Bangladesh is a Southern Asia nation in Asia, with Dhaka as its capital and home to around 161,356,039 people. The currency is the Bangladeshi taka (BDT). The main language is Bengali. From its landscapes and cities to its cuisine and traditions, Bangladesh offers travelers a distinctive slice of the world to explore.
Capital
Dhaka
Population
161.4M
Currency
Bangladeshi taka (BDT)
Languages
Bengali
Timezone
GMT+6
Calling code
+880
Bangladesh has a rich history shaped by its position in Asia and the cultures of Southern Asia, leaving a legacy visible in its landmarks, cities and traditions today.
Culture in Bangladesh is expressed through its food, festivals, music and daily rhythms — a warm invitation to experience local life first-hand.
November–March for cooler, drier conditions in most regions
Most foreigners require some kind of valid visa to enter Bangladesh, though many are eligible for a 30-day visa on arrival (see section below). It's often recommended to instead apply for a visa in advance if possible, even if you're eligible for a visa on arrival (VOA), because it leaves you less at the mercy of border officials, who could decline your VOA on a whim and ruin your whole trip as soon as you fly into Dhaka. However, this kind of denial seems to be uncommon – at least in the experience of Western tourists. Depending on the details though, an advance visa may also be useful for st…
The currency of Bangladesh is the Bangladeshi taka, denoted by the symbol "Tk" or "৳" (ISO code: BDT). Wikivoyage uses Tk to denote the currency. One taka is divided into 100 poysha. Coins in Bangladesh are issued in denominations of ৳1, ৳2 and ৳5. Banknotes in Bangladesh are issued in denominations of ৳2, ৳5, ৳10, ৳20, ৳50, ৳100, ৳200, ৳500 and ৳1,000.
===By plane=== Air travel in Bangladesh is very affordable and convenient. There are airports in all of the division capitals as well as Jessore, Cox's Bazar and some other small cities. The national carrier is Biman Bangladesh Airlines. It is commonly known as Biman locally. Most of the domestic airports are served by either Biman Bangladesh Airlines or their private competitors. As of 2019, Novoair, Regent Airways and US-Bangla Airlines are the main private airlines offering excellent domestic and international flights. Novoair is the latest airline to join the club and has Embraer jet aircr…
The national and official language of the country is Bengali (Bangla), which is written in its own script. It is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family like Hindi and Urdu. Bengali grammar is fairly regular (nouns are not gendered, the language has few to no exceptions), but the most difficult aspect of the language is the script. Bengali has up to hundreds of consonant clusters, which can be difficult to comprehend and write.
Dial 999 from any Bangladeshi mobile phone number or landline for police, fire or ambulance in case of any emergency. Bangladesh is a country full of friendly and open-minded people. But some people may find ways to exploit a foreigner or tourist. See common scams and pickpockets for some of their methods. Apply common sense precautions, such as not walking around unnecessarily or alone after dark in abandoned alleys. Also, if you do find yourself in trouble, create some noise and draw the attention of others who are almost certain to come to your aid. Foreigners, particularly Caucasian, will…
===Telephone=== The country code for Bangladesh is 880. Add a 0 to make a call to any Bangladesh city or region outside the national capital. It is not possible to access international information (directory assistance) easily. If you need international directory assistance, check the Internet telephone directories. You can also dial 17 or 16402 from any landline for operator assistance provided in Bengali. Or dial 121 from any Bangladeshi mobile phone for operator assistance in both English and…
=== Things to avoid === Bangladeshis will understand that you are not fully aware of what's considered appropriate/inappropriate in their country, and they will usually be tolerant of your blunders. This said, there are some things which will be met with disapproval and you should avoid doing the following during your stay in the country.
Practical guidance for Bangladesh is summarised from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Always confirm official visa, health and safety requirements before you travel.
A suggested loop connecting Bangladesh's major cities by proximity — a practical order for a multi-city trip.
Estimated total (your figures)
$3,160
≈ $1,580 per person · $451 per day
This tool only multiplies the numbers you enter — no prices are assumed.