Pick a city
Dhaka
Old Dhaka’s river ghats, the Liberation War Museum and Bengali food.
Chittagong
Bangladesh’s port city and the road to the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Cox’s Bazar
One of the world’s longest natural sea beaches, on the Bay of Bengal.
Journey times are approximate and include any change of plane; check airline schedules.
Getting there from Kolkata
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is the departure point for most trips to Bangladesh. Dhaka is the main destination, about an hour by air when direct flights operate. Routes are added for peak seasons and dropped when demand falls, so treat any timetable as provisional. Chittagong has fewer non-stops, and Cox's Bazar usually means changing planes in Dhaka. Check with the airlines before fixing dates.
Land crossings are the other option. Petrapole to Benapole, near Bongaon, and Gede to Darshana further north carry road passengers and some trains. Queues can be long and the paperwork slow, so allow a full day. Cross-border bus and rail services change with bilateral arrangements, so confirm current operations with Indian Railways and the Bangladesh High Commission.
Choosing between the cities
Dhaka suits travellers who want a dense, busy capital: the lanes of Old Dhaka, the Mughal-era Lalbagh Fort, the Ahsan Manzil palace museum and the river terminal at Sadarghat, where launches leave for the south. Two or three nights covers the centre without rushing. Traffic is heavy through the working day, so group sights by neighbourhood. Rickshaws are the practical way to cover short distances.
Chittagong is a working port with a different character: the Second World War cemetery, colonial-era streets, Foy's Lake and the road south towards Cox's Bazar. Cox's Bazar has a long beach, with Himchari and Inani nearby. St Martin's Island is reached by boat in season, and access depends on permits, so check with the Bangladesh Tourism Board before planning the coast.
- Dhaka: Old Dhaka lanes, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil and the Sadarghat launches, about an hour by air from Kolkata.
- Chittagong: A port city with a war cemetery, Foy's Lake and the hill districts beyond; few direct flights from Kolkata.
- Cox's Bazar: A long beach with Himchari and Inani nearby, usually reached through Dhaka; island boats run in season.
When to go
November to February is the easiest window: dry days, cooler evenings and clearer roads. December and January are the coolest months. March heats up quickly. April and May bring high humidity and evening storms, and the monsoon runs roughly June to September, heaviest in July and August. Travel in the rains is possible but slower, with waterlogging in Dhaka and on the coast.
The Bay of Bengal can produce cyclones, and the coastal districts around Cox's Bazar and Khulna are the most exposed. Follow forecasts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the India Meteorological Department, and keep coastal plans flexible. Festival dates move with the lunar calendar, so check the current year's dates for Eid, Durga Puja and Poila Baisakh before matching a trip to a celebration.
Practical tips for the trip
Indian passport holders need a Bangladesh visa before travel, applied for through the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata. Requirements and processing times change, so confirm with the High Commission and read the Ministry of External Affairs travel advisory before booking. Carry printed copies of the visa, tickets and accommodation details. The currency is the taka. Cards work in city hotels and restaurants; markets and smaller towns run on cash.
Book flights, cross-border transport and rooms well ahead around Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas and the Eid holidays, when demand from Kolkata rises. Winter is peak season on the coast, so Cox's Bazar fills quickly in December and January. Travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation is worth arranging. Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original.
- Documents: Passport, Bangladesh visa, printed tickets and accommodation details, plus the Ministry of External Affairs advisory.
- Money: Taka, not rupees; change at banks or authorised exchangers and keep small notes for markets and transport.
- Booking ahead: Reserve flights and rooms before Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas and Eid, when seats from Kolkata tighten.
Indian passport holders need a Bangladesh visa; services and travel advisories change, so check the Bangladesh High Commission and the Ministry of External Affairs before booking.
FAQ
How long is the flight from Kolkata to Bangladesh?
Dhaka is about an hour from Kolkata when direct services operate. Chittagong has fewer non-stops, and Cox's Bazar usually means changing planes in Dhaka. Schedules change with the season and with demand, so check with the airlines and the Airports Authority of India before booking.
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Bangladesh?
Yes. Apply through the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata before travel and allow time for processing. Forms, requirements and validity periods change, so confirm with the High Commission and read the Ministry of External Affairs advisory before booking tickets.
Can you travel from Kolkata to Bangladesh by land?
Yes, through Petrapole to Benapole near Bongaon and Gede to Darshana further north. Cross-border bus and rail services change with bilateral arrangements, so confirm current operations with Indian Railways and the Bangladesh High Commission. Queues at Petrapole can be long, and the crossing takes most of a day.
Is Dhaka or Chittagong the better first trip from Kolkata?
Dhaka is the easier introduction, with more flights, more places to stay and the historic quarters close together. Chittagong suits a second visit or a route south to Cox's Bazar, and has fewer direct services from Kolkata. Check current flight options before deciding.
When should you visit Bangladesh from Kolkata?
November to February brings dry, cooler weather across most of the country. March to May is hot and humid, and the monsoon runs roughly June to September. The coastal south can be hit by cyclones, so follow the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and keep plans flexible.
How many days are enough for Dhaka on a trip from Kolkata?
Two or three nights covers Old Dhaka, the Sadarghat riverfront, Lalbagh Fort and one museum without rushing. Traffic is heavy through the working day, so group sights by neighbourhood. Add a day for a river trip or an excursion beyond the city.
Is Cox's Bazar practical on a trip from Kolkata?
It is possible but needs planning. Cox's Bazar is usually reached by connecting through Dhaka, and boats to St Martin's Island run in season only. Check access rules, permits and boat services with the Bangladesh Tourism Board before building an itinerary around the coast.
What money should you take from Kolkata to Bangladesh?
The currency is the taka. Cards and mobile payments work in city hotels, restaurants and larger shops, but markets, rickshaws and small towns run on cash. Change money at banks or authorised exchangers, keep small notes, and tell your bank before you travel if you plan to use cards.
Should you book ahead for Bangladesh around festivals?
Yes. Demand rises around Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas and the Eid holidays, and seats from Kolkata and rooms in Dhaka and Cox's Bazar tighten. Book flights and accommodation early. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar, so check the current year's dates before fixing travel.
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Sources: airline schedules, official immigration authorities. Editorial review: 3 November 2026. Times and entry rules change; check before you travel.