Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Myanmar or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
From my travels in Myanmar, cash was the only way to pay for taxis. The drivers all used kyat, and no one accepted cards. There are no working ride apps now, so you can’t bypass the issue digitally either. Occasionally I heard about people using US dollars in very tourist-heavy places, but honestly, it wasn’t practical. Cash in kyat is what you need. Myanmar hasn’t adopted cashless taxi payments, so be ready with enough cash every time.
I took taxis in Yangon and Mandalay, and all of them wanted cash in kyat. Cards weren’t an option, and apps like Grab aren’t functioning in Myanmar anymore. Every ride had to be negotiated and then paid in cash. It’s also smart to keep small notes, because drivers often can’t make change. The system is very basic, and you won’t find modern payment methods. If you’re visiting, prepare yourself for a cash-only taxi experience.
In Myanmar, taxis are completely cash-dependent. Cards aren’t used at all, and there are no reliable apps that let you pay digitally. Drivers expect kyat, and you’ll need to negotiate fares before you get in. Small notes are especially useful since drivers rarely have change. Even in Yangon, which feels like the most developed city, cash was the only way. Myanmar hasn’t modernized in terms of transport payments yet, so it’s a country where cash really is king.
Myanmar taxis work on cash only. Drivers don’t have machines, and apps don’t really function here the way they do in other countries. You pay in kyat, the local currency, and that’s it. Some drivers in tourist areas might take US dollars, but it’s rare and usually at a worse rate. I found it much easier to just withdraw kyat and pay directly. Don’t expect card convenience-Myanmar taxis are entirely old-school cash transactions.