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Airportist Scores and guides are editorial content. Always verify live rules, terminals, and operational alerts with official airport and airline sources.

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MDLVYMD

Mandalay International Airport

Mandalay, MM

Airportist Score

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MDLVYMDModerate

Mandalay International Airport

Mandalay, Myanmar · Asia-Pacific

Upper Myanmar's main airport, 35 km south of Mandalay in Tada-U township, run by MC-Jalux Airport Services (Mitsubishi, JALUX and Yoma) since 2015. It handled 795,474 passengers in 2025, about 23% of them international. International flights go to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Chiang Mai and Novosibirsk on Myanmar Airways International, Kunming on China Eastern, and Mangshi on Ruili Airlines and MNA. The single terminal is fully back in use after the 2025 earthquake, with departures on the 2nd floor. Germany and the UK warn about travel to Myanmar.

Airportist Score

4.7/ 10

Rough

Ease of use6.5
Comfort & amenities4.5
Food & retail3.5
Ground access3.5
Reliability4.5
Lounges4.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

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MDLVYMDModerate

Mandalay International Airport

Mandalay, Myanmar · Asia-Pacific

Upper Myanmar's main airport, 35 km south of Mandalay in Tada-U township, run by MC-Jalux Airport Services (Mitsubishi, JALUX and Yoma) since 2015. It handled 795,474 passengers in 2025, about 23% of them international. International flights go to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Chiang Mai and Novosibirsk on Myanmar Airways International, Kunming on China Eastern, and Mangshi on Ruili Airlines and MNA. The single terminal is fully back in use after the 2025 earthquake, with departures on the 2nd floor. Germany and the UK warn about travel to Myanmar.

Airportist Score

4.7/ 10

Rough

Ease of use6.5
Comfort & amenities4.5
Food & retail3.5
Ground access3.5
Reliability4.5
Lounges4.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare MDL with another airport

Typical security
15 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
About 1 hour to downtown Mandalay (airport)
Airport Taxi Group
Cheapest to city
Shwe Nan San airport bus
Not verified (ask at the arrival-lobby counter) · About 1 hour to downtown Mandalay (airport)
Lounge
1
On time
75%
of departures
Terminals
1
(single passenger terminal; departures 2nd floor, arrivals 1st floor)

The lounge at MDL
MDL security wait times

5 photos

MDLGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Check in on the 2nd floor

All departures check in on the 2nd floor; allow an hour from the city.

Since 17 June 2026, check-in for all departures, international and domestic, has been on the 2nd floor of the passenger terminal. You pass a security screening with your passport and ticket before you reach the check-in counters. The airport is about an hour from downtown Mandalay, so leave early.

Terminal

One terminal, two floors

Departures upstairs, arrivals downstairs; the cargo-terminal workaround has ended.

Departures use the 2nd floor and all arrivals the 1st floor of the single passenger terminal. Immediately after the March 2025 earthquake, domestic check-in ran from the cargo terminal, but since September 2026 the 2nd floor has been fully back in use.

Food

Cafés near Gates 5–10

Eating and shopping are clustered around Gates 5–10.

The airport lists food and drink outlets on the departure level at Gates 5/6, near Gate 7, at Gate 8 and at Gates 9/10, plus several in the departure and arrival lobbies. Duty-free shops are at Gates 5/6, 7 and 8, with souvenir shops along Gates 5–10.

Status

CIP Lounge: check before you count on it

Priority Pass lounge near Gate 7; international access and hours unconfirmed.

The MJAS CIP Lounge is on the departure concourse near Gate 7 and is listed by Priority Pass. When it reopened on 1 December 2025 it was for domestic departures only, and the airport has not confirmed that international passengers can use it again. Published opening hours differ between sources, so ask on the day.

Live conditions

Right now at MDL

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Direct access to Mandalay and Upper Myanmar without going through Yangon
Short regional hops to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kunming and Mangshi
Quick processing in a large terminal with few flights

Watch out for

Travel warnings from Germany and the UK; conditions can change at short notice
About an hour by road to downtown Mandalay; taxi fares aren't published
Only a few international routes, some just a few times a week
CIP Lounge access for international passengers and its opening hours are unconfirmed
Bring clean US dollar notes; card withdrawals are unreliable

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

6.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

4.5

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

3.5

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

3.5

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

4.5

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

4.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

795,474 (2025, preliminary, Myanmar Department of Civil Aviation)

Terminals

1 (single passenger terminal; departures 2nd floor, arrivals 1st floor)

On-time departures

75%

Typical security

15 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for MDL.

Updated Nov 2, 2026

Mandalay International Airport (IATA MDL, ICAO VYMD) is in Tada-U township, about 35 km south of Mandalay. The trip to downtown takes about an hour. Local time is Asia/Yangon (UTC+6:30).
It opened in September 2000, built with Thai government aid. Since April 2015, MC-Jalux Airport Services (MJAS), a Mitsubishi/JALUX/Yoma joint venture, has run it under a 30-year concession.
It handled 795,474 passengers in 2025 (preliminary Department of Civil Aviation figures). 183,002 of them (about 23%) flew internationally and 612,472 domestically.
Winter 2026/27 international flights (airport schedule updated 25 October 2026): Myanmar Airways International to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang daily, Chiang Mai three times a week and Novosibirsk twice a week; China Eastern to Kunming; Ruili Airlines and Myanmar National Airlines to Mangshi (Dehong).
There is one passenger terminal with 6 boarding bridges and a 4,268 m × 61 m runway (17/35). Since 4 September 2026 the 2nd floor has been fully open again for all departures; arrivals use the 1st floor.
Germany's Foreign Office warns against travel to Myanmar. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Mandalay Region, and against all travel to the townships north of Mandalay City.

23 official sources

https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/mandalay-international-airport
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/flight-information
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/article-news/travel-advisory-announcement-international-domestic-terminal-guidancenews-04-sep-2026
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/article-news/travel-advisory-announcement-international-domestic-terminal-guidancenews-16-june-2026
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/article-news/notice-revised-passenger-service-charges-psc-%E2%80%93-effective-12-may-2025
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/article-news/mjas-cip-lounge-%E2%80%93-service-resumption-announcement-news-01-december-2025
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/airport-facilities-services
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/airport-lost-found-services
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/airport-security-0
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/international-arrival-guide
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/food-bevereages
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/dutyfree-shops
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/parking-and-transportation
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/contact-us
https://www.mandalayintlairport.com/mc-jalux
https://dcamyanmar.com/dcadca/images/ATD/Pax_Freight_and_Mov_to_website_for_2025-dec.pdf
https://dcamyanmar.com/dcadca/images/ATD/12-18_Oct_2026_Intl_Flight_Schedules.pdf
https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/myanmar/mandalay-international/mdl-cip-lounge
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/laender/myanmar-node/myanmarsicherheit-212100
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay_International_Airport

Full guide

Explore the MDL guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Mandalay International Airport, the Mandalay city center, and Mandalay Chanmyathazi Airport (VBC)
City center1 other airport
View Map
Getting There
3 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Airport Taxi GroupCheapest: Shwe Nan San airport bus
View Getting There
Lounges
1 lounge with access rules, hours, and verdicts.
CIP Lounge
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Bring new, clean, uncreased US dollar notes. Many businesses want USD, worn notes are refused, and the kyat cannot be taken in or out of the country. Germany's Foreign Office says card withdrawals are very unreliable, especially outside Yangon.
10 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
6 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
CIP LoungeFood & drink near the gates
View Amenities
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

Mandalay International Airport, the Mandalay city center, and Mandalay Chanmyathazi Airport (VBC)

This airport MDL
City center Mandalay
Other airport VBC

Terminal navigation guide

Terminal-change and gate-area notes pulled from the markdown guide.

From Terminals & Navigation

There is one passenger terminal: departures on the 2nd floor, arrivals (domestic and international) on the 1st floor. Wikipedia lists 36 check-in counters, 8 gates and 3 baggage belts.
The airport lists ATMs in the arrival and departure lobbies, medical rooms in the arrival immigration area and both lobbies, and baggage carts in baggage claim and the departure lobby. It also lists Wi-Fi.
Duty-free shops are on the departure level at Gates 5/6, 7 and 8, and in baggage claim on arrival.
The airport also mentions a post office, money exchange, travel agencies, a tourist help desk and car rental.
The operations control centre is staffed 24 hours on +95 2 40 27110 (ext. 199).

Ground transport guide

City-transfer, rideshare, train, and parking guidance from the markdown guide.

From Ground Transport & Parking

Distance: about 35 km to Mandalay; the airport says bus and taxi trips to downtown take about an hour.
Bus: Shwe Nan San runs a bus service and has a reservation counter in the arrival lobby. HonestAirport couldn't verify current fares or times.
Taxi: the Airport Taxi Group counter is at the centre of the arrivals curb, outside the arrival lobby. Agree the fare at the counter; HonestAirport found no fare published by the airport.
Parking: in front of the terminal, charged per day: car MMK 500, motorbike MMK 300, bus MMK 800.
There is no rail link.

Ride to Mandalay

Pickup at MDL. Where the app supports it, dropoff is set to Mandalay city center for a live price.

To city center

Mandalay

~31 km

Typical fare

See app

Live quotes open in the ride app

On-demand apps

Fixed-price transfers

GetTransfer quotes Kiwitaxi quotes

Compare prepaid private transfers to Mandalay — useful overnight, with luggage, or when you want a locked-in fare before you land.

Cheapest

Shwe Nan San airport bus

Bus between the airport and downtown Mandalay; the reservation counter is in the arrival lobby.

Time to city

About 1 hour to downtown Mandalay (airport)

Cost

Not verified (ask at the arrival-lobby counter)

Tip: Book at the counter as soon as you clear customs.

FastestBest for luggage

Airport Taxi Group

Taxi counter at the centre of the arrivals curb outside the arrival lobby.

Time to city

About 1 hour to downtown Mandalay (airport)

Cost

Not published; agree the fare at the counter

Tip: Confirm the price, and whether it's in kyat or USD, before you set off.

Terminal car park

Parking in front of the terminal, charged per day.

Time to city

About 1 hour to downtown Mandalay (estimate)

Cost

Per day: car MMK 500, motorbike MMK 300, bus MMK 800

Tip: Allow extra time for road checkpoints on the drive.

Check your lounge access at MDL

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Depends

Passenger TerminalAirside, departure concourse

MDL's only lounge, run by MJAS near Gate 7 and listed by Priority Pass; international access and hours unconfirmed since the post-earthquake reopening.

Access: Priority Pass

Amenities: Wi-Fi · Air conditioning · Flight information screens · Disabled access

Best for: Priority Pass members on domestic departures · Waiting between Gate 7 and Gate 8 departures

Full access guide

Lounge & amenity notes

Lounge, food, and quiet-spot picks pulled from the markdown guide.

From Lounges, Food & Amenities

Lounges: the MJAS CIP Lounge is on the departure concourse near Gate 7, after immigration, and Priority Pass lists it. It reopened on 1 December 2025 after the earthquake, initially for domestic departures only. The airport has not yet confirmed whether international passengers can use it again, and the published hours differ between sources, so call ext. 242 or ask at the desk.
Food: the airport lists food and drink outlets at Gates 5/6, near Gate 7, at Gate 8 and at Gates 9/10, plus outlets in the departure and arrival lobbies.
Shops: souvenir and retail shops line Gates 5–10 and the lobbies; duty-free is at Gates 5/6, 7 and 8.
Wi-Fi: the airport lists Wi-Fi among its facilities but doesn't give network or login details.

basic

CIP Lounge

Has Lounge

MJAS lounge on the departure concourse near Gate 7, listed by Priority Pass. International access and hours unconfirmed.

basic

Food & drink near the gates

Food

Food and drink outlets at Gates 5/6, 7, 8 and 9/10 and in the lobbies.

basic

Duty-free & souvenir shops

Shopping

Duty-free at Gates 5/6, 7 and 8 and in baggage claim; souvenir shops along Gates 5–10.

basic

Left baggage

Easy Transport

In the departure lobby, next to the information counter.

basic

ATMs & money exchange

Shopping

ATMs in the arrival and departure lobbies, plus money exchange; card withdrawals can be unreliable.

basic

Wi-Fi

Fast WiFi

Listed by the airport; network details not published.

Editorial guide tricks

The markdown guide's highest-signal tactics before the data-backed tips below.

From Best Airport Tricks & Hacks

Bring new, clean, uncreased US dollar notes. Many businesses want USD, worn notes are refused, and the kyat cannot be taken in or out of the country. Germany's Foreign Office says card withdrawals are very unreliable, especially outside Yangon.
Several Myanmar Airways International flights are routed through Mandalay to or from Yangon (for example Yangon–Mandalay–Bangkok). Make sure you're booked on the Mandalay sector and check your connection time.
Check your flight on the airport's flight-information page the day before. Germany's Foreign Office warns of short-notice cancellations and schedule changes.
Left baggage and the information counter are in the departure lobby. Lost and found is in the departure lobby, open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.
Smoking areas are at the gates on the departure level and at the curbside on both levels.

01

SecurityTraveler Tips & Hacks

Expect two security checks

Screening before check-in and again after immigration.

Have your passport and ticket ready at the first security screening point, before the check-in counters on the 2nd floor. Screening follows ICAO standards and includes a body search.

Pro

Clear process in a quiet terminal

Watch-out

Extra step before check-in

02

TransportTraveler Tips & Hacks

Use the official counters

Shwe Nan San bus desk in the arrival lobby, Airport Taxi Group at the curb.

Both bus and taxi take about an hour to downtown Mandalay. The airport doesn't publish taxi fares, so agree the price at the counter before you leave.

Pro

Official counters right at arrivals

Watch-out

Long ride; fares not published

03

LoungeTraveler Tips & Hacks

Confirm CIP Lounge access

Priority Pass lists it, but international access was suspended after the earthquake.

The lounge is near Gate 7. It reopened on 1 December 2025 for domestic departures only, and published hours differ (06:30–18:30 per the airport notice, longer per lounge programmes). Call +95 2 40 27110 ext. 242.

Pro

The only lounge at MDL

Watch-out

Access and hours uncertain

04

LayoverTraveler Tips & Hacks

Plan for schedule changes

Book connections with plenty of slack.

Several international routes fly only a few times a week, and Germany's Foreign Office warns of short-notice cancellations in Myanmar. Several MAI flights run Yangon–Mandalay–onward, so check you're booked on the Mandalay sector.

Pro

Avoids stranding

Watch-out

Longer trips

05

FamilyTraveler Tips & Hacks

Bring cash in clean US dollars

Many businesses want USD; damaged notes are refused.

Myanmar kyat can't be taken in or out. The airport lists ATMs and money exchange, but Germany's Foreign Office says card withdrawals are very unreliable outside Yangon.

Pro

Avoids payment problems

Watch-out

Means carrying cash

Entry requirements

Myanmar (Burma) (MM)

Sign in and add a passport to see the entry requirement for Myanmar (Burma).

Passports are saved in profile settings. Check the official site before you travel.

Published alerts

Editorial profile notes — not a live alert feed. Live operations are on Overview and in the panel below.

Published alerts

Typical operations snapshot — editorial, not live news. File dated Nov 2, 2026.

Moderate

Germany's Foreign Office (as of 2 November 2026) warns against travel to Myanmar. It expects short-notice flight cancellations and schedule changes, and says Mandalay city is less affected by fighting than most of the country.The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Mandalay Region, and against all travel to the townships north of Mandalay City.After the March 2025 earthquake, check-in was moved around the airport; since 4 September 2026 the passenger terminal's 2nd floor has been fully open for all departures again.The CIP Lounge reopened on 1 December 2025 for domestic departures only; international access has not been confirmed.On-time share, delays, cancellations, security wait and travel times are HonestAirport estimates; the airport publishes no punctuality figures.

Typical delay mix from the same editorial snapshot — not a live feed. Current operations are on Overview.

Typical departure delays18 min · 22%

Typical arrival delays20 min · 25%

Typical cancellations0 min · 5%

Live operations

Live operational signals from Flighty or FAA, plus checkpoint waits where airports publish them.

Traveler reviews

What travelers say

Write a review

Alternatives

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VBCMandalay Chanmyathazi Airport
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