Wondering where to start with a Bangladesh itinerary? Our biggest tip would be not to overthink it. We had an amazing month of travel in Bangladesh and can only say good things about each of the unique destinations that we were lucky enough to visit.
Bangladesh is often overlooked by travellers heading to its larger neighbour, India. But for those who make the effort, the reward is a country of incredible depth. Albeit you won’t find as many ‘sites’ in the traditional (tourist) sense. But you will find a human experience that is unparalleled.
Read on for the ultimate Bangladesh itinerary.
- The Essentials
Money
Safety
Transportation - Our Route in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Itinerary Options
7-Days
14-Days
21-Days - Things To See & Do
- Food to Try in Bangladesh
- Accommodation in Bangladesh
The Essentials: Money, Safety, and Getting Around
Money
The currency is the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). Cash is king here. While Dhaka has ATMs that accept international cards (Standard Chartered and HSBC are the most reliable), once you leave the capital, you must carry enough cash for your entire journey. Credit cards are rarely accepted outside of high-end hotels.
Safety
Contrary to many travel advisories, Bangladesh is safe for travellers. (Hey! We spent one month in Bangladesh travelling all over the country with our kids – and loved it!).
Listen to your gut as always with next tier travel. This is not a country destination for the faint of heart. It is raw – and it can be ugly. But for those of us who seek the adventure, it absolutely ticks the boxes.
The main ‘danger’ is the traffic, which is legendary in its chaos. People are genuinely curious and helpful. But be prepared for “the stare” — in a country with very few tourists, you will be an object of fascination.
Transportation
- Rickshaws: The soul of Bangladesh. Negotiate the price before you hop in.
- CNGs (Tuk-tuks): Best for longer city hops.
- The Rocket Steamer: An iconic, paddle-wheel ferry that plies the route from Dhaka to Barisal. This is back in action after being out of service for a few years.
- River Ferries: A less traditional but functional way to get from Dhaka to Barisal.
- Trains: A great way to see the countryside. But do book ‘S-Chair’ or AC class in advance.
PART I: Choosing a Bangladesh Itinerary
Contemplating a Bangladesh itinerary for travel is like opening a can of worms.
The direction you can take in this country are endless.
But the tricky thing is that many routes around Bangladesh end up stopping back in at Dhaka. (Dhaka is ceremoniously like the beating heart of this incredible country!).
Here’s our slightly jumbled but brilliant one month itinerary for Bangladesh.
- Dhaka > launch > Barisal
- Barisal > minivan > Mongla
- Mongla > minivan > Morrelgonj
- Morrelgonj > launch > Dhaka
- Dhaka > train > Sreemangal
- Sreemangal > train > Sylhet
- Sylhet > flight > Cox Bazaar
- Cox Bazaar > bus > Chittagong
- Chittagong > train > Dhaka
- Dhaka > minivan > Ekduaria
- Ekduaria > minivan > Dhaka
PART II: Bangladesh Itinerary Options
No matter whether you have got one week, 14-days or 21-days in Bangladesh, your itinerary is likely to start in Dhaka. Embrace the capital – but then get out to see the amazing rivers, towns and villages that spiral out from the capital city.
Here are some varied options for different Bangladesh itinerary plans to include the key sights.
7-Day Bangladesh Itinerary
- Day 1-2: Dhaka & Sonargaon
- Day 3-5: The Sundarbans (via Mongla)
- Day 6-7: Bagerhat and return to Dhaka
14-Day Bangladesh Itinerary
- Day 1-3: Dhaka & Narsingdi Village Stay
- Day 4-7: The Southern Circuit (Barisal, Bagerhat, Mongla, Sundarbans)
- Day 8-11: Chittagong & Cox’s Bazar
- Day 12-14: Return to Dhaka via Sonargaon
21-Day Bangladesh Itinerary
- Day 1-2: Dhaka
- Day 3: Sonargaon & the ruins of Panam City
- Day 4-8: The River Route (Rocket Steamer to Barisal, Bagerhat, and the Sundarbans)
- Day 9-11: Chittagong & Cox’s Bazar
- Day 12-16: The Tea Country (Sreemangal & Sylhet)
- Day 17 – 19: Narsingdi (Village life)
- Day 20 – 21: Dhaka
This 21-Day Bangladesh itinerary is very similar to the circuit that we did with one month in Bangladesh. We absolutely recommend it!
It was a real highlight to ride the ferries on the river to and from Barisal. But it was also the best experience of our time in Bangladesh to experience a village homestay from Dhaka in Narsingdi. This was the most unique – and truly incredible – experience of travel in Bangladesh.
If you get the opportunity to stay with Jafar and his family in Narsingdi in an authentic Bangladesh village homestay; do it.
PART III: Things to See on Your Bangladesh Itinerary
These are the highlights of each of the key destinations in Bangladesh.
Dhaka: The Chaotic Heart
Dhaka is a sensory assault. It is loud, crowded, and brilliant. We recommend taking a day or two at the start of your Bangladesh itinerary to get a taste of Dhaka. But then leave yourself a couple of days at the end to enjoy the chaos once you are
- What to do: Take a boat ride on the Buriganga River at Sadarghat. It’s the busiest river port in the world. Visit Lalbagh Fort and the Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace).
- Tip: Don’t try to see too much in one day; the traffic will defeat you.
Sonargaon & Panam City
A short trip from Dhaka, this was the ancient capital of Bengal.
- What to do: Wander through Panam City, an abandoned 19th-century merchant street of crumbling mansions that feels like a film set.
Narsingdi: The Authentic Village Stay
To see the “real” Bangladesh, you must leave the cities. We recommend a village stay in Narsingdi. Staying with Jafar and his family in their home and exploring the rural village was an unforgettable experience in Bangladesh. One we absolutely recommend finding time for on your Bangladesh itinerary!
- What to do: Walk through banana and vegetable plantations, try tea and local village eateries, visit a school and sit by the river as the sun sets. This is where you’ll experience the legendary Bangladeshi hospitality in its purest form.
Barisal: The Venice of the East
Barisal is the gateway to the riverine south.
- What to do: Explore the floating guava markets in the monsoon season. Take small wooden boats through the narrow canals and hop off to visit the local markets.
Bagerhat: The City of Mosques
A UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like an open-air museum.
- What to do: Visit the Shat Gombuj Masjid (Sixty Dome Mosque), built in the 15th century. It is an architectural masterpiece of the Tughlaq style.
Mongla & The Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.
- What to do: Book a boat tour starting from Mongla. You can do a day trip or sleep on the boat and take smaller ‘country boats’ deep into the narrow creeks at dawn to spot deer, crocodiles, and if you are incredibly lucky, a tiger.
Chittagong & Cox’s Bazar
Chittagong is a gritty port city, while Cox’s Bazar boasts the world’s longest unbroken sandy beach (120 km).
- What to do: In Chittagong, visit the Ship Breaking Yard (from a distance, as access is restricted). In Cox’s Bazar, skip the main town beach and head south to Inani Beach for quieter sands.
Sreemangal: The Tea Capital of Bangladesh
Sreemangal is the greenest place in the country, home to endless rolling hills of tea.
- What to do: Cycle through the tea estates. Visit Lawachara National Park and try the famous Bangladesh tea.
- Must Try: The famous 7-layer tea at Nilkantha Tea Cabin.
Sylhet: Highlands and Swamps
Deep in the northeast, Sylhet feels different—more rugged and rainy.
- What to do: Visit Ratargul Swamp Forest, the only freshwater swamp forest in Bangladesh. Take a boat through the submerged trees.
PART IV: The Food — What to Eat in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi food is spicy, oily, and delicious. It’s all about the Bhorta (mashed vegetables/fish with mustard oil and chilies).
There is a whole list of delicious tastes and dishes that await you!
- Biryani: Rice and marinated meat cooked in lots of spices
- Kabab: BBQ chicken roasted to perfection
- Bhaji: Roasted vegetables in a light curry flavour (served at any time of day)
- Kichuri: Rice and lentils seasoned with turmeric and ghee
- Morog Polao (chicken Pilaf): Rice cooked with stock (= amazing!)
- Haleem: Spicy lentil soup
- Shingara: AKA samosa (pastry filled with spiced potatoes, onions, peas)
- Parata: Bengali wheat-flour flatbread often served at breakfast
- Luchi: Deep-fried flatbread with the perfect puff!
- Mishti (sweet): Dahl dessert made with milk and sugar
- Borhani: Thick, frothy yoghurt-like drink
- Jilapi/Jalebi: Deep-fried, sweet snack (crystalised sugar)
- Tea: Drink endless cups of sweet, milky Chai at roadside stalls. It’s the social glue of the country.
PART V – Accommodation in Bangladesh
These are the hotels and accommodation we stayed in during our trip and can recommend.
- Dhaka: Hotel 71
- Barisal: Hotel Grand Park
- Mongla: Hotel Pashur
- Dhaka: Hotel Tropical Daisy
- Sreemangal: Green Leaf Guest House
- Sylhet: Hotel Mira Garden
- Cox’s Bazar: Laguna Beach Hotel
- Chittagong: Well Park Residence Boutique Hotel
- Dhaka: Hotel 71
- Ekduaria Village: Taabu Ekduaria Village Homestay
Read the reviews on booking sites and use Google Maps to check out accommodation and locations before you book.
Final Thoughts
Bangladesh isn’t an easy place to travel, but it is a deeply rewarding one. It’s a place that demands patience and an open heart. If you give it your time, you’ll come away with stories that most travellers will never have.
For more detailed guides on how to stay in a village homestay in Bangladesh or to find a local guide in the Sundarbans, check out our full blog at Away with the Steiners.
Read More About Travel in South Asia
- Train Travel In India: A Complete Guide.
- The Sacred River Ganges: Two Days In Varanasi.
- Crossing The Wagah Border From India To Pakistan.
- Pakistan Travel Guide.
- India Travel Guide.
- Money In India: Using ATM’s.
- How To Use A Squat Toilet: Everything You Didn’t Want To Ask…
- Our Complete Packing List For Travel In India.
More About Travel Planning for Bangladesh and Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before travel in Bangladesh!