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How to Travel within Bangladesh
Major cities i.e. Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Jessore, Saidpur and Cox's Bazar are connected by air with Dhaka. Airlines and GMG Airlines serve these destinations.
Rail
The Bangladesh Railway provides an efficient service to places of interest such as Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Jessore, Khulna, Bogra via many other Towns starting from Dhaka. The intercity Express Services are available to and from important cities at cheap fares. For further details please contact Bangladesh Railway, Dhaka, Phone 880-2-8315857, 409341-45.
Bus/Coach Services
Road transport in Bangladesh is predominantly a private sector affairs. Rates are among the cheapest in the world. Express and non-stop services are available to principle towns from Gabtoli, Saidabad and Mohakhali bus terminals in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also maintains a country-wide network of bus services. Recently they have introduced Dhaka-Calcutta direct daily bus services for the visitors via Benapole, Jessore (360km. Journey). For further details please contract BRTC Dhaka. Phone: 880-2-9555553, 9555786-8.
River
Country made boats is the most widely used carries one see in the rivers and rivulets. These carry passengers and merchandise on a large scale. The landscape of Bangladesh is dominated by about 250rivers which flow essentially north south. The Bangladesh mainly operate mechanized water transport Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), which runs ferry and launch services on the main routs. There are also services from Dhaka (Sadargat) to Khulna, the gateway to Sundarbans is a rewarding experience even though the journey time is approximately 28 hours. BIWTC, Dhaka, Phone: 880-2-9551548, 9555031-6.
Car Rental
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) has a fleet of air conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars, microbus and jeeps. Beside they offer transfer service for tourists between Dhaka airport and main city points/hotels. For booking and other details Rent-a-car, Ph 880-2-8119193, 8117855-9/116. Private car hire services is also available at Rajdhani Tours, Dhaka. Ph 880-2-501263, Dhaka Tours Ph: 880-2-408499, 500979. Parjatan's Rent-a-car is cheaper compared to other countries.
Taxis
Private taxi service is available in some major cities. Make sure that the driver has a clear idea of your destination. Most drivers understand English. It is possible to agree on the rate before commencing the journey if the taxi is a non-metered one.
How to Reach
Bangladesh can be reached by air from any part of the world. Biman Bangladesh Airlines connects Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet with 26 major cities of the world. International carriers like British Airways, Thai Airways, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, Singapore Airlines, Pakistan international Airways, Cathay Pacific, Indian Airlines, Emirates, Gulf Air, Druk Air, Aeroflot, Myanmar Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Uzbek Airways, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Srilanka Air and Malaysian Airlines fly to and from Dhaka. For further details please contact Bangladesh Biman, Dhaka (Phone: 880-2-9560151-81, 8917400) and also contact concerned airline offices.
Airport Embarkation Fee
Taka 300.00 per person per journey abroad. Children under 2 years and passengers in transit the same day by the first availabl aircraft are exempted. For domestic flights the rate of airport tax is Taka 25,00. In addition, Bangladesh national traveling abroad are required to pay Travel Tax of Taka 1800.00 for North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Australia and Far East Countries; Taka 600.00 for SAARC member countries and Taka 1300.00 for the remaining countries. Tax on air ticket for domestic journey is Taka, 50.00.
Customs
Tourist can bring in free of duty personal wearing apparel and other personal effects exclusively meant for their own use including jewellery worth Taka 3000.00 and gift items worth Taka 500.00.
Baggage Rules
Non-tourist passenger (including) Baggage Rules amended up to 13th November 1994 is as follows:
Any item brought as baggage, but not falling in the category of personal and household effects is subject to the payment of customs duty, value-added tax and supplementary duty.
Any passenger arriving by air or see carrying with him handbag, cabin bags. Or two suitcases up to 32 inches in length or two cartoons, bags or sacks weighting not exceeding 65kg irrespective of size containing personal and household effects shall be exempted from customs, value added and supplementary taxes. Personal and household effects brought in suitcases in excess of the allotted two suitcases are subject to the payment of customs duty, value added and supplementary duty. However, books, magazines and educational items if brought in a third suitcase can also be cleared duty-free.
Any item brought as baggage in commercial quantity is subject to payment of customs duty, value added tax and supplementary duty.
Bangladesh citizens are not permitted to import alcohol or alcoholic beverage and cigarette as baggage. But only foreign national can import one bottle or up to 1/6 gallon of spirituous beverages that is spirits, wines, beer and 200 sticks of cigarettes without customs duty.
A Bangladesh citizen residing abroad providing he submits a personal undertaking that the microcomputer will be re-exported within three months can import a microcomputer on returnable basis.
A passenger may import as baggage some items on payment of fixed amount as customs duty value added tax and supplementary duty.
Currency Regulation
A tourist may bring in any amount of foreign exchange in the from of Traveler's Cheque, foreign currency notes or foreign currency instruments provided he makes a written declaration at the time of entry in the Currency Declaration From (From FMJ) obtainable from the customs at the port of entry. However no declaration is required for bringing I of foreign exchange up to 5000 US Dollars by foreign tourists. While leaving Bangladesh a tourist can take out the unspent balance of the foreign currency brought in.
Passport & Visa requirements
Valid passport is required for nationals of all countries for visit to Bangladesh. However, passports are not required for the holders of identity certificate, laissez passers issued by United Nations and its affiliated bodies, continuous Discharge Certificate/Nullies/Seaman Book (Travelling on duty to join or repatriate from ship) issued by any country recognized by Bangladesh. Foreign passport holders of Bangladesh origin do not require visa provided their passports are stamped "No Visa Required" by Bangladesh Mission abroad.
Visas are required for national of all countries with the following exception: Bhutan, Barbados, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Congo, Cyprus, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, Seara Leone, Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Greneda, Papua New Guinea, Seychelis, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Mauritstus, Malawi, Maldives, Singapore, Swaziland, St. Kitts and Nevis, Ghana, and Gabon. No Visa required means that no visa is required for stay in Bangladesh up to 90 days only. For Further extension of stay permission is desirable.
Major cities i.e. Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Jessore, Saidpur and Cox's Bazar are connected by air with Dhaka. Airlines and GMG Airlines serve these destinations.
Rail
The Bangladesh Railway provides an efficient service to places of interest such as Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Jessore, Khulna, Bogra via many other Towns starting from Dhaka. The intercity Express Services are available to and from important cities at cheap fares. For further details please contact Bangladesh Railway, Dhaka, Phone 880-2-8315857, 409341-45.
Bus/Coach Services
Road transport in Bangladesh is predominantly a private sector affairs. Rates are among the cheapest in the world. Express and non-stop services are available to principle towns from Gabtoli, Saidabad and Mohakhali bus terminals in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also maintains a country-wide network of bus services. Recently they have introduced Dhaka-Calcutta direct daily bus services for the visitors via Benapole, Jessore (360km. Journey). For further details please contract BRTC Dhaka. Phone: 880-2-9555553, 9555786-8.
River
Country made boats is the most widely used carries one see in the rivers and rivulets. These carry passengers and merchandise on a large scale. The landscape of Bangladesh is dominated by about 250rivers which flow essentially north south. The Bangladesh mainly operate mechanized water transport Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), which runs ferry and launch services on the main routs. There are also services from Dhaka (Sadargat) to Khulna, the gateway to Sundarbans is a rewarding experience even though the journey time is approximately 28 hours. BIWTC, Dhaka, Phone: 880-2-9551548, 9555031-6.
Car Rental
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) has a fleet of air conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars, microbus and jeeps. Beside they offer transfer service for tourists between Dhaka airport and main city points/hotels. For booking and other details Rent-a-car, Ph 880-2-8119193, 8117855-9/116. Private car hire services is also available at Rajdhani Tours, Dhaka. Ph 880-2-501263, Dhaka Tours Ph: 880-2-408499, 500979. Parjatan's Rent-a-car is cheaper compared to other countries.
Taxis
Private taxi service is available in some major cities. Make sure that the driver has a clear idea of your destination. Most drivers understand English. It is possible to agree on the rate before commencing the journey if the taxi is a non-metered one.
How to Reach
Bangladesh can be reached by air from any part of the world. Biman Bangladesh Airlines connects Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet with 26 major cities of the world. International carriers like British Airways, Thai Airways, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, Singapore Airlines, Pakistan international Airways, Cathay Pacific, Indian Airlines, Emirates, Gulf Air, Druk Air, Aeroflot, Myanmar Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Uzbek Airways, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Srilanka Air and Malaysian Airlines fly to and from Dhaka. For further details please contact Bangladesh Biman, Dhaka (Phone: 880-2-9560151-81, 8917400) and also contact concerned airline offices.
Airport Embarkation Fee
Taka 300.00 per person per journey abroad. Children under 2 years and passengers in transit the same day by the first availabl aircraft are exempted. For domestic flights the rate of airport tax is Taka 25,00. In addition, Bangladesh national traveling abroad are required to pay Travel Tax of Taka 1800.00 for North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Australia and Far East Countries; Taka 600.00 for SAARC member countries and Taka 1300.00 for the remaining countries. Tax on air ticket for domestic journey is Taka, 50.00.
Customs
Tourist can bring in free of duty personal wearing apparel and other personal effects exclusively meant for their own use including jewellery worth Taka 3000.00 and gift items worth Taka 500.00.
Baggage Rules
Non-tourist passenger (including) Baggage Rules amended up to 13th November 1994 is as follows:
Any item brought as baggage, but not falling in the category of personal and household effects is subject to the payment of customs duty, value-added tax and supplementary duty.
Any passenger arriving by air or see carrying with him handbag, cabin bags. Or two suitcases up to 32 inches in length or two cartoons, bags or sacks weighting not exceeding 65kg irrespective of size containing personal and household effects shall be exempted from customs, value added and supplementary taxes. Personal and household effects brought in suitcases in excess of the allotted two suitcases are subject to the payment of customs duty, value added and supplementary duty. However, books, magazines and educational items if brought in a third suitcase can also be cleared duty-free.
Any item brought as baggage in commercial quantity is subject to payment of customs duty, value added tax and supplementary duty.
Bangladesh citizens are not permitted to import alcohol or alcoholic beverage and cigarette as baggage. But only foreign national can import one bottle or up to 1/6 gallon of spirituous beverages that is spirits, wines, beer and 200 sticks of cigarettes without customs duty.
A Bangladesh citizen residing abroad providing he submits a personal undertaking that the microcomputer will be re-exported within three months can import a microcomputer on returnable basis.
A passenger may import as baggage some items on payment of fixed amount as customs duty value added tax and supplementary duty.
Currency Regulation
A tourist may bring in any amount of foreign exchange in the from of Traveler's Cheque, foreign currency notes or foreign currency instruments provided he makes a written declaration at the time of entry in the Currency Declaration From (From FMJ) obtainable from the customs at the port of entry. However no declaration is required for bringing I of foreign exchange up to 5000 US Dollars by foreign tourists. While leaving Bangladesh a tourist can take out the unspent balance of the foreign currency brought in.
Passport & Visa requirements
Valid passport is required for nationals of all countries for visit to Bangladesh. However, passports are not required for the holders of identity certificate, laissez passers issued by United Nations and its affiliated bodies, continuous Discharge Certificate/Nullies/Seaman Book (Travelling on duty to join or repatriate from ship) issued by any country recognized by Bangladesh. Foreign passport holders of Bangladesh origin do not require visa provided their passports are stamped "No Visa Required" by Bangladesh Mission abroad.
Visas are required for national of all countries with the following exception: Bhutan, Barbados, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Congo, Cyprus, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, Seara Leone, Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Greneda, Papua New Guinea, Seychelis, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Mauritstus, Malawi, Maldives, Singapore, Swaziland, St. Kitts and Nevis, Ghana, and Gabon. No Visa required means that no visa is required for stay in Bangladesh up to 90 days only. For Further extension of stay permission is desirable.
Food
Western food is available in all major hotels and most of the big restaurants in important cities. But local dishes are normally more exotic. Curries of many kinds abound, cooked with proper spices and hot curry powders including Korma, Rezala, Bhoona and Masala Gosht, Chicken, Mutton, Beef, Fish and Prawns, Chicken Afgani, Chicken Baghdadi, Chicken Kasmiri, Chicken Tikka, Boti Kabab, Shutli Kabab and a variety of fish curries should be tried. Rice and mutton or chicken and khichuri are available in any reasonable restaurant. Those who do not care for rice dishes can try Mughlai parata, plain parata or non, which go very well with curries. Seafood and sweet-water fish are available in most of the towns. Fish-lovers should not miss smoked hilsa, fresh bhetki and chingri (lobster/king prawns) malaikari, prawn dopyza. In Dhaka a number of good restaurant provide local and western food.
Drinks
Chai-the milky sweet tea available almost everywhere. Lassi-the refreshing yoghurt drink, Green coconut water is a fine, and safe and refreshing drink. International soft drink, such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Fanta, 7-up, Mirinda, Sun Creast and Sprite are readily available. Hard drinks are available in big hotels and selected restaurants. On Fridays drinking in public areas is not recommended for foreigners.
Desserts
Misti Dhohi-sweetened youghurt, Halua-a common desert ranging from egg halua to carrot, sooji or wheat cream, almond, pistachio, nuts and so on. Sandesh-milk based dessert, one of the best available Zorda-sweetened rice with nuts. Firni-rice flour cooked in milk, sugar and flavoring. Rasgolla and Kalojam-two popular milk based desserts and made with sugar, flour and ghee. Rosmalai-round sweets floating in thick milk. Pitha-a blanket term for ckes or pastries including specific varieties such as Chitoi, Dhupi, Takti, Andosha, Puli, Bhafa and Pua.
Fruits
Mangoes, Litchis, Bananas, Papayas, Jackfruits, Watermelon, Pineapple, Coconut and Oranges.
Western food is available in all major hotels and most of the big restaurants in important cities. But local dishes are normally more exotic. Curries of many kinds abound, cooked with proper spices and hot curry powders including Korma, Rezala, Bhoona and Masala Gosht, Chicken, Mutton, Beef, Fish and Prawns, Chicken Afgani, Chicken Baghdadi, Chicken Kasmiri, Chicken Tikka, Boti Kabab, Shutli Kabab and a variety of fish curries should be tried. Rice and mutton or chicken and khichuri are available in any reasonable restaurant. Those who do not care for rice dishes can try Mughlai parata, plain parata or non, which go very well with curries. Seafood and sweet-water fish are available in most of the towns. Fish-lovers should not miss smoked hilsa, fresh bhetki and chingri (lobster/king prawns) malaikari, prawn dopyza. In Dhaka a number of good restaurant provide local and western food.
Drinks
Chai-the milky sweet tea available almost everywhere. Lassi-the refreshing yoghurt drink, Green coconut water is a fine, and safe and refreshing drink. International soft drink, such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Fanta, 7-up, Mirinda, Sun Creast and Sprite are readily available. Hard drinks are available in big hotels and selected restaurants. On Fridays drinking in public areas is not recommended for foreigners.
Desserts
Misti Dhohi-sweetened youghurt, Halua-a common desert ranging from egg halua to carrot, sooji or wheat cream, almond, pistachio, nuts and so on. Sandesh-milk based dessert, one of the best available Zorda-sweetened rice with nuts. Firni-rice flour cooked in milk, sugar and flavoring. Rasgolla and Kalojam-two popular milk based desserts and made with sugar, flour and ghee. Rosmalai-round sweets floating in thick milk. Pitha-a blanket term for ckes or pastries including specific varieties such as Chitoi, Dhupi, Takti, Andosha, Puli, Bhafa and Pua.
Fruits
Mangoes, Litchis, Bananas, Papayas, Jackfruits, Watermelon, Pineapple, Coconut and Oranges.