Land in Dhaka and know exactly what to say.

Bangladesh's Main International Airports

Bangladesh is served by two main international airports, plus a growing number of domestic airports connecting its major cities. Understanding the layout and language of these facilities will make your arrival and departure considerably smoother.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka (DAC)

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (হযরত শাহজালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দর, Hozrot Shahjajal Antarjatik Bimanbandar) is the busiest airport in Bangladesh, handling the vast majority of the country's international traffic. Located in Kurmitola, approximately 18 kilometres north of central Dhaka, it processes millions of passengers per year. A new terminal (Terminal 3) has significantly upgraded the facility and provides an internationally standard travel experience.

Key facilities include: immigration counters, customs halls, a tourist information desk (where English is spoken), ATMs and currency exchange booths, mobile SIM card purchase counters (essential — get your SIM here), luggage storage, hotel booking desks, and a taxi desk in the arrivals hall where you can book a metered CNG or car in advance to avoid the scrum outside.

Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong (CGP)

Shah Amanat International Airport (শাহ আমানত আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দর) in Chittagong (চট্টগ্রাম) is Bangladesh's second international airport, serving flights from several regional hubs. If you're visiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, or southern Bangladesh, this airport is your most convenient entry point.

Osmani International Airport, Sylhet (ZYL)

Osmani International Airport (ওসমানী আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দর) serves Sylhet (সিলেট) and is particularly important for the British-Bangladeshi community, with direct flights from London (Heathrow) operated seasonally. If you're visiting the Sylhet region — for the tea gardens, the Ratargul swamp forest, or to visit family — this is your gateway.

Part 1: Arrival — Immigration and Passport Control

Immigration (ইমিগ্রেশন, Immigration) at Dhaka airport can be busy, particularly when large international flights arrive simultaneously. Having a few key phrases ready will help you communicate smoothly with immigration officers. Most officers at major international airports will have some English, but using Bangla shows respect and can ease the process.

Key Vocabulary: At the Immigration Counter

Immigration Dialogue: At the Counter

Part 2: Customs — শুল্ক বিভাগ

After immigration, you will collect your bags and pass through the customs hall (শুল্ক বিভাগ, shulko bibhag). Bangladesh's customs operates a red/green channel system: green for nothing to declare, red if you are carrying items above the duty-free allowance or goods requiring declaration.

Key Customs Vocabulary and Phrases

• শুল্ক বিভাগ (Shulko bibhag) — Customs
• ঘোষণা করার কিছু নেই। (Ghoshona korar kichhu nei.) — I have nothing to declare.
• এটা আমার ব্যক্তিগত ব্যবহারের জন্য। (Eta amar byoktigo byabohar jonno.) — This is for my personal use.
• এটা উপহার। (Eta upohar.) — This is a gift.
• এতে কী আছে? (Ete kii ache?) — What is in this? (officer asking you)
• এটা খুলুন। (Eta khulun.) — Please open this.
• ব্যাগ খুলতে হবে? (Bag khulte hobe?) — Do I need to open my bag?
• শুল্কমুক্ত সীমার মধ্যে। (Shulkomukto shiimar moddhe.) — Within the duty-free limit.

Part 3: Baggage — মালপত্র

The baggage reclaim area (মালপত্র সংগ্রহ, malopotro shonggraho) is labelled in both Bangla and English at Dhaka airport, but knowing the Bangla terms will help you ask for assistance if needed.

• মালপত্র সংগ্রহ (Malopotro shonggraho) — Baggage reclaim
• ব্যাগেজ কার্ট (Baggage cart) — Luggage trolley
• আমার ব্যাগ আসেনি। (Amar bag asheni.) — My bag hasn't arrived.
• আমার ব্যাগ হারিয়ে গেছে। (Amar bag hariye gechhe.) — My bag is lost.
• ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হয়েছে। (Khotigrosto hoyechhe.) — It has been damaged.
• ব্যাগেজ ক্লেইম কোথায়? (Baggage claim kothay?) — Where is the baggage claim?
• হারানো মালপত্র অফিস কোথায়? (Harano malopotro office kothay?) — Where is the lost luggage office?
• আমার ফ্লাইট নম্বর হলো... (Amar flight number holo...) — My flight number is...
• এটা আমার ট্যাগ। (Eta amar tag.) — This is my luggage tag.

Part 4: Getting Out of the Airport

The arrivals hall at Hazrat Shahjalal has several exit options. Knowing which to use — and the language for each — will save you time and money.

Pre-Paid Taxi Counter

We strongly recommend using the official pre-paid taxi counter inside the arrivals hall rather than accepting offers from touts outside. At the counter, you pay a fixed rate to central Dhaka in advance, eliminating the need to negotiate. This is the safest and most straightforward option.

Key Airport Exit Phrases

• ট্যাক্সি কাউন্টার কোথায়? (Taxi counter kothay?) — Where is the taxi counter?
• ...হোটেলে যেতে চাই। (...hotele jete chai.) — I want to go to... hotel.
• মিটারে যাবেন? (Mitare jaben?) — Will you go by meter?
• এটা কি নির্ধারিত মূল্য? (Eta ki nirdharity mulyo?) — Is this a fixed price?
• ট্র্যাফিক কেমন এখন? (Traffic kemon ekhon?) — How is the traffic right now?
• কতক্ষণ লাগবে? (Kotokkhon lagbe?) — How long will it take?
• রশিদ দিন। (Roshid din.) — Please give me a receipt.
• সিএনজি পাব কোথায়? (CNG pabo kothay?) — Where can I find a CNG?

Part 5: Departures — বিমান ছাড়া

Departing from Dhaka airport follows broadly international norms, but knowing the Bangla for key processes will help if staff speak primarily Bengali.

Check-In (চেক-ইন)

• চেক-ইন কাউন্টার কোথায়? (Check-in counter kothay?) — Where is the check-in counter?
• [এয়ারলাইন্স]-এর কাউন্টার কোনটা? ([Airlines]-er counter konota?) — Which is the [airline] counter?
• জানালার পাশে সিট চাই। (Janalar pashe seat chai.) — I want a window seat.
• করিডোরের পাশে সিট চাই। (Corridor-er pashe seat chai.) — I want an aisle seat.
• আমার ব্যাগ কি বেশি ভারী? (Amar bag ki beshi bhari?) — Is my bag overweight?
• অতিরিক্ত ওজনের চার্জ কত? (Otirikto ojon-er charge koto?) — What is the excess baggage charge?
• বোর্ডিং পাস দিন। (Boarding pass din.) — Please give me my boarding pass.

Security (নিরাপত্তা তল্লাশি)

• নিরাপত্তা তল্লাশি কোথায়? (Nirapotta tollashi kothay?) — Where is the security check?
• জুতা খুলতে হবে? (Juta khulte hobe?) — Do I need to remove my shoes?
• ল্যাপটপ বের করতে হবে? (Laptop ber korte hobe?) — Do I need to take out my laptop?
• এটা কি নিয়ে যেতে পারব? (Eta ki niye jete parbo?) — Can I take this with me?

At the Gate (গেটে)

• আমার ফ্লাইটের গেট কোনটা? (Amar flight-er gate konota?) — Which is the gate for my flight?
• ফ্লাইট কি সময়মতো আসবে? (Flight ki shomoyomoto ashbe?) — Is the flight on time?
• ফ্লাইট বিলম্বিত হয়েছে। (Flight bilombit hoyechhe.) — The flight has been delayed.
• কতক্ষণ দেরি হবে? (Kotokkhon deri hobe?) — How long is the delay?
• বোর্ডিং কখন শুরু হবে? (Boarding kokhon shuru hobe?) — When does boarding start?
• আমার সিট কোথায়? (Amar seat kothay?) — Where is my seat?

Part 6: Domestic Flights — Within Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a domestic aviation network connecting Dhaka to Chittagong, Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, Jessore, and a few other destinations. Domestic terminals at Hazrat Shahjalal are separate from the international terminal, so allow time to navigate between them if you are transiting.

• অভ্যন্তরীণ টার্মিনাল কোথায়? (Abhontoriun terminal kothay?) — Where is the domestic terminal?
• কক্সবাজারের ফ্লাইট কখন? (Cox's Bazar-er flight kokhon?) — When is the flight to Cox's Bazar?
• টিকিট কোথায় কিনব? (Ticket kothay kinbo?) — Where do I buy the ticket?
• পরের ফ্লাইট কখন? (Porer flight kokhon?) — When is the next flight?
• ফ্লাইট ক্যান্সেল হয়েছে। (Flight cancel hoyechhe.) — The flight has been cancelled.
• পুনর্নির্ধারণ করতে পারবেন? (Punornirdharon korte parben?) — Can you reschedule it?

Part 7: Useful Airport Facilities

Getting Connected — SIM Cards

Purchasing a local SIM card (সিম কার্ড, SIM card) at the airport is one of the best things you can do immediately after arriving. Several mobile network operators have counters in the arrivals hall. You will need your passport for registration. Prices are very low — a SIM with a substantial data allowance costs a few hundred taka.

• একটা সিম কার্ড কিনব। (Ekta SIM card kinbo.) — I want to buy a SIM card.
• কত টাকায় কত ডেটা পাব? (Koto takay koto data pabo?) — How much data do I get for how much?
• পাসপোর্ট লাগবে? (Passport lagbe?) — Is a passport needed?
• কীভাবে ব্যবহার করব? (Kiibhabe byabohar korbo?) — How do I use this?

Currency Exchange (মুদ্রা বিনিময়)

• ডলার ভাঙাতে চাই। (Dollar bhangate chai.) — I want to exchange dollars.
• আজকের রেট কত? (Ajker rate koto?) — What is today's exchange rate?
• এটিএম কোথায়? (ATM kothay?) — Where is the ATM?
• ব্যাংক কোথায়? (Bank kothay?) — Where is the bank?

Lost and Found (হারানো ও পাওয়া)

• আমার [জিনিস] হারিয়ে গেছে। (Amar [item] hariye gechhe.) — I have lost my [item].
• হারানো ও পাওয়া অফিস কোথায়? (Harano o paoa office kothay?) — Where is the lost and found office?
• আমি এটা বিমানে ফেলে এসেছি। (Ami eta bimane phele eshhechi.) — I left this on the plane.