Do you plan to visit Bangladesh this year? If so, make sure you know how to navigate around Dhaka Airport from takeoff to touchdown. Considering the size of the airport, it’s best to avoid getting lost or confused.
So, here is a guide to Dhaka Airport, covering its history, terminals, facilities, nearby hotels, transportation options, and tourist attractions in the city!
About Dhaka Airport
Even though most people know this place as Dhaka or Dacca Airport, it’s not the official name. Actually, the name of the airport in Dhaka is Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC).
For some time, the names of these places were Tejgaon Airport and Zia International Airport. The government named it Hazrat Shahjalal in 2010 in honor of Sufi saint Shah Jalal
The history of the airport dates back to World War II. During that time, the British government decided to build an airport station in Dhaka in 1941. The purpose was to operate military aircraft to Kohima and the Burmese war theatres.
They completed the airport’s construction in 1947. It became the first airport in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). During the war between Pakistan and India in 1965, the Indian Air Force bombed the airport. The airport was damaged again in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 before it was constructed.
This place is situated in Kurmitola. To be precise, it is at Dakshinkhan Road, Dhaka 1229. It serves Dhaka City and its neighboring towns, and is the gateway for international flights into Bangladesh. The distance from the airport to downtown is around 17 km.
There are both domestic and international flights operating at the airport. Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Sylhet, and Saidpur are the most popular domestic routes. Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Sharjah, and New Delhi are the most popular international routes.
You can find multiple airlines at the airport, from US-Bangla Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Novoair, Deutsche Bank, and IndiGo. Most of them operate daily.
Aside from the history, make sure to know the Dhaka Airport Terminal. Find out the information in the next section!
Dhaka Airport Terminal
You can find around three terminals in this airport. You will use Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) for international flights. T1 is for the arrival and T2 is for the departure. As for domestic flights, you will mainly use the Domestic Terminal. They serve around 20,000 passengers or about 30 flights daily.
There is also Terminal 3 at Dhaka Airport. However, it’s still under construction. Even though there’s construction, you can still use the facilities in this airport.
Dhaka Airport Facilities
As an international airport in Dhaka, Hazrat Shahjalal offers you multiple facilities. You can use them after landing or before departing.
Here’s the list:
- Lounge and VIP lounge
- Free trolley services
- Restaurant
- Help desk services
- Free Wi-Fi
- Telephone booth
- Wheelchair services
- Prayer facility
- Nursery
- Currency exchange
- Smoking rooms
- Shuttle bus
- Senior citizens corner
- Emergency health care
- Health service
- Hajj control room
- Luggage wrapping service
- Duty-free shop
- Car rental booth
- Food stalls
After using the facilities that you need, you can go to nearby accommodations immediately. Find out some hotel recommendations below!
Dhaka Airport Hotels
To rest more comfortably after landing, you can go to nearby hotels from Dhaka Airport. There are many options, such as:
- Best Western Plus Maple Leaf, a 4-star hotel 1,2 km (5-minute drive) away from the airport. The rates start from BDT 12,000 (USD 98.80).
- Le Meridien Dhaka, a 5-star hotel 16 km (24-minute drive via toll) away from the airport. The rates start from BDT 41,400 (USD 340.86).
- Best Western PLUS Runway, a 3-star hotel, is 16 km (24-minute drive via toll) from the airport. The rates start from BDT 13,822 (USD 113.80).
- Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort, a 5-star hotel 15 km (24-minute drive via toll) away from the airport. The rates start from BDT 12,916 (USD 106.34).
- Marino Royal Hotel, a 4-star hotel, 2,3 km (6 minutes drive) away from the airport. The rates start from BDT 9,456 (USD 77.85).
Dhaka Airport Transportations
Make sure you know how to go downtown from Dhaka Airport. There are a few transportation options that you can choose. Here are the choices!
- Taxi is a convenient choice for short-distance trips. The fare is varied, but usually it starts from BDT 1,000 (USD 8.23).
- Bus, the cheapest option. The fare is around BDT 20-50 (USD 0.16-0.41). To take a bus, you can follow this instruction”
- Find an airport shuttle in Terminal 2.
- It will take you to the Airport Railway Station.
- From there, you can find multiple buses that will take you to various areas downtown.
- Pick the correct bus with the correct route.
- Airport transfer, similar to a taxi but more private, luxurious, and comfortable. The cost fluctuates, but it’s usually around BDT 1,820 (USD 14.98).
- Hotel transfer, some hotels offer the service while others do not. So, make sure to ask your accommodation first.
- Rideshare services, the fare is usually cheaper than a conventional taxi. However, make sure to install the mobile app first. There are multiple options, and Uber is also available.
- Car rental is most convenient if you plan to drive during your visit. The cost usually starts from BDT 3,000 (USD 24.70) per day.
After choosing the transportation options, don’t forget to get around the city. There are a few places that you should visit and some activities that you must do. Find out more about them in the next section!
Dhaka Attractions
Dhaka is a city rich in history and culture and has beautiful natural features. That’s why you can find many interesting tourist attractions in Dhaka.
Here are some recommendations and things to do when you’re in the town:
- Witness the living proof from the Armenian community that used to live in Dhaka at the Armenian Church.
- Admire relics of the Mughal Empire fortress that exhibits paintings, ancient goods, and weapons at Lalbagh Fort.
- Stroll around greenery sceneries while enjoying the lake views at Ramna Park.
- See multiple animals and interact with them at the Bangladesh National Zoo.
- Appreciate historical Hindu temples with unique architecture at Dhakeshwari Temple.
So, are you ready to land at Dhaka Airport and start your journey in the city? If so, be sure to plan your trip properly by booking flights and hotels with Airpaz for a special price and hassle-free experience.
