Bangladesh Travel Guide

Full Name

People's Republic of Bangladesh

Former Name

East Pakistan

Capital City

Dhaka

Government Type

parliamentary democracy

Area Size

total: 144,000 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +6 hours

Climate

Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Bangladeshi climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June. A warm and humid monsoon season lasts from June to October and supplies most of the country's rainfall. Natural calamities, such as floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and tidal bores occur almost every year, combined with the effects of deforestation, soil degradation and erosion.

Geography

Bangladesh is located in the low-lying Ganges-Brahmaputra River Delta or Ganges Delta. This delta is formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers and their respective tributaries. The alluvial soil deposited by these rivers has created some of the most highly fertile plains of the world.

Languages

Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English

Culture

Bangladesh has a rich, diverse culture, its deep rooted heritage is thoroughly reflected in its architecture, dance, literature, music, painting and clothing. The three primary religions of Bangladesh (Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam) has a great influence on its culture and history.

History

Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.

Travel Information

The national airline is Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG). From London to Dhaka is 9 hours, and from New York is 23 hours. Dhaka International Airport (DAC) (Zia International). The airport is 20km north of the city (journey time – 45 minutes). Biman Bangladesh coaches run regularly. To return, pick up the coach from the Tejgaon old airport building, the Golden Gate or Zakaria hotels. Parjatan Coaches are also available. Bus and taxi services are available to the city. It is usual to give a 5% tip to taxi drivers. It has been known for passengers to suffer harassment at International Airports, even by corrupt officials or unlicensed touts. It is best to arrange pick-up in advance, preferably with the hotel or friends. Airport Facilities are Restaurants, post office, banks, duty-free shops and car hire. Other international airports include Chittagong (CGP) (MA Hannan International Airport) and Syhlet (ZYL) (Osmani International Airport). Departure Tax BDT300. The main seaport is Chittagong. Ferries from Myanmar and India run to the southern coastal ports. Rail connections link Bangladesh with India. Cycle-rickshaw, bus or porter services provide the cross-border connections. Overland crossings include the Benapol-Haridispur border (for Calcutta), the Chilihari-Haldibari border (for Darjeeling) and the Tamabil-Dawki border (for Shillong). The crossing at Benapol is the easiest and most used. It is advisable to check when the frontier posts will be open. Conditions are likely to be difficult during the monsoon season. All other frontier posts between the two countries are currently closed. Overland travel is not currently possible between Bangladesh and Myanmar. A direct daily coach service has recently been introduced between Dhaka and Calcutta via Benapol. For further details, contact Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation.

Accommodation

There are a good number of hotels in the big cities. These include several five-star, four-star and three-star hotels of international standards.

Visa Requirements

Visas are required by citizens from the EU, Australia, Canada and USA except the following: transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Passport valid for three months after departure required by all nationals referred to above. Some tourist and business travellers who do not have a mission for Bangladesh in their country of origin can obtain 30-day visas (for business and investment purposes) on arrival (provided holding letter of invitation from company based in Bangladesh, containing their Tax Identification Number and attestation from Chamber of Commerce or Bangladeshi Government ministries with corresponding passport name and passport number) and also 90-day visas at Chittagong, Dhaka and Zia international airports, provided holding return air tickets and sufficient funds for stay and all documents for next destination. Citizens of countries where there is a Bangladesh Mission must obtain a visa before going to Bangladesh. Prices of visas vary according to nationality; contact the embassy for more details. Validity varies: Three months for Single-entry; Six months for Double-entry and Triple-entry. Twelve months for Multiple-entry. Stays are for a maximum of 90 days each. Apply to Consular section at embassy or high commission.

Getting Around

Internal services are operated by Aero Bengal Airlines, Air Parabat, Bengal Airlift LTD, Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG) and GMG Airlines. 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, Cox's Bazar, Ishwdi, Jessore, Rajshahi and Saidpur. Departure Tax BDT25. Major river ports: Barisal, Chandpur, Dhaka, Khulna 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. Ferries operate between southern coastal ports and the Ganges River delta. Passages should be booked well in advance; for details, contact local port authorities. A ferry operates from Dhaka to Khulna four times a week (journey time – 28 hours). Ferries can often be dangerously overcrowded. A slow but efficient network, operated by Bangladesh Railway, is limited by the geography of the country. Services are being upgraded. However, trains still occasionally derail and passengers have been injured. The main line is Dhaka–Chittagong, with several daily trains, some of which have air-conditioned cars. An inter-city express service is available between main towns. Traffic drives on the left. There are approximately 6,240km of roads, of which 3,840km are paved. Road safety is poor. Traffic is heavy and chaotic in urban areas. There are frequent and often lethal crashes caused by speeding, dangerous and aggressive overtaking, sudden manoeuvres, etc. Vehicles and roads are badly maintained and often unlit; drivers, if in lit vehicles, will often have the light full-beam. In addition to all this, banditry is a problem after dark. It is possible to reach virtually everywhere by road, but given the geography of the country, with frequent ferry crossings being a necessity, together with the poor quality of many of the roads, road travel can be very slow. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) provides a countrywide network of bus services. All major towns are served; fares are generally low. Taxis are generally available at airports and major hotels. Fares should always be agreed upon before travelling. It is usual to give a 5% tip to taxi drivers. Cars may be hired at Dhaka airport, the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Office or from the major hotels. However, in the major cities, it is relatively easy and inexpensive to hire chauffeur-driven cars. There are bus services, which are usually very crowded and unreliable, in Dhaka, provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation. The Central Bus Station is on Station Road (Fulbaria); there are also several other terminals, which are, in general, 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). Conventional taxis are also available.

Health & Safety

Travellers need to take special precautions for; Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, malaria, Tetanus, Typhoid and sometimes rabies. Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt.* A yellow fever certificate is required of all persons (including infants) arriving by air or sea within six days of departure from an infected area, or a country with infection in any part, or a country where the WHO judges yellow fever to be endemic or present; or has been in such an area in transit; or has come by an aircraft which has come from such an area and has not been properly disinfected. Those arriving without a required certificate will be detained in quarantine for six days. All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid all dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Dengue fever, visceral leishmaniasis, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and E are present. Japanese encephalitis occurs. Humidity and pollution in downtown Dhaka, especially at certain times of the year, can cause problems. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If bitten abroad, seek medical advice without delay. Health insurance is essential. Visitors can also be treated at military hospitals. The situation in Bangladesh is calm. However events in Bangladesh can move quickly. Travellers should keep themselves informed of developments, including by regularly checking travel advice and monitoring the news.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year's Day. 20 Jan - Islamic New Year. 21 Feb - International Mother Language Day. 26 Mar - Independence Day. 31 Mar - Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 14 Apr - Bangla New Year. 1 May - Labour Day. 2 May - Buddha Purnima. 10/11 Aug - Shab-e Barat (Ascension of the Prophet). 2 Oct - Durga Puja (Dashami). 20 Oct - Shab e-Qadr (Evening of Destiny). 13 Oct - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 7 Nov - National Revolution Day. 16 Dec - Victory Day (Bijoy Dibosh). 20 Dec - Eid ul-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Currency

Bangladesh Taka (BDT)

Electricity

220/240 V AC

Working Hours

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

Emergency Numbers

199(Ambulance) 9 555 555(Fire) 866 551 3(Police)