Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is Bangladesh's primary gateway and its only airport with an extensive network of international connections, located approximately 18 km north of central Dhaka, a capital with over 20 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area.
It ranks among South Asia's fastest-growing airports, with a new terminal (T3) opened recently to handle increasing traffic.
How to get to Dhaka / Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to DAC
Parking near Dhaka / Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
The official parking area, on multiple levels, is positioned in front of the terminal.
It is not supervised by dedicated staff but is video-monitored; rates are not widely published online but are modest compared to international standards: check the amount at the cashier.
How to get to Dhaka from DAC
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Dhaka / Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Several international and local car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, though self-drive rental is not widespread among foreign visitors given the complexity of local traffic.
The vast majority of visitors opt for a car with driver, bookable through the hotel or major international platforms. Bring driver's license, passport and credit card in the driver's name if you choose self-drive anyway; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally required for foreign visitors.
Hotels near Dhaka / Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Uttara and Airport Road
The Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport is about 800 meters from the terminal (18 minutes on foot, just a few by shuttle), inside the same civil aviation compound on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway; the Hyatt Place Dhaka Uttara is about 10 minutes by car on Jashimuddin Road; the Le Méridien, on Airport Road in Nikunja, is about 3 km and a few minutes from the terminal.
Best for: One-night stopovers and departures before 7am, when every minute in Dhaka traffic counts.
- All three properties stay clear of the heavy traffic that clogs the road toward Gulshan or the center
- The Le Méridien offers an infinity pool and spa, a level of comfort rare so close to an airport in Bangladesh
- Uttara and Nikunja are residential and commercial districts: for the evening, options are the Jamuna Future Park shopping mall and the hotel restaurants
- The Crowne Plaza only opened recently (2026), so available reviews are still few
Recommended hotels
- Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport by IHG About 800 meters from the terminal, inside the civil aviation compound on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway: it's the hotel closest to the runways in all of Dhaka. Opened in 2026, with an outdoor pool and 4 restaurants. View availability
- Hyatt Place Dhaka Uttara On Jashimuddin Road in Uttara, about 10 minutes by car from the terminals: outdoor pool, gym open 24 hours, and two restaurants, including Zing World of Flavors. View availability
- Le Méridien Dhaka On Airport Road in Nikunja, about 3 km from the terminal according to Marriott: 304 rooms, a panoramic infinity pool and spa, next to a golf course. View availability
Gulshan and Baridhara
Gulshan is about 12 km from the airport, but with Dhaka traffic the trip realistically takes 45-90 minutes, more during evening rush hour; Baridhara, slightly closer, is about 5-6 km away.
Best for: Travelers with a day or more in Dhaka who want restaurants, nightlife, and the diplomatic quarter, accepting a long transfer that depends on traffic.
- Embassies, international restaurants, and evening venues are within walking distance of both hotels
- Baridhara is slightly closer to the airport than the heart of Gulshan
- Between the airport and this area, traffic can exceed an hour during peak periods, a risky choice for dawn flights
- Outside the upscale hotels and restaurants, the area is geared more toward business than tourism
Recommended hotels
- The Westin Dhaka On Gulshan Avenue, in the heart of the diplomatic and business district of Gulshan 2, a short walk from the US embassy and the area's international restaurants. View availability
- Ascott Palace Dhaka At House 14, Road 6, Block K, in the diplomatic area of Baridhara, just 100 meters from Gulshan-Baridhara Lake and about 5.25 km from the airport — closer to the runways than the rest of this area. View availability
Hatirjheel, the elevated expressway
About 15 minutes via the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, which connects the terminal directly to this area without passing through the surface traffic of Uttara or Gulshan.
Best for: Travelers who want a central hotel with a fast, predictable link to the airport, bypassing most of Dhaka's surface traffic.
- Fast, reliable connection to the airport, a rare exception to Dhaka's traffic rule
- Views over Lake Hatirjheel and a location halfway between old and new Dhaka
- The area is built for offices and hotels: in the evening you need to move elsewhere to find independent bars or restaurants
- As soon as you leave the elevated expressway for other parts of the city, traffic goes back to being like the rest of Dhaka
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The new Terminal 3, opened to absorb traffic growth, complements the older T1/T2 terminals mainly reserved for domestic flights and some international services. From check-in to gate you generally walk 10-15 minutes in T3.
During peak traffic times, customs and security can slow things down: for international flights, 3 hours' buffer is advisable.
Map of Dhaka / Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do you need a visa for Bangladesh?
Yes, for most Western nationalities: you can apply online in advance at visa.gov.bd or, in some cases, get one on arrival in Dhaka with a hotel reservation and return ticket. Applying in advance avoids queues at the airport.
Q. How long does it take to reach central Dhaka from the airport?
Even though the distance is only 18 km, Dhaka's traffic is among the most intense in the world: allow 45-90 minutes, which can double during rush hours (8-10am and 5-8pm).
Q. Is it safe to get around Dhaka on your own?
Tourist areas and international hotels are generally safe with normal precautions, but occasional political protests (hartal) can suddenly block traffic: check on the day's situation before heading out.
Q. Is it worth renting a self-drive car?
Not recommended: the traffic and local driving conventions are very different from Western standards. Almost all visitors opt for a car with driver, bookable through the hotel.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights