Mandalay to Bagan by boat

As far as I'm aware of, the Bagan Express continues to operate daily except Sundays and Wednesdays and the fare has gone up [used to be U$16]. The boat departs usally at 6AM and I'd recommend staying up for the first leg of the trip down to past the Sagaing Bridge because that's the most scenic leg with the sunrise backlighting some of the stupas along the Irrawaddy's riverbanks. After a while it does get boring since the landscape will be fairly flat and dry though past Pakkoku you'll start to notice stupas/payas along the riverfront. Don't forget to use sunscreen if you're going to sit on the top deck because the sun is quite strong in the plains. Also you can pickup beverages, food and snacks at the dock before going on board because the restaurnat on the second deck is quite pricey.

Usually guesthouses and hotels can get the ferry ticket/s for you and some will even pack a free breakfast if given advance notice [since most accomodations do provide breakfast as part of your room rate]. They'll also provide transfer to the westend of 35th Street dock for a fee.

We took the route b/n Mandalay and Bagan via boat back in 2005. The first hour was fantastic, but by the 3rd hour, we were bored. Also the ride took at least 90 minutes more than advertised. If you don't have a lot of time, I would not burn a full day on a boat. You are better off flying and spending more time on the ground exploring Bagan.

We just made this trip on Sat, July 21. The Malikha Express ferry left at 7:00 a. and arrived at 1:20 p. It cost $30 and our guesthouse, Mandalay View, made our reservation for us. We had reserved seats on the ferry, coffee and cake (cream filled sponge cake) was free . . . ice cream, beer, soft drinks were available to buy. We could stay on top and watch the scenery or stay downstairs in our big, comfy seats and watch Kung Fu movies, read, or sleep. It was cloudy and rainy all the time we were on the ferry so it was not condusive to good scenes or good photos. Hopefully, you'll luck out on the weather.

We wanted to fly . . . it was only $32 but the morning flights were all sold out and we didn't want to take the late afternoon ones and end up losing a whole day in Bagan. The ferry let us lose only 1/2 a day there.

Hanuman is right about your guesthouse packing you a breakfast . . . we didn't really want one but ours insisted. We ended up giving ours to the crew on the ferry.

Oh . . . the ferry had a really nice/clean restroom . . . with paper and soap. There was an attendant who stayed nearby to clean/restock it.

Sandy (in Denton)

I did the boat trip in Feb 2005 from Mandalay to Bagan. The trip took 11 hours (6am - 5pm). I think during the wet season when the water level is higher, the trip may take shorter time.

malika_river_cruise_2
The ferry mentioned by #3.. is a new and much faster ferry than the all day one that most of us used in the past.