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City guide

Dhaka

Dhaka, formerly spelled as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. 6 million, Dhaka is the second largest city by population in the world, and is widely considered to be the most densely populated built-up urban area in the world.

Type CityPopulation 36,600,000

Why go

  • Capital and largest city of Bangladesh.
  • Served by Agartala - Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA).

History

Dhaka, formerly spelled as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. With an estimated population of 36.6 million, Dhaka is the second largest city by population in the world, and is widely considered to be the most densely populated built-up urban area in the world. Dhaka is an important cultural, economic, and scientific hub of Eastern South Asia. Dhaka ranks fourth in South Asia and 55th in the world in terms of GDP. Lying on the Ganges Delta, it is bounded by the Buriganga, Turag, Dhaleshwari and Shitalakshya rivers. It is also the largest Bengali-speaking city in the world.

Airports

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) 8.8 km to the centre
Dhaka, C, BD — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 29 airlines (Biman Bangladesh Airlines, United Airways, Rainbow Air Polynesia, Viking Hellas…) · direct flights to 33 destinations incl. Bangkok, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Chittagong, Kathmandu… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 29 airlines, 33 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Agartala - Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA) 88 km to the centre
Agartala, TR, IN — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 5 airlines (IndiGo Airlines, Spicejet, Air India Limited, Air Sahara…) · direct flights to 3 destinations incl. Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 3 direct destinations
  • IndiGo Airlines 6E (A320) · 3 routes: Guwahati, Imphal, Kolkata
  • Spicejet SG (737) · 2 routes: Guwahati, Kolkata
  • Air India Limited AI (A319) · 1 route: Kolkata
  • Air Sahara S2 (ATR 72) · 1 route: Kolkata*
  • Jet Airways 9W (ATR 72) · 1 route: Kolkata*

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Comilla Airport (CLA) 89 km to the centre
Comilla, B, BD — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Tejgaon Airport 1.7 km to the centre
Dhaka, C, BD
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

FDC
Ferry terminal · 1.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Police Plaza
Ferry terminal · 2.9 km from the centre
Outdoor
Rampura
Ferry terminal · 3.4 km from the centre
Outdoor
Gulshan Lake
Ferry terminal · 3.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Gabtoli Landing Station
Ferry terminal · 5.8 km from the centre
Outdoor
Chairman Ghat, Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 5.8 km from the centre
Outdoor
Dhaka-Chandpur
Ferry route
Outdoor
Nouka
Ferry route
Outdoor
Beraid - Nawra Boat route
Ferry route
Outdoor
Barisal to Dhaka
Ferry route · BIWTC
Outdoor
Hularhat to Dhaka
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Agartala - Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA); 3 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: DAC has direct flights to 33 destinations on 29 airlines (incl. Bangkok, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Chittagong, Kathmandu…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: FDC, 1.7 km); routes include Dhaka-Chandpur, Nouka, Beraid - Nawra Boat route.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Dhaka. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

Rail operator

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Tours & experiences