5★Flight
≈ 1 h
CCU → DAC, non-stops limited; check schedules
Airport
DAC
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Best time
November to February
check the season before booking
Stay
2-3 nights
add 1 night for Sonargaon
Country
Bangladesh
check entry rules
Fly from Kolkata to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport; non-stop services are limited or seasonal, so check schedules and book early. Base in Gulshan or Banani for hotels and restaurants, with Old Dhaka a short ride south. Two or three nights covers the main sights. November to February brings the driest, coolest weather.
Getting from Kolkata to Dhaka
By air
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) is the main gateway, north of the city centre. Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) take about 1 h, but direct services are limited or seasonal, so many journeys involve a connection. Confirm schedules with the airline or the Airports Authority of India before booking, and allow extra time at both airports for immigration and security.
On arrival, taxis and app cabs wait outside the terminal; agree the fare or insist on the meter before setting off. The airport sits north of Gulshan and Banani, so transfers to those areas are usually shorter than to Old Dhaka or Motijheel. Traffic in Dhaka is heavy for much of the day, so build in time.
Other options
The overland route runs via the Petrapole and Benapole border crossing, reached by road or train from Kolkata, then onward by road to Dhaka. Crossings can be slow and paperwork heavy, and the whole journey takes most of a day or longer. For a short trip, flying is the practical option. Rail links between the countries change; check Indian Railways. Confirm border formalities with the Bangladesh High Commission before travelling.
Where to stay in Dhaka
Gulshan
The embassy district, with international hotels, restaurants and malls. The calmest base for a first visit, with reliable transport and easy access to Banani and the airport road.
Banani
Next to Gulshan and slightly more residential, with cafés and small restaurants near the lake. Good for quieter evenings and short rides to both the airport and the centre.
Motijheel
The commercial heart, busy in office hours and quiet after dark. Handy for business trips and the old railway line, with fewer options for an evening out.
Old Dhaka
Narrow lanes, Mughal buildings, markets and street food. Central for sightseeing and atmospheric at night, though traffic and noise are constant; a night or two is enough for most.
Near the airport
Practical for early departures and short layovers, with a cluster of hotels along the airport road. Little of interest within walking distance, and the run into town can take an hour.
Top things to do in Dhaka
- Lalbagh Fort: A Mughal complex in Old Dhaka with gateways, a tomb and formal gardens. Go early, before the heat and the coach parties arrive.
- Ahsan Manzil: The pink riverside palace that was home to the Nawab of Dhaka, now a museum of rooms and portraits. The setting shows how the city grew as a trading port.
- Sadarghat boat ride: Small boats leave from the Sadarghat waterfront for crossings and short river trips. Morning shows the working river: ferries, cargo boats and boatyards.
- Dhakeshwari Temple: The city's principal Hindu temple, busy with daily worship and festivals. Shoes come off at the gate, and photography is restricted inside.
- Star Mosque: A small 19th-century mosque in Old Dhaka decorated with blue star patterns in broken china. It sits in a lane and pairs easily with Ahsan Manzil.
- Armenian Church: An 18th-century church in a quiet corner of Old Dhaka, still cared for and rarely crowded. A reminder of the merchants who traded here before partition.
- Bangladesh National Museum: The national collection of archaeology, textiles, paintings and independence-era history. A sensible way to spend the hottest part of the afternoon.
- Shahid Minar: The martyrs' monument near Dhaka University, central to the Language Movement story. The campus around it is good for a walk in the cooler hours.
- New Market bazaars: Sprawling market streets for fabric, produce and household goods. Bargaining is expected, mornings are easier, and the lanes reward slow walking.
- Bengali home cooking: Rice, fish, dal and slow-cooked meat, served in small family restaurants across the city. Ask for the day's fish and finish with mishti doi.
Three days in Dhaka
- Day 1: Old Dhaka and the river: Begin at Ahsan Manzil, then walk to Lalbagh Fort through the lanes, stopping at Star Mosque and the Armenian Church. Take a boat at Sadarghat in the late afternoon and eat nearby.
- Day 2: Museums and the modern city: Spend the morning at the Bangladesh National Museum, then move to Shahid Minar and the Dhaka University area. In the evening, head to Gulshan or Banani, where most restaurants and cafés are.
- Day 3: Markets and Sonargaon: Browse New Market in the morning, then take a half-day trip to Sonargaon, the old merchant town south-east of the city, with its folk art museum and colonial buildings. Return before the evening rush.
Add a night for Sonargaon or a longer river trip, or extend towards Cox's Bazar and the coast on a separate domestic flight.
Best time to visit Dhaka
November to February is the best window: dry days, cooler mornings and evenings, and temperatures closer to Kolkata's winter than its summer. December and January are the most comfortable months for walking in Old Dhaka. From March the heat builds, and the monsoon runs roughly June to September with heavy rain and waterlogging. Check the current forecast with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department before travelling.
Getting around Dhaka
- App cabs: App cabs are the simplest way to cross the city; allow extra time when it rains or when offices close.
- Three-wheelers: CNG and battery-run three-wheelers suit short hops on quieter streets, and are best avoided on main roads at rush hour.
- Walking: Old Dhaka rewards walking, but pavements are uneven and crossings are few; go early and keep to the shade.
Dhaka vs Kolkata: what feels different
Dhaka is denser and faster than Kolkata, with heavier traffic and fewer open spaces in the centre. Bengali is spoken everywhere, though the accent and everyday vocabulary differ slightly. Food leans on rice, fish and dal, with fewer of the Anglo-Indian bakeries found in Kolkata. Winters are similar but shorter, and summer heat is more humid. Rickshaws are everywhere, painted and cycle-driven rather than hand-pulled.
Before you go
- Visas: Indian passport holders need a Bangladesh visa. Rules and processing times change, so check the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata and the Ministry of External Affairs before booking.
- Money: The taka is the local currency. Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but cash is needed for rickshaws, markets and small eateries.
- Language: Bengali is the everyday language, and English is widely understood in Gulshan, Banani and business areas. A few words of Bengali help in markets.
- Air quality: Winter mornings often bring haze and poor air across the city. Plan indoor sights for the worst hours, and carry any medication you rely on.
Hotels in Dhaka
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Dhaka’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka
≈ 3 km from Motijheel, Dhaka · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 22129 reviewsSee live price
5★Le Meridien Dhaka
≈ 2 km from Near the airport, Dhaka · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 16930 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden
≈ 3 km from Banani, Dhaka · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 13902 reviewsSee live price
5★Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel
Gulshan, Dhaka · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 4124 reviewsSee live price
5★Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan by IHG
Gulshan, Dhaka · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 2740 reviewsSee live price
5★
4★Best Western Plus Maple Leaf
Near the airport, Dhaka · 4-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 3749 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
How long does it take to fly from Kolkata to Dhaka?
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) take about 1 h. Direct services are limited or seasonal, so schedules change and some journeys involve a connection. Check current timings with the airline or the Airports Authority of India, and allow time for immigration at both ends.
Do Indian travellers need a visa for Dhaka?
Indian passport holders need a Bangladesh visa before travel. Categories, documents and processing times change, so check the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata and the Ministry of External Affairs well before booking. Carry a printed copy with your passport, as hotels may ask for it.
Where should you stay on a first trip to Dhaka?
Gulshan and Banani suit most first visits, with international hotels, restaurants and road access to the airport. Motijheel is convenient for business. Old Dhaka puts the historic sights on the doorstep but is noisy. Hotels near the airport work best for early flights.
When is the best time to visit Dhaka from Kolkata?
November to February. Days are dry and temperatures sit close to Kolkata's winter, which makes walking in Old Dhaka comfortable. December and January are coolest. From March the heat builds, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from roughly June to September. Check the forecast with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Can you travel from Kolkata to Dhaka by train?
Rail links between the two countries have run intermittently. The overland route usually means reaching the Petrapole and Benapole border crossing, then continuing by road. For a short trip, flying is the practical choice. Check with Indian Railways and the Bangladesh High Commission for current services and paperwork.
How many days do you need in Dhaka?
Two or three nights cover Old Dhaka, the national museum and a river trip. Add a night for a day trip to Sonargaon, or more for onward travel to Cox's Bazar. Business visitors often stay longer in Gulshan or Banani, where most meetings and restaurants are.
What food should you try in Dhaka?
Rice, fish, dal and slow-cooked meat form the base of most meals. Look for bhuna khichuri, hilsa in mustard when in season, kebabs from Old Dhaka shops and mishti doi to finish. Street food is plentiful; busy stalls are the safer bet.
How do you get from the airport into Dhaka?
Taxis and app cabs wait outside the terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The airport is north of Gulshan and Banani, so those areas are a shorter ride than Old Dhaka or Motijheel. Traffic is heavy for much of the day, so allow plenty of time.
Is Dhaka worth visiting from Kolkata?
Yes, for a short contrasting break. The Mughal and colonial buildings of Old Dhaka, the riverfront at Sadarghat and the food justify two or three nights. The city is not restful and traffic takes up much of the day, so plan a few sights rather than a long list.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.