8-15 dollars or 15,000 kyat for a private ride (less if shared with other passengers).
Best for: The only sensible base for Mandalay: there are no hotels near the terminal, so downtown wins, close to the Royal Palace and the railway station.
- The Royal Palace, the Mandalay Marionettes Theatre and downtown markets within walking distance or a short ride
- The only part of the city with a real concentration of restaurants and evening life
- Almost an hour's transfer from the airport in both directions, to be factored in for morning flights
- No alternative near the terminal for those with just a short layover
Recommended hotels
- The Hotel by the Red Canal 25 suites themed around the Chin, Kachin, Rakhine and Shan ethnic groups, 5 minutes by car from downtown and close to the Royal Palace and the marionette theatre; pool and spa included. View availability
- Hotel Apex In the eastern part of the city, about 1.9 km from the Mandalay Marionettes Theatre and 3.4 km from the Royal Palace; a sky bar with city views is among the strong points mentioned in reviews. View availability
- Royal Pearl Hotel A 5-minute walk from Mandalay railway station, in the Chan Aye Thar Zan district: handy for those arriving or leaving by train as well as by plane. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized but with traffic significantly reduced from the pre-2021 period.
To avoid risks, it's advisable to arrive 2-2.5 hours in advance for flights.
Map of Mandalay International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do you avoid inflated taxi fares in Mandalay?
By firmly agreeing on the price before getting in (a fair fare is 12,000-15,000 kyat) or booking a transfer in advance, since drivers often ask tourists for as much as 40,000-60,000 kyat.
Q. How far is Bagan from Mandalay airport?
About 2-3 hours by car: the plain of Bagan, with its thousands of ancient pagodas, is among the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.
Q. Was Mandalay once the capital of Myanmar?
Yes, it was the last capital of the Burmese kingdom before British colonization in the 19th century, and it preserves an important historical and cultural heritage.
Q. Is it currently safe to travel to Mandalay?
Always check your country's updated travel advisories before considering any trip, given Myanmar's current political instability.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights