Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Dhaka

Dhaka's Charm

Bustling and dusty Dhaka is full of surprises. Historical and cultural gems can be found in Bangladesh's capital city.

Best Dhaka travel seasons

Dhaka has a tropical climate, so it can get very hot and humid. Tropical storms happen between April and June, and the monsoon season lasts from May to September. The best time to travel is from September to March, when the climate is cooler and drier.

Every February the city hosts a world film festival and the Dhaka Art Summit. A photography festival called Chobi Mela also takes place at the end of January. The Islamic festivals of Eid el Fitr and Adha occur each year, and the dates depend on the lunar calendar, which is also the case for the Hindu festival of Kali Puja.

Dhaka facts before you travel

A visa will be needed to enter the country, and a 1 month visa can be applied for at the Bangladesh High commission. Your passport will need to be valid for the duration of your holiday.

Travellers should have vaccinations for Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid, and should perhaps consider jabs for Cholera, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies. There is a low risk of contracting Malaria.

English will be spoken by some locals. The main language is Bengali, but Urdu and Hindu are also spoken in the city.

The cost of living is very low. A meal in a restaurant will cost around Tk 60, which is roughly 50 pence. For more upmarket restaurants, go to Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara.

Local transport and hotels in Dhaka

The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is 20km north of Dhaka. Shuttle buses and a public bus go to the Gulistan bus station in the city centre. The buses can get overcrowded, and run until 8pm. Taxis are available and cost around BDT 400. If there is no meter in the taxi, arrange a price before you leave. The journey takes 30 minutes.

Accommodation is reasonably priced. A room in a cheap hotel will cost roughly Tk 60. A mid-priced room is around Tk 4,100. For short journeys, cycle rickshaws or auto rickshaws may be a quicker option than public buses, which are often overcrowded. Always agree on fares before your journey. Taxis also make for a more comfortable ride. The yellow ones contain air conditioning and prices start from from Tk 25. Road journeys are generally slow due to traffic congestion.