Mandalay International Airport (MDL)
Mandalay, MM 🇲🇲 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
VYMD
IATA
MDL
Elevation
300 ft
Region
MM-04
Local Time
Loading...
Loading...Airport Information
GPS Code: VYMD
Local Code: Not available
Location: 21.7022° N, 95.977898° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Large International Airport
What Travelers Say
Share Your Tip
Help fellow travelers by sharing your experience at Mandalay International Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.
Online Reviews Summary
Mandalay International Airport (VYMD/MDL) generally receives mixed but leaning positive reviews from travelers, often highlighted as a small, modern, and easy-to-navigate airport that is rarely crowded. While some older reviews mention signs of aging or lack of consistent maintenance in certain areas, recent data suggests efficient processes, particularly for security and immigration.
What Travelers Love
- Easy Navigation and Compact Size: The airport is not very big, making it easy and fast to move around.
- Friendly Staff: Ground staff are frequently described as friendly and polite.
- Cleanliness (Generally): Many travelers find the airport to be bright and clean, with modern facilities.
- Efficient Security and Customs: Recent experiences report quick check-through and generally relaxed security procedures. Current estimates for security wait times are around 11 minutes and immigration processing around 9 minutes as of November 2025.
- Good Transportation Options: Both private taxis and shared taxis are readily available, with fixed rates for private taxis. A bus service to Mandalay city center is also available.
- Currency Exchange Rates: Some travelers noted that currency exchange shops at the airport offer better rates than found online.
- Basic Amenities: The airport offers a decent selection of shops, including duty-free, souvenir shops, and cafes/restaurants. There is also a smoking area inside.
Common Complaints
- Limited Food and Beverage Options Post-Security: While there are some eating places, the selection can be limited, especially in the gate areas where there might be no shops or toilet facilities just rows of seats.
- Inconsistent Air-Conditioning: Some older reviews noted issues with the air-conditioning not working consistently in parts of the terminal. However, more recent reviews indicate better comfort in departure gate areas where air-conditioning is more consistent.
- Distance from City Center: The airport is located quite far from Mandalay city center, making transportation a consideration.
- Outdated Information Displays: One review mentioned that the flight schedule on the monitor was not real-time and disordered.
- Lack of 24-hour Facilities: The airport is not a 24-hour facility, and travelers planning overnight stays might find a lack of services.
- Condition of Toilets/Smoking Rooms (older reviews): While overall cleanliness is often praised, some past reviews specifically highlighted that toilets and smoking rooms could be in poor repair.
Overall, Mandalay International Airport appears to be a functional and relatively pleasant regional airport for most travelers, particularly appreciated for its efficiency and staff friendliness. While it might lack extensive amenities compared to larger international hubs, it serves its purpose well, though travelers should be mindful of the distance to the city and plan transportation accordingly.
Researching traveler experiences online...
Community Tips
No community tips yet for Mandalay International Airport.
Be the first to share a helpful tip for fellow travelers!
Current Weather Conditions
Loading weather data...
Airport Routes
Mandalay International Airport (MDL) offers 33 flight routes operated by 6 airlines. Major carriers include Myanmar Airways International, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, Myanmar National Airlines and others. Popular destinations from Mandalay include Myitkyina, Tachilek, Yangon Int'l, Khamti and Homalin.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
- Kalaymyo (KMV) new
- Kunming Changshui Int'l (KMG) new
- Homalin (HOX) new
- Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l (BKK) new
- Yangon Int'l (RGN) new
- Myitkyina (MYT) new
- Tachilek (THL) new
- Dehong Mangshi Airport (LUM) new
- Don Muang Int'l (Old Bangkok Int'l) (DMK) new
- Chiang Mai Int'l (CNX) new
- Kengtung (KET) new
- Khamti (KHM) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Loading...
Loading routes...
|
||||||
Top Airlines
Operating at Mandalay International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Myanmar Airways International
MMA
/ 8M
|
10 | 684 | 10 | Jan 30, 2026 |
|
Mann Yadanarpon Airlines
MYP
/ 7Y
|
5 | 363 | 5 | Jan 30, 2026 |
|
Myanmar National Airlines
UBA
/ UB
|
10 | 151 | 10 | Jan 28, 2026 |
|
Air Thanlwin
RTL
/ ST
|
6 | 91 | 6 | Jan 27, 2026 |
Ruili
RLH
/ DR
|
1 | 75 | 1 | Jan 30, 2026 |
China Eastern
CES
/ MU
|
1 | 65 | 1 | Jan 30, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
17/35 |
14003 ft | 200 ft | CON | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | APP | 119.2 MHz |
| GND | GND | 121.725 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 118.6 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Official, fixed-price taxis are available at a counter inside the arrivals hall. The journey to downtown Mandalay is about 45 km and takes approximately 60-90 minutes. Ride-hailing services like Grab are also a popular and convenient option, allowing you to book a car directly from your smartphone upon arrival.
Rental Cars
Several local car rental companies operate at the airport. It is highly recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season. While self-drive is possible (an International Driving Permit is usually required), it is more common and often more convenient to hire a car with a local driver for the duration of your stay.
Public Transportation
The most economical options are shared taxis and airport shuttle buses. Both can be booked at counters in the arrivals area. Shared taxis are minivans that wait to fill up with passengers going to the city center. Shuttle buses run on a schedule that often corresponds with flight arrivals and drop passengers at a central point in downtown Mandalay.