Bangladesh Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Bangladesh in 2023

Bangladesh is one of the greenest countries in South Asia and offers a rich culture just waiting to be explored by travelers seeking a unique experience. Take advantage of an ideal combination of adventure and exploration, with the comfort and relaxation you deserve on vacation.

This ultimate Bangladesh travel guide will help you make the most of your Bangladesh trip with practical and inspiring tips.

Document checklist for Bangladesh

• Visa (if applicable)

• Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and have two blank pages)

• Sufficient funds to cover your trip

• Return or onward ticket

Essential Bangladesh travel information

• Currency - Bangladeshi taka (৳). $1 is equivalent to approx. ৳ 104.

• Daily budget for 1 person - Allow a daily budget of ৳ 4600 ($44).

• Languages - The most widely spoken language in Bangladesh is Bengali (also known as Bangla). English is also widely spoken.

• *Number of travelers per year** - In 2019, 323,000 travelers visited Bangladesh, according to the World Bank. Untouched by mass tourism, Bangladesh offers diverse landscapes, heritage monuments, and welcoming people.

• Socket type - Types A, C, D, G and K, 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

• Time zone - Bangladesh Standard Time (GMT+6).

• Top 3 cities to visit - Chattogram, Srimangal, and Cox’s Bazar.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - The National Martyrs' Memorial, Shahid Minar, and Saith Gambad Masjid.

Visa information for Bangladesh

The Bangladesh government allows those visiting for tourism, casual visits to meet friends & family, or attend conferences or workshops, to apply for tourist visas.

The Bangladesh Visitor Visa explained

Most travelers are allowed to stay in the country with the Bangladesh Visitor Visa for a maximum of 30 days in total. After filling out the form, you will need to submit your application form and supporting documents by post or in person (with an appointment) at your nearest Bangladesh Visa Application Center.

We will provide you with the application form and a guide for the next steps of how to get your Bangladesh tourist visa without issues. You can contact your personal iVisa Expert for assistance at any time.

When applying with the help of iVisa you can choose between a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa. You must show your visa to local authorities upon entering the country.

Benefits of getting your Bangladesh Visa with iVisa:

• 100% Government Compliant

• Unlimited access to your iVisa Expert

• Simplified application process

• Fill out the form at your own pace

• Step-by-step instructions and tips for the entire process

Apply now with iVisa

Visa difficulty index for Bangladesh

Accessibility: 3/5 The Bangladesh Tourist Visa is a paper visa. After filling out the form online, you will need to submit it by post or in person (with an appointment) at the nearest Bangladeshi embassy or application center. Luckily, iVisa can assist in obtaining this visa for your peace of mind!

Time to get your visa: 3/5 If your visa is approved, Bangladesh authorities send you your visa in about 3-10 working days for in-person submissions, and up to 10 working days if you submit by post.

Costs: 5/5 Good news! There is no government fee for the Bangladesh Tourist Visa. You’ll only need to pay for the iVisa processing fees, which depends on your nationality.

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Typical costs and budget for Bangladesh

A guide to what you'll spend on a daily basis traveling through Bangladesh on a mid-range budget.

• Daily spending - Around ৳ 4,600 ($44) per person, per day. This includes:

• Meals - Expect to spend about ৳ 1,140 ($11) in total for three meals per day.

• Transport - Depending on your travel plans and standard of travel, local transportation may cost up to ৳ 625 ($6) per day.

• Hotel - The average hotel price in Bangladesh for a couple is ৳ 5,372 ($52). On average, a trip to Bangladesh for two people for one week will cost ৳ 63,562 ($612).

Transport and best ways to travel around Bangladesh

There are many ways to get to and around Bangladesh, whether by boat or by road. Here are some tips for navigating the country safely.

Flying to Bangladesh

At Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport alone, 29 airlines operate and serve flights to and from 33 destinations. Several major airlines offer flights to Dhaka airport (DAC):

• Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the national airline and offers direct flights to the United Kingdom, Canada, India, China, and the Middle East.

• Emirates and Qatar Airways offer several flights a day from Dubai and Doha to Dhaka, connecting the country with most of the world.

• Qatar Airways

• Etihad Airways

• Turkish Airlines

• British Airways

Arrival and immigration tips for Bangladesh

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is the largest airport in Bangladesh. Depending on the season and time of arrival, immigration procedures can get chaotic and long queues are common. A few tips to make the immigration process smoother:

• Apply for your Bangladesh Tourist Visa in advance to avoid standing in a queue to get a visa on arrival, even if your nationality qualifies.

• Make sure you know the entry requirements, such as customs declarations and health declarations, before you depart, as things can change quickly.

• Travel light and prepare to carry your own luggage, as trolleys at the airport are often unavailable, and scams with baggage assistance are prevalent.

• Pre-book an airport transfer with your accommodation or through a reputable company.

• When departing, arrive at least 4 hours at the airport before boarding, to avoid missing your flight due to traffic jams or airport queues. Pre-pack some food and water in case you’re caught in long queues.

Auto and bicycle rickshaws in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is home to electric, CNG auto, and bicycle rickshaws you can flag down for short to medium distances. It is a very affordable and convenient way to get around the cities and towns. Make sure to negotiate and confirm the price of the trip before you get in.

Trains in Bangladesh

Train travel is very popular in Bangladesh. Simply book a train ticket in advance at the main railway station in Dhaka. Just make sure you have enough time to get to the station, book a ticket, and board your train, as traffic toward the train station can get quite chaotic.

Boat travel in Bangladesh

Long-distance boats along the rivers of Bangladesh are also called ‘launch travel’. It’s an iconic experience to travel by launch in Bangladesh, specifically the overnight launch from Dhaka to Barisal. The prices depend on the comfort level:

• VIP cabin: ৳ 10,000 ($96)

• First class cabin (aircon & shared toilet): ৳ 2,500 ($24)

• Economy class seats (shared toilet) ৳ 800 ($8)

• Third class (floor space): ৳ 280 ($3)

Ferries are used for short-distance river travel from one side to the other.

Buses in Bangladesh

Bus travel is another affordable way to travel between cities. There’s no need to pre-book as multiple buses depart daily to any destination. Tour agent stalls line the streets of major tourist areas to purchase tickets. Air-conditioned buses are well worth the price, even if more expensive than others.

Safety in Bangladesh

The people of Bangladesh are very friendly, and you can expect a warm welcome if you visit. However, there are a few security risks and a high degree of caution should be taken. Some recommendations:

• Don’t carry all your valuables in one place and don’t flash expensive jewelry or equipment in public.

• Bangladesh is susceptible to many natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Monitor local media, and keep an eye on the local weather to keep yourself updated about potential dangers.

• Don’t walk the streets alone at night, especially as a woman.

• Be vigilant about scams and pickpocketing. Double-check all exchanges and negotiate everything in advance.

• Do not buy illegal drugs, always follow local laws, and follow instructions of local security forces in case of terrorist attacks or natural disasters. To avoid medical or other emergencies, it's important to purchase travel insurance in advance. This will help access medical facilities, get medical treatment, and even assist with medical evacuation if necessary.

Weather in Bangladesh

The best time to visit Bangladesh in the dry season, from November to March, when it’s warm and sunny. Dhaka is comfortable with a max. temperature of 25°C (77°F) around this time of year.

Between March and May, temperatures can reach up to 40°C (100°F) and humidity levels are high, triggering thunderstorms. The long monsoon season arrives at the end of May and doesn’t end until October.

Must do and see in Bangladesh

Don’t miss these awesome sights on your holiday to Bangladesh:

1. Go tiger spotting in the Sundarbans, where the Brahmaputra and Ganges meet at the edge of the Bay of Bengal. It’s home to spectacular wildlife such as Bengal tigers, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Relax on St. Martin’s Island, a coral island where clear blue waters and unparalleled beauty create a serene atmosphere that will calm any human mind.

3. Visit the Sajek Valley, an emerging tourist spot among the hills of the Kasalong mountain range with lots of forests, small rivers and mountain roads.

4. Kuakata is one of the most scenic coastlines in Bangladesh and the only beach in Bangladesh where you can watch both sunrise and sunset.

5. Go back in time at Lalbagh Fort (also known as Aurangabad Fort), an unfinished Mughal fort built in the 16th century.

Typical Bangladeshi food to try

• Hilsa Curry - The national dish of Bangladesh. It is made from Hilsa fish, marinated in turmeric and chili paste, before slowly fried. It’s served with mustard gravy and rice. The result is a spicy combination of sweet and sour flavors.

• Biryani - A popular dish across the entire Indian subcontinent, Bangladeshi biryani is often regarded as the best in the world. It is common to find mutton, goat, chicken and beef in Bengali cuisine, but there is a wide variety of biryani dishes to choose from.

• Chingri Malai - This is a creamy, tasty seafood curry with coconut milk and aromatic spices cooked with prawns or shrimp.

• Panta bhat - A great example of Bangladeshi food, also popular in the Bengal region, and mostly associated with the working class. It uses leftover rice soaked in water overnight to ferment, and is served as breakfast the following morning after being seasoned with salt, chili and onion.

Vaccine information for Bangladesh

It's important to know what routine vaccines and COVID-19 measures are required to enter Bangladesh before booking your trip. We advise you to check the CDC website for more info about all vaccine requirements and any recommended guidance or medicine lists.

Spotting tigers in Bangladesh

Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest. This misty maze of tidal waterways and small islands is home to more than 110 Bengal tigers.

Typically, safaris involve a multi-day boat trip from Khulna, or nearby. While you're onboard your main tour boat, you'll break into smaller groups during the day to track tigers either on foot (accompanied by armed forest guards) or in smaller boats.

Other wildlife you can spot in the Sundarbans include saltwater crocodiles, wild boar, langurs, and many of the region's 260 bird species. The best time to spot Bengal tigers is in the cooler season from October to March when the animals like sitting in the sun on river banks, or April and May, when they’ll be swimming to cool themselves down in the hottest months of the year.

Several tour operators run licensed zoologist-guided tiger safaris in the Sundarbans. Reputable tour operators in Khulna include Bengal Tours and Guide Tours.