By train
The train station is North of the city and there are services to and from Mandalay, Hsipaw, and Lashio. Trains from Mandalay US$2-4leave at 4:30 am arriving at 8:09am. Numerous hairpin bends and a steep ascent make this an interesting, if rather long, ride. You can get out and walk at various points while the train switches direction or makes its slow way up a steep ascent. There are two trains daily to Hsipaw and Lashio 5:30am, 8:34am the journey is about 6 hours and 10 hours respectively and goes over the famous Gokteik Viaduct. Trains from Hsipaw and Lashio arrive at 3:40pm and 6:40pm. The Pyin U Lwin train station is a bit far from the town centre and most accommodation but horse-carriages and taxis are there to meet the trains.
By taxi
Shared taxis to/from Mandalay 8000 kyat and to/from Hsipaw 10000 kyat will drop or collect you at your hotel. The Mandalay bound shared taxi stand is across the clock tower while the Hsipaw/Lashio shared taxi stand is across from the Shan Market if you want to arrange the trip yourself. It is best to arrange a shared taxi the previous evening.
Private taxis between Pyin U Lwin and Mandalay should be about 30,000 kyat downtown Mandalay or 35,000 kyat Mandalay airport. Negotiate.
There are also private taxis from Pyin U Lwin to downtown Mandalay for 15,000ks.
By Pick-Up
There are two pick-up stations in Pyin U Lwin. Frequent pick-ups to/from Mandalay 1,000 kyat arrive/depart from opposite the clock tower. Hsipaw and Lashio bound pick-ups leave early in the morning from the Shan Market west of the town.
By bus
There are no scheduled bus services to/from Pyin U Lwin. Buses to and from Hsipaw will drop you off but you have to pay the fare for the entire trip. The buses tend to be full so it is unlikely that you'll get a seat on them when leaving Pyin U Lwin.