Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a South Asian nation bordered by India, Myanmar, and the Bay of Bengal. With a population of over 170 million, it is one of the world's most densely populated countries. The country serves as a growing aviation market, with Dhaka as the primary gateway for business travelers, expatriates visiting family, and tourists exploring the Sundarbans mangrove forests and historic sites.

Dhaka (DAC) is the main international gateway, handling the vast majority of international traffic. Chittagong (CGP) serves as the secondary hub for the port city and southeastern region, while Sylhet (ZYL) caters primarily to the British-Bangladeshi diaspora with direct flights to the UK.

The aviation sector is served by the flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines and private carriers US-Bangla Airlines and NovoAir. Middle Eastern carriers provide significant international connectivity, with Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad offering frequent services through their hubs.

Primary International Gateways

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
DAC	Dhaka	Main international hub	Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla, Emirates
CGP	Chittagong	Secondary hub, port city	Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla, NovoAir
ZYL	Sylhet	Regional, UK diaspora traffic	Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla

Dhaka (DAC) — Hazrat Shahjalal International

Bangladesh's busiest airport and the main gateway for international travel. Located 18km north of Dhaka city center. The airport has undergone expansion with Terminal 3 opening to handle growing passenger numbers.

• Terminal 1: Domestic flights
• Terminal 2: International flights (main terminal)
• Terminal 3: Expanded international capacity

Pro tip: Traffic in Dhaka is notoriously congested. Allow 2-3 hours to reach the airport from central Dhaka, especially during rush hours.

Chittagong (CGP) — Shah Amanat International

Bangladesh's second-largest airport, serving the port city and commercial hub of Chittagong. Located 22km from the city center. Primary gateway for the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox's Bazar beach resort area.

• Growing international connections to Middle East
• Gateway to southeastern Bangladesh
• Cox's Bazar has its own airport (CXB) for domestic connections

Sylhet (ZYL) — Osmani International

Regional airport serving the Sylhet division in northeastern Bangladesh. Important for diaspora traffic, with direct connections to London operated by Biman Bangladesh. The airport is 7km from Sylhet city.

• Direct flights to UK serving British-Bangladeshi community
• Connections to Middle East for migrant workers
• Gateway to tea gardens and natural attractions

Other Airports

Airport	City	Notes
CXB	Cox's Bazar	Beach resort destination, domestic flights only
JSR	Jessore	Western Bangladesh, limited domestic service
RJH	Rajshahi	Northwestern region, domestic connections
SPD	Saidpur	Northern Bangladesh, domestic service

Flag Carrier

Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG) — Bangladesh's flag carrier, established in 1972. Operates international routes to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and limited destinations. Hubs at Dhaka. Member of no major airline alliance.

• Long-haul routes: London, Manchester, Rome
• Regional: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Kolkata, Kathmandu
• Middle East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh, Jeddah

Private Carriers

US-Bangla Airlines (BS) — Bangladesh's largest private carrier, founded in 2014. Operates domestic routes and growing international network to India, Nepal, Middle East, Thailand, and Malaysia.

• Extensive domestic network with high frequency
• Growing international presence
• Modern fleet of ATR and Boeing aircraft

NovoAir (VQ) — Private carrier launched in 2013. Focuses primarily on domestic routes with limited international service.

• Domestic routes connecting major cities
• Fleet of ATR turboprops and Embraer jets
• Budget-friendly option for domestic travel

International Airlines

Major foreign carriers serving Bangladesh:

• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad — Extensive Middle East connections, popular for global transit
• Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines — Southeast Asia routes
• Turkish Airlines — European gateway via Istanbul
• Cathay Pacific, China Eastern — East Asia connections
• SalamAir, Air Arabia, flydubai — Low-cost Middle East options
• IndiGo, Air India — Frequent India connections

Visa on Arrival

Bangladesh offers visa on arrival for citizens of approximately 50 countries at Dhaka airport:

Eligible Regions	Duration	Cost
Most Western countries	30 days	$50
SAARC countries	30 days	Free/reduced

Requirements:

• Valid passport (6 months validity)
• Return/onward ticket
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Sufficient funds

Note: Visa on arrival can have queues. E-visa or advance visa recommended for smoother entry.

E-Visa

Bangladesh has introduced an e-visa system for select nationalities:

Apply at: visa.gov.bd

Processing: 3-5 business days

Traditional Visa

For nationalities not eligible for visa on arrival:

• Apply at Bangladesh embassy/consulate
• Tourist visa typically 3 months
• Business visa available for longer stays

Passport Requirements

• Valid for at least 6 months from arrival date
• At least 2 blank pages required
• Return/onward ticket required

Visa-Exempt Countries

Limited visa-free access for short stays for some SAARC countries.

Official visa information: dip.gov.bd

Domestic Flights

Domestic flying is the fastest way to cover Bangladesh, avoiding notorious road traffic:

Route	Flight Time	Frequency	Notes
Dhaka ↔ Chittagong	45 min	10+ daily	Most popular route
Dhaka ↔ Sylhet	45 min	6+ daily	Diaspora traffic
Dhaka ↔ Cox's Bazar	1 hr	8+ daily	Tourist route
Dhaka ↔ Jessore	40 min	3-4 daily	Western Bangladesh
Dhaka ↔ Rajshahi	45 min	2-3 daily	Northwestern region

Booking tips:

• US-Bangla and NovoAir offer competitive domestic fares
• Book 1-2 weeks ahead for best prices
• Flights can be delayed during monsoon season

Trains

Bangladesh Railway connects major cities:

Popular routes:

• Dhaka-Chittagong: 5-7 hours, multiple daily trains
• Dhaka-Sylhet: 6-7 hours, scenic route
• Dhaka-Rajshahi: 4-5 hours

Book via: railway.gov.bd

Classes: AC berth, AC seat, First class, Shuvon (economy)

Road Travel

Bus: Extensive intercity bus network. AC buses available on major routes.

• Dhaka-Chittagong: 5-6 hours
• Dhaka-Sylhet: 4-5 hours

Car with driver: Recommended for tourists. Self-drive not advisable due to traffic conditions and driving standards.

Ride-Hailing

• Pathao: Most popular ride-hailing app in Bangladesh
• Uber: Available in Dhaka and Chittagong
• Obhai: Local ride-hailing option

Peak Season (November-February)

Bangladesh's winter is the ideal travel season:

• November-December: Post-monsoon, pleasant temperatures (20-28°C)
• January-February: Cool and dry, best weather

Peak period for tourism and diaspora visits. Book flights early for December-January.

Shoulder Season (October, March)

• October: Monsoon ending, landscapes green
• March: Warming up, occasional rain, fewer tourists

Monsoon (June-September)

Heavy rainfall and flooding across much of Bangladesh:

• Flight delays and cancellations common
• Some areas inaccessible due to flooding
• Not recommended for general tourism

Pre-Monsoon (April-May)

Hot and humid (35°C+), occasional storms:

• Challenging travel conditions
• Lower prices and fewer tourists
• Avoid if possible

Regional Timing

Region	Best Time	Notes
Dhaka	Nov-Feb	Avoid summer heat and monsoon
Cox's Bazar	Nov-Mar	Beach season
Sundarbans	Nov-Feb	Wildlife viewing, boat tours
Sylhet	Oct-Mar	Tea gardens, waterfalls
Chittagong Hill Tracts	Nov-Feb	Trekking season

Cities

City	Airport	Known For
Dhaka	DAC	Capital, Old Dhaka, Lalbagh Fort
Chittagong	CGP	Port city, gateway to hills and beaches
Sylhet	ZYL	Tea gardens, Jaflong, Ratargul swamp forest
Cox's Bazar	CXB	World's longest natural beach
Rajshahi	RJH	Silk, mangoes, Paharpur ruins

Regions

• Sundarbans: World's largest mangrove forest, Bengal tigers. Access from Dhaka or Khulna (boat tours).
• Cox's Bazar: 120km unbroken sandy beach. Fly to CXB or drive from Chittagong.
• Chittagong Hill Tracts: Indigenous cultures, trekking. Permits required. Fly to CGP.
• Sylhet Division: Tea estates, waterfalls, Jaflong stone gardens. Fly to ZYL.
• Srimangal: Tea capital of Bangladesh, lawachara rainforest. Access via Sylhet.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat: 15th-century mosque city. Access from Dhaka (6hr drive) or Jessore.
• Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur: Ancient monastery. Near Rajshahi.
• The Sundarbans: Mangrove forest shared with India. Boat tours from Khulna.

Money

• Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (BDT, ৳)
• Cash: Essential outside major hotels and restaurants. ATMs available in cities.
• Cards: Accepted at upscale hotels, restaurants, and shops in Dhaka. Limited elsewhere.
• Exchange: Change money at banks or authorized dealers. Avoid unofficial exchangers.
• Tipping: Not expected but appreciated. Round up or 5-10% at restaurants.

Electrical

• Voltage: 220V / 50 Hz
• Plug types: Type C (Europlug), Type D (large round pins), Type G (UK), Type K (Danish)
• Adapters: Varied outlet types—bring a universal adapter
• Power cuts: Common, especially outside Dhaka. Hotels have generators.

Connectivity

• Mobile: Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk
• Local SIM: Available at airports with passport. Grameenphone has best coverage.
• Data: 4G available in cities. Coverage variable in rural areas.
• WiFi: Available at hotels and cafes in major cities

Health

• Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Typhoid recommended. Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic country.
• Water: Drink only bottled or filtered water
• Food: Choose busy restaurants with high turnover
• Mosquitoes: Dengue risk—use repellent, especially during monsoon

Safety

Generally safe for tourists with standard precautions:

• Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps
• Dhaka traffic is chaotic—allow extra time
• Avoid political demonstrations
• Keep valuables secure in crowded areas
• Women travelers: dress conservatively

Cultural Notes

• Religion: Muslim-majority country. Dress modestly, especially at religious sites.
• Ramadan: During fasting month, avoid eating/drinking publicly during daylight hours.
• Remove shoes: Before entering mosques and many homes
• Right hand: Use for eating and giving/receiving
• Photography: Ask permission before photographing people; restrictions at some sites

Useful Apps

• Pathao/Uber: Ride-hailing
• Google Maps: Works well for navigation
• Foodpanda/HungryNaki: Food delivery
• bKash/Nagad: Mobile payment (requires local setup)

• Tourism: Bangladesh Tourism Board
• Visa: Department of Immigration & Passports
• E-Visa: visa.gov.bd
• Dhaka Airport: hsia.gov.bd
• Biman Bangladesh: biman-airlines.com
• Bangladesh Railway: railway.gov.bd
• Travel Advisory: Check your country's foreign affairs website