Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Dhaka International (DAC): 20 km from the city.
• Full list of airports in Bangladesh with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

There are regular domestic services between Dhaka and several other main towns running at least two or three times a week. Flights are relatively cheap and connect domestic airports such as Barisal, Cox's Bazar, Ishwdi, Jessore, Rajshahi and Saidpur.

Bangladesh has about 8,433 km (5,240 miles) of navigable waterways and water transport. Major river ports include Barisal, Chandpur, Dhaka, Khulna and Narayanganj. Ferries operate between southern coastal ports and the Ganges River delta and a ferry operates from Dhaka to Khulna 4 times a week with a journey time of 28 hours. However, visitors should be aware that ferries can often be dangerously overcrowded.

There is also a slow but efficient rail network, limited by geography but with river ferries providing through links. The main line is Dhaka?Chittagong, with several daily trains. An inter-city express service is available between main towns. It is worth noting that trains occasionally derail and passengers have been injured.

There are approximately 6,240 km (3,877 miles) of roads in Bangladesh, of which 3,840 km (2,386 miles) are paved. However, traffic is heavy and chaotic in urban areas and road safety is poor. Vehicles and roads are badly maintained and often unlit and there are frequent lethal crashes caused by speeding, sudden manoeuvres, dangerous and aggressive overtaking, and other practices. In addition, banditry is a problem after dark. Cars may be hired at Dhaka airport, from the major hotels or from the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Office. However, in the major cities, it is relatively inexpensive to hire chauffeur-driven cars.

Taxis are generally available at airports and major hotels; fares should always be agreed upon before travelling and drivers expect a 5% tip. In addition to conventional taxis, there are also an estimated 10,000 independent 'auto-rickshaw' 3-wheeler taxis operating in Dhaka. Visitors should however avoid night-time use.

There is a countrywide network of bus services serving all major towns, with relatively low fares. Buses and bus stations do not generally have signs in English.