Travel Essentials

Bangladesh: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types A, C, D, G and K; 220 V, 50 Hz. Emergency: One number for everything 999. Tipping: Not expected, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and hotel staff is appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.

Open The Bangladesh Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types A, C, D, G and K; 220 V, 50 Hz

Emergency Numbers

One number for everything

999

Tipping

Not expected, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and hotel staff is appreciated.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid; hepatitis B, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis for some travelers
Malaria: Risk in some rural and border areas, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts; ask about preventive tablets

Apps To Download Before You Go

bKash: The dominant mobile money service, accepted by shops, rickshaw drivers and small vendors across the country.
Nagad: The second big mobile financial service, useful as a backup where bKash is not accepted.
Pathao: Local ride-hailing app for motorbikes, cars and food delivery that beats Dhaka's traffic jams.
Uber: Works in Dhaka and Chattogram with card payment, handy for airport runs.
WhatsApp: The common way to contact hotels, guides and drivers.
Rail Sheba: Official Bangladesh Railway app for buying intercity train tickets in advance.
Shohoz: Books intercity bus and launch (ferry) tickets online.
Foodpanda: The main food and grocery delivery app in major cities.
Daraz: The largest online marketplace for anything from SIM accessories to clothes.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Muslim men usually say "Assalamu alaikum" and shake hands; many women and devout men avoid touching the opposite sex, so wait for her to offer a hand or nod with a hand on your heart. Hindus often greet with palms together.

Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees, especially for women; a headscarf isn't required but is respectful in rural or religious settings.

Right hand only. Use the right hand (or both hands) for eating, giving and receiving items.

Homes and mosques. Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques.

Safety And Scams

Generally safe for tourists, but petty crime, pickpocketing and occasional political unrest (hartals/strikes) can disrupt travel; some regions like the Chittagong Hill Tracts require special permits.

Overcharging at markets and rickshaws. Negotiate and confirm the price before buying or riding.

Fake tour guides. Use guides recommended by your accommodation or a reputable agency.

Women travelers. Harassment such as staring and unwanted attention is common; modest dress and avoiding travel alone after dark are recommended.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Criminalized

Illegal under a colonial-era law (Section 377) carrying up to life imprisonment, though rarely enforced directly — it is more often used for harassment or extortion; there are no anti-discrimination protections and social stigma is severe, so LGBTQ+ travelers should be very discreet.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	254 Taka	$2.10
Local bus ride	25 Taka	$0.20
Mid-range restaurant meal	600 Taka	$5
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	1,000 Taka	$8
Mid-range hotel (night)	4,000 Taka	$33
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	3,000 Taka	$25

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

November-February is best: cool and dry. The monsoon (June-September) brings heavy rain and flooding risk; March-May can bring pre-monsoon storms and high heat.

Phrases

Basic Bengali phrases · Basic Sylheti phrases · Basic Chittagonian phrases