Mandalay is laid out on a grid, with streets numbered from south to north (east-west) and west to east (north-south). This makes navigation logical once you understand it, but the city is large enough that walking everywhere is impractical.
Trishaws (bicycle rickshaws) are the traditional way to get around the old town; agree a price before you set off. Motorbike taxis are faster and cover longer distances. For visiting the nearby ancient cities of Sagaing, Inwa, and Amarapura, hiring a driver for the day is the most convenient option — guesthouses and hotels can arrange this, or drivers wait at the popular sites. Taxis are available through apps such as Grab, where it operates.