Transport in Myanmar

thumb|[[Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine)|Thanlwin Bridge in Hpa An.]]

Transport in Myanmar is characterized by a strong reliance on road transport for both passenger and freight movement. Other modes such as railways, inland waterways, and air transport play secondary roles.

Road

thumb|Express buses parked at Hpa-an bus station

thumb|Traffic on Anawrahta Road, Yangon.

In long-distance passenger transport, defined as trips greater than 100 kilometers, buses and coaches are the most widely used mode. Buses accounted for the majority of long-distance passenger trips, representing well over half of total passenger movements and nearly two-thirds of passenger-kilometers traveled. Private cars formed the second largest share, carrying about one-quarter of all long-distance passengers. Freight transport is also more concentrated in road-based modes, trucks carried close to ninety percent of the total freight tonnage and an almost identical share of freight ton-kilometers.

The construction of Myanmar's highways relies heavily on the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Statistics show that 4,752 kilometers of roads nationwide have adopted the BOT model, including key routes such as the Yangon-Meiktila-Mandalay Highway and the Mandalay–Muse Highway.

Rail

thumb|The trains are relatively slow in Myanmar. The railway trip from [[Bagan to Mandalay takes about 7.5 hours (111 miles; 179 km).]]

, Myanmar had of railways in train routes, all gauge, and there are currently no rail links to adjacent countries. Much of Myanma Railways' rolling stock is obsolete, with a large share of locomotives, wagons, and coaches over 30-40 years old, leading to frequent breakdowns, low availability, high fuel consumption, and difficulty sourcing spare parts, leaving many units unsuitable for rehabilitation.

Despite its extensive network, MR carries only about one in ten passengers and around 5-6% of freight, mainly due to poor service quality: most passenger trips are short and uncompetitive with buses or private cars, trains are slow, crowded, uncomfortable, and frequently delayed. Freight services suffer from a lack of traction power, diversion of locomotives to passenger use, and the absence of container train operations, though steps are now being taken to establish a Yangon–Mandalay container service.

Water

thumb|[[Ayeyarwady River ferries in Bagan.]]

thumb|Ferries in Myanmar

Myanmar's inland water transport once central to Myanmar's transport system, now has experienced a significant decline in recent decades. As of 2015, it accounted for only 6% of long-distance freight and 1.5% of passenger transport, a sharp contrast to its historical prominence. The sector's challenges include outdated infrastructure, limited navigability, and competition from road transport. Despite these issues, the Irrawaddy River remains a viable option for transporting low-value freight between Yangon and Mandalay, with potential cost reductions achievable through improvements in navigation channels and terminals.

Merchant marine

Total:

24 ships (with a volume of or over) totalling /

<br>Ships by type:

bulk carrier 1, cargo ship 17, passenger ship 2, passenger/cargo 3, specialised tanker 1 (2008)

<br>note:

a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 3 countries: Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1

Ports and harbours

;Sea

Yangon
Sittwe (Akyab)
Dawei – railhead – new deepwater port under construction 2005

;River

Myitkyina
Bhamo
Mandalay
Pakokku
Pathein

Air

thumb|[[Mandalay International Airport.]]

Civil aviation contributed a very small share, approximately two to three percent, but remained significant for specific groups of travelers, particularly business passengers and international tourists.

Airports

Due to the long-term civil war, many airports in Myanmar have been closed due to unstable situation, or converted into military airports due to military needs. Most of the remaining airports are also small in scale, only Yangon International, Mandalay International and Naypyidaw International had adequate facilities to handle larger jets.

Airlines

Myanmar's aviation sector is relatively small and still developing, with a mix of state-owned and private airlines. The national carrier, Myanmar National Airlines, operates both domestic and limited international routes, competing the largest private airlines Myanmar Airways International, which mainly focus on connecting major cities and tourist destinations within the country, with a few regional flights abroad.

Most carriers operate small fleets, often with aging aircraft, and the industry faces challenges related to safety standards, infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Political instability in recent years have further constrained growth, though tourism remains a key driver for the sector's gradual recovery.

Pipelines

Crude oil ; natural gas .
Proposed pipe from Kyaukphyu through Mandalay to Kunming

Regulation

The government of Myanmar has several ministries controlling transportation, including the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Border Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Rail Transport, etc.

Myanmar's road network is generally managed by several government bodies, primarily Ministry of Construction and Ministry of Border Affairs, with Ministry of Transport responsible for road transport operations.