Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), the main ways into central Dhaka are taxis, ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Pathao, and hotel pickups. Traffic can be very heavy, so allow plenty of time. Chittagong (CGP) is the second-city airport. Agree the fare or use an app rather than paying an unmetered price.
- Airport
- Hazrat Shahjalal (DAC)
- Into city
- Taxi, Uber/Pathao, hotel pickup
- Note
- Heavy traffic, allow time
- Use an app or agree the fare in advance
- Chittagong (CGP) serves the second city
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
In Dhaka, city transport includes local buses, CNG auto-rickshaws (green three-wheelers running on natural gas), cycle rickshaws and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Pathao. Dhaka now also has a metro (MRT Line 6). Buses and rickshaws are cheap but can be crowded and slow in heavy traffic; apps offer clearer pricing.
- Options
- Bus, CNG, rickshaw, apps
- Metro
- Dhaka MRT Line 6
- Note
- Cheap but crowded in traffic
- Agree CNG/rickshaw fares before you set off
- Ride-hailing apps offer clearer pricing
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Dhaka uses the Rapid Pass smart card, which works on the metro (MRT Line 6) and on participating buses. You can also buy single-journey metro tickets from station machines. Top up your Rapid Pass at stations. Local buses, CNGs and rickshaws are still usually paid in cash.
- Card
- Rapid Pass
- Works on
- Metro and some buses
- Cash
- Still used for CNG/rickshaw
- Single-journey metro tickets sold at station machines
- Top up the Rapid Pass at stations
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Bangladesh drives on the left. Self-drive rental is uncommon for visitors; hiring a car with a local driver is the usual choice and takes the stress out of dense, unfamiliar traffic. Roads can be congested and driving styles assertive, so allow extra time. Within cities, ride-hailing apps or CNGs are often more practical than a car.
- Drives on
- The left
- Usual choice
- Car with a driver
- Note
- Congested roads, allow time
- Self-drive is uncommon for visitors
- In cities, apps or CNGs are often more practical
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Between cities, options are long-distance AC coaches, Bangladesh Railway trains and domestic flights. Trains link Dhaka with Chittagong, Sylhet and other cities; book intercity train tickets online in advance. AC coaches are widely available and comfortable. River travel by launch (ferry) is also common in this delta country.
- Bus
- Long-distance AC coaches
- Rail
- Bangladesh Railway
- River
- Launch (ferry) travel
- Book intercity train tickets online in advance
- River launches are common in the delta
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights save time on longer routes and help you avoid heavy road traffic. Common routes run from Dhaka to Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and other cities, operated by Biman Bangladesh and private carriers. Flights are short and fares are usually reasonable; book ahead for the best prices on popular routes.
- Routes
- Dhaka to Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet
- Why
- Save time, avoid road traffic
- Carriers
- Biman & private airlines
- Flights are short; book ahead for best fares
- Useful for reaching Cox's Bazar quickly
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Allow plenty of time in cities, as traffic in Dhaka can be very heavy. For clear pricing, prefer ride-hailing apps or agree the fare on a CNG or rickshaw before you start. Carry small notes for buses, rickshaws and CNGs. Book intercity trains and popular flights ahead, and keep offline maps handy.
- Traffic
- Allow plenty of time
- Fares
- Use apps or agree first
- Cash
- Carry small notes
- Book intercity trains and popular flights ahead
- Keep offline maps handy