Away With The Steiners

10 Bangladesh Travel Tips For A Smooth(er) First Trip. 

Sarah Steiner

Wondering about travel in Bangladesh?  It is an incredible destination and an exciting place for travel in South Asia.  Here are some essential Bangladesh travel tips to make for a fantastic first time.

Like much of South Asia, Bangladesh is off the main tourist trail and in parts it can be a wee bit challenging to navigate as a traveller. 

But with some tips – and a little inside traveller-heads-up – Bangladesh is about to be the most epic of travel experiences you have ever encountered. 

Here are 10 practical tips on travelling to Bangladesh to help you pack, plan and know what to expect when you arrive.

What are the most important Bangladesh travel tips? 

Well, here we go.  

In no particular order but each with equal importance, here are 10 top Bangladesh travel tips to ready you with confidence and gusto for your first time.

1. Let yourself embrace the chaos of Dhaka – and Bangladesh

I’m sure you’ve seen the photos of crowded train rooftops and images of the bustling chaos of Dhaka.  Which albeit is one of the largest megacities in the entire world. 

But there is something loveable about the colours and chaos of Dhaka – and Bangladesh. 

I reckon one of the first tips for travel to Bangladesh is to let go of that concern for overwhelm and chaos and for as much as you can, embrace it.  That is the best way to enjoy it! 

Though I’m not going to lie. 

Dhaka is not for the faint hearted. 

But it is incredible. 

Pineapples at the market in Dhaka travel in Bangladesh tips.
Welcome to Bangladesh by the way.

2. Get a SIM Card – Bangladesh Travel Tips 

We all rely so much on the internet these days.  In Bangladesh, its useful for navigating, translating, booking accommodation and activities.  Plus having mobile data is genuinely the best way of capturing all the incredible sights and sounds to share back home and on social media.  

Hotels and accommodation in Bangladesh do (mostly) have WIFI (it’s not that outdated).  But the truth is we need mobile data and it will make your Bangladesh adventure more relaxing (ha!) and enjoyable. 

The three biggest communications operators in Bangladesh are: 

Grameenphone has a counter selling SIM cards as you exit customs at Dhaka Airport (even for a night time flight).  

When we landed in Dhaka there were no ATM’s working but I exchanged $20 USD and was able to buy two SIM cards with Grameenphone each including 12GB of data. 

It’s easy to top up (they call it ‘recharge’) your SIM card at many small street shops.  Just get familiar with the Grameenphone logo and keep an eye out for it.  

If you handover your phone the shopkeeper will top it up the old-fashioned way by calling in to Grameenphone and recharging your desired amount to your account.  

You can then choose from a list of data or calling packages.

The other alternative is to get an eSIM for Bangladesh and activate it ready to go when you arrive. 

A Grameenphone store at Chittagong Railway Station – look out for the logo to recharge anywhere.

3. Negotiate and haggle – but fairly 

Negotiating prices and bargaining at the markets and with drivers and guides is all part and parcel of travelling to Bangladesh.  

But as a respectful traveller there is a responsibility to uphold to be fair.  

Bargain where appropriate.  But don’t begrudge a few rupees to someone who is after all far worse off than you.

Learn the prices by asking locals or observing before negotiating with auto-rickshaw drivers and market vendors to make sure the price is fair for all parties. 

Don’t begrudge a few Taka haggling where it is not needed.

4. Be mindful of customs and etiquette

Bangladesh is still very much a traditional culture.  Though there are different religions practised in Bangladesh, Islam is the largest and the state religion of the country. 

As for travel to any Islamic countries, it is always wise as a traveller to err on the side of caution with regards to modesty, female-to-male interactions and to learn a few basic etiquette customs.

You aren’t expected to learn about them all in detail.  But as a traveller there are a few tips for travelling to Bangladesh that can help you smoothly act respectfully.

Shaking hands is a standard business greeting between men, but outside metropolitan regions, men and women rarely shake. 

That is a friendly handshake with our son. I’m sure of it!

More about customs and etiquette in Bangladesh

Only ever use your right hand. The same rule applies when passing things to people – including money.

For eating, many of the smaller places that serve locals don’t offer cutlery. People eat with their hands. It is likely you will be offered cutlery in tourist and city establishments; don’t worry.  But it is polite and expected to eat only with your right hand. 

Albeit personal space isn’t a popular concept in Bangladesh.  You will be squished on public transport and squashed while queued in lines at sites. 

Locals stare a lot.  Like a LOT.  People ask questions about your age or marital status. Or why your hair is that colour.  Which admittedly can feel intimidating and far from what is culturally appropriate to question at home.  

But this is Bangladesh remember.  It is a wholly different culture. For the most part the questions are indicative of the local’s polite interest in you. 

If you get invited to someone’s home (which is a real honour), bring a small gift for the host.  Flowers or sweets are always a safe bet. 

It’s polite to eat and drink what you are offered, even if you don’t really fancy it.

Trying Mishti at a small village restaurant complete with cutlery – and staring!

5. Dress Modestly – Bangladesh Travel Tips

Bangladesh is a traditional, conservative Muslim country. As a traveller and a visitor it is best to follow this dress code when considering what to wear in Bangladesh.

Most men and women in Bangladesh wear traditional clothing. 

Local women dress conservatively and are fully covered. You don’t need to wear specific or traditional clothing yourself.  But as a traveller, it’s important to respect the culture and dress modestly. 

In some regions of Bangladesh, and in some rural areas the women traditionally dress more conservatively.  In these cities it is common to see women wearing burqa (full-body garment) or niqab (face veil). 

Women are not required to wear a hijab (headscarf) in Bangladesh. 

As seen from our taxi in Dhaka; a veiled local woman with a black Abaya on a cycle rickshaw.

6. Choose food and drink carefully and confidently

No doubt the first piece of advice from all well-meaning friends and family when you first mention travelling anywhere in South Asia is about food.  

Travel in this part of the world is righteously synonymous with Delhi Belly.  Which I agree is a valid Bangladesh travel tip to share for sure. 

But you can smile with poised self-assured confidence. It isn’t in fact part of the parcel of guaranteed Bangladesh travel woes.  

There are ways to avoid getting sick. 

These are some of the red-flag foods to steer clear of for your best chance of how to avoid Delhi Belly.

Note though that this Bangladesh travel tip is not about avoiding the food!  Rather than miss out – or be afraid – be mindful of food and drink choices.  

Street food and friendly vendors are everywhere.

7. Get out of the city – Bangladesh Travel Tips

Theres no doubt about it.  Dhaka is enormous and is officially one of the largest ‘megacities’ in the world. 

A megacity is a very large city, typically with a population of more than 10 million people.  Which as a traveller is undoubtedly a lot of people to embrace on a first visit. 

But the beauty of travel in Bangladesh is that it is a large country geographically too. 

There are many smaller cities and towns that are technically – even amidst the population of hundreds and millions – off the beaten track. 

It is a worthwhile tip for travelling to Bangladesh to take heed and get out of Dhaka.  

Do visit Dhaka too.  But we recommend the smaller cities like Sylhet, Sreemangal, Barisal or Mongla too.  

Rural life is a whole different ball game in Bangladesh.

8. Plan travel in advance 

An essential Bangladesh travel tip is to plan your travel in advance.  Especially for river launch trips, train travel and accommodation in Bangladesh – these can get booked out well in advance. 

It might sound obvious, but also the further in advance you make reservations the less you’ll pay for your train or launch ticket too.  

Millions (literally) of people travel across Bangladesh daily on public transpor. So train tickets get snapped up quickly.  Like travel in India, reservations for the railways in Bangladesh go on sale 120, 90 or 60-days in advance of travel so it pays to book early.  

We also found accommodation in Bangladesh notably more expensive than Pakistan, India or Nepal.  Which I’m guessing is because it is yet still blissfully off the main tourist trail as far as South Asia destinations. 

With some accommodation you can change dates within the month of your travel.  But it is worth figuring out your desired itinerary in advance. Even if you do make changes or circumstances change closer to the time. 

For launch travel and train tickets you might need to enlist the help of a tour agency or travel guide to book on your behalf. 

Taking a launch is an awesome experience; but you do need to book in advance.

9. Get a guide – at least for the first day – Bangladesh Travel Tips

Agreeably, Dhaka is an enormous city and Bangladesh destinations for travel branch off by river or rail in all different directions.  

It takes a bit of navigating to find your feet.  Especially if you are only in the city for a few days and wanting to maximise sightseeing before heading out to rural Bangladesh. 

We did some exploring on our own.  Though the best days out we had were with local guides – Jafar and Ontu – in Dhaka and Barisal, Mongla and Sundarbans. 

Their care and knowledge was outstanding.  

Choosing a guide for travel or tours in Bangladesh

Of course it is more expensive to travel with a guide for any length of time.  But I really do think as a Bangladesh travel tip it is worth the money to get the most out of your time in the country. 

So yes, I recommend a day tour to settle in and see the best of things to do in Dhaka first.  

Ontu from Trip2Bangladesh was amazing organising our trip on the ferry from Dhaka to Barisal including Mongla, Sundarbans and Kulhna. His knowledge of the history of Bangladesh and South Asia is incredible! 

Jafar is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide for city tours of Dhaka and the neighbouring ancient city of Sonargaon too. 

I highly recommend a day tour of things to do in Dhaka including the historic sights, bazars and fascinating huge ship breaking yards.

Contact Ontu or Jafar directly – you will not be disappointed!

It’s busy and some places are just better with a guide who knows where to go.

10. Get travel insurance – Bangladesh Travel Tips

Don’t be a fool.  One of the most important tips for travelling to Bangladesh – or anywhere for that matter – is to always get travel insurance. 

It’s best to buy travel insurance as soon as you make your first booking.  This ensures you’re covered if you need to change or cancel any of your plans before you travel. 

Make sure you are covered for emergency evacuation and for any adventure activities you plan to get involved in.

I don’t know personally from experience in Bangladesh.  But in India, most private clinics and hospitals require payment ahead of treatment. Which can be a lot depending on the situation!  

Have you read our story of getting Dengue Fever in India and being hospitalised in New Delhi?  We had been travelling for more than five years fulltime and on the very last day (literally) before flying home to New Zealand we were out searching for a hospital in Delhi. 

Fortunately, we had great travel insurance. (This is who we use).  It made it a smooth process to change flights and pay for four nights of hospital treatment as an inpatient in Delhi.  

So what are the most important Bangladesh Travel Tips? 

Essentially, these are the best tips on travelling to Bangladesh to ensure you have the absolute best experience.  

Overall trust your gut.  Enjoy Bangladesh! 

Travel in Bangladesh is incredible.

Accommodation and where to stay in Bangladesh 

In a country that is shamelessly renowned for being a budget destination. I would say that for us the cost of accommodation in Bangladesh came as a surprise. 

Albeit we didn’t exactly rough it.  So, I can’t give insight to budget hostels and dorm style accommodation in Bangladesh. 

But we realised that as a family, accommodation options offered the greatest disparity in our budget.  

We did stay one week in a homestay with Jafar in his village – which by the way, was an amazing experience.  

These are the other hotels we stayed in during our one month of travel in Bangladesh.  

Despite being above our usual budget, Hotel71 was a good first landing point and place to stay in Dhaka when we first arrived.

One of two bedrooms in our family suite at Hotel71. 
A triple room in Hotel Tropical Daisy.

Read more about travel in South Asia

More about planning for travel in Bangladesh and beyond

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

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