Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

Bangladesh’s national airline is Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG).

International Airport

Dhaka International (DAC) (Zia International). The airport is 20km (11 miles) north of the city (travel time – 45 minutes). To/from the airport: Biman Bangladesh coaches run every hour from 0800-2200. To return, pick up the coach from the Tejgaon old airport building, the Golden Gate or Zakaria hotels. Parjatan Coaches are also available. Bus and taxi services are available to the city. It is usual to give a 5 per cent to taxi drivers. It has been known for passengers to suffer harassment at International Airports, even by corrupt officials or unlicensed touts. It is best to arrange pickup in advance, preferably with the hotel or friends. The airport has, however, improved immeasurably in the last couple of years and improvement looks set to continue. Hopefully, these issues will eventually be resolved. Facilities: Restaurants, post office, banks, duty free shops and car hir
Other international airports include Chittagong (CGP) (MA Hannan International Airport) and Syhlet (ZYL) (Osmani International Airport).

SEA

The main seaport is Chittagong. Ferries from Myanmar and India run to the southern coastal ports. For details, contact the Embassy or High Commission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (see Passport/Visa Information).

RAIL

Rail connections (there are no through-trains) link Bangladesh with India (West Bengal and Assam). Cycle-rickshaw, bus or porter services provide the cross-border connections.

ROAD

Overland crossings include the Benapol-Haridispur border (for Calcutta), the Chilihari-Haldibari border (for Darjeeling) and the Tamabil-Dawki border (for Shillong). The crossing at Benapol is the easiest and most used. It is advisable to check when the frontier posts will be open. Conditions are likely to be difficult during the monsoon season. All other frontier posts between the two countries are currently closed. Overland travel is not currently possible between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Coach: A direct daily service has recently been introduced between Dhaka and Calcutta via Benapol. For further details, contact Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (tel: (2) 955 5553).

Travel - Internal

AIR

Internal services are operated by Aero Bengal Airlines, Air Parabat, Bengal Airlift LTD, Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG) and GMG Airlines. Regular flights are run between Dhaka and several other main towns. These are cheap, and most routes are served at least two or three times a week. Airline buses connect with terminals.

SEA/RIVER

The country has about 8433km (5240 miles) of navigable waterways and water transport, if a little slow, is the least expensive method of getting around Bangladesh. Ferries operate between southern coastal ports and the Ganges River delta, where there are five major river ports: Barisal, Chandpur, Dhaka, Khulna and Narayanganj. Passages should be booked well in advance; for details, contact local port authorities. River services are operated by the Bangladesh Inland Waterway Transport Corporation (BIWTC), who run ‘Rocket’ ferries and launches on a number of routes. A ferry operates from Dhaka to Khulna four times a week (travel time – 28 hours). Ferries can often be dangerously overcrowded. The most recent incident was in February 2005 when 150 people drowned near Dhaka. In the past, these incidents have incurred greater casualties.

RAIL

A slow but efficient network, operated by Bangladesh Railway, is limited by the geography of the country, but river ferries (see above) provide through links. Services are being upgraded. However, trains still occasionally derail and passengers have been injured. The main line is Dhaka–Chittagong, with several daily trains, some of which have air-conditioned cars. An inter-city express service is available between main towns. For details, contact the Embassy or High Commission for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (see Passport/Visa Information).

ROAD

There are approximately 6240km (3877 miles) of roads, of which 3840km (2386 miles) are paved. Road safety is poor. Traffic is heavy and chaotic in urban areas. There are frequent and often lethal crashes caused by speeding, dangerous and aggressive overtaking, sudden manoeuvres, etc. Vehicles and roads are badly maintained and often unlit; drivers, if in lit vehicles, will often have the light full-beam. In addition to all this, banditry is a problem after dark. It is possible to reach virtually everywhere by road, but given the geography of the country, with frequent ferry crossings being a necessity, together with the poor quality of many of the roads, road travel can be very slow. Traffic drives on the left. Bus: The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) provides a countrywide network of bus services. All major towns are served; fares are generally low. Taxi: Generally available at airports and major hotels. Fares should always be agreed upon before travelling. It is usual to give a 5 per cent to taxi drivers. Car hire: Cars may be hired at Dhaka airport, the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Office or from the major hotels. However, in the major cities, it is relatively easy and inexpensive to hire chauffeur-driven cars. Documentation: International Driving Permit required.

URBAN

There are bus services, which are usually very crowded and unreliable, in Dhaka, provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation. The Central Bus Station is on Station Road (Fulbaria); there are also several other terminals, which are, in general, for long-distance services. Buses and bus stations do not generally have signs in English. There are also an estimated 10,000 independent ‘auto-rickshaw’ 3-wheeler taxis (avoid night-time use). Conventional taxis are also available.

Resorts & Excursions

Dhaka (North)

The country is divided into five administrative areas: Dhaka (North Central); Rajshahi (Northwest); Khulna (Southwest); Barisal (South); and Chittagong (Southeast). Formerly, 'Dhaka' was spelt 'Dacca'.
Dhaka, the historic city and capital of Bangladesh, lies on the Buriganga River. The river connects the city with all major inland ports in the country, contributing to its trade and commerce, as it has done for centuries.
The old part of the city, to the south of the centre and on the banks of the river, is dominated both by the commercial bustle of the waterfront and several old buildings. These include the uncompleted 17th-century Lalbagh Fort, the spectacular Ahsan Manzil palace museum, the Chotta Katra and a large number of mosques. To the north of this region is the European quarter (also known as British City), which contains the Banga Bhavan, the presidential palace, several parks, the Dhakeswari Temple and the National Museum. To the north and the east are to be found the commercial and diplomatic regions of Dhaka. The Zoo and Botanical Gardens are a bus or taxi ride into the suburbs. The waterfront has two main water transport terminals at Sadarghat and Badam Tali, located on the Buckland Road Bund. The famous 'Rocket' ferries dock here and boats can also be hired. There are many buildings of interest along the river and in the old part of the city. The Khan Mohammed Mirdha Mosque and the Mausoleum of Pari Bibi are worth a visit, as are the Baldha Gardens with their collection of rare plants. There are dozens of mosques and bazaars to visit - the Kashaitully Mosque is especially beautiful.
The modern part of the city comprises the diplomatic and commercial regions and is to be found further north in areas such as Motijheel and Gulshan.
City tours of Dhaka and its environs are available: contact the Parjatan Tourist Information Centre for further information.
Excursions: Sonargaon, about 30km (20 miles) east of Dhaka, was the capital of the region between the 13th and early 17th centuries and retains a number of historical relics of interest, although many of these are now in ruins. The Rajendrapur National Park, about 50km (30 miles) north of the capital, is noted for its varied birdlife. Northwest of Dhaka is Dhamrai which contains several Hindu temples. Further north still is Mymensingh, at the centre of a region famous for its supply of high-quality jute. The Madhupur National Park and Game Sanctuary is situated about 160km (99 miles) from Dhaka.
North of Dhaka is Sylhet, known as 'the land of two leaves and a bud' because of its long renown as a tea-growing area. Srimongol is the main centre of the Sylhet tea gardens. Nearby Madhabkunda is noted for panoramic scenery and enchanting waterfalls. Around 43km (27 miles) from Sylhet are the ruins of Jaintiapur, once the capital of an ancient kingdom. Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet-Shilong Road. There are excellent views of the surrounding area, including some spectacular waterfalls across the Indian border. Zaflong is a scenic spot nearby, set amidst tea gardens and beautiful hills

Rajshahi (Northwest)

Rajshahi Division, in the northwest of the country, is often ignored by tourists, but it contains a large number of archaeological sites. The most important of these are at Paharpur, where the vast Buddhist monastery of Somapuri Vihara and the Satyapir Vita temple are located; there is also a museum. Other places of interest in the region include the ancient Hindu settlement of Sherpur, near Bogra; Mahastanagar, also near Bogra, which dates back to the third century BC; Vasu Vihara, 14km (9 miles) to the northwest, the site of an ancient but now ruined monastery; Rajshahi, on the Ganges, which has a museum displaying many of the archaeological relics of the area; and Gaur, very close to the border with the Indian state of West Bengal, which contains a number of old mosques. Bogra is a useful base for visiting the archaeological sites of Paharpur, Mahastanagar and Sherpur, although not intrinsically interesting itself. The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (NTO) offers package tours to these sites

Khulna (Southwest)

Khulna Division is principally marshland and jungle. The city of the same name is the administrative capital of the division and is mainly a commercial centre, particularly for river traffic. The principal place of interest in this area of the country is the Sundarbans National Park, a supreme example of lush coastal vegetation and the variety of wildlife which it can support. The most famous inhabitants of this region are the Royal Bengal tigers, but spotted deer, monkeys and a great variety of birds are also to be found here. Tours (usually for ten people or more) are organized by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation during the winter; otherwise boats can be hired from Khulna or Mongla, which is the main port for the Khulna region. Accommodation is available at Heron Point. Other places of interest include the mosque of Sat Gombud, and the town of Bagerhat (home of Khan Jahan Ali, a well-known Sufi mystic)

Barisal (South)

Barisal is the administrative centre of the division of the same name. Situated in an area dissected by rivers, it is the most important river port in the south of the country. Just 10km (6 miles) outside Barisal at Madubashah is a lake and bird sanctuary. Kuakata is the most outstanding tourist attraction. It is a scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh in the district of Patuakhali and has a wide sandy beach which is an ideal vantage point to watch the sun rise and set.
Other attractions include two pre-Moghul mosques: one, which boasts nine domes, is situated at the village of Qasba Guarnadi and the other, built in 1464, is near Patuakhali.

Chittagong (Southeast)

Chittagong, the second-largest city in the country, is the principal city of the southeastern administrative division of Bangladesh. It is a thriving port set amid lovely natural surroundings studded with green-clad knolls, coconut palms, mosques and minarets, against the background of the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal.
The Old City retains many echoes of past European settlements, mainly by the Portuguese, as well as many mosques. These include the 17th-century Shahi Jama-e-Masjid - which closely resembles a fort - set astride a hilltop, and the earlier Qadam Mubarek Mosque. The Chilla of Bada Shah stands to the west of Bakshirhat in the old city. The higher ground to the northwest was, in due course, settled by the British, and this is now where most of the city's commercial activity is conducted. The Dargah of Sah Amanat is a holy shrine located in the heart of the town
Excursions: Approximately 8km (5 miles) from Chittagong is the picturesque Foy's Lake in the railway township of Pahartali. The Tomb of Sultan Bayazid Bostami, a holy shrine situated on a hillock in Nasirabad, is situated 6km (4 miles) to the northwest of the town. At its base is a large tank with several hundred tortoises, supposedly the descendants of evil spirits. Northeast of Chittagong is Rangamati, a place of scenic beauty and unspoiled tribal life. It is perched on the bank of the man-made Kaptai Lake. In the extreme south of Bangladesh is Cox's Bazar, a thriving regional tourist centre and beach resort, with a mixed population of Bengali and Burmese origin. The town has many thriving cottage industries for weaving and cigar making. This is also where the world's longest and broadest beach, Inani Beach, can be found; it is 120km (75 miles) long and 55m (180ft) to 90m (300ft) broad (depending on the tide). It has not, however, been fully developed for tourism. The main tourist beach is Patenga, which is also broad and long. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation offers excellent accommodation and catering facilities