With more than 18 million people crowding the streets, Dhaka isn’t exactly a destination for a relaxing break, but it does have lots to offer travellers!
The capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka is one of the busiest cities in the world, with thousands of people, cars and rickshaws cramming the streets.
It may all sound a bit manic, but if you can keep up, there’s a real buzz to visiting Dhaka, which is a modern city which hasn’t lost traces of its history, especially in the Old Dhaka part of town with its beautiful architecture and 17th-century Mughal fort.
Also worth checking out in Old Dhaka is the Shankharia Bazaar, also known as Hindu Street, which is packed with stalls selling all manner of goods.
Ashan Manzil, also known as the Pink Palace is a nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with plenty of temples, mosques and churches to explore too if you get the chance.
There is a much more upscale side to Dhaka as well, of course, especially in the Gulshan and Banani neighbourhoods, which are home to fancy restaurants and bars.
If you fancy seeing Dhaka for yourself, check out our cheap flights here at Globehunters, including first class and business class fares too.
5 Things You Need to Know About Dhaka
If you’re heading to Dhaka, here are five of the most important things to know before you leave:
Time Difference: UTC +6 hours
Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (?)
Native Language: Bengali
Weather: Average temperatures vary from 19°C (January) to 29°C (May), with 87% of annual rainfall falling during the monsoon season (May to October).
Sales Tax: 15%
Flying to Bangladesh from Australia
If you’re flying from Australia to Bangladesh, here’s everything you’ll need to know, including flight times and entry requirements.
Flight Times
Unfortunately, there are currently no direct flights from Australia to Dhaka, so you’ll need to catch a connecting flight, the length of which will vary depending on where you’re travelling from and what stopovers you’ll be making.
For example, a flight from Sydney will take about 16 to 19 hours, while those from Perth could only take around 11 hours.
Entry Requirements
If you’re an Australian citizen, you will need a visa to enter Bangladesh, although you may be able to qualify for a one-month visa-on-arrival.
It’s best to contact the Bangladesh High Commission for the latest information, but don’t leave it to chance and turn up in Dhaka assuming that you’ll be able to get a visa-on-arrival.
You should also ensure that your passport is valid for up to six months from the date you intend to return.
Airlines That Fly to Bangladesh
While no airlines currently offer direct flights to Bangladesh, some of the airlines which offer indirect services include:
- Scoot
- Malindo Air
- Malaysia Airlines
- Thai
- Singapore Airlines
- Virgin Australia
- AirAsia
- China Southern
The Airport
Shahjalal International (DAC)
Hazrat Shahjalal Airport is located about five miles north of the city. There’s a railway station nearby, which will connect you to the central Kamalapur Railway Station, while you can also hire taxis from the airport if you wish, although this will be more expensive.
10 Dhaka Must-Dos
Here are our top ten picks for things to see and do during your trip to Dhaka:
- Lalbagh Fort
- Ahsan Manzil
- Sonargaon
- Sixty Dome Mosque
- Bangladesh National Zoo
- Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban
- Dhakeshwari Temple
- Bangladesh National Museum
- Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
- Shaheed Minar
Book Cheap Flights to Dhaka with Globehunters
So, if you’re looking to experience the buzz of Dhaka, check out our cheap flights to Dhaka from Australia today, including business class and first class flights too.
Our friendly and experienced team can also help you to book hotels and car hire, should you need them, and all bookings are fully ATOL and IATA protected.