Osmani International Airport serves Sylhet, a city in northeastern Bangladesh surrounded by green tea plantation hills, about 10 km from the city center.
It is the country's third-busiest airport, with strong connections to the large British-Bangladeshi community originating from the region.
How to get to Osmani International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to ZYL
Parking near Osmani International Airport
The official parking is situated directly in front of the terminal.
Parking prices remain average, not steep.
How to get to Sylhet from ZYL
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Osmani International Airport
Car rental options are limited; many visitors arrange tea plantation tours through local operators.
Keep driver's license, passport, and credit card on hand.
Hotels near Osmani International Airport
Airport Road and Khadimnagar
The Grand Sylhet Hotel & Resort is right on Airport Road in Khadimnagar, a few minutes by car from the terminal.
Best for: One-night stopovers and early-morning departures.
- The city's first 5-star hotel-resort, with a panoramic pool and spa — rare to find this much comfort so close to an airport in Bangladesh
- No risk of city traffic to get to check-in
- Isolated area: outside the resort there are no restaurants or shops within walking distance
- With 235 rooms also geared toward conferences and events, it can get crowded on weekends with fairs and weddings
Zindabazar and the historic center
Zindabazar is about 9 km from the airport; you get there by taxi or CNG in 20-30 minutes depending on traffic, with no dedicated train or bus — it's best to agree on the fare before getting in.
Best for: Travelers who want the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, the Keane Bridge, and Sylhet's historic center, accepting a 20-30 minute transfer.
- A few minutes' walk from the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal and the Keane Bridge, the city's two main landmarks
- More restaurants and shops within reach than the airport area
- No direct train or bus link with the airport: only taxi or motorized rickshaw
- Some reviews note minor amenities missing compared to what's described online
Recommended hotels
- Grand Palace Hotel & Resort Sylhet On Jallarpar Road in Zindabazar, a 15-minute walk from the Keane Bridge and the Osmani Museum: an indoor pool and spa, rare in the center of Sylhet. View availability
- Grand Mostafa Hotel Ababil Right at Dargah Gate, a short walk from the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal and a 15-minute walk from the Keane Bridge. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is adequately sized for its role as Bangladesh's third-busiest airport, with significant traffic to the UK given the large diaspora from the region.
To avoid complications, plan to arrive 3 hours early for international flights.
Map of Osmani International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Why is Sylhet known for tea?
The region is home to extensive tea plantations amid green hills, among Bangladesh's most striking landscapes, visitable on organized tours from Sylhet city.
Q. Why does Sylhet have such a strong link with the UK?
A large community from the region emigrated to the United Kingdom over the course of the 20th century, creating a bond that remains very strong today, reflected in direct flight connections.
Q. Do you need a visa for Bangladesh arriving in Sylhet?
Yes, but most Western nationalities (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia) can get one on arrival or via the online visa.gov.bd portal, generally valid for 30 days: the same rules apply at any entry airport, including Sylhet.
Q. Is Sylhet Bangladesh's third airport?
Yes, by passenger numbers, after Dhaka and Chittagong.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights