Travel to Bangladesh

Flying to Bangladesh

Flights to Bangladesh are serviced by the national airline is Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG) (www.biman-airlines.com).

Flight times:

From London to Dhaka is 12 hours, and from New York is 23 hours.

Departure tax:

BDT800-2,500 depending on destination, included in the price of the air ticket.

Other airports in Bangladesh

Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport

Airport Code: CGP. Location: Website: http://www.caab.gov.bd/adinfo/airports.html. Public transport description: N/A

Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Airport Code: DAC. Location: The airport The airport is 20km (11 miles) north of the city (journey time - 45 minutes). Website: http://www.caab.gov.bd. Public transport description: Biman Bangladesh coaches run regularly in both directions. Taxis and Parjatan coaches are also available.

Osmani International Airport

Airport Code: ZYL. Location: Website: N/A. Public transport description: N/A

Travel by rail

A direct, twice-weekly Kolkata to Dhaka service was reintroduced in 2008 – the distance covered is 538 km and the service is called Maitree (Friendship) Express, it is run by both the Indian and Bangladeshi railways. For other non-direct rail connections, cycle-rickshaw, bus or porter services provide the cross-border connections.

Getting to Bangladesh by boat

The main seaport is Chittagong. Currently, there no international passenger routes to and from Bangladesh.

Source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bangladesh/travel-by

Getting around Bangladesh

Air: 

 

Internal flights in Bangladesh are operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines (www.biman-airlines.com), GMG Airlines (www.gmgairlines.com) and United Airlines (www.uabdl.com). Regular flights are run between Dhaka and several other main towns. These are cheap, and most routes are served at least two or three times a week. Airline buses connect with terminals.

Domestic airports include Barisal, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Jessore, Rajshahi and Sylhet.

Departure tax: 

BDT50.

Side of road: 

Left

Road quality: 

Traffic is chaotic in urban areas and road safety is poor.

There are frequent crashes caused by speeding and dangerous driving.

Frequent river crossings make cross-country journeys lengthy.

Car hire: 

 

Not recommended, although cars may be hired at Dhaka airport or from major hotels. It is better to hire a car with driver.

Taxi: 

 

Available at airports and major hotels. Fares should always be agreed upon first.

Documentation: 

 

International Driving Permit required. Minimum age is 18.

Getting around towns and cities: 

 

There are bus services, which are usually very crowded and unreliable, in Dhaka, provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation. The Central Bus Station, known as Fulbaria or Gulistan, is on Station Road in the city centre; there are several other terminals for long-distance services. Buses and bus stations do not generally have signs in English. There are also an estimated 10,000 independent 'auto-rickshaw' 3-wheeler taxis (avoid night-time use) and cycle rickshaws are ubiquitous. Conventional taxis are also available.

Rail: 

 

A slow but efficient network, operated by Bangladesh Railway (tel: (2) 935 8634; www.railway.gov.bd), is divided into two halves, eastern and western by the great rivers that themselves divide the country. River ferries provide through links. Services are being upgraded. However, trains still occasionally derail and passengers have been injured. The main line is Dhaka-Chittagong (Bangladesh’s second city), which offers a good train service with several daily trains, some of which have air-conditioned cars. An inter-city express service is available between main towns. There is no train service to Cox’s Bazaar (Bangladesh’s prime beach resort).

By water: 

 

Major river ports: Barisal, Chandpur, Dhaka, Khulna, Mongla and Narayanganj.

The country has about 8,433km (5,240 miles) of navigable waterways and water transport, if a little slow, is the least expensive method of getting around Bangladesh. Passages should be booked well in advance; for details, contact local port authorities. River services are operated by the Bangladesh Inland Waterway Transport Corporation (tel: (2) 955 9779; www.biwtc.gov.bd), which runs 'Rocket' ferries and launches on a number of routes. A ferry operates from Dhaka to Khulna six times a week (journey time - 28 hours). Ferries can often be dangerously overcrowded.

Source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bangladesh/getting-around

Bangladesh Food and Drink

There are good restaurants in Dhaka and main towns around the country. Western food can be found in some hotels and large restaurants. The availability of alcohol is extremely limited outside leading hotel bars.

Specialities: 

 

• Curries such as korma, bhuna, masala gosht and dahl usually served with rice or chapati.
• Shami kebab made with minced meat.
• Fish dishes include fresh and smoked hilsa and bhetki.
• Chotpoti (a stew of chickpeas, potatoes, eggs and spices).
• Misti dhohi (sweetened yoghurt).

Regional drinks: 

 

Cha (milky sweet tea).
Lassi (yoghurt drink).
Coconut water.



Source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bangladesh/food-and-drink

Bangladesh Shopping and nightlife

Shopping in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is famous for its pink pearls. Handloom fabrics, silks, printed saris, coconut masks, bamboo products, mother-of-pearl jewellery, leather crafts, wood and cane handicrafts and folk dolls are popular purchases. Duty-free shops are available in Dhaka and international airports and most hotels have their own shopping arcades.
In Dhaka, the Aarong store (part of a chain of outlets, which is an enterprise of BRAC – the largest non-governmental development organization in the world) is an excellent one-stop-shop for buying local, ethically produced products. Pottery, brass, Nakshikantha (a traditional form of embroidery) and Jamdani sarees are all for sale. There is also a branch in Chittagong.

There are several malls in Dhaka, Bashundhara City is especially popular, it houses 1,500 shops and has many food outlets and a multiplex cinema.

Shopping hours: 

 

Generally Sat-Thurs 0900-2000, Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-2000 (shops in tourist districts often stay open later).

Nightlife in Bangladesh

Leading hotels have bars, but Western-style nightclubs do not exist. The Westin hotel in Dhaka has a bar that offers live music and an open-air terrace. The Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel offers disco nights and the Balcony Bar which serves imported drinks. The Radisson Water Garden Hotel has the ‘Blaze Entertainment Lounge and Bar’ which has some offerings of live entertainment and billiards. Some of the international clubs are a good choice for drinks and entertainment, the Nordic Club for example is a good choice, but you need to be a member or to be invited.
Displays of local dance and music are occasionally to be seen, particularly during religious festivals. Traditional theatre can be seen in major cities and the Dhaka City Corporation has opened a modern theatre hall called Dhaka Mahanagor Natya Mancha. Traditional cultural performances may also be seen at Dhaka's Shilpakala Academy.


Source:  http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bangladesh/shopping-nightlife

Bangladesh things to see and do

Things to see and do

Archaeology

 

Explore the archaeological sites of Paharpur, Mahasthanagarh and Sherpur, close to the town of Bogra in the country's northwest.

Bagerhat

 

Visit the town of Bagerhat in the southwest near Khulna, where there are many historic mosques in the surrounding area. The 15th-century Shait Gumbad, the so-called 'Sixty-domed' Mosque, is the most well known. There are other impressive brick-built mosques nearby.

Beaches

 

For beaches head to Kuakata, a newly developed tourist resort on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh in Barisal Division. The wide sandy beach here is an ideal vantage point from which to watch the sun rise and set, it is also (currently) less-developed and more serene than the crowded conditions to be found at Cox’s Bazaar.

Boat trips

 

Take an overnight boat trip on the Rocket paddle-wheel boat service that plies the river between Dhaka and Khulna or Mongla to the south, an excellent and inexpensive way to get a feel for the country. Contic Cruises (www.contic.com) are a riverboat specialist company that offer good value, comfortable cruises from Dhaka downstream along the Turag river.

Chittagong

 

Chittagong, the second largest city in Bangladesh, is a port city, set against the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal and surrounded by green forests, coconut groves and sandy beaches. Attractions include the Ethnological Museum, the 17th-century Shahi Jama-e-Masjid Mosque, the colourful multi-domed Chandanpura Mosque and the Tomb of Sultan Bayazid Bostami. Foy's Lake, an artificial lake named after the Englishman responsible for its design, is located 8km (5 miles) from Chittagong, and is a popular picnic site. Chittagong is also a good base from which to explore the Rangamati Hill District, famous for its beautiful flora and lakes and the predominantly Buddhist tribal culture.

Dhaka's attractions

 

In Dhaka, the historic city and capital of Bangladesh (north central), visit the uncompleted 17th-century Lalbagh Fort, the stately Ahsan Manzil Palace and Museum (sometimes called the Pink Palace), the Chota Katra and some of its many mosques. There are several museums of note in the capital including – the Liberation War Museum, the National Museum and the Science Museum, also of interest is the Botanical Garden, which is adjacent to the zoo and covers 205 acres.

Inani Beach

 

The world's longest and broadest beach, Inani Beach, is just south of Cox's Bazar, a thriving regional tourist centre and beach resort in the extreme southeast of Bangladesh.

Maheskali Island

 

Make the boat trip from Cox's Bazar across to Maheskali Island with its mixed Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist population. Take a rickshaw up the hill to the Hindu Adinath temple, from where there is a good panoramic view of the island.

Old Dhaka

 

In the capital, explore the hectic bazaars of Old Dhaka and the crowded waterfront area around Sadarghat. For a sense of the country's troubled history, visit the National Museum and the Liberation War Museum. The Baitul Mukarram Mosque which lies where the old and new city meets, is the 10th biggest in the world with a capacity of 30,000. It is worth a visit to see how the unusual architecture (there is no traditional dome) reflects Bangladesh’s modern interpretation of Islam.

Rajendrapur National Park

 

Go birdwatching in the Rajendrapur National Park, about 50km (31 miles) north of the capital, which is noted for its varied birdlife. There's also the Madhupur National Park and Game Sanctuary, situated about 160km (99 miles) from Dhaka.

Sonargaon

 

Less chaotic than Dhaka, Sonargaon, lies about 25km (15 miles) southeast of the capital and offers some respite. It was the capital of the region between the 13th and early 17th centuries and the area retains a number of historical buildings that include semi-derelict Hindu mansions and a folk-art museum.

Sundarbans National Park

 

The elusive Royal Bengal tiger can be found in the Sundarbans National Park, a lush coastal area of Khulna Division that contains the largest mangrove forest in the world. Deer, monkeys and a great variety of birds are also found here.

Sylhet

 

In Sylhet pay a visit to the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, a 14th-century Sufi mystic. This is one of the holiest sites in the country and pilgrims come from all over Bangladesh to pay their respects. Many ethnic minorities reside in this region, including the Manipuri and Khasi groups, which are two of the larger populations.

Sylhet Division

 

Take an excursion to Sylhet Division, northeast of Dhaka, known as 'the land of two leaves and a bud' because of its long tradition as a tea-growing area. The best known estates are found close to the town of Srimangal.

Tamabil

 

Take in the splendid views at Tamabil, a border outpost on Sylhet-Shillong road, from where spectacular waterfalls across the Indian border can be seen. Zaflong is another scenic spot nearby, set amidst tea gardens and beautiful hills.

Watersports

 

An excursion to Kaptai Lake in the Rangamati Hill District, east of Chittagong, offers opportunities for sailing, swimming and fishing as well as an opportunity for a glimpse at Chittagong Hill Tracts tribal culture.


Source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bangladesh/things-to-do

Bangladesh: Doing business & staying in touch

Doing business in Bangladesh

Lightweight suits or shirt and tie are recommended. Suits are necessary when calling on Bengali officials. Business cards are given and usual courtesies are observed. Visitors should not be misled by the high illiteracy rate and low educational level of most of the population. Given the opportunity, Bangladeshis prove to be good businesspeople and tough negotiators.

Office hours: 

 

Sun-Thurs 0900-1700 and 0800-1430 (government offices).

Economy: 

 

Overcrowded Bangladesh depends mainly on subsistence agriculture, which suffers frequent and severe damage from cyclones and flooding. Due to a worldwide decline in the demand for jute (formerly an important export), Bangladesh has become more dependant on earning foreign income from the manufacture of textiles. There are reserves of natural gas and low-grade coal, which meet the bulk of domestic energy requirements.

Bangladesh continues to rely heavily on foreign aid, which derives from a variety of sources coordinated by the World Bank-led 'Paris Club' of donors. A continuing problem is corruption - Bangladesh is widely recognised to be among the worst offenders.

GDP: 

 

US$89 billion (2009).

Main exports: 

 

Garments, jute and jute goods, leather, tea and seafood.

Main imports: 

 

Machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, and foodstuffs.

Main trading partners: 

 

Exports to: USA, Germany, UK and France; Imports from: India, China and Singapore.

Keeping in Touch in Bangladesh

Telephone: 

 

Public telephone booths are located at the principal marketplaces and in post offices in the main towns.

Mobile phone: 

 

Coverage is limited to main towns.

Internet: 

 

Public Internet services exist in the main towns and there are also a few Internet cafes, usually with slow connections. Some hotels in Dhaka and Chittagong offer Internet access (mainly to guests).

Post: 

 

Airmail takes three to four days to Europe; surface mail can take several weeks. Post boxes are blue for airmail and red for surface mail. Post offices are closed on Fridays.

Media: 

 

The main broadcast media in Bangladesh, Radio Bangladesh and BTV Bangladesh Television, the national television channel, are state-owned and favourable to the Government. Little coverage is given to the political opposition, except in the run-up to general elections when a caretaker Government takes control. Although BTV remains the country's sole terrestrial TV channel, private satellite-delivered TV stations have established a presence.

The constitution guarantees press freedom, but journalists are subject to regular harassment from the police and political activists. Bangladeshi newspapers are diverse, outspoken and privately owned. English-language titles appeal mainly to the educated urban elite. The authorities sometimes withdraw foreign publications from circulation over articles or images considered malicious or offensive.

Source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bangladesh/business-communications

Bangladesh Weather, climate and geography

Weather & climate

Best time to visit: 

 

Hot, tropical climate with the monsoon season lasting from late May to October. Temperatures are highest from mid-March to May. Rainfall averages over 2,540mm (100 inches). The cool season is between November and early March. The country is prone to widespread flooding and is also a high-risk earthquake zone.

Required clothing: 

 

Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Warmer clothes are needed in the evenings during the cool season. Waterproofs are necessary during the monsoon season.

Geography

The People's Republic of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, is bordered to the west and northwest by West Bengal (India), to the north by Assam and Meghalaya (India), to the east by Assam and Tripura (India) and by Myanmar (Burma) to the southeast. The landscape is mainly flat. A large part of Bangladesh is made up of alluvial plain, caused by the effects of the two great river systems of the Ganges (Padma) and the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) and their innumerable tributaries. In the northeast and east of the country, the landscape rises to form forested hills. To the southeast, along the Burmese and Indian borders, the land is hilly and wooded. About 7% of the country's area is under water and flooding occurs regularly.

Source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bangladesh/weather-climate-geography