Getting There and Away

Written by Lorraine Aust, Min Thein
12/08/2025
A farmer rides an ox cart on a red dirt road through the fields of Kalaw, Myanmar.
Heiz, Pexels

Kalaw's primary transport hubs include Heho Airport, located approximately 26 km southeast, and a central bus station situated near the town market or terminating at the Winner Hotel. The town also features Kalaw Railway Station, a historic site close to the town center.

By Air:

Travelers typically fly into Heho Airport (HEH). From Heho, a taxi ride to Kalaw takes about one hour and costs approximately K30,000. It is possible to book a taxi in advance through a hotel to potentially save money. Pick-up trucks or local buses are cheaper but less convenient, requiring pick-up from Heho town, 3 km from the airport. Flights connect Heho with major cities like Yangon (around $100-$200, 2h 48m flight time) and Mandalay ($107-$607, 1h 32m flight time).

By Bus:

Buses are a common mode of transport. The bus journey from Yangon to Kalaw takes about 9-10 hours and costs around $22.80 USD (VIP bus). Buses from Mandalay to Kalaw take approximately 9 hours and cost K10,000. A bus from Bagan to Kalaw is around 5-6 hours and costs K15,000. Services also connect Kalaw to Inle Lake, Hsipaw (13 hours, K13,000), and Mawlamyine (departing 7:00 PM, arriving next day at 12:00 PM, K19,000).

By Train:

While the slowest option, the train offers scenic views. Kalaw is on a branch line connecting to the main Yangon-Mandalay line at Thazi. The journey from Yangon to Kalaw by train (via Thazi) can take over 26 hours. A train from Kalaw to Thazi typically takes around 7 hours.

By Taxi/Shared Taxi:

Shared taxis from Mandalay to Kalaw depart in the morning and take about 8 hours. A front seat costs K30,000, while a back seat is K25,000. Taxis can be arranged through hotels.

Check out our other pages on Kalaw

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