Dhaka
Dhaka suits travelers who want crowded old streets, Mughal-era forts, life along the river and a food scene built around street stalls.
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Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh, a large city on the Buriganga River in the country's central region. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and the street life can feel intense on a first day. Start in the old city, where narrow lanes lead to Shankhari Bazar, the Star Mosque and Ahsan Manzil, the pink palace on the riverbank that once housed the Nawabs of Dhaka. Lalbagh Fort, a 17th-century Mughal fort in the west of the city, is a quieter stop.
Dhaka suits a trip built around food and history. Expect biryani and other dishes sold from small stalls, rickshaw rides through heavy traffic, and a close look at a city that is the seat of government and a major business hub. The best season is the cooler, drier stretch from November to February. Plan two to three days for the city, and add time if you want to continue to other parts of Bangladesh.
Dhaka in five
- Get a Bangladesh e-visa before you flyMost nationalities need a visa. Apply for the e-visa on the official portal before you leave home and keep the approval with your passport.Visas and entry
- Set up bKash for small paymentsbKash is a mobile wallet that many vendors in Dhaka accept. Carry small taka notes for rickshaws and tea stalls, since drivers and stall owners often cannot change large notes.
- Buy a local SIM for maps and ride appsRide apps need mobile data to book a driver, while offline maps work without it. Buying a SIM requires your passport at the mobile shop.Phones and eSIM
- Book ride apps, not street taxisUber and Pathao show the fare before you ride, which saves haggling. Some street taxis refuse the meter, so agree the fare first if you flag one.Getting around
- Allow two hours for the airport roadTraffic in Dhaka can add an hour or more at peak times, and the airport is a long way from the center. Leave early for flights and do not book a meeting right after landing.
Things to do in Dhaka
See all attractions in Dhaka
Need to know
- Currency
- Taka (BDT)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most nationalities; e-visa via the official portal before travel Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Small amounts only; not expected in most places
- Time
- UTC+6, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, dry
- FebruaryCool, dry
- MarchWarming up
- AprilHot, humid
- MayHot, humid
- JuneMonsoon starts
- JulyHeavy rain
- AugustHeavy rain
- SeptemberRains easing
- OctoberCool, dry
- NovemberCool, dry
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Dhaka
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 62%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 16%
Dhaka
02:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°26°16%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Wed32°25°2%Wednesday: Clear. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu30°23°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri31°23°0%Friday: Clear. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat31°21°0%Saturday: Clear. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun33°21°0%Sunday: Clear. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 124 BDT
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Sonargaonabout 1 hour by roadOnce the capital of eastern Bengal, now home to a folk arts museum and the ruins of a medieval city.
- National Martyrs' Memorial, Savarabout 1 hour by roadA large monument to the 1971 Liberation War, set in open grounds on the edge of Savar.
- Narayanganjabout 30 min by road, longer in trafficA river port town across the water from Dhaka, with old trading buildings and a busy waterfront.
Before you go to Dhaka
Rules for Dhaka, checked
- Most nationalities need a visa. Check eligibility and apply for the e-visa on the official portal before you book flights.Source
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees at mosques and shrines. Ask before you photograph people, and ask a woman before you photograph her.
- Alcohol is restricted, and most of it is sold only in licensed hotels and bars.
- Do not photograph military sites or government buildings without checking first.
- Declare foreign currency above the legal limit on the arrival form. Check the current limit with Bangladesh Bank before you travel.
Plan around Dhaka
Dhaka in the wider country and its travel routes
Read the guideGetting aroundRickshaws, ride apps and trains from the capital
Read the guideMoney and costsTaka, bKash and typical prices for one traveller
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs an e-visa and what to carry on arrival
Read the guideWhere to stayNeighborhoods and hotel types for a short trip
Read the guideDhaka FAQ
Is Dhaka worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a large, busy South Asian capital with old quarters and the Bangladesh National Museum. Traffic is heavy, so plan short trips and use ride apps.
How do you get from the airport to central Dhaka?
By ride app or taxi, which takes an hour or more at busy times. Set the trip in the app or agree the fare before you leave the terminal.
How many days do you need in Dhaka?
Two to three days cover Old Dhaka, Dhanmondi and one day trip. Add a day if you want to visit Sonargaon or Savar without rushing.
Is tap water safe to drink in Dhaka?
No. Drink bottled or boiled water, and use bottled water to brush your teeth. Check that the bottle seal is intact before you open it.
Can you use Uber in Dhaka?
Yes, Uber and Pathao both operate in Dhaka, and their fares show before you ride. You need the app and a data connection to book a driver.