bangladesh tourist guide book pdf

Travel In Bangladesh: A Complete Travel Guide For Bangladesh.

• By Sarah Steiner
• Updated On April 6, 2024

Bangladeshi care and hospitality is outstanding. At the time of writing this we haven’t even left Bangladesh and already I am feeling a pang of sadness knowing we will move on soon. If you are thinking about travel in Bangladesh and wondering whether to take the leap and book that trip or not…

Book it now.

Travel in Bangladesh is unique.  It’s not easy nor a mainstream destination to travel.  But if getting off the beaten track is the kind of travel you like, that is exactly what makes Bangladesh so special. 

Here is our complete travel guide for Bangladesh including all of the details of where we stayed in each city, how to get around Bangladesh, how to (and whether to) travel in Bangladesh with kids and a whole bunch of other tips to make your Bangladesh adventure as smooth as possible… 

• About Bangladesh
• Need-to-know history
• Best time to visit
• Visas  
• Money and ATM’s

Our itinerary in Bangladesh

• Places to see – Dhaka – Barisal – Bagerhat – Mongla – Sreemangal – Sylhet – Cox’s Bazar – Chittagong – Ekduaria Village
• Travel in Bangladesh with kids
• Health and safety
• What to wear  
• Transportation

Connectivity and WIFI

• SIM cards  
• Accommodation options
• Where we stayed
• Tour or independent travel?

About Bangladesh; first just quickly

• Full name:  People’s Republic of Bangladesh
• Capital:  Dhaka
• Language:  Bengali (Bangla) 
• Main Religion:  Islam
• Currency:  Bangladeshi Taka (code: BDT; symbol: Tk)
• Population:  167,000,000
• Time Zone:  National Standard Time (UTC+6)
• Calling Code:  +880
• Drives On:  Left
• Credit Cards:  Visa/MC/AmEx accepted
• Emergency Number:  Ambulance/Police 999
• Outlets:   Plug Type C, D, G and K (220 V / 50 Hz)

And a little bit of history about Bangladesh 

On our first day out in Dhaka we learnt some very interesting history about Bangladesh.  

Our guide told us that his grandfather was born in India; his father was born in Pakistan; and he was born in Bangladesh.  But they were all born  in the same village …

Until 1947, Bangladesh was part of India.  The region that is now marked out as the country of Bangladesh was known as ‘East Bengal’. 

In 1947 India gained independence from British colonial rule and the sub-continent was partitioned into India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.  The partition led to the largest migration crisis in history with over 14 million people becoming refugees.  Many Hindu families moved from Pakistan to India and Muslims from India to Pakistan. 

Bangladesh was known at this time as ‘East Pakistan’ and was governed from Islamabad (in ‘West Pakistan’) – something that was unpopular with many Bangladeshis and ultimately spurred the struggle for Bengali rights. 

In 1971 Bangladesh (with the support of India) fought Pakistan for independence in what was known as the Bangladesh Liberation War and became the independent country that is Bangladesh today. 

Best time to visit Bangladesh

The best time visit Bangladesh is during the ‘cool season’ (effectively considered winter in Bangladesh) from November to February.  Days are warm averaging a comfortable 25°C and nights are cooler. 

From March onwards the days get rapidly hotter and monsoon generally arrives sometime in June.  

But hey; we ignored the suggested best time to visit Bangladesh and travelled for a month during May with a few (welcomed) afternoon rain showers and otherwise great (hot) weather. 

Bangladesh requires all foreigners to obtain permission, specifically a visa, to enter its territory unless exempted.  Visas for Bangladesh are issued by Bangladesh diplomatic missions located throughout the world.  Or, if application, on arrival in Bangladesh.

The following countries are specifically listed as countries whose citizens may obtain Bangladesh visa on arrival for the purpose of tourism:

• All European Union member states, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. 

In addition, citizens of the following countries are known to require a visa:

• Algeria, Belize, Brazil, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Macao, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.  

The Visa On Arrival fee must be paid only in cash in US dollars or Euros when entering Bangladesh.   And the cost per person is $51 USD or €51 EUR, with all taxes included. 

Standard tourism visas (and VOAs) are single-entry for 30 days.   

However it can be extended for an additional 30 days. Applicants can apply for the extension of the Visa On Arrival up to a week before visa expiry but not sooner. Visa extensions are available at the Department of Immigration and Passports located in Shere-E-Bangla Nagar, West Agargaon, Dhaka City.

• Check: Definitely do your research and make sure you confirm your visa eligibility for travel to Bangladesh with plenty of time before you fly.  

Currency and cash in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) is the currency of Bangladesh.  

There are banknotes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 BDT (although 2 and 5 taka notes are rare).   

At the time we travelled (May 2022) these are the exchange rates for Bangladesh:

• 100 BDT = 1.16 USD
• 1000 BDT = 11.59 USD
• 10000 BDT = 115.88 USD

ATM’s and money

All ATMs we tried offer an English menu.  And more than that, in the big cities they also offer a few minutes of peace (and air conditioning) inside away from the bustle and chaos… 

These bank ATM’s accept international cards: 

• AB Bank Limited
• Dutch-Bangla Bank
• Premiere Bank 
• One Bank 

And note the ATM’s were not working at the arrivals hall of the airport when we landed in Dhaka.  (None of them!).  We exchanged some USD to purchase a SIM card and found an ATM close to our hotel the next day. 

Language for travel in Bangladesh

Bengali (or Bangla )  is the official language in Bangladesh and is the 8 th  most-spoken language in the world.

Globally there are over 230,000,000 speakers of Bengali.  

English is not widely spoken in Bangladesh.  And even train and ticket numbers are commonly written in Bangla.  Outside of the cities it can be tricky to find someone to translate.  But those who can speak English (even if it’s patchy) always come forward to help. 

Bangladeshis are hospitable and will try their best to help regardless of barriers to verbally communicate.  

The most common greeting you will hear is the traditional Islamic greeting ‘ Asalaam Aleikum’ .  Hindus use the Bengali greeting ‘Nomoshkar’.  And admittedly it can be tricky to distinguish religion at first glance (not all Muslim women cover their hair, and some Hindu women do). But play it safe with a smile and you will be happily received.  

Useful Bangla words to learn

• Hello:  Assalamu alaikum/Nomoshkar
• How are you?  Kemon achen? Kemon acho? 
• I am well:  Ami bhalo achi 
• What is your name?  Apnar naam kee? 
• Which country?  Kona desa ( desh )
• Thank you:  Dhonnobad
• Thanks a lot:  Onek dhonnobad
• Yes:  Hae
• No:  Na
• Water:  Pani
• Good morning:  Shubho shokal
• Goodbye:  Khuda hafez / Allah hafez 

The phrase you will get most used to hearing is ‘ Kona desh?’.    Which country?   ‘Desh’ means land/country (as in, Bangla desh ).  And trust me; you will quickly begin to pick up on people asking you that…

Once you tune in you will hear that phrase  more than any other Bangla words around you.   (Tourists are not common – not in the city; not anywhere really – and everyone wants to know where you are from).

Men commonly shake hands and further respect is expressed with a hand over heart.  [Note though that women and men rarely shake hands with one another so don’t extend a handshake first as a traveling female]. 

And a further note without regard to the upcoming challenge of language barriers…  More so be prepared and ready for the stares/ staring /stares and selfie requests… 

Contemplating an itinerary for travel in Bangladesh is like opening a can of worms.  The direction you can take in this country are endless.  But the tricky thing is that many routes around Bangladesh end up stopping back in at Dhaka.  (I told you Dhaka is ceremoniously like the beating heart of this incredible country). 

Here’s our slightly jumbled but brilliant itinerary for Bangladesh. 

• Dhaka  > launch >  Barisal 
• Barisal  > minivan  >  Mongla
• Mongla  > minivan  >  Morrelgonj
• Morrelgonj  > launch >  Dhaka
• Dhaka  > train >  Sreemangal
• Sreemangal  > train >  Sylhet
• Sylhet  > flight >  Cox Bazaar
• Cox Bazaar  > bus >  Chittagong
• Chittagong  > train >  Dhaka 
• Dhaka  > minivan >  Ekduaria
• Ekduaria  > minivan >  Dhaka 

Where to go in Bangladesh (the places we reckon you  need  to see) 

Now for the most important part of this travel guide for Bangladesh.  

This is the best part. 

Geographically Bangladesh is a large country and distances between cities are great.  We spent one month travelling in Bangladesh and the following are the highlights that we found (and would recommend you see too). 

Dhaka (the capital city)

Dhaka is the beating heart of Bangladesh.  It is as if the waterways of Bangladesh stem out from Dhaka like the veins taking life to the far reaches of the country…

And I’m not going to lie. 

Dhaka is not for the faint hearted. 

But it is incredible. 

Our itinerary around Bangladesh with kids saw us stop and stay  four times in Dhaka .  (I told you it was jumbled!).  But we used the bustling capital city as our base to explore different directions of the country…

Things to do in Dhaka

• Visit Old Dhaka:  The heart of the city and what was once was the 17 th  century Mughal capital of Bengal.
• Go shopping at New Market:  The place I recommend to purchase a salwar kameez/panjabi to wear.
• Lalbagh Fort:  A beautiful and historic (unfinished) fort from the Mughal era. 
• Ashan Manzil:  Designated as a national museum and known as the Pink Palace this was once the residence of the Nawabs of Dhaka. 
• Shadeed Minar:  Martyr’s Monument built to honour those who lost their lives in 1952 during the Bengali Language Movement. 
• Tara Masjid Mosque:  Small but beautiful mosque renowned for the striking blue stars made of mosaic. 
• See the Armenian Church:  Built by the Armenian community that was present in Bangladesh in the 1700s and 1800s(!).  

Transportation from Dhaka

• Train to Sreemangal: 6 hours
• Train to Khulna: 9 hours
• Train to Chittagong: 8 hours
• Bus to Sreemangal: 6 hours
• Bus to Chittagong: 10 hours
• Launch ferry to Barisal: Overnight 

A small(er) town north of Dhaka that is easy to reach by train from the city.  The highlight of Sreemangal is definitely the renowned 7 and 8-layered tea…

Things to do in Sreemangal

• Drink layered tea:  A must-do in Sreemangal.  Get a rickshaw to the nearby Adi Nilkantha Tea Cabin and meet Mr. Gour who invented this colorful layered style of tea. 
• Visit a school:  It’s easier to meet people in a smaller town and Sreemangal has plenty of schools (that will likely invite you in as you walk past).  
• Dine at the London Restaurant:  We determined this another icon of Sreemangal and enjoyed tandoori chicken, naan and salad at this busy restaurant. 

Sylhet 

This city and the surrounding division is famous for TEA.  Over 90% of Bangladesh’s tea is produced in Sylhet.  

Sylhet city is 250km northeast of Dhaka and is the north-eastern division in Bangladesh.  (And interestingly when looking at it on a map it is almost entirely surrounded by India with border on the north, south and east of Sylhet division).  

Things to do in Sylhet

• Tea plantations:  This is what Sylhet is famous for. Hire a driver and head just out of the city to Malnicherra Tea Estate.
• Ali Amjad’s Clock Tower:  If you arrive by train you might catch a glimpse of this iconic clock as you cross the river from the station.  
• Hazarat Shahjalal Mazar Sharif:  Beautiful shrine attracting thousands of people from different parts of the country, irrespective of religion and caste, every day.
• Keane Bridge:  Built in 1936 this bridge is called the gateway to Sylhet city.  

Transportation from Sylhet

• Train to Dhaka: 7 hours
• Train to Sreemangal: 2.5 hours
• Flight to Dhaka: 35 mins 
• Bus to Dhaka: 8+ hours

Barisal is one of the major rice production centres of Bangladesh known for the production of Balam rice (and for its fish export – one of the main sights to see is the fish market).  But Barisal is also well known now for it’s unique floating vegetable and timber markets…

Things to do in Barisal

• Fish market:  This is a bustling highlight of Barisal and not to be missed (if you don’t mind the bustle and/or the fish market smell!). 
• Floating vegetable market:  As far as tourism-draws in Bangladesh this is a big one and a beautiful morning out seeing an entirely different way of living. 
• Floating timber market:  Not far from Baitha Katha vegetable markets and stretches for kilometres. 
• Korapur Miah Bari Mosque:  Three-domed mosque thought to have been built in the late 18 th  century. 

Transportation from Barisal

• Launch ferry to Dhaka: Overnight
• Taxi to Bagerhat: 3 hours
• Taxi to Mongla: 4 hours
• Bus to Khulna: 5-6 hours 

Khulna and Bargerhat

The city of Khulna on the west of Bangladesh is essentially a gateway city to the Sundarbans and the small mosque-filled city of Bagerhat.  

Things to do in Khulna

• Take a ferry over the river:  Like most of Bangladesh seeing the cities by river adds a different perspective (and is a cheap alternative).
• Visit the UNESCO 60-Domed Mosque:  The largest mosque in Bangladesh remaining from the sultanate period. 
• See the mausoleum of Khan Jahan Ali:  An interesting smaller site with a significant religious influence in Bangladeshi history.   

Transportation from Bagerhat

• Taxi to Barisal: 3 hours
• Bus to Khulna: 1 hour
• Taxi to Mongla: 1.5 hours

Transportation from Khulna

• Bus to Bagerhat: 1 hour
• Train to Dhaka: 9 hours 
• Bus to Dhaka: 7 hours
• Bus to Mongla: 2 hours

Mongla and Sundarbans

Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest that spans Bangladesh and the south of West Bengal in India. 

Things to do in Mongla

• Sundarbans river cruise:  Take a boat up the rivers and canals of the largest mangrove forest in the world.   
• Harbaria Eco Park:  Walk the boardwalk through the mangroves and feed deer at the animal conservation and breeding centre on the main island.  
• Mongla village day tour:  Another highlight of Mongla was the chance to see smaller villages within the district (and especially by 3-wheel electric rickshaw). 

Cox’s Bazar

Cox’s Bazar is the home of the longest natural sea beach in the world.  And it’s a beautiful spot to see in the late afternoon golden hour as the sun sets over the Bay of Bengal. 

Things to do in Cox’s Bazar

• Cox’s Bazar Beach:  Join the crowds and marvel at the beautiful sunset (and eat some candy floss) on the longest beach in the world. 
• Himchori Waterfall:  A shallow but beautiful waterfall located in the National Park not far from main beach in Cox’s Bazar. 
• Inani Beach:  Part of Cox’s Bazar beach, Inani has unique black and coral stones cover the shore line during the rainy and summer seasons. 
• Star Kabab:  We’ve added this as a must-eat in Cox’s Bazar… Highly recommend for a tasty (and friendly) dinner. 

Transportation from Cox’s Bazar

• Bus to Chittagong: 5 hours
• Flight to Dhaka: 50 mins

Chittagong is a large port city on the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh and is second-largest city in the country.  It is another very busy city and like Dhaka, the streets are filled with masses of cycle and auto-rickshaws.  There isn’t much in the way of tourists sights to see but Chittagong is a useful gateway to the Hill Tracts area or south to Cox’s Bazar. 

And for us, Chittagong was a bit more special as we celebrated my birthday.  (I had never previously imagined my birthday at an amusement park in Chittagong but there we were!). 

Things to do in Chittagong

• Shishu Amusement Park:  Located in the heart of the city this is a small (and old) amusement park for children with around 15 simple rides. 
• Take a boat ride from Saderghat:  Similarly to Dhaka it’s easy to get a cheap wooden boat across the river and beautiful to see at sunset. 
• Visit the ship breaking yards:  Not easy to do – after child labour was exposed at the yards – rather it’s easier to see the ship yards from a distance by boat. 
• Get ice cream sundaes : Not technically a sight of Chittagong but one we have to share. Sub Zero is near opposite Shishu Park and does a great oreo sundae… 

Ekduaria Village

It’s hard to decide, but for us the opportunity to stay in and be part of a small village in rural Bangladesh is perhaps the most memorable week of our trip.  

The cities are bustling and the towns have a lot going on.  But seeing day to day life in a rural village is the kind of travel you can’t imagine until you get there. 

I am going to dedicate an entire blog (or two, or more) to sharing our experience in Ekduaria Village, but for now here are some of the highlights… 

Things to do in Ekduaria Village

• Milk a cow:  Meet the local farmers and collect milk for breakfast (walk back through the village with your tin of fresh, warm milk). 
• Harvest vegetables:  From the backyard garden and collect pumpkins, squash and okra from the farm 
• Drink tea with locals:  At the market chai stand or in people’s homes (this is Bangladeshi hospitality).
• Wander the small streets:  And talk to people along the way (don’t worry about the language barrier; there’s much to talk about even without words). 
• Go and watch a soccer game:  The local high school field is the place to be for an energetic inter-village match
• Cook in a mud-kitchen:  Learn how to make paratha, curry, rice-pancakes and much more. 
• Offer to help:  Go and help the farmers with some of their daily chores (they will laugh but you will love it!).  

As we awaited the return of confirmed travel visas for Bangladesh we let slip to a few of our close friends that we were planning a trip to Bangladesh – with kids.  

After the initial eye-bulging return stare of said friends and family, the first question was always of safety.  Is Bangladesh safe?!  

Now, having been and travelled Bangladesh – and  survived  thrived – our summary is not of safety concerns… But those of health. 

There’s no two ways about it.  Health and hygiene are legitimate concerns for travel in Bangladesh.  

Dhaka is one of the most polluted (and obviously the most populous) cities in the world.  And hygiene standards are low. 

Like low, low.  Really low. 

There is only so much you can do as prevention in these circumstances.  

• Carry a basic-but-sensibly-stocked  medical kit . You can read details of everything we carry in our medical kit here.  Rehydration sachets are (reflectively)  recommended  essential in Bangladesh… 
• Always  wash your hands before and after eating  (and/or carry hand sanitiser).  Bangladeshi custom is to eat with your hands so this is even more important. 
• Drink bottled water .  As above, it’s contradictory to all that we try to uphold in sustainable travel but worth it to be safe and  prevent all  prevent diahhroea where possible.  
• Avoid  ice, salads and fruit washed in water .  You don’t know where the water came from (and it’s likely not filtered). 
• Avoid  mosquito bites .  Especially in the golden hour of sunset, wear long trousers and use mosquito repellent. And if available/offered, sleep under a mosquito net.  

Food in Bangladesh 

Bangladesh is a land of rice.  

And I would say also a land of BBQ meat, bhaji, jackfruit and flatbreads.  

But the most exciting part about food in Bangladesh? Bangladeshis use their hands to eat.  

It is definitely something of a practised art form to eat entirely sans cutlery.  But a few days into it you will find yourself ignoring the especially sought out fork and joining the local way. 

The right hand is used to scoop food into your mouth and it is considered bad etiquette to eat with your left hand.  Rather, the left hand should be used to hold the plate or assist with serving.  

Every eatery no matter how big or small will have a ‘wash room’ or handwashing station.  (Albeit you may need to scoop the water from a bucket).  But get into it and give it a go.  There is a whole list of delicious tastes and dishes that await you! 

• Biryani:  Rice and marinated meat cooked in lots of spices
• Kabab:  BBQ chicken roasted to perfection 
• Bhaji:  Roasted vegetables in a light curry flavour (served at any time of day)
• Kichuri:  Rice and lentils seasoned with turmeric and ghee
• Morog Polao  (chicken Pilaf): Rice cooked with stock (= amazing!)
• Haleem:  Spicy lentil soup
• Shingara : AKA  samosa  (pastry filled with spiced potatoes, onions, peas)
• Parata:  Bengali wheat-flour flatbread often served at breakfast
• Luchi:  Deep-fried flatbread with the perfect puff! 
• Mishti  (sweet): Dahl dessert made with milk and sugar
• Borhani:  Thick, frothy yoghurt-like drink
• Jilapi/Jalebi:  Deep-fried, sweet snack (crystalised sugar) 

Food in Bangladesh with kids

• Chai:  Always sweet and pretty standard in taste 
• BBQ Chicken:  Our kids loved the chicken kabab and BBQ chicken in Bangladesh! 
• Dal:  Lentil, peas and beans made into a thick stew. (Sounds unappetising but an easy meal to eat with rice).  And it’s gentle on small tummies. 
• Biryani:  This well-known rice dish is always fairly standard
• Paratha:  Flat bread that has been deep fried (say no more)
• Naan:  Always reliable as a simple meal base
• Sweet lassi:  Traditional yoghurt-based drink (like a milkshake)
• Falooda:  Ice cream dessert made with rose syrup, custard and pieces of jelly

And fruit and drinking coconuts!  We arrived just at the beginning of mango season which was delicious.  And we ate far more than our fair share of jackfruit in the village.

Drinking water

Tap water is not safe to drink in Bangladesh.  And unfortunately, finding filtered water to refill your drink bottle is not easy. 

If you have a steripen or UV water filter definitely bring this for your trip as it’s not a nice feeling to buy plastic bottles of drinking water in a country that is seriously struggling with plastic/pollution… 

Best to play it safe.  And watch out for cups/cutlery that is dripping from being washed in unsanitary water. 

Are there supermarkets and/or recognisable shops in Bangladesh? 

This is probably about the time I have to confess we even ordered takeaway chicken and chips one evening from Food Panda.  In other words; in the city, Bangladesh isn’t far behind with takeaways and food delivery services.  

However, many of the big brands (McDonalds, Starbucks etc) are not in Bangladesh.  

Agora  is a popular supermarket chain and stores can be found in the main cities. 

What to wear in Bangladesh

I love this part of travel Bangladesh. The country is obviously populous (200,000,000 obvious) but oh Bangladesh, you are oh-so-colourful…

Bangladesh is a majority Islamic country and there are expectations for what to wear for travel in the cities and especially in the rural areas.  

For women long pants are always expected.  In the cities is ok(ish) to wear a smart, short-sleeved top. But I would recommend out of the city at least ¾ sleeves.  

I found the best clothing for Bangladesh was the local style of (brightly coloured) salwar kameez.  This is the typical Bangladeshi 3-piece costume of loose trousers, long (below your bottom) tunic-style top and scarf draped across your chest or over your head.  

The salwar kameez is made from fabric that is cool to wear and is addictively colourful.   

For men, advice is similarly conservative but with slightly more flexibility.  Men in shorts  can  be spotted on occasion. But being realistic, it’s not a common sight.  Long pants/trousers and a shirt for men is recommended (and expected, really). 

And for kids – especially young kids – it’s more relaxed.  Our boys enjoyed trying the local style of  Panjabi  (particularly as locals had never seen boys with long hair before!). 

Bangladeshi costumes you will see day-to-day:

• Salwar kameez  (f): long tunic top and loose trousers
• Orna  (f): scarf to drape over shoulders or neck (part of the salwar kameez costume)
• Saree  (f): the main traditional women’s costume of Bangladesh most commonly seen on women in the villages
• Lungyi  (m): males sarong-like skirt made from tubular length of fabric
• Panjabi  (m): long, loose shirt.  
• Fatua  (m): short version of the Panjabi (short, loose shirt) 
• Gamcha  (m): a colourful, cotton towel (spun by local handloom) often worn around the neck by workers to be used as a body towel 

Transportation in Bangladesh

Transport and travel in Bangladesh can be as tricky as you make it.

There is road travel (taxis, buses, vans), train travel (express trains and a new metro to come), river travel (the most traditional means of travel in Bangladesh) and rickshaws (pedal and auto).

Don’t try and over complicate things haggling for a best price (especially over a few cents). You will draw a crowd regardless but even more so if you’re trying to negotiate with a driver. And don’t be afraid to walk away. They know how much it should cost and you don’t need to be ripped off just because you’re a foreigner.

Getting around by auto rickshaw (CNG)

Bangladesh has electric and CNG auto rickshaws that are easy to flag down and take for short to medium distances in the cities and towns.  

For a 2km distance it costs around 100Tk (USD $1.15).  Just be sure to negotiate and confirm the price before you climb in.  

Getting around by cycle rickshaw

This is by far the most authentic mode of transport in Bangladesh.  It only costs a few taka for a short distance by cycle rickshaw (just not so easy for us as a family of four – we need to get two!).  

Getting around Bangladesh by train

Bangladesh is well known for train travel.  It’s likely you will have seen images of hundreds of people riding on the roof of trains… 

Well, we did see people on the rooftops (and heard big thumps as they leapt on the roof above us from one carriage to the next!).   But the police are trying reduce the number of people riding on the top and fortunately we didn’t see quite as many as anticipated.  

It’s relatively easy to book a train ticket at the main railway station in Dhaka.  The most challenging part of booking is battling the traffic in a taxi to get there.  If you don’t have hours to spare you can contact a guide (like  trip2bangladesh.com ) ahead of time to book the ticket for you (we did this for our first train from Dhaka to Sylhet) and have it dropped to your hotel. 

Getting around Bangladesh by boat 

Long-distance water travel in Bangladesh is by  launch.   These are huge river ferries (what we would call a ferry back home).  But in Bangladesh, ferries are the term for short-distance river travel from one side of the river to the other.  Like the one we took across the Padma river (this is the main channel of the greater Ganges River in Bangladesh).  

Launch travel is a bucketlist experience in Bangladesh and absolutely the most traditional means of transport in the country.  

Overnight launches depart from Dhaka in the evening and arrive in Barisal before sunrise. 

Here are some of the class options and pricing for a one-way overnight launch in Bangladesh: 

• VIP Cabin : 10,000 Tk
• 1st Class Cabin: (A/C, shared toilet): 2500 Tk
• Economy (seats, shared toilet): 800 Tk
• 3rd Class (floor space only): 280 Tk 

Getting around Bangladesh by bus

Bus travel is a cheap way to move between cities.  There’s no need to pre-book far in advance as there are  squillions hundreds of buses departing frequently in any given direction. 

It was easy to purchase tickets the day before from a small travel agent in Cox’s Bazar for the 5 hour journey to Chittagong.  (Transport and tour agent stalls line the streets in the tourist area here).  Tickets for the AC bus cost 500 Tk each ($6 USD). 

Budget 

As a traveller, first thoughts are that Bangladesh will be a cheap country to travel in.  And daily – for food, necessities and transport – it is. 

• Cup of cha (tea): 10 Tk / USD 0.15c
• Water (1L): 40 Tk / 0.45c 
• Canned drink: 40 Tk
• Drinking coconut: 100 Tk
• Daal: 50 Tk
• Tandoori chicken: 200 Tk
• Restaurant lunch (for 4: 600 Tk
• Auto-rickshaw (2km): 100 Tk
• Uber/taxi (5km): 450 Tk
• Passenger boat (across river): 10 Tk
• AC bus (5 hours): 500 Tk
• Barber shop shave: 100 Tk
• 15GB data (for 7 days): 160 Tk

I must admit we were (pleasantly) surprised by connectivity and wifi options in Bangladesh.  Albeit hotel accommodation is not really cheap (for a family) but every place we stayed had free and unlimited wifi.  

We were disconnected from 3G and 4G data on some of the bus and train rides but not in a way that caused any disruption worth writing further about. 

Getting a SIM card for travel in Bangladesh 

The three biggest communications operators in Bangladesh are: 

• Grameenphone

Grameenphone has a counter selling SIM cards as you exit customs at the airport in Dhaka (even for a night time flight).  

When we landed in Dhaka there were not ATM’s working but I exchanged $20 USD and was able to buy two SIM cards with Grameenphone for 600 Tk each including 12GB of data. 

It’s easy to top up (they call it ‘recharge’) your card at many small street shops.  Just get familiar with the Grameenphone logo and keep an eye out for it.  

If you handover your phone the shopkeeper will top it up the old-fashioned way by calling in to Grameenphone and recharging your desired amount to your account.  You can then choose from a list of data or calling packages. 

Data prices are cheap (like cheap, cheap) and come up under ‘My Offers’ on the service provider app: 

• 100 minutes, 30 days: 65 Tk
• 20 GB, 7 days: 179 Tk
• 13 GB, 30 days: 220 Tk
• 6 GB, 3 days: 76 Tk

Whether to travel in Bangladesh independently or pre-book tours and transport? 

No doubt you’ve started googling and are wondering how to put together the pieces of the puzzle that is an itinerary for Bangladesh.  But quite frankly there isn’t a lot of information out there.

Looking at the map before we left, we split our travel in Bangladesh into different legs (in different directions). We made contact with owner, Ontu of tour company  TripToBangladesh  to gauge prices for transport and to pre-book the first overnight launch and day tour for the Sundarbans. 

For the remainder we travelled independently (by bus, plane and train) and booked two of our three train journeys after we arrived. 

I can highly recommend Ontu for his caring and very professional manner to help with making any tour and/or transport bookings for Bangladesh.  

To stay in Ekduaria Village contact host Jafar Tuhin of Taabu Ekduaria directly on  +880 1969-404414 .  Jafar is an incredible host, with fluent English and very easy to be around.  We arrived as guests and left as friends. 

Useful contacts for travel in Bangladesh

• Trip2Bangladesh Contact person: Ontu WhatsApp:  +8801784399339 Email: [email protected]
• Taabu Ekduaria Host and guide: Jafar Tuhin  WhatsApp: +880 1969-404414

Jafar is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide for city tours of Dhaka and the neighbouring ancient city of Sonargaon too. I highly recommend a day tour of Old Dhaka including the sights, bazars and fascinating huge ship breaking yards. Contact him directly – you will not be disappointed!

Accommodation options for travel in Bangladesh

In a country that is shamelessly renowned for being a budget destination, I would say that for us the cost of accommodation in Bangladesh came as a surprise. 

I’m not going to pretend we found budget accommodation and roughed our way around the country.  Because we didn’t.  But cost-wise it wasn’t what we expected. 

We booked a hotel to arrive to for the first few nights (Hotel 71) and the family room allocated to four pax was well above our budget for fulltime travel. 

As we found our feet and figured out how it all worked here we realised that as a family, accommodation options offered the greatest disparity in our budget.  

In Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong there seemed to be 4 or 5 star hotel options at $130+ USD per night.   Or  you had to be roughing it in a guesthouse/apartment that we could barely even find online… 

In the smaller cities like Sreemangal and Cox’s Bazar it is easier to find lower-cost accommodation.  

But even as normally strict-budget travellers I can tell you we were unashamedly thankful for an albeit expensive-but-clean room, air-conditioning and a hot shower in the cities.   Pick your battles?

Everything we booked in Bangladesh we managed to book ahead of time online through booking.com.  We booked the first few nights prior to arriving.

Where we stayed in Bangladesh

• Dhaka:   Hotel 71  
• Barisal:   Hotel Grand Park
• Mongla:   Hotel Pashur
• Dhaka:   Hotel Tropical Daisy  
• Sreemangal:   Green Leaf Guest House
• Sylhet:   Hotel Mira Garden
• Cox’s Bazar:   Laguna Beach Hotel  
• Chittagong:   Well Park Residence Boutique Hotel
• Dhaka:   Hotel 71
• Ekduaria Village: Taabu Ekduaria Village Homestay

Read the reviews on booking sites and use Google Maps to check out accommodation and locations before you book.  

Thank you, Bangladesh.

Well that ends our huge guide for travel in Bangladesh.  

If you are looking for a destination that will give you culture, colour, adventure, taste and wonder then I recommend travel in Bangladesh. 

Please leave us a comment with any further questions and we’ll get back to you. 

We had a truly, genuinely fantastic time traveling in Bangladesh. And now that I’ve dried my tears on leaving Ekduaria Village after an incredible week of Bangladeshi hospitality, I know for sure it is going to be one of those countries that sticks with us, and close to our heart for a long time to come…

More about travel planning for Bangladesh and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com  – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. (We love the flexible cancellation policy!). 
• Hostelworld – The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world. 
• Skyscanner   – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing  – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads   – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Read more about travel in Bangladesh and South Asia

• Train Travel in India: A Complete Guide.
• The Sacred River Ganges: Two days in Varanasi.
• Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan. 
• Pakistan: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan. 
• Money in India: Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely.
• How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
• Our complete packing list for travel in India. 

Wondering about itineraries?  Questions about schooling?  See our Family Travel Guides and FAQ here . 

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12 thoughts on “Travel In Bangladesh: A Complete Travel Guide For Bangladesh.”

Thank you for the wealth of valuable information. There is one point that flies in contrast with the Consulate general of Bangladesh’s website, the US travel.gov website, and every other website I have searched for, that is Visa on Arrivals are currently (as of Jan 2024) in effect, at least for the US.

Perhaps your contention that VoA are not available is dependent upon your nationality as a Kiwi?

I wanted to get your thoughts on this matter before I head out on Jan. 23rd from Miami.

One other question comes to mind, I have found various local standards regarding the condition of currency in different countries. I remember back 30 years ago when I was in India bills could have large holes in them due to the custom of stapling stacks together and ripping bills off one by one, but tears along the edges were not accepted. As such, torn bills were commonly given to unsuspecting foreigners. Is there anything to be aware of regarding acceptance of Bangladeshi currency?

Hi, I am a solo (middle aged) female traveller heading to Dhaka for a wedding in Feb 2023. I would like to travel alone through Bangladesh for a few weeks after – do you think this is doable or is it going to be so hard that it’s not worth the effort. I have tried to find a tour to join but can’t find anything running which I can join. Are there local tours I can join or do you think I can manage to get around as a solo blonde, white, western woman!? I have travelled solo previously and enjoy it, but I’m a little older now and have heard that it is very difficult in Bangladesh.

Love the blog – it’s the first I’ve seen of Bangladesh which has been really helpful, Helen

Hi Helen great to hear from you! If you would like to find us on Facebook or email I can give you more details – but I highly recommend contact Jafar, a fantastic Guide based near Dhaka (it was Jafar’s village we stayed a week in!). And on your first day do a day tour of Dhaka to find your feet and get your bearings in Bangladesh – we had a truly, truly amazing time and would love to return! The other Guide we have listed; Ontu is from Barisal and can help with booking tours or trains or transport as well. It makes a huge difference to have great contacts as it is a huge country! We can highly recommend both of those great guides. Wishing you a fantastic time! And if you have any further questions please message us, Sarah.

I am really happy to have found your blog. I am planning a trip to Bangladesh in early 2024, from late January to mid-February. I was originally going to India, but diplomatic relations between India and Canada are strained. India has stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens… So, here I am planning a trip to Bangladesh. My primary goal when I travel is photography. I am working on a book project that includes 15 years of traveling through different countries. I wish to visit the city of Chittagong to explore the ship graveyard and everything around it. I read on your blog that access can be challenging. Is it possible to get close to it? Thank you for your blog; it is very well-documented. Best regards, Louis P. Instagram @parlimages

Hi Louis we had an incredible time in Bangladesh! I highly recommend sending Jafar a message (on his WhatsApp number above) and getting in touch. He would be the best person to ask. From what I understand the yards in Chittagong are closed to tourists and especially photographers. But I really recommend a tour with Jafar when you arrive as a great way to find your feet and get a good understanding to start with in Bangladesh. An amazing country!

I’m traveling to Bangaldesh as a female solo traveler (for work, but will still be solo for most of the trip) so thank you very, very much for this honest and comprehensive travel guide and description. I’ve lived in Singapore for many years and travelled throughout most of SEA, yet Bangladesh seems next level. I was happy to read your blog to get an insight on what to expect. Unfortunately, I won’t make it to most of the places you’ve been and I also probably won’t make it on a boat or train ride (due to work and corporate compliance…), but all your information on food, hygiene, what to wear etc. helped me a lot. Thanks!!

Thanks very much Shumona! Wishing you a fantastic trip 🙂

Great blog post. Heading there this December with a friend and always nice to read a REAL review to get the low down from a foreigners POV. Fine work

Hi Iain and thanks very much! Have a brilliant time in Bangladesh. We really enjoyed the adventure and am sure you will too! 🙂

I’m traveling to Bangaldesh as a female solo traveler (for work, but will still be solo for most of the trip) so thank you very, very much for this honest and comprehensive travel guide and description. I’ve lived in Singapore for many years and travelled throughout most of SEA, yet Bangladesh seems next level. I was happy to read your blog to get an insight on what to expect. Unfortunately, I won’t make it to most of the places you’ve been and I also probably won’t make it on a boat or train ride (due to work and corporate compliance…), but all your information on food, hygiene, what to wear etc. helped me a lot. Thanks!!

Hi Sarah! This is amazing to read and thank you very much for taking the time to write that. Wishing you a fantastic time in Bangladesh! It is somewhere very special. And even with limited time I am confident you will have maximum experiences! Have a brilliant time! Sarah.

Wow! This travel guide for Bangladesh is incredibly comprehensive and informative. It’s evident that you had an amazing experience exploring the country. The unique culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality of the Bangladeshi people shine through your words. I’m inspired to visit Bangladesh myself after reading about your adventures. Thank you for sharing this detailed guide and providing valuable insights into the history, attractions, transportation, and even local customs. Your enthusiasm and love for the country are contagious. Safe travels to all those planning to visit Bangladesh – book your trip now and embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure! You may love to know about Everest Base Camp Trek Guide which is an exhilarating and challenging trekking adventure that takes you through the majestic Khumbu region of Nepal.

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You are here: Home » Experiential Travel Guides » Bangladesh Travel: A Beginner’s Guide

Bangladesh Travel: A Beginner’s Guide

Last Updated on July 21, 2021 by Audrey Scott

Let’s face it. Reliable independent travel information about Bangladesh doesn’t flow quite as freely as it does for some other nearby countries in south Asia.

And even when you get in country, information can be hard to come by: ask five people a question and you're likely to get ten answers.

But persevere and show your curiosity and you’ll find that Bangladesh actually offers more diversity in sights and experiences that you might first expect, from UNESCO pre-Moghul mosques to cycling through tea estates to tracking tigers in mangrove forests. But perhaps more distinct are the human interactions that make visiting Bangladesh such a unique experience.

More than five weeks in Bangladesh? Is there really enough to do there?

— A typical response when we shared our Bangladesh travel plans.

Next time you wonder what there is to do and see in Bangladesh, take a look at the list below for inspiration. Seek it out, understand that things don’t always go as planned, and enjoy the journey.

Cox’s Bazar Spoiler: We're prepared for flak from Bangladeshis regarding the fact that Cox’s Bazar does not appear on our list. Cox's Bazar, home of the longest continuous stretch of beach in the world didn't make the cut during our visit. We'd spent plenty of time on beaches in Thailand before visiting Bangladesh, and frankly we were having too much fun in the Bangladesh countryside to up and make our way to the beach.

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s sprawling, crazy capital city

Make your way to old town Dhaka (Puran Dhaka) and Shakari Bazaar for interaction with some of the friendliest and most energetic people in the world. Go early in the morning or on a holiday so that you have a chance to see it all and engage with the crowds before things become too hot or busy. Take a rickshaw ride through the narrow old town streets. Wild, fun, human. Our favorite part of Dhaka by far.

Also recommended is the walking tour of old Dhaka by the Urban Study Group working to protect Dhaka’s historical buildings (ask for Taimur). Our tour happened to coincide with the Hindu holiday of Holi so our walks through the Hindu parts of town were in full festival and color mode. A fulfilling, educational experience all around.

The easiest way to get to the old town is by CNG (compressed natural gas auto rickshaw ) – ask to use the meter. Traffic in Dhaka is horrible, so plan your way around the city wisely or risk spending hours stuck in traffic that may leave you never wanting to exit your hotel again.

View more photos: Dhaka

Rocket steamer: river travel.

While the rocket steamer may not be one of the fastest ways to travel, but it is one of the most pleasant. Bangladesh is a country of rivers; you have to travel them to get a feel for the country. The Rocket Steamer is a great way to do this.

Although we’re usually cheapskates when it comes to transport, we do recommend splurging for an overnight first class cabin (around $25 total for the two of us). On the route from Dhaka to Khulna, this allowed us access to the front of the boat along with a handful – as opposed to hundreds – of other people.

Pull up a chair outside and watch Dhaka disappear in the rear view as the river opens wide with fishermen, villages and the occasional brickfield (brick-making operation). We will never forget drinking tea after sunset on the front deck as we exited Dhaka's orbit and made our way into wider, more silent waterways. Epic and soothing.

Because water levels were low, we chose to exit the boat at Pirojpur. From there, we took a bus the remainder of the way to Khulna (about 2 hours). In Khulna, we met up with our Sundarban tour boat the following day.

A note on safety: You might be asking, “ Is it really safe to take a boat in Bangladesh? I keep hearing reports of boats sinking .” The Rocket Steamer does indeed have a good safety record. However, be aware that other public river ferry transport options may not be as safe due to overcrowding and spotty maintenance.

Buying tickets: The Rocket Steamer departs around 6 PM from Sadarghat in old Dhaka. Although touts may suggest otherwise, you cannot buy tickets for the Rocket Steamer at Sadarghat in Dhaka. We advise going directly to the BIWTC (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport) office at 5 Dilkusha. Call ahead to confirm that boats are running. Schedules are subject to change based on water levels and repairs: +88-02-9559779. You can also buy Rocket Steamer tickets through local travel agent for a fee that will include a commission.

View More Photos: Rocket Steamer from Dhaka

Sundarbans: tiger tracking in mangrove forests..

The Sundarbans, the largest tidal mangrove forests in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a big attraction in Bangladesh. A Sundarbans tour is usually among the first items on a visitor's Bangladesh travel itinerary. The Sundarbans feature mangrove forests, visits to the Bay of Bengal, and an often unsuccessful search for tigers.

Most journeys to the Sundarbans depart from Khulna and travel south and east along various rivers and streams towards the Bay of Bengal. Within a few hours of leaving Khulna, industry, towns, fishermen and villages fade in favor of virtually uninhabited mangrove forests. Birds, deer, crocodiles, and wild boar become your new companions. Oh, and tigers — whether or not you get a chance to see them, they will likely see you.

Sundarban tours include a few landings to walk through the thick mud of the mangrove forests in search of the shy Bengal tiger. Although it’s unlikely you’ll actually see a tiger (there’s an estimated 400 of them remaining in this vast land mass), this is still a recommended trip to get yourself into the middle mangrove forests, see some different animals, and just enjoy nature and its silence.

Booking a Sundarbans Tour:

We went with Bengal Tours . The boat, food, and staff were all great. A standard tour for two nights/three days is around $150. If we had known in advance, we would have better timed our visit to coincide with the honey harvest season (April) and booked a “honey-hunting tour.”

Honey-hunting tiger tours run at the very end of the Sundarbans tour season, as the dry season becomes full-blown. This special tour follows villagers in the northwest reaches of the Sundarbans and includes as they harvest honey, a rather dangerous undertaking because of the apparent relative profusion of curious tigers in the area.

The Guide Tours also runs Sundarbans tours. Although we didn’t travel with them, one of our close friends did and he recommended them. Rupantar Eco-Tourism , was also recommended to us, but there were no tours running at the time of our visit.

View More : Sundarbans Photos

Bagarhat: pre-moghul mosques and crocodiles.

While Shait Gumbad Masjid (Sixty Dome Mosque) in Bagerhat, Bangladesh might qualify as one of more remote and foreigner-free UNESCO sites we've come across in our travels, it's certainly not a lonely place.

From the moment we stepped foot on the grounds of this 15th century pre-Mughal-era mosque, we were approached by playful school girls, elderly Imams, extended families, shutter-happy teenagers and everyone in between. Like all their Bangladeshi countrymen and women, they are a curious and friendly lot and will pay you oodles of attention, as this site currently does not get many foreign visitors.

Conversations went in and out of Bangla and English about Bangladesh, United States, Islam, crocodiles, cricket, Facebook and more. At every turn, mobile phones clicked with photos of us.

And although the grounds of the mosque teem with people and activity, the interior is impressive with its dozens of columns, pre-Moghul architecture, and faded wall decor wiped out by heavy-handed plastering. However, what we enjoyed most was that the mosque is not a museum, but is still actively used by the local community.

If you have more time, take a rickshaw to Khan Jahan Ali Mazar where you’ll find a pond full of well-fed crocodiles and the Nine-Domed Mosque a short walk away. Keep an eye out for this friendly Imam who will take you around the 15th century building.

There isn’t really a place to sleep here, so visiting Bagerhat is best done as a day trip from Khulna. For a taste of beautiful peaceful brick-lined village lanes, a visit here is an absolute must.

Khulna Hotel : We enjoyed staying at Hotel Jalico on #77 Lower Jessore Road. Around $14 for a double room with A/C, including breakfast served in your room. Request a local breakfast – the “western breakfast” includes soggy eggs and toast.

More Photos from Bagerhat

Rajshahi and puthia: university town and hindu temples.

Take the early morning train from Khulna to Rajshahi for one of the most pleasant rides in the country through villages and rice fields. Besides offering an absolutely beautiful journey, this train seems to run on time. Purchasing a ticket at the Khulna train station is fairly easy. Foreigners will likely be directed around the back of the building to make their visit even easier. 1st class cabin tickets run about $3-$4/piece. Among the world's greatest train ticket values.

At dusk, go down to the Ganges/Patma river front: kids play cricket, families gather around food carts, and boats carry people back and forth towards the Indian border. You’ll soon be surrounded by Rajshahi’s students; curious, outgoing, and sporting good English. A good sign if these are the future leaders of their country.

Nearby Puthia is worth a stop to walk around, see the Hindu temples, and chat with the temple caretakers and other locals. You can see the town’s former prominence in the Hindu Temples and Palace. We particularly enjoyed the Govinda Temple with its exterior of carved terracotta tiles.

Note that the representative from the Puthia archeological association can be a bit overbearing and ultimately hijack your visit and your sanity, so be firm in expressing your wishes.

More Photos: Rajshahi and Puthia Photos

Paharpur monastery: tantric buddhist monastery.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Bangladesh: the 8th century Paharpur Monastery in northwestern Bangladesh is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries south of the Himalayas. Today, much of the site is in ruins but it’s still worth a visit. Fascinating to imagine how this university-style “dorms” where Buddhism and Buddhist monks thrived for several centuries under in what was once Buddhist Bangladesh.

If you visit Paharpur, we recommend spending the night in Joypurhat and taking an electric or auto rickshaw to the the site.

Paharpur Hotel : We stayed in a great guest room at an NGO called DMSS for around $11/double room. Our host, Aburpa, was wonderful and the money from your stay goes to support DMSS' work with indigenous people in the region. He can also arrange a rickshaw to the ruins. Contact the organization in advance to see if they have availability. A great place to stay.

More Photos: Paharpur Buddhist Monastery

Rural homestay in a bangladesh village exploration.

Bangladesh’s cities are busy, harried and full of people, traffic and commotion. From our perspective, an absolute must in Bangladesh: spending time in rural Bangladesh to get a completely different perspective. One of the highlights of our trip was a two-day village homestay in the village of Hatiandha outside of the city of Natore.

In the village, we stayed with a local family for two nights and enjoyed delicious home-cooked Bangladeshi food. We also had an opportunity to visit rural schools, walk around the village and fields to learn about agriculture, see a pottery village, various aspects of harvesting, puffing rice with hot sand and enjoying the pace of Bangladesh village life.

Arranging a Bangladesh home stay

The home stay program we used is a new initiative from Eco Connexion, the rural tourism arm of the NGO ESDO.

Srimongal: Tea Estates and Long Bike Rides

From our perspectives, another must see during a visit to Bangladesh. The aim: to get out of town and enjoy the countryside; tea estates, ethnic villages, national parks, lakes and greenery. You can hire a car, or as we did, rent bicycles and cycle your way through the teaberry flavored air of tea plantations, take up a local or two on their invitation for tea (or a birthday party). Go, enjoy the outdoors and let your days unfold by themselves.

Our suggestion: rent bikes and head out to Madhabpur Lake, not so much to see the actual lake but for the adventure on the way there and back. Beautiful scenery, villages and people. The fragrance of tea bushes in the fresh air of early morning is like nothing you'll experience in life.

The tea gardens surrounding Srimongal are remnants from the British Empire; workers were brought from other parts of the country and also from India. Today, this area is home to several different ethnic groups. Although working conditions are exceptionally difficult for the tea pickers, we found them incredibly friendly and welcoming.

It’s possible to arrange visits to indigenous Garo, Manipuri, and Khashia villages. Our suggestion is to go with a guide who is from that indigenous group and village so that you have a more personal experience. You can contact Nishorgo Network or Community EcoTour to arrange village visits. Don't miss a visit to Nilkantha for a taste of 7-layer tea. There's also an unassuming stand that serves up puchka. Makes for a perfect late-afternoon snack.

To rent bikes, contact Sablu at Classic Tours and Travels in Srimongal. He's a really nice guy who can arrange other tours. He also knows where to find a get a good shave.

READ MORE : The Destination Is Everything, The Destination Is Nothing

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Bandarban and Rangamati

This little sliver of land in the southeastern corner of the country can be a bit tricky to get to, but it's all worth the effort. More than a dozen ethnic groups share this region; it’s like a journey through Southeast and South Asia in one swoop.

Try to plan your visit around the weekly market in Bandarban and Rangamati on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In scenes like this one at the indigenous market in the town of Bandarban, it's easy to forget which country we're visiting.

Bandarban is part of an area known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). CHT's rolling hills in southeastern Bangladesh are home to over fifteen indigenous groups, many of which have their origins in far eastern India, Burma and Southeast Asia .

While the market had some unusual features for one in Bangladesh — a monitor lizard butchered to bits at the river's edge, a huge pig sawed in half mid-market, massive sting rays hanging on hooks, and sacks jumping with plump frogs — something else stood out. Women.

Women were everywhere – as vendors, buyers, connoisseurs of cigars, and among the out and about. While the presence of women may not sound terribly profound, their absence from other markets and many facets of public life here in Bangladesh has been noticeable. And we've missed it.

So at the Sunday episode of the Bandarban indigenous market we enjoyed the opportunity to sit with vendors (men and women), throw around a few words in Bangla (didn't really help), use charades to communicate some more, learn the local names of vegetables, and share a few smiles.

Also highly recommended is hiring a guide for half a day in Bandarban to go through villages and take a boat ride down Shangu river. We arranged for this through Guide Tours Bandarban Hill Resort (about $8-$10) and it was a fantastic experience. Our guide, Royel, was a Baum man from the surrounding villages and knew everyone, everything.

Another site to see near Bandarban is Bangladesh's largest active Buddhist temple, Buddha Dhatu Jadi or Golden Temple — a peaceful little place tucked into the hills above the town. You might be thinking, “Buddhism in Bangladesh?” Once upon a time, Buddhism was the prominent religion across the land that is now Bangladesh.

Although Buddhists only make up around 1% of the population today, you can find pockets of of Marma, Chakma and other ethnic communities practicing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southeastern Bangladesh. There are even a few Bengali Buddhists about.

Our visit to Rangamati overlapped with both local Buddhist water festival and Bangla new years; we were adopted by a local Chakma man and visited about ten groups of family and friends, each with outrageous amounts of rice wine and food. Let’s just say we didn’t do a lot more than that during our two days there.

Permits to CHT:

It’s necessary to get a permit to enter the CHT. Most travel agents or hotels can arrange this for you for free or for a small fee. They will submit your passport details to the authorities so that your name appears on an approved list.

Bandarban Hotel

We stayed at Hotel Purbani on the main road in Bandarban town. Around $8 for a double room (fan) with some of the most attentive staff in the world. To enjoy the hills and countryside outside of town, take a look at the Bandarban Hillside Resort run by Guide Tours. We hired a guide from here and the facilities looked nice.

Rangamati Hotel

Banarupa Tourists Inn is on the outskirts of town. We were there during a big holiday, so rooms were hard to find. A double room cost around $18-$20.

Of course, there is much more to do in Bangladesh than what is on this list. Our aim is to provide you a starting point to inspire your thinking, planning, and preparation for Bangladesh. Independent travel in Bangladesh is intense, so be sure to plan in enough down time; try to get out of the big cities. Once you do, you are sure to set yourself up for some unforgettably unique experiences.

If you're interested in more information on travel to Bangladesh, be sure to listen to our Bangladesh podcast interview with Chris Christensen from the Amateur Traveler.

About Audrey Scott

36 thoughts on “bangladesh travel: a beginner’s guide”.

Great details, very informative.

Just adding to this otherwise pretty complete guide.

Boga Lake A part of Chittagong Hill Tracts, but can only be reached by trekking through some darn nice hill country inhabited by different tribes.

Cox’s Bazar Yes, you mentioned it yourself. A visit to Cox’s Bazar beach is pretty mandatory. Not because is pretty, but because Bangdeshis consider it to be a paradise and it is so far from. It is a wonder how a beach can be so unattractive in a fascinating way… but hey, this is Bangladesh!

Sorry, I should have added some pictures from both Boga Lake and Cox’s Bazar. Here they are:

Boga Lake http://www.globespots.com/photogallery.php?photogallery=boga_lake

Cox’s Bazar http://www.globespots.com/photogallery.php?photogallery=coxs_bazar

@Sutapa: There’s a lot of inconsistent information about Bangladesh in guide books and even when you get on the ground, so we tried to be thorough here with all the details we wish we had known before we went.

@Bo: Boga Lake was on our wish list, but as we were in CHT during the new year it was difficult to find guides and transport. We’ll just have to return to be able to visit next time…including Cox’s Bazaar 🙂

@Tom: Yeah, tigers going after honey does sound rather Winnie the Pooh-ish, but it is a dangerous activity. Something like 50-60 people get killed each year by tigers and many of them during the honey season.

Bangladesh definitely does surprise on its old mosques and ruins; there used to be much more, but as the population has grown it’s hard to keep things up. I don’t see EasyJet going to Dhaka anytime soon, but Air Asia used to from Kuala Lumpur. We flew $90 one-way from Dhaka-KL. Such a shame they stopped service!

Great tips, thanks for sharing! Tigers being curious about honey sounds adorable but I’m sure it’s far from the opposite – I need to switch my brain off of Disney mode!

I’m a complete geek for things like old mosques and ruins, I had no idea there were so many in Bangladesh! Now to book a ticket… EasyJet to Dhaka? Hmm!

Thanks for the wonderful detailed guide. I’ll be referring back to this when we eventually visit Bangladesh.

@Erin: You’re welcome! Just get in touch if you need any more details for planning your trip to Bangladesh or when you’re there.

Definitely one of the most detailed, well-illustrated and thorough write-ups I’ve seen about Bangladesh. Could you let me know if/where you discovered “inconsistent information about Bangladesh in guide books” in the Bradt guide? I’m in the midst of updating right now!

Thanks for covering Bangladesh in such a positive and interesting manner. One thing though, the mention of Tea Pluckers(not pickers in the true Tea jargon)life being exceptionally difficult is not correct as they are probably the only working group that are provided with their own homessteads, clean water, weekly ration and a large communal meeting place with TV for their entertainment.In some large estates they also have dispensaries and small scale hospitals. Working conditions are difficult for all agricultural growers in Bangladesh.In fact it is specially difficult for the Rickshaw Wallas who migrate from the villages due to no employment opportunities there and live in almost squalid conditions in the large cities.

@Mikey: Wow, thank you for your kind words about our write-up. Coming from you as an expert on Bangladesh that means a lot.

I don’t have the Bangladesh guidebooks in front of me at the moment, but some suggestions we have for updating the Bradt Guide would be: 1) For all transport routes, be sure to list (expected) hours/length of route. If possible prices as well (although these do change). 2) Give the Bangla name for sites and locations since many rickshaw drivers don’t speak English. I remember doing charades trying to communicate Buddhist temple when we were in Bandarban to the rickshaw drivers since they only knew the local name. 3) Improve the maps. I know Bangladesh is impossible to map, especially its cities, but we found it quite difficult to navigate the maps in the Bratdt Guide.

If more ideas come to mind, I’ll be sure to send you an email. Good luck with updating the Bangladesh Bradt Guide!

@Marc: Many people don’t think about Bangladesh as a travel destination, which is really a shame. Bangladesh is not the easiest travel out there, but it’s certainly fascinating and people are so welcoming.

@Murad: Thanks for sharing this about the Tea Pluckers. I completely agree that life for all agricultural people in Bangladesh is difficult and for rickshaw drivers they live extremely challenging lives.

Yes, the tea estates provided housing when the pluckers moved from other parts of Bangladesh and India many years ago. Of the people we spoke with, they still live in the same homes their parents had when they arrived many years ago. However, we were told by different sources that the situation now for tea pickers is worse than it used to be because the tea estates don’t have as much money for these services. Many earn around $1/day and the food rations are often not sufficient. But, it’s hopeful to hear that some tea estates are able to provide better services and pay.

Yes, Bangladesh is good for traveler. It is green. people also green here. River and and green tree are beautiful.

its great about travel in Bangladesh, nice writing. hope your page is run very rapidly. thanks.

The post is briefly helpful for the tourist who want to travel Bangladesh

My fingers tingle as I begin to pen this down; I’m a Bangladeshi by descent and the closest living link, is only a Bangladeshi friend staying in London. Every conversation with him is like taking a trip to the land I have sworn to visit at least once, the land where my roots lie.

Remarkable, Bruce. Hoping you have the opportunity to visit Bangladesh to bring your thoughts full circle.

WOW, great listing. It will help foreigners when they will visit my country Bangladesh. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your blog. I was wondering could you advise on a rough travel itinary I.e which route to take around the country. We land in Dharka and have 30 days and will be missing out Chittagong. If you could give a rough idea of the best route around the country taking into account transport options that would be fab. Look forward to hearing from you

I am sorry if this is the second message/ comment you get. I am currently in India and the internet is well…Indian. I cant see my first comment so maybe it didn’t send.

Anyway as of the 15 of this month i will be travelling Bangladesh (for the first time) for 30 days. I fly into Dhaka. I would be grateful if you could provide any advice / a rough idea of which way around you would travel the country. I.E taking into account the transport options and how possible it is to get from region to region, from Dhaka which region would you explore next and from there, where next and so on. I would like to end up in Dhaka again. I am trying to learn from experience as i have been in a situation where i should have traveled the opposite way around to the way i chose which meant to couldnt easily get to a place without spending days going back on myself. Any advice you can provide would be gratefully received.

Thank you in advance.

PS. dont worry about timing – i will attempt to sort that 🙂

Casey, we ended up transiting through Dhaka a couple of times during our travels in Bangladesh as it sometimes worked out easiest from a transportation standpoint. As for our route, we went from Dhaka to Khulna via the Rocket Steamer and then onward to the Sundarbans (boat tour) and Bagerhat. Then we continued train and buses to Rajshahi, Puthia, a homestay in Hathiendha, and Paharpur. From there we returned by bus to Dkahka and went by train to Srimongal and then all the way south to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bandarban & Rangamati). I’m not sure if that was the most efficient itinerary, but we were trying to maximize our use of trains and minimize our use of buses and highways. And, of course, there were many places in Bangladesh that we didn’t get to that you may want to visit.

Good luck with planning for your trip and enjoy!

This is a great post and really informative.

We have just one week in Bangladesh on our way from India to Myanmar. We fly in and out of Dhaka. Given our short time 7 nights 6.5 days what would you recommend as must see’s do’s? We like off the beaten track too.

Ideally we want to pick 2 or 3 keys things so we’re not too rushed!

Hi Tanya, Glad this post was useful! Given your short time I’d probably take the Rocket Steamer and head down to the Sundarbans on a boat tour. Otherwise, you could take the train up to Srimongal and enjoy the tea plantations and lakes. The other option is go to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, but if you’re spending time in Myanmar then culturally that might be similar. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Great post, very informative. My husband and I are traveling to Bangladesh Nov 30 – Dec 18 are are including many of the same stops in our itinerary. One quick question regarding the trains…. was it easy to book/purchase the train tickets at the stations yourselves, or did you typically purchase the tickets through travel agencies or with the help of lodge owners (or others)? We also plan to travel mostly by train. We found that booking train tickets in India was very easy as there was typically at least one desk (or more) where foreigners could book tickets in English, though it sounds like this is likely not the case in Bangladesh. Thanks very much for any information you can provide!

Thanks, Kate! Glad you found this useful. Please take a look at Casey’s comment below as she recently traveled to Bangladesh in October 2016. Her experience is similar to ours — we bought our train tickets directly at the train station and language usually wasn’t an issue as someone usually spoke some English. Usually this was done the same day (if a very untraveled route) or the day before. However, we didn’t take any overnight trains so I’d probably check at the guesthouse/hotel if that needs to be reserved further in advance.

Hi, I love your posts on Bangladesh! They’re truly fascinating! I’m interested in planning a trip there myself, how did you go about finding places to stay? Let’s say both in Dhaka and in the countryside. From what I’m seeing on the internet, there aren’t that many hostels in the country.

Justin, thanks for the kind words about our Bangladesh articles! Please see Casey’s comment below as she recently traveled to Bangladesh (October 2016). Our experience was that we found hotels by looking in the guide book, asking around with Bangladeshis we met, and sometimes just walking around a town looking for signs. We never had a problem. One thing we did have was a Bangladeshi SIM card so we could make local phone calls to hotels in advance to see if they had availability and check the price. There weren’t many traditional hostels, but instead simple hotels/guest houses.

Hi there (Kate and Justin)

I returned from a month in Bangladesh on October 13. We did not have one nights accommodation booked in advance. They only places we had problems were Syhlet and Rangpur – the majority of guesthouse/hotels/hostels didn’t want ‘foreigners’. This is due to the hassle they get from the police after the terrorist incident in July. Also in Sylhet we were not able to hire cycle bikes to cycle through the tea gardens at all, but we went to the police station and the police commissioner have us two armed gaurds to go through the tea garden and to the lake – bonkers. Regarding train ticket. We book all at the train station there was always someone who spoke english and wanted to help. Some trains like night trains I would be at least a day in advance. Enjoy your travels – females have cover up clothes and a scarf (just for certain time not all the time)

Casey, thanks so much for commenting and helping to answer Kate & Justin’s questions based on your recent trip. Really appreciate this updated information.

Yes, that is bonkers about Sylhet and needing armed guards to go through the tea gardens and lake. I figured that security would have been tightened after the July attacks, but didn’t realize it would take that form. Same with guesthouses having stricter restrictions on foreigners.

Thanks again!

Thank you all for the good information! Very informative!

Glad to read a great guide about my Country Bangladesh. Thanks dear.

Awesome blog! I used to be questioning May you advise on a rough travel itinerary I.e. that route to require around the country. We have a tendency to land in the capital of Bangladesh and have thirty days and can be missing out metropolis. If you’ll provide a rough plan of the simplest route around the country taking under consideration transport choices that may be fabulous. Expect to hear from you. Thanks for sharing.

The experiences and places listed here are roughly the itinerary path that we took around Bangladesh, including transport (steamer first, then bus, then train, bus, train, etc.).

A nice read! Really enjoyed reading your adventure. Thanks for sharing it! I can see from the comments that it made everyone so curious about Bangladesh, most of whom never even thought anything about visiting this country ever! No wonder, this is the least traveled destination in the world.

me and my girl friend are travelling around Asia at present and potentially have a week in Bangladesh. We are not sure if it’s safe to travel to at the moment as it’s very hard to find any recent information. The travel advice from the foreign office is concerning us and the amount of sercurity that is surrounding the England cricket tour. I understand that care needs to be taken when visiting any large city but the travel advice suggests not walking around the streets and avoiding busy areas but doing these things would be one of the reasons to go there and don’t want to feel worried all the time while travelling!

We haven’t met any one who has been there or going there. Is it safe for western tourists to go there or is it maybe not the best time to visit?

Thanks, Mike.

congrats for ur blog is all so very nice & thanks for sharing it with us… can u please say me what do immigration officers offenly ask in dhaka airport to foreigners that arrived there? i will soon travel to bangladesh for the first time & i am a honduran woman who will travel alone to bangladesh with a tourist visa & i will have a hotel reservation for the days i will stay there, so it will be most helpful for me if u can inform me about the matter, in advance i thank u most for ur answer & help…

Dear Sally, We’re glad our blog post on our travels in Bangladesh was useful. I have to be honest that I don’t remember exactly what the immigration officers asked us when we arrived in Dhaka airport as it’s been a few years. However, usually the questions are related to your itinerary (where you will visit) and where you are staying (hotel). They might ask if you are on a tour or traveling independently, but that is more unusual.

Have a good trip!

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Introducing Bangladesh

About bangladesh.

• Images of Bangladesh
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

• Travel to Bangladesh
• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

• Chittagong Shah International Airport
• Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Bangladesh travel guide

India’s sleepy eastern cousin, Bangladesh slumbers gently under monsoon skies at the mouth of the Jamuna River, one of the world’s great deltas. Formerly East Pakistan, this intriguing backwater gained independence in 1971 after a civil war that still plays a major role in the national psyche.

An influx of tourists was predicted following independence, but this has yet to materialised, meaning visitors have Bangladesh’s many and varied attractions to themselves. Those attractions range from Mughal palaces and gleaming mosques to palm-fringed beaches, tea-plantations and jungles full of snarling Bengal tigers.

Bangladesh’s frenetic capital, Dhaka, was once the main port for the whole of Bengal, and its rickshaw-crammed streets present a faded mirror to Kolkata across the border. Dhaka is a city of rain-washed colonial buildings, gaudy film posters, docksides thronging with boats and the constant cacophony of car horns and rickshaw bells. It can be a shock for the senses, but the blow is softened by friendly, inquisitive locals and delicious Bengali cuisine.

South of Dhaka, the Jamuna River breaks down into a tangle of jungle-choked waterways as you enter the Sundarbans, one of the last refuges of the Bengal tiger. Here, as elsewhere in Bangladesh, the best way to get around is by river – legions of boats ply every waterway, from tiny coracles to the paddleboat ‘rockets’ that chug between Dhaka and Kulna.

The south of Bangladesh is something else again; tropical beaches give way to forested hills that hide a host of Buddhist and animist tribes. Then there’s Sylhet, in the heart of tea plantation country, where foreign remittances have built a miniature version of England amidst the monsoon hills.

Above all else, Bangladesh is place to leave the mainstream travel map. Let the crowds mob the beaches of Goa and the forts of Rajasthan; in Bangladesh, you won’t have to queue to be amazed.

143,998 sq km (55,598 sq miles).

162,910,864 (UN estimate 2016).

1,173.3 per sq km.

President Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu since 2023.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed since 2009.

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

Chittagong Hill Tracts

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, an area made up of the districts of:

• Khagrachari

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Bangladesh set and enforce entry rules. If you are not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Bangladesh High Commission London .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Bangladesh.

Passport validity requirements

When you apply for a visa to visit Bangladesh, your passport must have:

• at least 6 months remaining validity
• at least 2 blank pages

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet the requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure you get a stamp in your passport when you arrive. You must show immigration officers this arrival stamp when you leave Bangladesh.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to travel to Bangladesh, unless you have a ‘no visa required’ stamp in your UK passport.

At Bangladeshi border control, you may also need to show a return or onward ticket.

If you are working in Bangladesh, you must get an Income Tax Clearance Certificate or an Income Tax Exemption Certificate before leaving Bangladesh. You get application forms from the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh .

Applying for a visa

Apply for a visa from the Bangladesh High Commission London .

If you plan to use Bangladesh as a hub to visit other countries in the region, make sure you get a multiple-entry visa.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a visa when you arrive at Dhaka airport . You must have a return ticket to apply for a visa on arrival. Visas on arrival are:

• single entry
• valid for 15 to 30 days
• not guaranteed – Bangladeshi immigration officers issue them at their discretion

If your visa expires while you are in Bangladesh, you can apply for a visa extension from the Department of Immigration and Passports . You may get a fine for overstaying.

British-Bangladeshi nationals

British nationals of Bangladeshi origin may be able to apply for a ‘no visa required’ stamp from the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

Contact the Bangladesh High Commission in London if you have questions.

Air passengers in transit

If you are in transit to another country, you do not need a Bangladesh visa as you will not pass through Bangladeshi border control – this is sometimes called ‘staying airside’.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Bangladesh guide .

Depending on your circumstances, these may include a:

• yellow fever vaccination certificate
• polio vaccination

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Bangladesh . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into or out of Bangladesh

You may need to declare foreign currency or Bangladeshi taka, depending on the amount you are travelling with. See Bangladesh Customs’ rules on bringing money into or out of Bangladesh .

You can cash travellers’ cheques at banks and airports. ATMs are available in most urban areas and accept UK cards. There are fewer ATMs in rural areas.

You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in Bangladesh

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Bangladesh.

Attacks could target the following locations:

• crowded areas and places where foreign nationals are known to gather
• religious buildings
• political rallies

There have been occasional attacks against minority religious communities and targeting police and security forces. These have included improvised explosive device ( IED ) attacks in major cities. Some groups have also targeted people who they consider to have views and lifestyles contrary to Islam.

Significant events include:

• 2017 – Daesh claimed responsibility for bombings in multiple locations, including targeting a security check post near Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
• 2016 – there was an attack claimed by Daesh at the Holey Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan 2 district of Dhaka, which resulted in the death of 20 hostages, including foreign nationals, and 2 police officers
• 2015 to 2016 – groups affiliated to Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub-continent ( AQIS ) claimed responsibility for murders in Dhaka and Sylhet targeting human rights activists and secular bloggers

The Bangladeshi authorities continue to disrupt planned attacks. Increases in security force presence and restrictions on movement may be put in place at short notice. You should remain aware of your surroundings, particularly in and around police buildings. Avoid large gatherings and other locations with a police or security presence. Follow the advice of local authorities.

Political situation

Bangladesh has a long history of political violence.

National elections took place on 7 January. Political rallies and demonstrations may continue to take place. These can quickly turn violent and lead to clashes with law enforcement. During demonstrations and strikes (‘hartals’), there can be arson, violence and vandalism in towns and cities across the country and, on occasion, resulting in fatalities. Attacks against property and public transport are possible. There can also be disruption to local and regional transport services.

Avoid large gatherings (including demonstrations and rallies) and political buildings. If you see a demonstration starting, move to a place of safety.

Follow updates in local media and get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Bangladesh TV (BTV) has English-language news.

Robbery and violence

Criminal gangs operate in Dhaka and other cities. Thieves often work in pairs on motorcycles or motorised rickshaws known as ‘CNGs’.

Potential threats include armed robbery, violent crime and rape.

Passengers using rickshaws or travelling alone in taxis are vulnerable, particularly at night. Avoid using public transport if you’re alone.

Protecting your belongings

Be aware of pickpockets and bag-snatchers. Do not carry large amounts of money, use a mobile phone or wear jewellery in the street.

Visiting police stations

There have been reports of officials abusing their authority. Make sure someone goes with you if you visit a police station.

Dhaka and Sylhet airports

Risks at Dhaka and Sylhet airports include:

• theft, including passport theft
• taxi drivers overcharging or robbing customers

You should:

• avoid touts offering to carry your bags
• keep documents and belongings safe
• arrange taxis in advance

Kidnapping and hostage taking

Kidnappings of children and businessmen for ransom are common. These crimes do not appear to be particularly directed at foreigners.

Be aware the UK government policy is to not make substantive concessions to kidnappers .

Laws and cultural differences

Local customs reflect the fact Bangladesh is mainly an Islamic country.

Personal ID

Local officials may ask you for ID.

Carry photocopies of the personal details page in your passport and Bangladeshi visa. Keep the originals somewhere safe and leave copies with friends or relatives in the UK.

Both men and women should dress modestly to avoid causing offence. Women are advised to cover their shoulders and legs when in public.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims.

Get advice on respecting Ramadan when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time, both for women and men
• be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening

Dual Bangladeshi-British nationals

If you’re a dual British-Bangladeshi national, the Bangladeshi government will consider you to be a Bangladeshi citizen, even if you:

• have never had a Bangladeshi passport
• were born outside Bangladesh

This may limit the help the British government can offer you. For more information on Bangladeshi nationality, check with the Bangladesh High Commission London .

The Bangladesh Police Expatriate Help Cell offers services to expatriates, including dual nationals.

Alcohol laws

You may need a liquor permit to drink alcohol in Bangladesh. A liquor permit allows you to drink alcohol in government-licensed bars. Check the requirements at your local district office and apply for a permit if necessary.

Illegal drugs penalties

There are severe penalties for possessing and trafficking illegal drugs. Some drug-related offences are punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Prison sentences and conditions

If you break local laws, you may get a prison sentence, served in a local prison. Delays and inefficiency in the judicial system can result in long detentions until court hearings eventually take place. Prison conditions are far below UK standards.

British nationals detained in Bangladesh have the right to request that the British High Commission in Dhaka is notified about their situation and British High Commission officials can gain access to them.

Family law and property disputes

Family law in Bangladesh is very different from UK law. Take particular care when, for example, child custody is an issue.

The British High Commission in Dhaka cannot help British nationals of Bangladeshi origin with land or property problems.

FCDO has a list of English-speaking lawyers in Bangladesh .

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relations are illegal in Bangladesh.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Transport risks

Road travel.

If you are planning to drive in Bangladesh, see information on driving abroad .

You need an international driving permit ( IDP ) and a UK driving licence to drive in Bangladesh. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

Bangladesh has a high rate of road accidents. Take great care when travelling by road, including by public transport, and when crossing streets. Cycle rickshaws are not safe – they offer little protection if there is an accident.

Ride hailing apps like Uber are available in Bangladesh. To make sure you get in the right car safely:

• wait in a safe location, not out on the street
• match the car’s registration plate, make and model
• ask the driver to state your name
• check the driver’s photo
• share your journey details and consider enabling GPS tracking on your phone so trusted contacts can see your location

In Bangladesh:

• driving standards are poor
• many drivers do not hold the correct licence or road worthiness certificates for their vehicles
• mandatory vehicle safety checks are often ignored
• a large number of rickshaws use the roads and ignore traffic laws

Driving at night is especially dangerous as many drivers do not use headlights or use full-beam headlights. There is also a risk of robbery if you travel between towns after dark. Avoid travelling alone at night.

The risks of travelling by bus include:

• extremely poor maintenance and driving standards
• frequent traffic collisions, some resulting in deaths
• rape, sexual assaults and other crimes, sometimes committed by the bus crew

Avoid travelling by bus alone and at night.

Private hire vehicles

Police are often unable to verify private hire drivers’ details, as driving records are often inaccurate.

When you’re travelling through an airport, allow enough time to complete check-in and security procedures, as both you and your baggage will need to go through security screening checks, including X-ray checks.

In 2019, an attempted hijacking took place of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong. The Bangladesh Civil Aviation Ministry has completed its investigation into the incident. Extra security measures are in place.

Rail travel

The rail network is extensive but old and generally considered slow.

Rail travel risks include:

• frequent fatal accidents
• flood-damaged bridges and culverts in dangerous condition
• crime, including theft and sexual assault

On some trains, you may be able to lock first-class compartment doors. Make sure the door is locked if you’re travelling at night.

For information see Bangladesh Railways .

Sea and river travel

River and sea ferry risks include:

• dangerous overcrowding, particularly during religious holidays and other festivals
• falsified safety certificates on some vessels
• missing or inappropriate safety and survival equipment
• lack of communication equipment
• criminal gangs targeting vessels

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Monsoon season.

The monsoon season runs from June to September and can cause widespread flooding and travel disruption.

If travelling, you should check:

• access routes
• weather updates from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department
• the advice of local authorities

Tropical cyclones

There is a risk of tropical cyclones in Bangladesh. See extreme weather and natural hazards advice that includes what to do if you’re caught in a storm.

Check weather reports from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the World Meteorological Organisation .

Bangladesh can be affected by tsunamis and the government of Bangladesh can issue tsunami warnings. Monitor local news and follow any advice given by local authorities.

Earthquakes

Around half of Bangladesh, including the cities of Moulvibazar and Sylhet, is in a high-risk earthquake zone. Other areas, including Dhaka, are at moderate risk. Tremors and earthquakes, usually minor ones, happen occasionally.

See earthquake advice from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency .

This section has safety advice for regions of Bangladesh. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice .

Chittagong City and other districts of Chittagong Division are not included in the travel warning.

Security in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is a cause for concern. There are regular reports of violence and other criminal activity, particularly in more remote areas.

If you plan to visit the Chittagong Hill Tracts, you must give the Bangladesh authorities 10 days’ notice.

• Chittagong Divisional Commissioner’s Office (Telephone: 031 615 247)
• Chittagong Deputy Commissioner’s Office (Telephone: 031 619 996)

Myanmar border

There are ongoing reports of increasing violence and fighting in Myanmar (Burma), close to the Bangladesh border. The situation in border areas near Myanmar remains unpredictable, and may deteriorate at short notice. You should monitor local news outlets closely. 

Continuing violence has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees crossing into the south-east of Bangladesh.

Most of the refugees are in the subdistricts of Ukhia and Teknaf in the southern part of Cox’s Bazar district. The Bangladesh authorities control access to these areas.

There are regular reports of insecurity, protests and violence.

Teknaf has the highest level of drug-related gang violence across Bangladesh, including:

• murders and shooting incidents between the gangs and police
• drug seizures, including large amounts of yaba (a mixture of caffeine and methamphetamine)
• kidnappings

Violence has increased in the refugee camps. There is no sign that foreign nationals are being targeted.

If you plan to visit Ukhia and Teknaf, you should:

• use caution
• consult the local authorities – you may need permission to travel there
• work through humanitarian agencies recognised by the Bangladesh government if you want to provide assistance

India border

Take particular care near the border with India. There are regular reports of individuals being killed for illegally crossing the border. There are occasional skirmishes between the Indian and Bangladeshi border guards, including exchanges of gunfire.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance and access to money for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

If you suspect a heart attack, ask for a ‘cardiac ambulance’.

It may be faster to travel to the nearest hospital yourself if you have a vehicle.

Contact your insurance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

• the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Bangladesh guide
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

Risks include:

• dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can occur year-round but is more widespread during the rainy season, May to September
• other mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, chikungunya and Zika virus
• severe air pollution, especially from November to March

Dengue cases are increasing, including in Dhaka. See insect bite avoidance advice on TravelHealthPro .

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

You should carry any medical papers or prescriptions and be prepared to answer questions if stopped by police.

Healthcare facilities in Bangladesh

Medical facilities in Bangladesh are poor. Routine tests and X-rays are unreliable.

FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in Bangladesh .

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Bangladesh

Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)

Expatriate Help Cell

Contact your travel provider and insurer.

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers , funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Bangladesh
• dealing with a death in Bangladesh
• being arrested in Bangladesh
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

You can also contact FCDO online .

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission .

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

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The Pilot Who Explores

Travel the world like an Airline Pilot.

7 Days in Bangladesh: An Awesome 1-Week Adventure Itinerary

Bangladesh: an underrated, overly beautiful, raw country.

I’m ecstatic I got to spend a week exploring this most densely populated country in the world , tailoring a one-week itinerary that really highlights what makes Bangladesh unique. These 7 days I spent here were full of adventure, fun, and history.

You’re about to see just why the hidden gem of Bangladesh is one of the most underrated countries you could ever visit.

The Ultimate 7-Day Bangladesh Itinerary

From tea plantations with incredibly delicious tea for $0.10 to floating watermelon markets on the largest river delta in the world , there is more than enough to do in a week visiting Bangladesh.

Day 1 : Arrival in Dhaka Day 2 : Dhaka Tour by TukTuk, Overnight VIP Launch to Swarukpathi, stay at the most epic AirBnB in Bangladesh Day 3 : Explore the river delta by canoe, visit markets, and learn about Spirulina farming Day 4 : Fly to Sylhet, enjoy the world’s best $0.10 tea on a plantation for sunset Day 5 : Enjoy the best waterfalls in Bangladesh Day 6 : Fly to Cox’s Bazaar and stay on the longest beach in Bangladesh. Enjoy shipwrecks, beach, markets, sun, sand, and fun Day 7 : Explore Chittagong, the second largest city in Bangladesh, then fly home from here

This itinerary involves this transportation in Bangladesh to be booked ahead of time:

• An overnight launch (Dhaka – Swarupkathi) on Day 2-3
• A domestic flight (Barisal [BZL] to Sylhet [ZYL]) on Day 4
• Another domestic flight (Sylhet [ZYL] to Cox’s Bazar [CXB]) on Day 6

You can book your hotels in these places in this order (only 5 nights in hotels):

Night 1 : Dhaka Nights 3 & 4 : Swarupkathi Nights 5 & 6: Cox’s Bazar

Night 2 is spent on the overnight launch .

Flying into Bangladesh from abroad

Bangladesh has an incredible amount of international flight options – and to multiple cities within Bangladesh too!

You can fly into Dhaka (DAC), the capital, from basically all over the world: London , Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Bangkok, Doha, Bahrain, Hanoi, Singapore, Delhi, Jeddah, and more .

This means you have tons of one-stop options from the US to Bangladesh and several nonstops from Europe. Pretty incredible. Get the best flight deals to Bangladesh here .

But you can also fly to Chittagong (CGP) and Sylhet (ZYL) from many cities – mostly in the UK and the Middle East. So that means you could start your trip in Dhaka and finish out of Chittagong or Sylhet for a more efficient, streamlined itinerary.

Are you wondering if Bangladeshi airlines are safe and good? Last month, I flew on Biman Bangladesh Airlines and really enjoyed the experience .

Day 1: Arrival into Bangladesh (Visa, SIM card, Formalities)

What you need to know for your first day in Bangladesh:

• Arrival Procedure in Dhaka
• How to Obtain a Visa on Arrival
• Finding the Best Hotels in Dhaka

How to get a Visa on Arrival in Bangladesh

Travelers from many countries have the ability to obtain a visa on arrival in Bangladesh, which is fantastic.

It’s one of the easiest and cheapest VOAs I’ve gotten, especially in comparison to the experiences I had in countries like Senegal and Bolivia . Here’s how to obtain it:

• Follow signs for Arrivals
• Look for the Visa on Arrival area, to the right of the bottom of the escalator
• Pay $51 or 50€ at the Sonali Bank counter for a receipt
• Stand in the VOA line, which is right next to the bank
• After obtaining a VOA, pass through immigrations
• Claim your baggage then head through customs

Once you arrive at Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, you will follow signs for Arrivals. This leads you down an escalator. The Visa on Arrival area is immediately to the right after going down the escalator, and there is a sign indicating so.

Why you should bring cash

Once in the VOA area, the first step is to head to the Sonali Bank Limited, where you can pay $51 USD or 50 Euro per person for a 15-day visa. There was a card reader, but I believe only cash is accepted.

You can exchange cash here at the same rate as outside of immigrations, so we highly highly recommend you do so. The one ATM at the airport does not accept foreign cards.

You’ll receive a receipt for your payment, then stand in a separate line right next to the bank to receive the actual Visa in your passport in exchange for it.

They will ask questions like your purpose of travel, where you are staying, how long you are staying, etc.

Only once this is all done can you head to immigrations. There’s a “foreigners” line, and it’s typically very easy and quick. After this you’ll pass baggage reclaim, and then customs which is usually slow because you have to put your baggage through a scanner.

Buying a SIM card at Dhaka Airport (Cheap)

Upon exiting customs, there are several local SIM card providers and taxi stands. We were recommended Grameenphone (GP) by several locals, and it ended up working great. The Grameenphone SIM card with 30GB of data costs 750 Taka, approximately $7.

If you have T-Mobile or any other of the carriers that I recommend for traveling internationally , you have complimentary or very cheap high speed data in Bangladesh as well. T-Mobile gives you 5GB of unrestricted data, which is fantastic.

Getting to downtown Dhaka from the airport

We highly recommend booking a taxi here, even though it’s more expensive. We tried to take an Uber and failed , and the arrivals area is quite the cluster. Taxis will cost 1700 Taka ($15-20 USD) to downtown Dhaka from the airport, which can be paid by card. The great part is that they’ll guide you all the way to the taxi, so there’s no hassle.

If you’re more adventurous, you can negotiate with an unofficial taxi outside (somewhat risky) or even walk towards the highway and find a TukTuk that will take you downtown. These are much, much cheaper (about 500 Taka / $5 or less) to get downtown.

Best hotels in Dhaka

We found our stay at Hotel the Capital wonderful. For a very affordable rate, you get 4-star amenities, excellent service, breakfast, and a very central location for sightseeing. As we were on a budget, we found it perfectly reasonable.

Other notable hotels include:

• The InterContinental Dhaka
• RadissonBlu Dhaka Water Garden

Getting around Dhaka

Though there are taxis, we found the best way to get around Dhaka was to hail a TukTuk. The motorized versions are known as CNGs and these are typically the quickest way around town.

You can also ride in a rickshaw for a fully man-operated, thrilling experience. This is the cheapest option, and not as slow as you’d think. It’s probably the least safe, however.

Both options are very cheap – usually 200 Taka for 20 minutes of driving in a CNG and half for the rickshaw. You can negotiate, but we didn’t feel it was necessary.

The CNGs typically do have room for your carry-on luggage. My roomy pilot carry-on suitcase fit perfectly.

Day 2: Exploring Dhaka’s famous sights before a scenic night ferry (launch)

What you’ll need to know for day 2 of exploring Bangladesh:

• The Top 10 Places to Visit in Dhaka
• How to book a ferry boat (launch) to Swarupkathi or Barisal
• Where the ferry terminal is and how to find your launch

There’s a wonderful loop around Dhaka you can take to best visit it’s top sights and learn about the history of Bangladesh.

It takes up most of the day, so make sure to start early – because the day will finish with an incredible ferry (launch) on the world’s largest river delta.

10 Places You Need to See in Dhaka

In consecutive order geographically, here are the top 10 sights you need to visit in Dhaka:

• Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
• ISKCON Swamibag Temple (Central)
• Ahsan Manzil Museum
• Tara Masjid
• লালবাগ কেল্লা (Lalbagh Fort)
• Dhakeshwari National Temple
• Suhrawardy Udyan
• The Museum of Independence
• Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
• The Kawran Bazaar

Visiting these top Dhaka sights in this order creates a very efficient loop, enabling you to visit all of them in a single day and still make it to the ferry in the evening.

If you have more time (perhaps arriving early on day one), you should definitely also check out:

• The Liberation War Museum
• Bangladesh Air Force Museum
• The National Parliament

How to book a cabin on the night launch (ferry/cruise boat) from Dhaka to Barisal or Swarupkathi

Launches (ferries) are naturally the most popular way of traveling across Bangladesh. After all, it is the world’s largest river delta, with inlets and outlets enabling access almost anywhere in the country.

As such, spots on these ferries tend to fill up early, and it’s advisable to book ahead.

The best way to book a ferry ahead of time is through your hotel or by finding a local tour guide. Otherwise, it’s almost impossible to book from abroad, and booking once you arrive might be too late.

Almost all of the launches/ferries are night ferries and depart around 530-6PM daily. They feature cabins with beds, bathrooms, restaurants/snack bars, and more.

If you need contact details of a good tour guide, we recommend Ontu (WhatsApp: +880 1784-399339).

How to successfully ride a ferry/launch in Bangladesh

Because we managed to book this incredible AirBnB in Swarupkathi , we decided to take the direct night ferry to Swarupkathi instead of to the larger city of Barisal. That ferry was called Farahan 10 .

It’s a bit complicated to get on the ferry, which is why I’m mentioning it now.

Our ferry left from the Sadarghat Launch Terminal. Note that ‘ghat’ means “ stairs or a passage leading down to a river “, and there are many ‘ghat’s in Dhaka.

We rode in a CNG from The Capital Hotel to Sadarghat, which took 45 minutes in traffic and set us back 600 Taka ($6).

Once we arrived at the ferry terminal, we paid 10 Taka per person for entry at the entrance. You’ll go down a ramp, and this is where it gets confusing.

There are something like 50 ferry/launch boats here, making it difficult to find which one is yours. Luckily, there are plenty of English-speaking people to help you, assuming you know the name of your ferry boat/launch .

Once you’re onboard the launch, you’ll find employees that will lead you to your cabin. If you didn’t book a cabin, there are two levels you can sleep on – assuming you brought your own carpet/sleeping pad. If not, it’s gonna be a long night on the floor!

Make sure to let the workers know where you’re getting off so they come and wake you up about 20 minutes before arrival. Keep in mind the boat stops many times before you get there.

What our VIP Cabin Launch Experience was like in Bangladesh

Every launch to Barisal offers VIP cabins. These have excellent amenities – a private bathroom with shower, a working desk, security, and room service.

On my trip, I especially enjoyed the extra privacy, quiet, and serenity the VIP cabin offers. The bed is comfortable, the shower (though cool) has excellent pressure, and having your own bathroom is such an improvement in quality of life.

VIP Cabins on launches are typically much more expensive than normal cabins or no cabin (just floor room). Ours was 4000 Taka, about $40USD, for the VIP cabin. Worth it? 100% – if just for the ability to sleep a nearly full night.

For dinner, our server brought us a table for the room. We had delicious fish with vegetables and rice. The ride was peaceful, smooth, and the dull engine sound lulled us right to sleep. No waves on the river delta, and the piloting is even smoother than mine !

We arrived right at sunrise, for an absolutely epic view on our home for the following day.

Day 3: Exploring off the beaten path in Bangladesh

Sure, you can say that being a tourist in Bangladesh already is being off the beaten path .

But what if I told you that you could be even more off the beaten path from that off-the-beaten path?

Welcome to Swarupkathi . Here’s what you’ll need to know for day 3 of this epic Bangaldeshi itinerary:

• How to book the most epic accommodation in all of Bangladesh
• The awesome, authentic local tours you’ll want to do in Swarupkathi
• How to visit the Sundarbans: home of the Bengal Tiger

The Most Epic AirBnB in Bangladesh – surprisingly off the beaten path

When my partner announced to me that she discovered an incredible AirBnB deep in the Bangladeshi jungle, I was a bit surprised. Hear me out – it’s tough enough finding hotels in medium-sized cities in Bangladesh, let alone an AirBnB. So naturally, I had reservations (pun intended).

As soon as we booked it, we were in direct, constant communication with our lovely host, Ish. Ish is originally from Swarupkathi but now lives in Britain. As such, he has the best local knowledge and perfect English. And when I say he helped us arrange everything , I mean it.

From booking the night ferry for us to setting up transportation to and from the AirBnB, Ish made our stay in Swarupkathi flawless from beginning to end. We even got to go on a canoe ride, visit a Spirulina farm, and meet local woodcrafters. It was the most authentic Bangladeshi experience we had the whole trip.

And if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to check in immediately and take a nap if you need after the launch!

Incredible local tours from Swarupkathi

Ish can arrange several awesome local tours that will have you mesmerized by the Bangladeshi country side. These awesome tours include:

• A canoe/motorboat tour through the endless canals of Swarupkathi, including a visit to a local park and market
• An in-depth tour of a spirulina farm : learn how it’s grown and processed super carefully, and how this business has truly emerged in the last few years
• Local mosque visits, where you can learn more about the local culture and traditions
• Visit to a woodcrafts shop , where you can see how incredible furniture is made from beginning to end – and buy some for a bargain compared to what you would pay at home

If you’re here during watermelon season (summer), you may get lucky and see a floating watermelon market . These are one of the coolest things in Bangladesh! (Both the market and the watermelons 😉 )

Bonus: stay an extra day or two and explore the Sundarbans (Bengal Tigers live here!)

It is also possible to visit the Sundarbans , possibly the highlight of National Parks in Bangladesh. Here is the place to see the elusive Bengal Tiger – if you’re lucky! They are terribly hard to spot.

That being said, there are so many amazing experiences you can have here, whether it’s exploring by little canoe boat or going for a hike in the jungle.

Ish can help arrange transport to the town of Mongla or Khulna, about 3.5 hours away. Most hotels are located in Khulna and you can find tours departing from there as well.

From Khulna, you can rejoin the original itinerary by flying from Jashore airport or taking another overnight launch back to Dhaka then a morning train, bus, or flight to Sylhet.

Alternately, it is possible to make it to the Sundarbans by bus or launch directly from Dhaka, or by flight from Dhaka to Jashore then a bus or private transfer. In this case, you could visit the Sundarbans instead of Swarupkathi – but then you’ll miss out on the awesome local experience there!

Day 4: Spilling the tea about Sylhet

After freshly prepared breakfast in Swarupkathi, it’s time to make your way to Barisal Airport for a new adventure.

On the way, make sure to visit the fabulous Baitul Aman Jame Masjid , an incredibly decorated mosque alongside wonderful lush gardens and a small lake.

Further down the road is the Durga Sargar , a protected wildlife area with a beautiful lake. You can walk, kayak, and explore. I recommend at least an hour here.

Flight Options to Sylhet

Though you could take another overnight ferry to Dhaka, a bus, a train, or a combination, flying is definitely most convenient for this journey.

Flight costs in Bangladesh vary from $25 to as much $60 each leg, like my business class flight I booked on Biman Airines .

To get to Sylhet, you’ll need to take a connecting flight via Dhaka. Though I do recommend Biman Airlines, US-Bangla is a good alternative. If you’re savvy and don’t have any checked in luggage, you could craft a custom itinerary using a mix of both, as well as NovoAir (which offers even cheaper flights in Bangladesh).

The Best Hotel in Sylhet

Once in Sylhet, you can easily find a CNG or taxi to take you to the hotel. Sylhet actually offers a decent selection of hotels, but we particularly enjoyed the Hotel Noorjahan Grand, Sylhet .

As the hotel in Sylhet with not just the largest rooftop pool – an infinity one at that – and an incredible rooftop restaurant, the Noorjahan Grand was an easy choice for a hotel.

Rooms were very affordable (under $50/night), service was generally excellent, and the breakfast buffet was stupendous.

How to visit the best tea plantation in Sylhet

If you open up Google Maps, you’ll immediately notice a seemingly infinite number of tea plantations in the area. If you’re a tea lover, this is heaven.

I can’t really say if there is a ‘best’ Tea plantation here. We accidentally went to মালনীছড়া চা বাগান (look up Tourist Tea Stall) instead of the Lakkatura Tea Plantation , as we couldn’t communicate with our TukTuk driver. Quite hilarious.

Entrance was something like 150 Taka per person including a guide to explain things, and as you can see, it was perfect for sunset. The Tourist tea stall ended up offering some of the best tea I’ve ever had, and for only 10 Taka ($0.10!!!)

We enjoyed this experience far better than we would have at a more tourist-laden tea garden.

Day 5: How to visit the best waterfalls in Bangladesh in one day

You won’t believe your eyes when you see this waterfall in Bangladesh.

As you begin your drive towards the north, you’ll pass endless tea plantations, see the hazy skies start to give way to clear blue, and the hilly lands become green. It’s a wonderful feeling.

When you arrive, you’ll be flabbergasted by the beauty that exists right on the border with India. Some of the most epic sights and waterfalls in Bangladesh include:

• Bisanakandi
• Panthumai Waterfall
• Mayabi Waterfall

To visit either Mayabi or Panthumai waterfalls, you can start by hiring a driver or finding a microbus to Gowainghat . Both waterfalls are close to each other, but the routes from here split in different ways.

Note that summertime/monsoon season is by far the best time to visit these waterfalls.

Everything you need to know about visiting the Mayabi Waterfall

The Mayabi, or locally known as the Songrampunji Waterfall, is an incredible local attraction only 20 minutes from Jaflong. It’s more of a cascade than a waterfall, but giant boulders and multiple streams and natural baths make it the perfect place to visit during the rainy season.

It is possible to take a local micro-bus to Gowainghat/Halderpar, a CNG or boat to Jaflong , and then hire a dinghy from there to Mayabi waterfall.

But to make it possible to visit multiple of the best waterfalls and attractions of the north of Bangladesh in one day with ample time, we recommend hiring a driver from Sylhet and leaving very early. You may also be able to rent a car yourself.

If you do choose to use public transportation, these are the approximate costs from Sylhet to the Mayabi / Songrampunji Waterfall:

• Bus from Sylhet to Gowainghat: 80-100 Taka
• CNG from Gowainghat to Jaflong: 1500-2000 Taka
• Dinghy from Jaflong to Mayabi Waterfall: 100-200 Taka (or there’s a ferry for 20 Taka)

In any case, you’ll still need to take a dinghy/boat from Jaflong to see and swim in the Mayabi waterfall.

Everything you need to know about visiting the Panthumai Waterfall

Known locally as Fatachhari Jharna , the Panthumai waterfall thunders in a gorgeous, green, serene corner of this amazing country. Though the waterfall technically is in India, it’s best viewed from the Bangladeshi side.

The village itself, pronounced ‘Pangthumai’, is one of the most beautiful villages in all of Bangladesh. Even without the waterfall, it would be worth visiting – but the waterfall is icing on the cake.

From Jaflong to Panthumai takes about an hour by CNG, and only about 30 minutes from Gowainghat, so it is possible to see both Panthumai and Mayabi waterfalls in one day.

Once in the village of Pangthumai, you can hire a dinghy for about a hundred taka and get up close and personal with this multi-hundred foot beast, or just enjoy it from the river banks. Or for an even more unique experience, keep reading.

A unique, amazing, and authentic river experience: riding a dinghy along the river Piyain down to Bisanakandi

For the ultimate fun experience from here, hire a boat/dinghy near Panthumai waterfall (maybe the same one you took here!) and ride along the branch of the Piyain river towards Bisankandi. The boat ride floats along this magnificent river downstream of the majestic and huge waterfall.

Bisanakandi is a serene, peaceful town on the border with India. It’s a gorgeous land of mountains, gardens, and tea. It’s recommended to visit Bisanakandi in the summer when the fields are flooded to see it in its true beauty.

One thing to note is there isn’t much food here, so pack correspondingly (or eat lunch while in Pangthumai). Have your driver meet you there to continue the rest of the voyage, or hire a CNG and head back to Gowainghat.

Lala Khal: a hidden gem in Bangladesh

Visiting both the Panthumai and Mayabi waterfalls will consume most of your day, but if you have extra time and energy, it’s worth heading to Lala Khal for the true Bangladeshi experience. There are wonderful hotels and homestays in the area that local tourists love to frequent here.

Surrounded by hills, tea gardens, natural forests, and rivers, Lala Khal is truly a hidden gem. This channel itself magically consists of aquamarine water, and the nearby Lalakhal Tea Garden is actually the oldest and one of the most beautiful tea gardens in Bangladesh.

As opposed to the Panthyumai and Mayabi waterfalls that are best seen in the summer, Lala Khal is actually best to visit in the winter. So if you’re here outside of monsoon season, you could consider skipping those and heading straight to Lala Khal.

It is possible to spend the night in Lala Khal to continue this off-the-beaten path, incredible Bangladeshi experience. There are awesome homestays all around.

Day 6: Witnessing the diversity of natural beauty in Bangladesh by visiting insanely beautiful beaches

Perhaps (and for good reason) the most touristic place in Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar offers ridiculously long, beautiful beaches, a fascinating historical monastery, waterfalls, sea turtles, rainforests, and so much more.

This is a fantastic way to see just how much diversity Bangladesh has to offer.

Flying from Sylhet to Cox’s Bazar

Biman Bangladesh Airlines offers direct flights from Sylhet to Cox’s Bazar 3 times a week – usually Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. On other days, you can easily find connecting flights.

If you decided to stay the night near Lala Khal, it’s still possible to leave very early today, hire a driver, and make it in time for the direct fly from Sylhet to Cox’s Bazar. The flight leaves at 950AM, and security/checkin hardly takes long at Osmani International Airport.

What to see in Cox’s Bazar

First and foremost, the main attraction in Cox’s Bazar is often termed the “ longest natural unbroken sea beach ” in the world – with a length of 155 km (96 mi).

That’s a pretty cool way to start.

After that, there’s the 100 Feet Lying Statue of Gautama Buddha. Pretty cool for instagram.

Then there are two islands: Sonadia and St Martin , both places you can frequent green sea turtles (and 4 other species!) nesting, hatching, and swimming during different parts of the year. You can find tours here .

At St Martin Island, the green sea turtles are usually spotted during winter. Whereas at Sonadia Island, you can usually spot them during September-October. 

Lastly, the Himchari National Park offers “55 species of mammals, 13 species of amphibians, 56 species of reptiles, 117 species of plants, and 286 species of different kinds of birds”, and a waterfall (according to the Bangladeshi government ).

Optional Extra 2-3 Day Ultimate Deep Bangladesh Exploration Trip: Rainforest & Huge Waterfall + Tribal Experience

There’s an epic, truly off-the-beaten-path experience you can do from either Cox’s Bazar. It involves trekking, boating across rough waters, staying in a tribal home, and a deep-jungle massive waterfall. Basically, it goes:

• Take a bus from Cox’s Bazar to Bandarban
• Ride a jeep (public or private) from Bandarban to Thanchi Upazilla
• Hire a tour guide (mandatory – national park) and take a 4 hour rough boat ride to Remakri
• Stay in a tribal house at Remakri
• Wake up at 5AM for a 2.5 hour hike to Nafakhum
• Enjoy the absolutely magnificent Amiakhum Waterfall
• Head all the way back in one day.

You can find all the pertinent information here .

If you complete this expedition, do it after visiting Cox’s Bazar so you can head directly to Chattogram to finish the trip.

Best Hotels in Cox’s Bazar

Taking the top spot for best hotel in Cox’s Bazar is by far the Sayeman Beach Resort .

This 4-star hotel has an incredible location on the longest natural beach in the world, awesome service and amenities, and a great restaurant.

If you’re looking for a comparable but more affordable hotel in Cox’s Bazar, check out the Long Beach Hotel .

Day 7: Chattogram, Textiles, Shipwrecks, and Flying Home

Chattogram (also known as Chittagong) is a wonderful place to end an amazing adventure exploring the true hidden gem of Bangladesh. Just like in Dhaka, there’s a ton of history and heritage dating back to the Mughal era.

If your flight leaves early on Day 7, I’d consider making your way to Chattogram by private transfer from Cox’s Bazar either late the previous night or early in the morning. Cox’s Bazar offers much more to see for tourists than Chattogram/Chittagong.

Alternately, if your flight home leaves from Dhaka, you can elect to take a direct flight back to Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar. These are plentiful. There are also buses, but these take about 12 hours.

Getting from Cox’s Bazar to Chattogram/Chittagong

There are tons of buses available from Cox’s Bazar to Chittagong, most of which take about 5 hours . Prices vary from 300 to 2200 Taka depending on quality of the bus and seats, air conditioning, and class.

You can also arrange private transfer, but this will likely cost upwards of 10000 Taka.

What to see in Chittagong

Nestled along the beautiful Karnaphuli river, Chittagong is a massive historical shipping port dating back even to the Greek era. There’s a ton of history and nature to visit here before catching your flight, if you have time. These include:

• The Chittagong War Cemetery
• An Ethnological Museum, the only in Bangladesh
• The Zia Memorial Museum, highlighting the history of assassinated President Ziaur Rahman
• An incredibly beautiful, colorful mosque – Chandanpura Masjid
• Andarkilla Shahi Jame Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque with a library
• Foy’s Lake, which is gorgeous
• A massive shipwreck beach outside the city

If you plan to stay in Chittagong a couple days, you could also visit:

• The beautiful Khoiyachara Waterfall
• Chimbuk Hill and its incredible hiking paths
• The town of Rangamati, nestled on Lake Kaptai, a swimmable, massive, gorgeous lake with tons of attractions
• Shuvolong Waterfalls, only a boat ride away from Rangmati
• The Sangu River, where you can have an amazing time rafting

Conclusion: Bangladesh is the ultimate surprise of a hidden gem

It’s a true pity that Bangladesh is one of the least-visited countries for tourists in the world. It deserves far more.

You can get around the country quite easily and efficiently.

There are so many wonders and beautiful sights. Waterfalls, rivers, mosques, jungles, tea plantations, markets, beaches, friendly locals. It checks all the boxes.

And last but not least, it’s an inexpensive place to visit, which means you can have an epic vacation without breaking the bank.

Bangladesh truly is an extraordinary place to spend at least one week exploring.

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Bangladesh Travel Guide – Travel advice and expert tips on everything from Dhaka highlights, day trips and national parks to Bengal silk and archaeological sites. This guide also includes suggested itineraries, religious history, politics, birdwatching and whalewatching, Sylhet, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal, Bhawal National Park, Rangpur, Rajshahi.

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About this book.

This updated guidebook, with a focus on responsible tourism, offers greater coverage than any other to the Chittagong Hill Tracts where 13 different ethnic groups live, and to the world’s largest mangrove forest at the Sundarbans. Personal insights and anecdotes guide trailblazing travellers to those aspects of the country that are almost unknown to visitors – dolphin and whale watching, winter bird-watching in the northern wetlands and golden Bengal’s silk and archaeological highlights.

About the Author

Mikey Leung works occasionally as a radio journalist while researching the guide.

‘Mikey Leung … [has] succeeded eloquently in bringing Bangladesh out from the shadow, or perhaps armpit, of India and revealing a country worthy of exploration in its own right.’ Real Travel

‘Valuable travel information, advice and an insight into a people who “possess hearts of infinite kindness”. If you want to get off the beaten track then this is well worth a look.’ Adventure Travel Magazine

‘An in-depth look at the country’. Wanderlust Magazine

Recommended reading by The Belfast Telegraph

Additional Information

Introduction VII

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1

Chapter 1 Background Information 3 Geography 3, Climate 4, Natural history and conservation 7, History 9, Government and politics 21, Economy 22, Development 24, People 26, Language 28, Religion 30, Education 32, Culture 32

Chapter 2 Practical Information 37 When to visit 37, Highlights 38, Suggested itineraries 41, Tour operators 42, Red tape 42, Embassies and high commissions 46, Getting there and away 48, Health 53, Safety and security 65, Women travellers 67, Disabled travellers 68, Travelling with children 69, What to take 69, Money 71, Budgeting 73, Getting around 73, Accommodation 78, Eating and drinking 81, Public holidays and festivals 86, Shopping 91, Arts and entertainment 93, Media and communications 95, Business 97, Cultural etiquette 99, Travelling positively 101, Living in Bangladesh 104

PART TWO THE GUIDE 113

Chapter 3 Dhaka 115 History 116, Getting there and away 117, Getting around 124, Tourist information 128, Where to stay 129, Where to eat 138, Entertainment and nightlife 144, Shopping 148, Other practicalities 152, What to see 154, Day trips from Dhaka 166

Chapter 4 Dhaka Division 177 Bhawal National Park 177, Mymensingh 178, Around Mymensingh 181, Tangail 183, Around Tangail 184

Chapter 5 Sylhet Division 189 History 190, Language 190, Sylhet 191, Around Sylhet 197, Ja’ong 199, Cherrapunjee 200, Sunamganj 201, Srimongol 203, Around Srimongol 217

Chapter 6 Chittagong Division 221 Chittagong 221, Around Chittagong 236, Sitakund 237, Chittagong Hill Tracts 238, Cox’s Bazaar 254, Around Cox’s Bazaar 263, Teknaf 264, St Martin’s Island 265, Noakhali 270, Hatiya Island 271, Nijhum Dwip 273, Comilla 273, Around Comilla 277

Chapter 7 Khulna and Barisal Divisions 279 Khulna 279, Around Khulna 285, Bagerhat 287, Mongla 289, Sundarban 290, Jessore 297, Around Jessore 302, Benapol/Petrapol 303, Kushtia 304, Around Kushtia 308, Barisal 309, Bhola Island 312, Kuakata 314

Chapter 8 Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions 319 Rajshahi 320, Around Rajshahi 325, Puthia 326, Natore 327, Pabna 329, Around Pabna 330, Chapai Nawabganj 332, Bogra 334, Around Bogra 338, Paharpur and Mahasthan: the Buddhist monuments 338, Rangpur 343, Around Rangpur 347, Kurigram 348, Lalmonirhat district 348, Saidpur 351, Around Saidpur 353, Dinajpur 353, Around Dinajpur 356, Thakurgaon 358, Around Thakurgaon 359, Panchagarh 359, Around Panchagarh 360

Appendix 1 Language 363

Appendix 2 Further Information 373

Bangladesh Travel Guide

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# 1 best-selling guide to Bangladesh * Lonely Planet Bangladesh is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Cruise the Sundarbans spotting deer and tigers; stand amid the chaos of old Dhaka; or visit the lush Chittagong Hill Tracts, all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Bangladesh and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Bangladesh :   Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, environment, arts, literature, cuisine, culture Over 35 maps Covers Dhaka, Dhaka Division, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chittagong Division, Sylhet Division and more eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations’ websites Zoom-in maps and images  Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Bangladesh , our most comprehensive guide to Bangladesh, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, gift and lifestyle books and stationery, as well as an award-winning website, magazines, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in. TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category   ‘Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.’ – New York Times   ‘Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.’ – Fairfax Media (Australia) *Best-selling guide to Bangladesh. Source: Nielsen BookScan. Australia, UK and USA

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Bangladesh travel essentials, "colors of culture, rivers of life", bangladesh tourism.

Bangladesh, a land of vibrant contrasts, invites you to explore its rich culture and diverse landscapes. Dhaka, the bustling capital, is a symphony of rickshaws, markets, and flavors that capture the essence of South Asia.

The Sundarbans mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, houses the elusive Bengal tiger. Cox's Bazar boasts the world's longest natural sea beach, while Srimangal's tea gardens offer a serene retreat. Festivals like Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, burst forth in a riot of colors and celebrations, reflecting the warmth and resilience of the Bangladeshi people.

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Lush landscapes, bustling markets, and the unique riverine culture of the Bengal Delta.

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Dhaka Travel Guide 2023: Exploring the Heart of Bangladesh A Journey Through History, Culture, and Vibrant Life (Infinite Pathways) Paperback – August 2, 2023

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• Part of series Infinite Pathways
• Print length 77 pages
• Language English
• Publication date August 2, 2023
• Dimensions 6 x 0.18 x 9 inches
• ISBN-13 979-8854639149
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• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CDJTKFPW
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (August 2, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 77 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8854639149
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.1 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.18 x 9 inches
• #104 in Bangladesh Travel Guides
• #3,068 in General India Travel Guides
• #5,791 in Budget Travel Guides

About the author

Edith m. scott.

Edith M. Scott is a highly regarded travel writer and an expert in the field of tourism. With a deep passion for exploration and a wealth of knowledge about various destinations, Edith has established herself as a go-to resource for travelers seeking invaluable insights and advice.

Edith's fascination with travel began at a young age when she embarked on family vacations that ignited her sense of wanderlust. As she grew older, her passion for discovering new cultures, immersing herself in local experiences, and uncovering hidden gems became a driving force in her life.

Drawing on her own travel experiences, Edith embarked on a career as a travel writer, sharing her expertise through engaging and informative travel guides. Her writing style combines vivid storytelling with practical tips, making her work accessible to readers of all backgrounds and travel preferences.

Edith's travel guides are revered for their comprehensive research, attention to detail, and insider knowledge. She goes beyond the popular tourist attractions, delving into the heart and soul of each destination to provide readers with a well-rounded understanding of the local culture, history, and customs. Her guides encompass a wide range of topics, including accommodation options, transportation, dining recommendations, must-see landmarks, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and safety tips.

Known for her meticulous approach, Edith ensures that her readers have access to the most up-to-date information, allowing them to plan their trips with confidence and make the most of their time and resources. Her expertise spans a diverse array of destinations worldwide, from bustling metropolises to serene natural landscapes, allowing her readers to explore both popular tourist destinations and hidden treasures.

In addition to her writing, Edith also offers consultancy services to travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality businesses. Her vast knowledge of the industry, coupled with her understanding of traveler preferences, enables her to provide valuable insights on market trends, customer expectations, and strategies for enhancing the overall travel experience.

Edith M. Scott's passion for travel and her dedication to sharing her expertise have made her a trusted authority in the world of tourism. Through her writing and consulting work, she continues to inspire and guide travelers, helping them create unforgettable experiences and encouraging them to embrace the transformative power of exploration.

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Discoverybangladesh.com - The Bangladesh Travel Guide

Bangladesh is one of the few countries in South Asia, which remains to be explored. Bangladesh has a delicate and distinctive attraction of its own to offer and it is definitely not a tourist haunt like Nepal or India. Bangladesh is like a painter's dream come true with a rich tapestry of colors and texture. The traditional emphasis of the tourist trade has always been on the material facilities offered by a country rather than on its actual charms. This may be a reason why Bangladesh has seldom been highlighted in the World's tourist maps.

It's a land of enormous beauty , hundreds of serpentine rivers, crystal clear water lakes surrounded by ever green hills, luxuriant tropical rain forests, beautiful cascades of green tea gardens, world's largest mangrove forest preserved as World Heritage, home of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the wild lives, warbling of birds in green trees, wind in the paddy fields, abundance of sunshine, world's longest natural sea beach, rich cultural heritage, relics of ancient Buddhist civilizations and colorful tribal lives, - Bangladesh creates an unforgettable impression of a land of peace.

You'll appreciate our culture and the environment. These are not simply sight-seeing excursions, but real-time learning experiences. Enjoy an ideal blend of adventure and exploration with comfort and relaxation. Here you find that you are not alone. With us, any place in Bangladesh is a home away from home.

• looks Quicklook Bangladesh
• location_city Capital of Bangladesh
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Tour Packages - View All

World Heritage Site, Historical & Archaeological Tour Bangladesh

Dhaka City Tour - Sight Seeing Tour to Capital City of Bangladesh

River Cruise on Shitalakhya River Near Dhaka

Explore Sundarbans - Home of The Royal Bengal Tiger

Trip to Rangamati and Bandarban Hill Tracks

Tour to Sylhet & Srimongol - The Picture of Nature!

Beach Tour Packages - Explore Cox's Bazar and St Martin's Island

Discover Rangamati

Discover Bandarban (Hill Tour / Adventure Tour / Nature Tour)

Tour To Cox's Bazar

Tour To St. Martins Island

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The Second Largest City Of Bangladesh

Chattogram, the second largest city of Bangladesh and a busy international seaport ...

Sylhet & Srimongol - The picture of nature!

Sylhet is a prime attraction for all tourists visiting Bangladesh. Laying between the ...

Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger

The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching ...

Kuakata - Daughter of the Sea

Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic beauty ...

Hill Tracts & Lakes - Rangamati

Decidedly untypical of Bangladesh in topography and culture, the Chattogram Hill Tracts ...

Dhaka -The Capital of Bangladesh

The capital city Dhaka predominantly was a city of the Mughals. In hundred years of their vigorous rule successive ...

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Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Bangladesh is your

passport to all the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to see, what to skip, and what

hidden discoveries await you. Search for a Royal Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans, cycle the gentle

rolling hills of Srimangal, or spend a night in Bangladesh's famous paddle-wheel 'Rocket'; all with

your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Bangladesh and begin your journey now! Inside

Lonely Planet Bangladesh Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and

itineraries show you the simplest way to tailor your trip to your own personal needs and interests

Insider tips save you time and money and help you get around like a local, avoiding crowds and

trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - including hours of operation, phone numbers,

websites, transit tips, and prices Honest reviews for all budgets - including eating, sleeping, sightseeing,

going out, shopping, and hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give

you a richer and more rewarding travel experience - including history, art, literature, cinema,

music, politics, landscapes, wildlife, and cuisine Over 32 local maps Useful features - including

Month-by-Month (annual festival calendar), Border Crossings, and Boat Trips Coverage of

Dhaka, Barisal, Srimangal, Kuakata, Khulna, the Chittagong Division, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet,

Sunamganj, the Dhaka Division, Birisiri, Cox's Bazar, Bagerhat, and more Authors: Written and

researched by Lonely Planet and Daniel McCrohan. About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely

Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination

on the planet, as well as an award-winning website, a suite of mobile and digital travel products,

and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to

experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.

TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2012 and 2013 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times'Lonely Planet. It's on

everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet.

It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax

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Policy Overview for Bangladesh Tourism

• First Online: 18 November 2020

Cite this chapter

• Takrima Sayeda 3 ,
• Samia Afrin Shetu 3 &
• Muhammad Shoeb-Ur- Rahman   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2667-4794 3  

231 Accesses

3 Citations

Tourism policy of a country provides a broad guideline and direction based on which tourism systems should function. The National Tourism Policy (NTP) of Bangladesh has initiated strategies to platform the economic, cultural, social, heritage, and environmental values that the industry can provide. It focuses on multidimensional facets of the industry. With a qualitative research orientation, this chapter provides altogether an overview of the tourism policy that has been taken by the government to promote Bangladesh as one of the preferred destinations. The policy prioritizes several types of operation such as beach and marine tourism, forest-based tourism, rural and riverine tourism, cultural tourism, religious tourism, and community tourism. Apart from the in-house strategies to foster the tourism industry, it focuses on the importance of collaboration with regional unions and international organizations. However, the NTP largely fails to reach desired goals and objectives due to the lack of apprehension of “inside” and “outside” policy factors as well as policy process. A strong research-base is inevitable to optimize tourism benefits from a tourism policy. This chapter is expected to help future tourism policymakers in Bangladesh in the development of an updated policy instrument.

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Takrima Sayeda, Samia Afrin Shetu & Muhammad Shoeb-Ur- Rahman

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Sayeda, T., Shetu, S.A., Rahman, M.SU. (2020). Policy Overview for Bangladesh Tourism. In: Rahman, M.SU., Hassan, A. (eds) Tourism Policy and Planning in Bangladesh. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7014-8_1

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