JJ Express

4.5
463 customer reviews
  • About
  • Popular Routes
  • Stations
  • Reviews
  • Schedule and Timetable

About JJ Express

Company Information

JJ Express, or Joyous Journey Express, is a bus company based in Yangon that provides new buses and a high level of service. This is a VIP bus and passengers get food, water, and entertainment on their journey.

The company started in 2011 and uses a fleet of modern buses with a 2+1 seat arrangement to increase the comfort of passengers. Buses undergo daily maintenance checks on the essentials before it departs on a journey to maximise safety and to reduce the risk of breaking down.

JJ Express drivers have a minimum of 10 years’ experience driving buses and need to take more stringent driving training before they can drive the bus. The quality and professionalism are much higher compared to other companies and the passenger’s safety is put first.

There are two types of class on JJ Express. First Class (VIP) uses a 2+1 seat arrangement whereas a cheaper option is the Business Class coaches with spacious 2+2 seats. Both classes are good for long distance travel but First Class is usually a popular choice for overnight journeys with extra leg room and more comfort.

Attendants give refreshments throughout the journey and are all trained in basic first aid. Travel insurance is also provided for passengers.

The main terminal in Yangon is Aung Mingalar Bus Station, which is on Thudhamma Road in the North Okkalarpa Township. This is about 25 kilometres from downtown Yangon and takes at least 45 minutes to reach in a taxi. Bagan Shwe Pyi Bus Station is the main terminal in Bagan located at Nyung U Kyauk Pan Taung Highway.

Routes Served by JJ Express

This operator serves several routes that connect the major cities and tourist destinations in Myanmar. Below are the most popular journeys, duration, and estimated distance:

Yangon–Mandalay

The distance from Yangon to Mandalay is around 625 kilometres and it takes buses around 9 hours to cover it.

Only two buses depart on a daily basis: one in the morning and a night bus with a one-way ticket costing USD18.50.

Yangon–Bagan

One Yangon to Bagan bus (625 kilometres) leaves at 8 pm and takes 9 hours to reach. The price is USD18.50 for a one-way ticket.

In the opposite direction from Bagan to Yangon there is also a night bus and it leaves at either 8 pm or 9 pm from Bagan Shwe Pyi Bus Station.

Yangon–Inle Lake

It is 570 kilometres from Inle Lake to Yangon and it takes at least 10 hours on a night bus. Tickets are USD25 for a seat on a VIP bus.

Yangon–Nay Pyi Taw

Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw (370 kilometres) is a more frequent route with 4 buses departing each day (8 am, 12 pm, 5 pm and 10 pm) with the journey taking around 5 hours for USD7.

Mandalay–Nay Pyi Taw

Mandalay to Nay Pyi Taw is a 4-hour journey covering over 270 kilometres and leaving at 7 am for USD6.

Pros

Comfortable seats on a new and modern bus
Entertainment is available on a personal screen attached to the seat in front on a VIP bus
Depart and arrive on time
Snacks and drinks provided
Most of the staff speaks some English and very attentive to passengers needs
Reputable company and easy to find information about tickets and routes
Toilets are available on the VIP bus
Daily maintenance before the bus leaves
Online booking is available on other platforms other than their own website

Cons

Some staff speak English with heavy accent, which travellers find hard to understand
No toilets on normal/express bus
Buses aren’t as often as other companies
Air conditioning is blasted at the lowest temperature constantly throughout the trip
Online booking on their website has limited choice of routes
The price and routes vary depending on which website the tickets are booked from

Keep in Mind

JJ express seems to be a popular choice for night travel
There may not be daily buses for the route you want
The VIP bus between Yangon and Bagan is considered to be the best route, which includes comfortable seats, a toilet, onboard Wi-Fi and refreshments.
Reservations are typically made on their Facebook page to be paid and collected 30 minutes before departure from the front desk at the bus station.
Avoid using third party websites to book with JJ Express and they often add an additional USD5 to the price.
The bus leaves Yangon from Aung Mingalar Bus Station, which is at least a 45-minute taxi ride from the city centre. You also need to collect tickets 30 minutes in advance.

Traveller Reviews

Most travellers are overwhelmingly positive after the company invested in a new fleet of modern buses.

Some travellers mention that they had low expectations after reading a few negative reviews about the company but were pleasantly surprised when they embarked onto the bus. Highlights mentioned by many include the comfortable seats, leg cushions, and a personal screen for entertainment. If you are lucky, your hostesses will speak both Burmese and English. Blankets are normally clean blankets, snacks and water provided.

Regardless the route, travellers are generally happy with the service though some feel somewhat uncomfortable because announcements are always in Burmese without translation into English. Another great point is that the food served on board is never too spicy and is ok for a western palate.

There have been some reviews though about huge delays, especially on Mandalay–Yangon route with journey taking almost 13 hours in total to reach Yangon. Note that this is quite possible if the road is under repair or due to heavy rains, so to be on the safe side before buying your ticket ask about the road condition at present.

Opposite to many travellers’ experience with other bus companies, we have never heard about lights being left on at night or too high volume on entertainment system with JJ Express.

Read more

JJ Express Popular Routes

Yangon - Bagan
Bus VIP
07:30
Bus Express
19:00
Bagan - Yangon
Bus Express
07:30
Bus VIP
18:30
Yangon - Mandalay
Bus Express
06:30, 07:00, 09:00, 14:00, 19:30, 20:15
Bus VIP
07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 19:30, 20:00
Bus Dream Bus
08:00, 19:00
Mandalay - Yangon
Bus Express
06:30, 07:30, 09:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:30, 20:00
Bus VIP
07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 19:00, 19:30, 20:00
Bus Dream Bus
08:00, 19:00
Yangon - Naypyitaw
Bus Express
07:00, 20:30
Bus VIP
08:00, 10:00, 12:30
Mandalay - Bagan
07:30, 14:00
Bagan - Mandalay
07:30, 14:00
Taunggyi - Mandalay
07:30, 08:30
Yangon - Ngwe Saung
06:00
Ngwe Saung - Yangon
10:30, 12:00
Yangon - Taunggyi
07:30, 18:30
NaN Passengers

JJ Express Schedule & Timetable

ClassDeparture StationArrival StationDepartureArrivalTravel time
VIPBagan Shwe PyiAung Mingalar07:3017:3010h 0m
VIPBagan Shwe PyiAung Mingalar18:3003:309h 0m
ExpressBagan Shwe PyiAung Mingalar19:0004:009h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarBagan Shwe Pyi07:3016:309h 0m
VIPAung MingalarBagan Shwe Pyi18:3004:3010h 0m
ExpressBagan Shwe PyiChan Mya Shwe Pyi14:0019:005h 0m
ExpressBagan Shwe PyiChan Mya Shwe Pyi07:3012:305h 0m
VIPAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi08:0017:009h 0m
VIPAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi09:0018:009h 0m
VIPAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi19:0004:009h 0m
VIPAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi19:3004:309h 0m
VIPAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi20:0005:009h 0m
VIPAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi07:0016:009h 0m
ExpressChan Mya Shwe PyiBagan Shwe Pyi07:3012:305h 0m
ExpressChan Mya Shwe PyiBagan Shwe Pyi14:0019:005h 0m
VIPChan Mya Shwe PyiAung Mingalar19:0006:0011h 0m
VIPChan Mya Shwe PyiAung Mingalar20:0005:009h 0m
VIPChan Mya Shwe PyiAung Mingalar19:3006:3011h 0m
VIPChan Mya Shwe PyiAung Mingalar07:0016:009h 0m
VIPChan Mya Shwe PyiAung Mingalar08:0017:009h 0m
VIPChan Mya Shwe PyiAung Mingalar09:0018:009h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi20:0005:009h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi19:3004:309h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi15:0004:0013h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi09:0018:009h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi07:3016:309h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarChan Mya Shwe Pyi06:3018:3012h 0m
VIPMyoma Bus StationAung Mingalar08:0014:006h 0m
VIPThit Taw Bus StationAung Mingalar07:3019:3012h 0m
ExpressAung MingalarNgwe Saung station12:0019:007h 0m

JJ Express Stations

Bagan Shwe PyiChan Mya Shwe PyiAung MingalarNgwe Saung stationThit Taw Bus StationMyoma Bus StationMawlamyinePyin Oo LwinChaung Tha

JJ Express Company Reviews

G H
Comfortable ride, great crew.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 28, 2020
V R
Comfortable bus but: - The bus was meant to leave Inle at 8:00 pm and we were told to be there half an hour before and the bus left at 7:30pm so we were actually lucky to get it. - Driving was terrible way over speed limit and unsafe so our heads banged so hard against the seats that we couldn't hardly sleep. - We arrived in Mandalay at 2:30am instead of 4:00am on a highway stop 10 miles from Mandalay in the middle of nowhere and nowhere to go. - They did have a small shuttle bus to the railway station but all the luggages couldn't fit in so there we were sitted with our luggages on another crazy bus that didn't stop at any red traffic light with zero visibility and again drove way too fast. - In comparison we experienced a Famous express bus from Yangon to Inle and the time scheduled was respected and driving was a lot smoother and safer. - In conclusion: if we take night bus it isn't for speed racing bus but rather to sleep and arrive in the morning - not at night.
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 26, 2020
P T
Great Service, Good condition of the Bus incl Entertainment System and Snacks! On Time!
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 24, 2020
E I
Was supposed to be picked up at our hotel, but somehow there was a very last minute miscommunication and we had to take a taxi to the bus depot (additional $15). They couldn’t give us a clear answer why we didn’t get picked up, even though we had the confirmation email. Seats were comfortable. Extremely bumpy ride which made it hard to sleep. Overall, not the best experience.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 23, 2020
G F
Too cold and too fast (2h30min be for scheduled arriving!) for a bustrip!
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 22, 2020
H T
great ride. over in no time. safe driver. very good seats. enough stops.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 19, 2020
A D
Comfortable, clean, smiling staff ready to help.
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 18, 2020
C R
Very comfortable large reclining seats (and blanket), snacks and drinks services. Sleep was disrupted due to a lot of harsh breaking and a 1.30am stop at a bus station where everyone was required to leave the bus for half an hour.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 16, 2020
G G
The bus was great. It’s new, clean and VERY convenient. They also give water and food. The bus arrived 20 min ahead of schedule. Greatest travelling experience!
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 14, 2020
R J
Vert good trip through numerous hairpins in thé mountains. Would appreciate getting warned of coming stops and the unexpected stopto pay the 15000K Inle Lake fee.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 12, 2020
P S
The reception didn't say anything and give me blanket. When I very cool I ask him then He gave me the old one which used by other customer.
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 11, 2020
E C
The bus are very confortable with water, blanket and food given for free. The personnel is very nice and available for questions. There are stops for toilets and buy food, but no toilets on the bus Only one little remark, the arrival time is often the latest possible and for all my travels I arrived 1 hour earlier
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 10, 2020
E J
The trip with jj express was excellent. Big spacious buses, well organized and it was not cold in the bus! A perfect trip.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 8, 2020
E H
Seats were very comfortable and very friendly staff! Snacks were good. When you are trying to sleep its not nice that they put all the big bright lights on at every stop. Our big negative point was that our backpacks in the bagage storage were completely soaked!! All of our clothes where wet!! So I recommend to all of the backpackes to put their raincover on it!
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 6, 2020
H J
Super trip
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 4, 2020
M B
Great trip, clean bus! Could improve by keeping some passengers quieter over night trip! It was on time however in Mandalay we were put on local bus at 5.00 in the morning (20 min journey) to the centre. This was not stated on our ticket so quite a surprise
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 4, 2020
V R
Very comfortable bus. Toilets would have been a plus
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 3, 2020
M G
Excellent bus ! I recommend every tourist to choose this company(VIP JJ Express) and book ahead through this website. :)
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 3, 2020
J K
It was a good and comfortable ride. Bus arrived on time, and the service was great. Travellers were well taken care of from the station and throughout the trip. I would not hesitate to use and recommend to go with JJ Express and 12 Go again. Temperature was a bit cold at times. Suggestion to circulate fresh air instead of running AC as much. All in all was a good trip. Snacks and meals were great.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 3, 2020
J K
The bus ride was great, comfortable and on time. Temperature was just right. Staffs made sure everyone is taken care of. They provide bottle water, snacks and wipes. Seats are wide and comfortable. Only complain is the buspad was not working so i could not watch movies. Bus shuttle was on time.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Feb 1, 2020
H B
It's good, punctual and everything is good
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 30, 2020
A T
The bus was so comfortable, with AC not too strong. Snacks provided were also tasty. They offered us a free ride to the city center, but it was difficult to find out where to get off as the bus stopped several times without any info.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 30, 2020
J A
Great trip Comfortable boat Staff were helpful
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 29, 2020
V F
Bus was nice but roads are shit ! So ut is still hard to sleep well
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 29, 2020
M K
Everything was OK, except the temperature on the bus. Why is it so cold on the bus (AC cool) and why the driver not switch on heating if the temperature at night is 10 degrees outside?
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 28, 2020
A W
The transportation from the hotel to the bus was horrible. The reception at the bus station in Bagan was rather cold...
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 28, 2020
D J
Seats are quite comfortable. Feet can be put up. Board crew very nice, English skills not very pronounced. It is freezing cold in the bus. Not changeable even after requests. I had 2 pants and 2 jackets on, a blanket and a big scarf! The worst was the bus driver, with whom I had the pleasure 2x. He coughs and pulls up and spits all the time. Terrible. Sleep impossible.
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 27, 2020
E A
The booking via 12go Asia was very simple. Only the confirmation took some time... the trip itself: Outstanding service personal and all in all - nice bus, comfortable seats, dinner provided and even a transfer bus to downtown. It was the best choice taking the JJ bus to Yangon.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 26, 2020
C B
Bumpy ride but seats are comfy. Served a hot meal at first stop. Arrived an hour ahead of schedule but lots of taxis at terminal in Bagan throughout the night so no problem getting to hotel.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 24, 2020
E G
I liked it, with movies, food, water, not too cold, they pick you up at the hostel and in Rangoon they took us to the center for free, I recommend it.
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 23, 2020
K T
I was surprised at how comfortable both the seats and service were.
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 21, 2020
X L
excellent service never seen much comfort and quality. It is really amazed. I had an error and you solved it immediately. I recommend it in the excellence of all aspects, the firm Jj expres vip, and 12 go asia wonderful attention and resolution I congratulate you
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 21, 2020
J M
Super service it is not the French sncf
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 19, 2020
J M
very good travel option. with food, sockets, blankets, water and good English-speaking attendant.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 18, 2020
J M
The bus was in very good condition and the driving was also good (only that the roads are really in bad condition). No sockets, just a USB port that charges your phone very slow. English of the conductor/ driver is bad that it confuses the passengers.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 18, 2020
J V
For the best communication on the way, if the driver assistant would have a white board or something where written in English how long the time for the stop. Thank you for travel snack and water, good device!
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 17, 2020
S C
The bus ride was very pleasantly quiet + break. The equipment of the bus was also super comfortable, unfortunately Kurde the air conditioning was not set properly and it was bitterly cold. Otherwise highly recommended :)
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 14, 2020
M Z
Really comfortable bus with big space to put feet and great service. I would totally recommend and use their services again
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 12, 2020
E M
Lovely, attentive staff and very comfortable bus
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 11, 2020
J H
he bus was really top! Super comfortable with wide armrests, continuous leg rest and a backrest that went very far back. We stopped twice at rest stops on the way between Yangon and Bagan; there were toilets that were clean even for the women and could be used without disgust. For the trip, there was a small refreshment in the form of a small bottle of water and sweet pastries. Only the bus station is horrible. But the company can't help that. It's just that in Yangon 100s of buses gather on the same spot. Don't plan to spend too much time there waiting. It's really not nice - and there is no other around. I would go with jj express again anytime!
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 9, 2020
A M
Comfortable car. Sometimes, the driver took the turns a little too fast... I still don't understand the interest of such schedules (!): why leave at 8 pm and get off in the middle of the night at 3:30 am instead of leaving at midnight, for example, and arrive comfortably at 7 am?
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 8, 2020
M D
The driver was driving very fast. Way too fast.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 8, 2020
K D
Comfortable trip. Helpful and attentive staff.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 6, 2020
S N
We left and arrived on time. Comfortable seats, blankets and a snack and water were distributed.
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Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 5, 2020
S I
Pleasant journey. I have a good night sleep
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Jan 3, 2020
T N
Very good servise
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Dec 30, 2019
R G
Excellent
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Dec 26, 2019
F B
Seat is not very comfortable for me at 6 feet tall.
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Dec 24, 2019
M S
highly recommend. comfortable trip
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Dec 22, 2019
R S
Great ride, and great service!
Bus VIP, JJ Express, Dec 20, 2019
4.5
463 customer reviews
5
63%
4
25%
3
10%
2
2%
1
0%
97.6% of 463 travelers were presumably happy with JJ Express as they left good or no review