Bangladesh offers an incredible mix of natural wonders, from the world's longest beach at Cox's Bazar to the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. Experience vibrant culture, ancient heritage sites, and warm hospitality in this South Asian gem.
- Public
- Metro Rail (MRT Line 6) now connects Uttara to Motijheel in Dhaka quickly and cheaply. Buses are cheap but extremely crowded and slow in traffic. Bangladesh Railway provides comfortable intercity connections.
- Taxi
- Uber and Pathao apps work excellently in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet — transparent pricing and safe. Traditional CNGs and cycle rickshaws handle shorter urban distances effectively.
- Rental
- Self-driving strongly discouraged due to chaotic traffic and poor road conditions. Car with driver recommended — available from $40-80/day and far more practical than self-drive.
- Walking
- Walkable only in specific areas like Old Dhaka heritage district and resort areas. Dhaka's streets are crowded, hot, and lack consistent pavement — most visitors combine rickshaws with walking.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi to city center: BDT 800-1200 ($7-10), 45 minutes
- Shuttle
- Uber/Pathao ride-sharing: BDT 600-900 ($5-8)
- Bus
- Airport train to Kamalapur Station: BDT 50-100 ($0.50-1), 30 minutes
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
{'description': 'Extensive bus network covers entire Dhaka and other cities. Crowded but very cheap. AC buses available on major routes.', 'cost': 'Local buses: BDT 10-30 ($0.08-0.25); AC buses: BDT 30-80 ($0.25-0.70)', 'notes': 'Can be very crowded during rush hours; pickpocketing risk; traffic extremely slow (average 4.8 km/h)'}
Alternatives
metro, rickshaw, taxi, rideshare, cng
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- {'description': 'Traditional taxis available but not metered. Green three-wheeler taxis at airport and major locations.', 'cost': 'Base fare BDT 50-100 ($0.42-0.85) plus per km; typical city ride BDT 200-500 ($1.70-4.20)', 'notes': 'Negotiate fare in advance; prefer ride-sharing apps for transparent pricing'}
- Apps
- Uber, Pathao, Obhai
- App Names
- Uber, Pathao, Obhai
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Extensive intercity bus network with AC and non-AC options. Buses range from basic to luxury sleeper coaches.
Cost: Non-AC: BDT 300-600 ($2.50-5) Dhaka-Chittagong; AC: BDT 600-1200 ($5-10); Luxury: BDT 1000-2000 ($8-17)
Flights
Domestic flights connect Dhaka with Chittagong, Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, Jessore, and Saidpur.
Cost: Dhaka-Cox's Bazar: $60-120 one-way; Dhaka-Chittagong: $50-100; Dhaka-Sylhet: $50-90
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
From centre: 17 km north of Dhaka city center
Options: Taxi to city center: BDT 800-1200 ($7-10), 45 minutes; Uber/Pathao ride-sharing: BDT 600-900 ($5-8); Airport train to Kamalapur Station: BDT 50-100 ($0.50-1), 30 minutes; Airport shuttle bus to terminals and railway station: BDT 20 ($0.17); Local bus from Airport Bus Stand: BDT 30-50 ($0.25-0.50), 60+ minutes
Shah Amanat International Airport
From centre: 12 km from Chittagong city center
Options: Taxi to city center: BDT 600-800 ($5-7), 30 minutes; Uber/Pathao ride-sharing: BDT 400-600 ($3.50-5); Auto-rickshaw (CNG): BDT 300-500 ($2.50-4.20); Local bus: BDT 30-40 ($0.25-0.35), 45 minutes
Osmani International Airport
From centre: 8 km from Sylhet city center
Options: Taxi to city: BDT 400-600 ($3.50-5), 20 minutes; Uber/Pathao: BDT 300-500 ($2.50-4.20); Auto-rickshaw: BDT 250-400 ($2-3.50); Local transport: BDT 30-50 ($0.25-0.50)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Pathao
Bangladesh's most popular ride-hailing app for motorbike and car rides — fastest option in heavy traffic due to motorbike capability
Uber
International ride-hailing available in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet with transparent pricing and driver tracking
Obhai
Local ride-hailing app also serving Dhaka with competitive prices for car rides
esheba.cnsbd.com
Bangladesh Railway online ticketing platform — book intercity train tickets up to 10 days in advance to secure preferred class
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber and Pathao apps before arriving — they are far more reliable and fairly priced than haggling with unmetered CNGs and traditional taxis
Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line 6) is clean, fast, and air-conditioned — use it whenever the route matches your destination
Book intercity train tickets online at esheba.cnsbd.com — AC Seat and AC Chair classes are comfortable and far preferable to long bus journeys
For Cox's Bazar, consider flying (Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair from $60-120) to avoid the 8-hour road journey
Traffic in Dhaka is among the world's worst — build extra time into all journeys and avoid rush hours (8-10 AM, 5-8 PM) if possible
In Old Dhaka, cycle rickshaws are the best transport for navigating narrow historic streets — negotiate fare before boarding