Most foreign visitors to Bangladesh arrive at Dhaka's international airport with either a visa issued in advance by a Bangladeshi embassy or a visa on arrival, which eligible travellers can apply for online before landing. The best time to travel is November to February, when it is dry and mild. The classic route runs from Dhaka to the Sundarbans mangrove forest, the tea country around Sreemangal and Sylhet, the hills of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and the coast at Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin's Island.
This guide is written for international travellers. Visa and safety rules are correct as of November 2026; both change often, so check your own government's advice and a Bangladeshi embassy before you book.
Visas for Bangladesh
Most foreign visitors should get a tourist visa from a Bangladeshi embassy or high commission before travelling. A visa on arrival exists for some nationalities but is not guaranteed, and the government announced a month-long suspension in January 2026. Requirements and fees depend on your nationality, so check with the mission that serves your country.
Embassy visa
The safest route for most nationalities is to get a tourist visa from a Bangladeshi embassy or high commission before you travel. Applications are typically made through an online form, followed by submission of your passport, photo and supporting documents. Requirements and fees depend on your nationality and the mission you apply to, so check the website of the embassy that serves your country.
Visa on arrival
Bangladesh offers a visa on arrival to citizens of a number of countries, but it is not guaranteed and eligibility depends on nationality and purpose. In January 2026 the government announced a month-long suspension around the national election, then reversed the decision within days, which shows how quickly the rules can move. Our Bangladesh visa on arrival guide covers the eligible countries, fee, documents and the steps at Dhaka airport. Check with your airline too; some will not board passengers without a visa already in their passport.
Policy changes ahead
The cabinet approved a new Visa Policy 2026 in August 2026, and the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered it into force on 3 September 2026, replacing the 2006 policy. It raises the number of visa categories from 33 to 34. Bangladesh has not announced a full e-visa system, so treat any website selling a Bangladesh e-visa with caution.
Entry checklist
The UK government's entry advice, checked in November 2026, sets out the basics that apply to most travellers. Your passport needs at least two blank pages, must be undamaged, and must remain valid for at least six months from the date your visa is issued. A visa on arrival at Dhaka is single-entry, runs for 15 to 30 days and is granted at the immigration officer's discretion, so a return ticket and proof of funds are expected. You may also be asked to complete an electronic arrival card before landing and a departure card before you leave.
- Passport with six months' validity and two blank pages.
- Printed visa or completed online visa-on-arrival application.
- Return or onward ticket and your first hotel booking.
- Cash in US dollars or euros for any fees.
- Yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
Large sums of foreign currency or taka may need to be declared on arrival, so check the current threshold with the Bangladeshi mission that handles your visa.
Our visa page covers general visa planning.
Getting to Bangladesh
Almost all international visitors arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. There are direct flights from the Gulf hubs, including Dubai, Doha in Qatar and Muscat in Oman, plus routes from Istanbul in Turkey, Southeast Asia, Kolkata and Kathmandu. Chattogram and Sylhet airports also handle some international flights, mostly to the Gulf. Compare options on our flights page.
Overland, several border crossings connect Bangladesh and India, the busiest being Benapole–Petrapole on the Kolkata road. You need the correct visa for each country and, for India, the right entry point listed if your visa requires it.
Safety in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is generally welcoming to foreign visitors and most trips pass without trouble, but strikes (hartals), road blockades and protests can start at short notice, especially in Dhaka, and parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts restrict foreigners. Avoid demonstrations and check your government's travel advice before and during the trip.
Bangladesh is generally welcoming to foreigners, and most visits pass without trouble. That said, it is a country where you need to read the situation and follow local advice.
Politics and protests
Bangladesh has been through major political change since 2024, and strikes (hartals), road blockades and protests can happen at short notice, especially in Dhaka. Avoid demonstrations, keep an eye on local news, and check your government's travel advice before and during your trip.
Regional restrictions
Parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban districts) have restrictions for foreigners, and some areas have been closed to visitors at times. Rules change, so ask a licensed tour operator before planning a trip there. Some governments also advise caution in areas near the Myanmar border in Cox's Bazar district.
Everyday precautions
- Keep valuables out of sight in crowded markets, buses and trains.
- Use ride-hailing apps or hotel-booked cars at night, and skip unmarked taxis.
- Traffic is heavy and road safety is poor; avoid long road journeys after dark.
- Drink bottled or filtered water and eat cooked, hot food.
- Carry a photocopy of your passport and visa, with the originals kept safe.
Street crime and the airport
The FCDO reports that criminal gangs operate in Dhaka and other cities, and that thieves often work in pairs from motorbikes or CNG auto-rickshaws, snatching phones and bags. Keep your phone in a front pocket in crowds and leave expensive watches and jewellery at home. At the airport, ignore touts who offer to carry bags or find you a taxi; arrange a pickup through your hotel, or book a ride-hailing car and check the plate, model and driver photo before you get in.
Women and solo travellers
The FCDO warns women of a risk of verbal and physical harassment and of sexual assault. Loose clothing that covers shoulders and legs reduces unwanted attention. Avoid isolated places after dark, stay alert when alone, and use hotel cars or app-booked rides at night. Solo travellers of any gender are safer on long journeys by day, since night buses carry a higher accident risk.
Laws to know
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Bangladesh, and public displays of affection are frowned on for every couple. Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims, and foreigners may need a liquor permit to drink in government-licensed bars. Driving yourself requires a 1949 international driving permit obtained before you travel, though almost every visitor hires a car with a driver instead. The national emergency number is 999 for police, fire and ambulance.
Cyclones and floods
Tropical cyclones hit the Bay of Bengal coast, most often in the months either side of the monsoon, and the monsoon itself brings floods that close roads and delay boats. If you travel between April and November, follow the Bangladesh Meteorological Department's forecasts and listen to your boat operator or hotel when they cancel a trip.
Dress and culture
Bangladesh is a conservative, mostly Muslim country. Covering shoulders and knees is respectful for everyone; women will feel more comfortable in loose clothing and with a scarf to hand. Ask before photographing people. Expect curiosity: foreigners outside Dhaka often attract friendly crowds and many requests for selfies.
When to go
November to February is the best time to visit Bangladesh, with cool, dry weather for river trips, hill walks, beaches and cities. March to May is hot and humid but workable, and the June to October monsoon brings heavy rain, slower travel and the annual June to August closure of the Sundarbans.
November to February
The cool, dry season is the best time for nearly everything: river trips, hill walks, beaches and city sightseeing. Days are warm and evenings in the north can be chilly in December and January. This is also peak season, so book boats and hotels early.
March to May
Temperatures and humidity climb, and pre-monsoon storms are possible. Travel is still workable, with fewer visitors.
June to October
The monsoon brings heavy rain and some flooding. The countryside turns green and rivers swell, but travel is slower and some areas close. The Sundarbans, for example, is closed from June to August every year.
Classic routes
A first trip to Bangladesh usually starts in Old Dhaka, then adds a two- or three-night Sundarbans boat trip from Khulna or Mongla, the tea country of Sreemangal and Sylhet, the Chittagong Hill Tracts where rules allow, Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin's, and the historic sites of Bengal.
Dhaka
Most trips start in Dhaka, one of the most crowded cities in the world. Spend a day or two on Old Dhaka: the Buriganga riverfront at Sadarghat, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil (the Pink Palace) and the Armenian Church. The National Parliament House, designed by Louis Kahn, is a landmark of modern architecture. Hotels are on our hotels page.
The Sundarbans
The world's largest mangrove forest lies in the south-west, reached via Khulna or Mongla. Visitors spend two or three nights on a licensed boat, with a forest permit and an armed guard. See our full guide, Sundarbans tour from Dhaka.
Sreemangal and Sylhet
The north-east is tea country. Sreemangal is the base for walks through tea estates and Lawachara National Park, where you may hear or see hoolock gibbons. Sylhet has river trips and wetlands, best in or just after the monsoon.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts
The hills of Bandarban and Rangamati are home to Indigenous communities and are the most mountainous part of the country. Access for foreigners has been restricted at times, so travel with a licensed operator who can tell you what is currently allowed.
Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin's
Cox's Bazar has a very long sandy beach and is Bangladesh's main seaside resort. From there, approved ships run to Saint Martin's Island during a limited season, under a daily cap and travel-pass system. Read our guide to Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's for the 2026–27 rules.
Historic Bengal
Bagerhat's Sixty Dome Mosque and the Buddhist monastery ruins at Paharpur are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bagerhat combines easily with a Sundarbans trip from Khulna.
A two-week sample route
Two weeks in Bangladesh covers Dhaka, a Sundarbans boat trip from Khulna with Bagerhat, the tea estates of Sreemangal and Lawachara, and Cox's Bazar with a day trip or overnight to Saint Martin's, ending with a flight back to Dhaka.
- Days 1–2: Dhaka and Old Dhaka.
- Days 3–6: Khulna, Bagerhat and a two-night Sundarbans boat trip.
- Days 7–9: Back to Dhaka, then Sreemangal for tea estates and Lawachara.
- Days 10–13: Fly to Cox's Bazar; day trip or overnight to Saint Martin's depending on the month.
- Day 14: Fly back to Dhaka for your departure.
If you prefer to hand over the logistics, see organised trips on our tours page.
Getting around
Domestic flights are the fastest way around Bangladesh, linking Dhaka with Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Jashore, Saidpur and Rajshahi. Bangladesh Railway's air-conditioned classes are comfortable and now reach Cox's Bazar, long-distance coaches go almost everywhere, and river launches still run on some southern routes.
Domestic flights
Domestic flights link Dhaka with Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Jashore, Saidpur and Rajshahi. They save many hours compared with road travel.
Trains
Bangladesh Railway connects Dhaka with Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi and, since 2023, Cox's Bazar. Air-conditioned classes are comfortable. Tickets sell out quickly before holidays; book as early as the online system allows.
Buses
Long-distance coaches go almost everywhere. Choose an established operator with air-conditioning for long routes.
Boats
Bangladesh is a river country, and overnight ferries and launches still run on some routes in the south. They are an experience in themselves, but check the safety of the vessel and avoid travel in stormy weather.
In cities
Ride-hailing apps work in Dhaka and Chattogram. Cycle rickshaws and CNG auto-rickshaws are everywhere; agree the fare before you get in.
Trains to Cox's Bazar in detail
Two direct trains link Dhaka and Cox's Bazar. The Cox's Bazar Express runs overnight and the Parjatak Express runs by day. Each train has a weekly off day that has changed since the services began, so check the current timetable and journey time. Tickets are sold on the Bangladesh Railway e-ticket site (eticket.railway.gov.bd), and seats for the first days of sale have gone within hours, so book the moment your date opens.
Hiring a car and driver
Self-drive hire is rare and not recommended for visitors. Cars with drivers can be arranged at Dhaka airport, through larger hotels or through a tour operator, and they make sense for routes such as Sreemangal or the Hill Tracts where public transport is slow. Vehicles drive on the left. Agree the daily rate, fuel, tolls and the driver's food and lodging before you set off, and say at the start that you do not want to drive after dark.
Where to stay by area
In Dhaka, most international visitors stay in Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara in the north of the city. These are the diplomatic and business districts, with the widest choice of mid-range and upscale hotels, cafés and supermarkets, and they are closer to the airport than the old city. Dhanmondi, further south, has a quieter residential feel and many restaurants. Staying in Old Dhaka puts you next to the sights but means basic hotels and very heavy traffic, so most people visit it by day.
For the Sundarbans, the boat is your hotel for two or three nights, and Khulna is where you sleep before and after. In Sreemangal, tea-garden resorts and guesthouses sit outside town among the estates; book ahead for winter weekends, when Bangladeshi families travel. In Cox's Bazar, the hotel strip along Kolatoli and Sugandha beach is the most practical base. Search all of these on our hotels page.
Health and medical care
Check vaccination advice with a travel clinic at least eight weeks before you leave. Dengue occurs all year but is far more common in the rainy season from May to September, and cases have been rising in Dhaka, so use repellent day and night and choose rooms with screens or air conditioning. Malaria and chikungunya are also present in parts of the country.
Air pollution in Dhaka is severe from November to March, which is the same window as the best travel weather. If you have asthma or a heart condition, bring your medication and keep city days short. The UK government describes medical facilities as poor and routine tests as unreliable, so buy insurance that covers treatment and medical evacuation. Carry prescriptions for any medicine you bring. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for an ambulance; if you have a car, driving to the nearest hospital is often quicker.
Etiquette and getting on with people
A greeting of "Assalamu alaikum" works with most people, and "dhonnobad" means thank you. Use your right hand to pass money, eat and shake hands. Men should wait for a woman to offer her hand first, and many will not. Take off your shoes before entering a mosque or a home. Friday midday prayers slow everything down, and many shops open late that day.
Bangladeshis are curious about visitors and will ask where you are from, whether you are married and what you think of the country. Answer with good humour. Bargaining is normal in markets and for rickshaws, but not in fixed-price shops or restaurants. If you are invited to someone's home, expect to be fed generously; a box of sweets or some fruit makes a welcome gift.
Weather by month
Bangladesh is driest and most comfortable from November to February, though fog delays flights and boats in December and January and Dhaka's smog stays heavy into February. March to May is hot with cyclone risk, June to August brings the monsoon with floods and dengue, and the rains ease in September and October.
| Months | Conditions | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | Dry, warm days | Sundarbans, Cox's Bazar, Saint Martin's day trips | Late cyclones on the coast |
| December to January | Dry, cool nights in the north | All regions, overnight stays on Saint Martin's | Fog delaying flights and boats, Dhaka smog |
| February | Dry, warming up | Tea country, heritage sites | Smog still heavy in Dhaka |
| March to May | Hot and humid | Fewer visitors | Heat, pre-monsoon storms, cyclones |
| June to August | Monsoon | Green countryside, Sylhet wetlands | Floods, Sundarbans closed, dengue |
| September to October | Rains easing | Rivers and wetlands at their fullest | Dengue, cyclones |
Shorter and longer itineraries
With one week, combine Dhaka, two nights in Sreemangal and either Cox's Bazar or a short Sundarbans package from Khulna. Ten days fits Dhaka, Bagerhat, the Sundarbans and one more region, and three weeks adds Sylhet's wetlands, Paharpur and, where rules allow, Bandarban or Rangamati with a licensed operator.
One week
Spend two days in Dhaka, then go to Sreemangal for two nights of tea-estate walks and Lawachara. Fly to Cox's Bazar for the last two days, or swap the coast for a short Sundarbans package from Khulna if wildlife matters more to you than beaches.
Ten days
Follow the two-week route but leave out either the tea country or the coast. Ten days is enough for Dhaka, Bagerhat and the Sundarbans plus one more region at an easy pace.
Three weeks
Add Sylhet's wetlands after Sreemangal, Paharpur in the north-west by train from Dhaka, and, where current rules allow, a few days in Bandarban or Rangamati with a licensed operator.
By type of traveller
Families do best with domestic flights between regions and a Sundarbans boat with private cabins. Couples wanting quieter days should aim for a tea resort in Sreemangal and a night on Saint Martin's in December or January. Budget travellers can cover most of the country on trains and air-conditioned coaches, with simple guesthouses outside Dhaka. The Hill Tracts and the Sylhet wetlands in the wet season give the roughest, most adventurous travel, and both need local guidance.
Common mistakes
The most frequent mistake is trying to see too much by road. A distance that looks short on a map can take a full day in traffic, so fly between regions when you can. Many visitors arrive without enough cash for a visa-on-arrival fee, or with torn and old notes that counters may refuse. Others book a Sundarbans trip for June to August, when the forest is closed, or plan Saint Martin's without checking the season and the travel pass. People also forget that Friday and Saturday are the weekend and find banks shut when they need to change money.
What to pack for Bangladesh
Pack for modest dress, mosquitoes and smog: loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a warm layer for December and January, insect repellent, a face mask for Dhaka and printed copies of your visa and bookings.
- Loose, light clothing that covers shoulders and knees, plus a scarf or shawl.
- A warm layer for December and January nights in the north and on boats.
- Insect repellent and a basic medical kit, with prescriptions for any medicines.
- A face mask for Dhaka's smog season.
- Sandals that slip off easily for mosques and homes.
- Printed copies of your visa, tickets and hotel bookings.
- A plug adaptor and a power bank for long journeys.
Travelling responsibly
Bangladesh's best-known places are under pressure from crowds and plastic. Carry a refillable bottle and use filtered water where hotels provide it, bring rubbish back from boats and beaches, and follow the rules in the Sundarbans and on Saint Martin's, where turtles and coral are protected. Hire local guides, eat in local restaurants and ask before photographing people, especially women and children.
Money, SIM cards and practical matters
Outside larger hotels, Bangladesh runs on cash in taka (BDT). ATMs are common only in cities, and banks close for the Friday and Saturday weekend, so change money by Thursday. SIM cards are sold at the airport with your passport, tap water is not safe to drink, and the country runs on GMT+6.
- The currency is the Bangladeshi taka (BDT). ATMs are common in cities but scarce in rural areas.
- Cards work in larger hotels and some restaurants; carry cash everywhere else.
- Local SIM cards are sold at the airport and in cities with your passport; mobile data is cheap and widely available.
- Tap water is not safe to drink.
- Friday and Saturday are the weekend; banks close on both days, so change money by Thursday.
- Bangladesh runs on GMT+6 all year.
- During Ramadan, eat and drink discreetly in public during daylight hours.
Food and eating out
Bangladeshi food is built around rice, fish and lentils. Hilsa (ilish) is the national fish and is cooked in mustard sauce, while biryani and kacchi (slow-cooked mutton with rice) are favourites in Dhaka. Street snacks such as fuchka and chotpoti are popular in the evenings. Most food is cooked fresh and served hot, which is the safest choice. Alcohol is not widely sold and is mainly available in some international hotels and licensed bars.
Combining Bangladesh with other countries
Bangladesh sits well with a wider South Asia trip. Nepal and Bhutan are a short flight from Dhaka, and Gulf hubs make it easy to add a stopover in Dubai or Doha. For an overview of the country itself, see our Bangladesh page.
{{item.get_author.first_name}} {{item.get_author.last_name}}
{{item.comment_txt}}
{{item_reply.get_author.first_name}} {{item_reply.get_author.last_name}}
@ {{item_reply.reply_to}}, {{item_reply.reply_txt}}