Bangladesh, the world’s biggest river delta is extremely cheap to visit while offering incredibly beautiful natural landscapes. Before reading this article you should know this is my motherland. You will find authentic information in this beautifully crafted ultimate Bangladesh Travel Guide.
Note that I will try to keep this article short and informative. Don’t hesitate to contact me before making a trip to Bangladesh. You can bookmark this Bangladesh travel guide, as I will update it whenever necessary.
Let’s learn Bengali language before making a trip. Here are 120+ Bengali Phrases specially designed for Travelers
Let’s Know Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a small country full of mesmerizing natural beauty. Around 171.2 million (2022) people live in this 148,4602 km country where the majority of them are Muslim (90%) and a significant minority is Hindu (about 8%). This peaceful country is focusing on rapid development by maintaining peaceful relations, avoiding war with Myanmar, and helping over 960,000 Rohingya Refugees. Other things are the official language is Bengali, and the Currency is Taka (৳) (BDT).
Visa requirements to travel to Bangladesh
Almost all nationals require a VISA to enter Bangladesh. It would be a better idea to get a visa before arrival in Bangladesh. Here is a list of on-arrival visa-required countries. You can apply for a visa from here.
Top 30 Places to Visit in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has many tourist spots scattered throughout the whole country. But I picked some of the most beautiful and must-visit spots to complete this Bangladesh Travel Guide. Now let’s know the beauty of Bangladesh before making a trip.
Best time to visit Bangladesh
Cooler months are the peak time in Bangladesh and the best time for those who want to visit comfortably as the temperature remains 15°C to 26°C (59°F to 79°F).
October to February: The Peak Tourist Season
- Weather: Cold and dry, with minimal or no rainfall.
- Activities: Perfect for sightseeing in Dhaka, exploring the Sundarbans (home to the Royal Bengal Tiger), visiting Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest natural sea beach, and Island hopping especially Saint Martin Island.
May to September: Wet Season
- Weather: Heavy rainfall and high humidity, with occasional flooding.
- Activities: Lush green landscapes are at their best, but travel can be challenging due to rains and potential floods. This is the best time for those who want to explore waterfalls and see mist and clouds play from Sajek Valley, Nilachal, and Marayong Tong Hills.
Avoid visiting Bangladesh from February to April. Because this time nature loses its beauty as almost all leaves fall from the tree and grow new leaves.
How much does it cost to travel to Bangladesh?
A budget traveler can complete one day with $15. Travelers who want to want more comfort can expect around $30-$60/Day. You should add $10 when transferring between divisions.
Transportation Costs of Bangladesh
Train: You can check the train schedule, routes, and ticket prices from Bangladesh Railway. There are three major train routes that you will need while visiting Bangladesh. Dhaka <=> Chattogram a 9-hour journey costs $10 for an AC chair; Dhaka <=> Sylhet a 6.5-hour journey costs $8 for an AC chair and Chattogram <=> Sylhet a 8.5-hour journey costs $10-$15 for an AC chair. Other chairs cost around $4-$6 but only your guide may able to manage a ticket.
Bus: When it comes to bus service I prefer Green Line and Shohag. The ticket price is slightly higher than the train. A journey from Dhaka to Chattogram costs around $10-$15 and Dhaka to Sylhet costs around $7-$10. You can check and book a bus ticket from Shohoz.
Other vehicles: You can rent a car for around $50-$120 for 4-10 passengers per day. Rikshaw will cost you $0.3 for 2 KM. You can expect to pay $0.10 per kilometer for a CNG.
Accommodation Costs
If you Book online from Booking.com it may cost from $20-$50 for two people. You can also book directly by visiting hotels which may cost around $5-$30/Person depending on the location and hotel quality. The provided prices are for Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Saint Martin. Other places offer cheaper accommodation options.
Cost of Meals in Bangladesh, $4-$10/Day
Breakfast: If you are a budget traveler and want to eat in a local restaurant, it will cost you $0.60-$1.20. For those who want to spend more can budget around $1-$3
Lunch: You can expect to spend $2-$6 depending on your choice. If you want to eat regular Bangladeshi meals you can include Two plates of Rice, One fried Egg, and One chicken or Beef or Fish curry for lunch. The other option is that you can take a Biriyani as lunch which may cost $1.5-$4.
Dinner: It’s up to you how you want to eat at night. For me, I eat lite to stay healthy which costs me around $0.70 to $1.20. I shared the value of menus in Bangladesh to give you a better idea about the cost.
Values of products and Services
- Restaurant Bread (Paratha) (1 piece): $0.10 or 10 Taka
- Rice (Bhat): $0.15 per plate
- Fried Egg: $0.30
- Fried Gram (Dal Bhaji): $.25
- Vegetable Curry (Sobji): $.25
- Chicken Curry: $0.80-$1.20 depending on the restaurant and its location
- Beef Curry: $1.5 – $3 depending on the restaurant and its location
- Fish Curry: $0.6 to $3 depending on the fish you choose
- Delicious Biryani: $2.5-$4
Cost of Internet in Bangladesh
Purchase a SIM only from the airport which will cost you around $50. I suggest you take an International SIM cause purchasing a Bangladeshi SIM requires a lot of paperwork.
Health and Safety Precautions
- Ensure you are up to date on routine vaccines and consider additional ones like hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and tetanus.
- Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and sleep under mosquito nets to avoid mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria.
- Drink bottled or purified water to prevent waterborne illnesses.
- Be aware that you might encounter fraud at the airport and occasionally at tourist destinations.
- Purchase an insurance policy.
Things to know before visiting Bangladesh
- You should dress properly to respect culture and religions.
- Ask permission before taking photos of people, especially in rural areas or at religious sites.
- There are 3 Major areas in Bangladesh that contain almost all popular tourist spots.
- Rice, Fish curry, Biryani, Pitha (traditional cakes), and sweets like Rasgulla and Sandesh are popular dishes in Bangladesh.
- Be prepared for heavy traffic, especially in Dhaka.
- Remember ticket prices for foreigners are higher than for locals, but still, they are cheap.
- Prepare to be a celebrity in Bangladesh.
Advice for visiting during popular festivals
Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are the most celebrated Muslim festivals marked by prayers and community gatherings. Pohela Boishakh is a Bengali New Year, celebrated with fairs, music, and traditional foods. The major Hindu festival is Durga Puja, celebrated with grandeur in October.
It’s not advisable to visit during popular holidays if it is not mandatory. During these days, the street stays over-crowded, the price goes higher and the most important is you have to struggle to find accommodation and transportation tickets.
Where to exchange currency in Bangladesh?
First, you will exchange currency from the Airport, and then almost every ATM supports major international cards like Mastercard, VISA card, and American Express. Ensure your card is enabled for international transactions and be aware of any fees your home bank may charge. You can also exchange from Banks and some popular hotels.
Power Plug Adapter
Bangladesh supports almost all kinds of plug types with a voltage of 220V. You don’t need to worry about this. You will find universal plugs in almost every hotel. If not you can buy one for $0.5-$1. What you might need is a 3-pin to 2-pin converter.
Some other Recommendations and Advice
- Take advice from Bangladeshi Facebook groups. There are many active groups available with locals who can help you at any time by providing authentic information.
- If you are short on time you should consider visiting Chattogram and Sylhet first.
- You should inform local authorities before entering the Deep Forest of Bandarban as there is an active terror group named Kuki Chin with the help of some foreign organizations.
- Visit Sundarbans by cruise from Sadarghat, Dhaka
- Use rickshaws and CNGs for short distances. For longer trips, consider trains or buses.
- Book your accommodations in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
- Carry some cash as card acceptance can be limited in rural areas.
- When you meet people do a handshake.
- Respect wildlife habitats, especially in sensitive areas like the Sundarbans.
- Learn some basic Bengali phrases for seamless communication.
- Bengali people are very friendly to foreigners
- Loadshedding is a common problem in Bangladesh so don’t forget to pack a power bank.
Best Things to Do in Bangladesh
- Visit Sundarbans, the world’s largest Mangrove Forest, home to the elusive Bengal tiger.
- Relax at the world’s longest natural sea beach, Cox’s Bazar
- Discover the Chittagong Hill Tracts
- Wander through Sylhet’s Tea Gardens
- Try hilsa fish curry, fuska, biryani, and sweet treats like Rasgulla, Chanamohi, and Sandesh.
- Relax on a traditional boat while enjoying the scenic beauty of one of Bangladesh’s major rivers.
Read these articles to be more secure during your trip:
- 60 Pre-Travel Checklist Every Traveler Should Know
- 20 Stress-Free Travel Tips: Journey with Peace of Mind
- 20 Amazingly Affordable Travel Activities
I hope you got what you needed to know. If you follow this Bangladesh travel guide, your journey will be smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable. I will try to update this post to provide you with up-to-date information continuously. Bookmark this article for future needs and follow us on social media.
