Bangladesh: main airports
Bangladesh is served by Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the capital, the country's main air entry point, as well as Chittagong, the country's main port, and Sylhet, a tea plantation region.
Bangladesh: recommended activities
Bangladesh: visa and entry requirements
Most Western nationalities (EU, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia) get a tourist visa on arrival in Dhaka or through the online system, generally valid for 30 days; it is nonetheless advisable to apply for the visa in advance through the official portal (visa.gov.bd) to avoid queues on arrival. A hotel booking and a return ticket are required. The passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity.
Bangladesh: safety
Bangladesh requires above-average attention: occasional political protests and strikes (hartal) can cause sudden disruptions to traffic, especially in Dhaka; it is advisable to check the situation before travelling and avoid demonstrations. Dhaka's traffic is among the most chaotic in the world: allow plenty of time for transfers. In tourist areas, violent crime against foreigners is rare, but petty theft/pickpocketing is common in crowded areas.
Bangladesh: health situation
A yellow fever certificate is required only for those arriving from a country at risk of transmission. Routine vaccinations plus hepatitis A, typhoid, and possibly Japanese encephalitis and rabies depending on the itinerary are generally recommended. Malaria and dengue risk is present in various areas, including some parts of Dhaka during the rainy season: mosquito protection is recommended. Drink only sealed bottled water. Dhaka's health facilities vary greatly in quality: the capital's private hospitals are generally reliable for emergencies, but insurance with medical repatriation is strongly recommended given the distance from Western standards in public facilities.
Bangladesh: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Bangladeshi taka (BDT); credit cards are accepted at international hotels and upmarket restaurants in Dhaka, but cash remains necessary in most everyday situations. Uber operates in Dhaka, along with the local app Pathao, also widely used for motorbike taxis. The main phone operators (Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink) sell prepaid SIM cards, generally with biometric registration in-store. Driving is not recommended for visitors due to the chaotic traffic and very different driving conventions: most travellers rely on local drivers.
