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Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Guide (DAC)

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In short

Dhaka's main airport on Airport Road in Kurmitola, with T1, T2 and a domestic terminal. Allow 3 hours before international flights and 2 before domestic. Central Dhaka is about 17 km away, which can take 30 minutes at dawn or two hours at rush hour, so a pre-booked car is the easiest arrival. It is open 24 hours with free Wi-Fi.

By the bookingMentor Travel Desk · Updated · How we research

Whether you have a short connection, an overnight wait or you are just passing through, this guide covers the services inside the terminals: lounges, WiFi, charging, lockers, 24-hour food, nearby hotels and everything in between.

Please note: Flights, hotels near the airport and car hire with driver on this page can be booked directly on bookingMentor. We list places on merit, and bookings never affect what we say about them.

What to expect

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) sits in Kurmitola, about 17 km north of central Dhaka, and handles the large majority of Bangladesh's international traffic. It is the main hub for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and the base for US-Bangla Airlines, NOVOAIR and Air Astra on domestic routes.

The airport opened in 1980 as Dacca International Airport, was later known as Zia International Airport, and took its current name in 2010. Today international flights use Terminals 1 and 2, and domestic flights use a separate domestic terminal next to them.

Terminal 3 status, October 2026: the new Terminal 3, built with Japanese assistance, had a ceremonial launch in October 2023 and is due to open to passengers in a soft opening on 16 December 2026, with full operations expected in March or April 2027, according to the civil aviation minister in September 2026. The government is targeting a partial opening on 16 December 2026, with full operations expected in 2027. Until it opens, check which terminal your flight uses on your bookingMentor booking or e-ticket.

Amenities do not match the regional giants at Bangkok, Doha or Dubai. You will find free WiFi, a handful of lounges selling walk-in access, and a transit hotel airside, but far fewer shops and restaurants than travellers arriving from those hubs expect.

Landside and airside

Throughout this guide, landside is the public part of the terminal before security, where the check-in halls and the most affordable food are. Airside is the secure zone after security and immigration, where the gates and lounges are. Once airside on an international departure you cannot return landside.

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Good to know

  • IATA / ICAODAC / VGHS
  • Terminals in useT1 · T2 · Domestic
  • Open24 hours
  • To city centre~17 km
  • Fastest to the cityMetro & rail
  • Free WiFiYes
  • Lounges8
  • Left luggage৳350 a day
About this guide

How we research this airport guide

This guide is written and maintained by the bookingMentor Travel Desk in Dhaka. We check terminal, transport and visa details against official and airline sources and update the page when something changes, most recently for the Terminal 3 opening timeline.

Last updated . Prices for lounges, luggage storage and transport are typical ranges and can change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Civil Aviation Authority of BangladeshAirline websites and booking confirmationsBangladesh government and embassy visa guidance

See all 5 sources
  1. Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) notices
  2. Airline websites and booking confirmations
  3. Bangladesh government and embassy visa guidance
  4. National news coverage of the Terminal 3 project
  5. Reports from bookingMentor travellers

Flight board

Departures and arrivals listed on bookingMentor for Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

No departures from DAC are listed yet Search the airlines' fares for your dates instead. Search flights from DAC

Times are from the flights listed on bookingMentor, not a live departure feed. Always confirm with your airline before travelling.

Flight routes

Direct routes from the airport, each with its airlines, aircraft, flight time and travel tips

Direct routes

Domestic7 destinations

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International36 destinations

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Airlines at this airport

Carriers operating scheduled passenger services from DAC.

Domestic carriers

4 airlines

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International carriers

28 airlines

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Airport lounges

Several lounges accept walk-in payment, so you do not need a business class ticket. Filter by what matters to you.

Balaka Executive Lounge

International Departures, Airside · 24 hours

Pay at the doorShowersRest zone24 hours

Access: Pay at the door from ৳2,500 for 3 hours · prepaid passes · membership programmes

MediaCom CIP Lounge

International Departures, Airside · 24 hours

Pay at the doorShowersRest zone24 hours

Access: Pay at the door from ৳2,200 for 3 hours · membership programmes

Sky Lounge

International Departures, Airside, Terminal 1 · 24 hours

Pay at the door24 hours

Access: Pay at the door from ৳1,800 for 2 hours · prepaid lounge passes

Domestic Executive Lounge

Domestic Departures, Airside, Terminal 1 · 05:00–22:00

Pay at the door

Access: Pay at the door from ৳900 for 2 hours · domestic Business Class passengers

Biman Balaka Business Lounge

International Departures, Airside, Terminal 2 · flight-dependent

ShowersAirline lounge

Access: Biman Business Class passengers · partner airline elite members

Emirates Lounge

International Departures, Airside · flight-dependent

ShowersAirline lounge

Access: Emirates Business and First Class passengers · Skywards elite members

Qatar Airways Premium Lounge

International Departures, Airside · flight-dependent

ShowersRest zoneAirline lounge

Access: Qatar Airways Business Class passengers · Oneworld elite members

Singapore Airlines SilverKris

International Departures, Airside · flight-dependent

Airline lounge

Access: Singapore Airlines Business Class passengers · Star Alliance Gold members

Water, showers & mobile charging

Drinking water

Water fountains and refill points are limited. Tap water in Bangladesh is not considered safe to drink, so bring an empty bottle through security and buy sealed bottled water airside. Bottled water is inexpensive landside and marked up considerably at the gates.

Showers

There are no free public shower facilities. Paid showers are available inside several lounges and at the transit hotel. Access, pricing and towel provision depend on the lounge you choose.

Mobile charging

Charging points are built into the newer seating areas and there are free charging stations in the main gate areas. Outlets in Terminals 1 and 2 are scarce, so a power bank is worth carrying. Bangladesh uses types C, D and G sockets at 220 V.

Luggage storage & lockers

Left-luggage counters operate landside in the arrivals and departures halls. Rates below are per item.

Left luggage rates by bag size
Bag sizeUp to 6 hoursPer 24 hours
Small: cabin bag, under 22"৳200৳350
Medium: 22" to 26"৳250৳450
Large: over 26"৳300৳550
Baggage wrappingFrom ৳400 per item, landside near check-in

WiFi & connectivity

Free WiFi
Yes
Time limit
None advertised
Registration
Mobile number
SIM cards
At arrivals

Free WiFi covers the terminals. Connection normally requires a one-time registration with a mobile number that can receive an SMS code, which is awkward if you have landed without roaming: connect before switching your home SIM off, or buy a local SIM first. Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink all have counters past baggage claim; biometric registration is required by law, so bring your passport.

Food & drinks

The widest choice and best prices are landside. Airside options are fewer and marked up, and many outlets shut overnight.

Food court
Landside, upper level
Local rice and curry, biryani, street-style snacks
Open 24 hours
Coffee World
Landside, departures hall
Coffee, pastries and light meals
Open 24 hours
Cafe Mango
Airside
Sandwiches, wraps and barista coffee
Daytime hours
Burger King
Landside, arrivals concourse
Burgers and fries
Daytime hours
Kabab Factory
Landside, upper level
Grilled kebabs, naan and rice plates
Daytime hours
Sky Cafe
Airside, near the gates
Snacks, noodles and hot drinks overnight
Open 24 hours
Bengal Sweets
Landside, arrivals
Mishti, tea and takeaway boxes
Daytime hours
Sultan’s Dine
Landside, departures hall
Kacchi biryani and Bangladeshi mains
Daytime hours
Duty-free convenience
Airside, all terminals
Water, crisps, chocolate and instant meals
Open 24 hours

More airport information

Search for what you need: try "sim", "pray", "bag", "child" or "medical".

ATMs & cash machinesAvailable landside and airside in all terminals. Withdrawal limits vary by bank.
Baggage wrappingWrapping counters landside near the check-in halls from about ৳400 per item.
Children’s play areaA small play space is provided in the newer terminal. Availability varies.
Currency exchangeBank counters in arrivals and departures. Rates are poorer than city exchanges.
Duty free & shoppingDuty-free stores airside in the international terminals, plus convenience shops landside.
Information desksStaffed desks in arrivals and departures, with roaming staff at peak hours.
Left luggageShort-term storage landside from ৳350 per bag per day. Confirm opening hours.
Medical centreOn-site medical facilities for emergencies and basic treatment.
Mobile chargingCharging points in the newer seating and free stations in the main gate areas.
PharmacyPharmacy counters stock basic medication and travel essentials landside.
Post officePostal services within the terminal complex during business hours.
Prayer roomsPrayer facilities landside and airside, with separate areas for men and women.
ShowersInside several lounges and at the transit hotel rather than as public facilities.
SIM cardsGrameenphone, Robi and Banglalink counters past baggage claim. Passport required.
Smoking areasNot permitted inside the terminals. Designated areas are outside, landside.
Spa & massageLimited express massage services airside in the newer terminal, daytime hours.
Transit hotelShort-stay rooms airside for passengers who cannot clear immigration.
Transit toursNo official airport transit tour programme runs at DAC.
Wheelchair assistanceRequest through your airline at least 48 hours before departure.
WiFiFree WiFi across the terminals. Registration with a mobile number may be required.

Airport hours

Terminal
Open 24 hours
Check-in opens
3 hrs before
Check-in closes
1 hr before
Overnight access
Ticketed only

The terminals operate around the clock, busiest in the small hours when the Gulf and Southeast Asia departures cluster together. Individual shops, counters and food outlets keep their own hours and many close overnight.

Arriving and departing, step by step

What happens between the aircraft door and the kerb, in order, so nothing catches you out.

Arriving

From the plane to the city

  1. 1
    Immigration

    Join the foreign passports queue. If you qualify for visa on arrival, go to that counter first with your return ticket, hotel address and funds. Expect waits of 30 to 60 minutes at busy times.

  2. 2
    Baggage claim

    Check the screens for your belt number and collect your bags.

  3. 3
    Customs

    Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare, and the red channel if you do.

  4. 4
    Arrivals hall

    Change a little cash at a bank booth, buy a local SIM with your passport, then head to the ride-share pickup point or the official taxi counter.

Departing

From the kerb to the gate

  1. 1
    Arrive early

    3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic ones.

  2. 2
    Entrance screening

    Bags are scanned at the terminal door. Usually only ticketed passengers can enter, so say goodbyes outside.

  3. 3
    Check-in and bag drop

    Find your airline's row on the screens. Weigh bags beforehand; Gulf flights are strict.

  4. 4
    Immigration and security

    Show your passport and boarding pass, then clear security. After this you are airside and cannot go back.

  5. 5
    Lounges and gate

    Use a lounge or the food court, and be at the gate when boarding opens.

Getting to & from the airport

The airport sits on Airport Road in Kurmitola. Traffic is the deciding factor: the same journey can take 30 minutes at dawn or two hours at rush hour.

Car hire with driver

Best for: Fixed price, door-to-door
Book on bookingMentor
From$250 / day
PickupMeets you at arrivals
Book byHour, day, week or month

Pre-book a car with a driver on bookingMentor before you land. Your driver meets you at arrivals, the price is fixed in advance, and you skip the taxi queue and surge fares. Car hire in Bangladesh almost always includes a driver, the sensible choice given Dhaka traffic.

Book car hire on bookingMentor

Ride-hailing

Best for: Most travellers
Mid-range
Typical fare৳400 – ৳700
To Gulshan30 – 70 min
Availability24 hours

Ride-hailing apps serve the airport. Follow the signs to the designated ride-share pickup point rather than accepting offers inside the terminal. Fares surge during rain and evening peak, so for a fixed price, pre-book a car with driver on bookingMentor.

Taxi

Best for: No app or mobile data
Mid-range
Typical fare৳600 – ৳1,200
To Gulshan30 – 70 min
Availability24 hours

Official taxi counters sit in the arrivals hall. Agree the fare or insist on the meter before setting off, and ignore anyone approaching you inside the building. That is the most common way arriving passengers get overcharged. Carry small notes.

Bus

Best for: Tight budgets, light bags
Budget
Typical fare৳30 – ৳100
To city60 – 120 min
Hours06:00 – 22:00

City buses stop on Airport Road, a short walk from the terminals, and BRT services run towards Gazipur. The cheapest way into the city, but crowded with little luggage space and destinations usually displayed in Bangla only.

Metro & rail

Best for: Beating road traffic
Budget
Typical fare৳20 – ৳100
Nearest stationUttara (MRT-6)
HoursDaytime only

Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line 6) runs from Uttara North to Motijheel and is fast and air-conditioned, but there is no station inside the airport: you need a short rickshaw or ride-hail hop to reach it. A dedicated airport connection is planned under MRT Line 1.

Hotel shuttles

Best for: Airport-hotel guests
Free
CostFree for guests
FrequencyOn request / hourly
PickupArrivals kerb

Most airport-area hotels run a complimentary shuttle for booked guests. Overnight services often run on request only, so send your flight number when booking and confirm the pickup point.

Limousine

Best for: Families and business trips
Premium
Typical fare৳2,500 – ৳5,000
BookingCounter or advance
Availability24 hours

Chauffeur and limousine services operate from the arrivals hall around the clock and can be booked in advance for a meet-and-greet. More expensive than a taxi, but the fare is fixed and the driver handles luggage.

Public van

Best for: Repeat visitors
Budget
Typical fare৳50 – ৳150
To city45 – 90 min
Hours06:00 – 22:00

Shared minibuses and human-hauler vans run from the roadside towards Uttara, Mohakhali and Farmgate. They leave when full rather than on a timetable. Best suited to light luggage and repeat visitors.

Inter-terminal

Best for: Connecting flights
Free
CostFree
BetweenT1 · T2 · Domestic
Walking time5 – 12 min

Terminals 1 and 2 and the domestic terminal sit alongside one another, connected on foot by covered walkways, so no shuttle is needed. Switching between a domestic and international flight means exiting and re-entering through door screening: budget at least 45 minutes.

Security & safety

Serious safety incidents inside the terminals are rare, but opportunistic theft and taxi scams do occur. Sleeping in any airport carries some risk, particularly alone.

1Know where security isBefore settling down, note the nearest security post and look for cameras covering where you plan to sleep. Staff will usually tell you which areas they patrol overnight.
2Do not isolate yourselfIf travelling alone, stay near other passengers or within sight of a staffed desk. An empty corner feels appealing at 2am and is exactly where problems happen.
3Hide your valuablesKeep phones, passports and laptops out of sight. Loop a bag strap around your arm or leg, or sleep with the bag against a wall so zips are not reachable.
4Stay alert if something feels wrongIf you feel uneasy, stay awake and move to a busier area. Coffee is available through the night landside, and you can sleep on the flight.
5Use official transport onlyPre-book a car with driver on bookingMentor or use the official taxi counter. Do not accept a ride from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal, however official they look.
Pro tip: if you sleep in the public landside area, expect an early wake-up. Staff clear seating as the morning check-in waves arrive, usually from around 4am.
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Sleeping at the airport

Workable for an overnight wait but not luxurious. Most seating has fixed armrests, so a mat, inflatable pillow and eye mask make a real difference.

Landside sleep spots

LandsideMain departures hall

The newest and most comfortable space, with wide seating and better lighting control at night. Busiest before the early-morning Gulf departures.

LandsideArrivals waiting area

Benches and open seating, but bright and noisy through the night as flights land. Reasonable for a few hours, poor for real sleep.

LandsideUpper-level food court

Quieter once outlets close. Tables and chairs rather than benches, better for resting your head than lying down.

LandsideTerminal 1 check-in hall

Emptier late at night between domestic waves. Older seating and cooler air conditioning. Bring a layer.

Airside sleep spots

AirsideDeparture gate areas

Quieter once the evening rush clears, with the newest seating in the airport. Announcements continue overnight, so bring earplugs.

AirsideFar gate corners

The gates furthest from the central concourse see least foot traffic. Lighting stays on all night throughout airside.

AirsideTransit hotel

Short-stay rooms for passengers who cannot clear immigration. The only genuinely comfortable option airside.

AirsideLounge recliners

Two lounges have rest areas with recliners and stay open 24 hours, cheaper than a room for a wait of six hours or less.

Rest & relaxation zones

Dhaka Airport has no dedicated free rest or sleep zones of the kind found at Changi or Incheon. A limited number of padded and armrest-free benches are scattered through the newer terminal, but availability varies and they fill quickly during the overnight departure peak. For a reclining seat you need a lounge with a rest area, or the transit hotel.

Cots for sleeping

Cots are not routinely offered to stranded travellers at DAC. If your flight is cancelled or heavily delayed, accommodation is normally arranged by the airline rather than the airport, so speak to your carrier's desk first. Biman and the larger international carriers maintain staffed desks in the departures hall.

Sleep pods, day rooms & transit hotel

When the prospect of a night in a chair is unappealing, these are the paid options for rest and privacy.

Nearest hotel
Opposite terminal
Sleep cabins & pods
Yes
Day rooms
Yes
Free shuttles
Yes

Airport Transit Hotel Airside

International Departures, Airside, no immigration clearance needed

From ৳6,5006-hour block

Short-stay rooms sold in blocks for transit passengers. Private bathroom, air conditioning, and the only place airside where you can properly lie down. Rooms are limited, so book ahead.

Private showerFree WiFi6 / 12 hr blocks

Sleep pods & capsules Landside

Landside, near the arrivals concourse

From ৳2,2004-hour block

Soundproofed single and double capsules with a bed, reading light, power sockets and lockable luggage space. Shared bathrooms.

Luggage lockerFree WiFi4 / 8 hr blocks

Day-use hotel rooms Landside

Hotels within 1–8 km, most with a free shuttle

From ৳4,000Day rate

Several airport-area hotels sell rooms by the day for layover passengers. Worth it above roughly eight hours, provided you can clear immigration.

Free shuttleFull bathroomRestaurant

Layover sightseeing

With eight hours or more between flights and a visa that lets you enter, you can see a meaningful slice of the city. Times are round-trip from the terminal including traffic.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying through Dhaka.
Checked against the airport and airline sources, updated each season.

Getting there

Not before the end of 2026 at the earliest, and only in part at first. The target has moved more than once since the 2023 soft launch, so check the news in the week you fly rather than relying on any date.