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Biking around Burma - Getting about
Yangon is home to a large international airport and this is the primary gateway into the country. Airline tickets are quite expensive for short journeys and land travel is advisable for anyone on a budget, yet time consuming. Mandalay is also home to a big international airport with limited international (regional) flights. Due to the lack of tourism and pariah status of the country, visitors first have to fly to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok to get to Yangon.
Some of the mountainous borders are closed to the public and getting around on a bike should be done as part of a guided tour so you can be sure not to wander too far off the beaten track. The same should be said for those looking to enjoy a trekking trip as a good guide is the best way to stay safe. Many parts of the mountainous border regions are under the control of insurgency groups and therefore not safe to travel in.
The weather also restricts travel at certain times of the year as the monsoon season can wash away the roads, especially in the countryside close to the mountainous areas away from the large cities. Buses are the best way to do long-distance travel as trains may be more comfortable but they are not as available as they are in nearby Thailand and China.
Car hire is also a possibility although getting lost in the terrain here is fairly easy. Invest in a good map if you plan to hire a car. Taxis are often the preferable option.
