The best way to explore the temples is by e-bike — electric scooters that can be hired from guesthouses and shops in Nyaung-U for around $8–12 per day. They are quiet, easy to handle, and go fast enough to cover the wide area without effort. Regular bicycles are also available and cost less, but the heat and distances make them tiring from midday onward.
Horse carts are the traditional alternative and still operate, though they are slower and more expensive than e-bikes. For day trips to Mount Popa or other sites outside the temple zone, a private car with driver is the standard option — ask at your guesthouse to arrange one.
Taxis between Nyaung-U and Old Bagan cost around $3–5. The archaeological zone entrance fee (currently around $25) is charged at the airport or at roadside checkpoints on the approach to the temple area. Keep your ticket, as it may be checked at major temples.