Travel Bangladesh
Hiding behind the TV news images of cyclones and floods is a lush land with a rich history. Visit archaeological sites dating back over 2000 years, check out the longest beach and the largest littoral mangrove forest in the world, and see the decaying mansions of 19th-century maharajas. The country also offers tribal life in different parts of the country who have upheld their tradition and custom dating back thousands of years.
Getting there
To/From Dhaka (Zia) International Airport, there are plenty of international flights.
Indeed, many travellers use Dhaka as the gateway to the Indian subcontinent to take advantage of cheap fares
from Europe. Thailand and India are the main destinations for flights in and out of Bangladesh.
The situation with overland crossings to/from India is troublesome. The main crossings are at Benapole-Haridispur (on the Kolkata route) and Tamabil-Dawki (on the Shillong route). The other small border crossing points to India are Hili-Balurghat, Godagari-Lalgola and several other border crossings.
Overland routes between the subcontinent and Myanmar have been closed since the early 1950s. Even if the border was to be opened in the future, it's likely that all the formerly commutable roads across the frontier have long since been devoured by the jungle. The Myanmar army has also planted landmines along the border.
A change of route permit is required for travellers who entered Bangladesh by air but leave by land.
Getting around
Internal transport in Bangladesh is cheap. Air Conditioned luxury coaches link the major cities within
the country, with some of them travelling as far as Kolkata (India). A cheaper option of low fare buses
are also available which do not guarantee seat reservation, therefore the foreign travellers should
stay away from cheap services unless they are keen to taste the traditional Bangladeshi rat race for
bus seats in overcrowded bus stations.
Bangladesh Airlines (Biman), the national carrier, has daily flights from Dhaka to Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. There are four private airlines operating on the domestic routes in Bangladesh. They are GMG airlines, Best Air, Royal Bengal Airlines and United Airways.Flights are cheap but are still more than three times the 1st-class train fares.
Bangladesh has a fairly extensive system of passable roads. Bus drivers in Bangladesh are among the world's most reckless whereas trains are a lot easier on the nerves, knees and backside, and those plying the major routes are actually quite good, at least in 1st class and air conditioned compartments. However, travelling by rail between Dhaka and west is quite complicated for three reasons: unbridged rivers requiring crossing by ferry, circuitous routing, and differing gauges between the east and west sections of the country.
The distinguishing feature of internal travel in Bangladesh is the presence of a well-developed and well-used system of water transport, though travelling by boat is slow and dangerous due to poor safety measures. A trip to Bangladesh which does not include taking a trip down a river is like going to the Alps and not skiing or hiking. The famous 'Rocket' paddlewheel steamer runs from Dhaka to Khulna four times a week, but there are plenty of other fascinating ferries to catch.
Self-driven cars are not available for rent in Bangladesh. It is, however, inexpensive to hire chauffeur-driven cars in major cities. In cities you'll find rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, which are inexpensive once the compulsory bargaining process is completed. In the capital Dhaka air conditioned luxury coaches are available for the commuters at relatively cheap fare. There are also two types of taxi service available in the major cities: Yellow Cab and Black Cab. Yellow cabs are airconditioned and black cabs are non a/c. It is advisable to travellers not to travel on cabs unless they know the route as, like any other country, the cabbies in Bangladesh will take you for an expensive city tour before taking you to your destination.
Where to stay
Dhaka, the capital city, attracts most amounts of visitors, mostly businessmen, hence the city has really wide range of accommodation for the travellers. There are four world class 5 star hotels in the city, Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Radisson Waterfront Hotel and Westin Hotel. More information about accommodation in Bangladesh can be found on Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Website.
Passport and Visa
Restricted entry: The government of Bangladesh refuses admission and transit to nationals of Israel.Passports: Passport valid for 3 months after departure required by all.
Visas: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bhutan, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Guyana, Honduras, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Montserrat, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Uruguay, Vatican City and Zambia for stays of up to 90 days.
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey the same for first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
(c) tourist and business travellers arriving at Zia international airport, Dhaka and Shah Amanat international airport, Chittagong provided holding return air tickets, who may be granted 'landing permission' by the Chief Immigration Officer for stays of up to 15 days.
British Nationals of Bangladeshi descent: Visas are not required for former Bangladesh nationals holding British passports provided they have the statement "No visa required for travel to Bangladesh" stamped in their passport by the Bangladesh High Commission. Please also note any foreign visitor overstaying the allotted period may be charged a fine for each day of overstay.
Types of visa: Entry, Visit, Tourist . Entry visas may be issued for short conference or journalistic trips (although not for business trips).
Validity: Single- and Double-entry: 6 months from date of issue.
Multiple-entry: 6-12 months from date of issue. Stays are for a maximum of 90 days each.
Visa application to: Consular Section at Embassy or High Commission.
Application requirements:
(a) Valid passport.
(b) 2 completed application forms.
(c) 2 passport-size photos.
(d) Fee.
(e) Letter from employer or other relevant letters for business and conference trips.
Time required: 24 hours for a single-entry visa; 48 hours for other types of visa. 7-10 days for postal applications.
Travel Facts:
Capital: DhakaLanguage: Bangla (English widely spoken and understood)
Currency: Taka (1 Taka= 100 Paisa)
Country dialing code: +880
Weights & Measures system: Metric
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
