---
title: "Dhaka Airport Guide 2026: Arrival, Transfers & Hotels"
description: "Landing in Dhaka: which terminal you will use, the visa-on-arrival desk, money and SIM counters, safe transfers into the city and hotels beside the airport, checked October 2026."
canonical: "https://luxurybangladesh.com/guides/dhaka-airport-guide/"
type: "guide"
site: "Luxury Bangladesh"
published: "2026-10-22"
updated: "2026-10-22"
llms_txt: "https://luxurybangladesh.com/llms.txt"
---

# Dhaka Airport Guide: Arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (2026)

> Canonical page: https://luxurybangladesh.com/guides/dhaka-airport-guide/ (cite this URL) · Site guide: https://luxurybangladesh.com/llms.txt

Landing in Dhaka: which terminal you will use, the visa-on-arrival desk, money and SIM counters, safe transfers into the city and hotels beside the airport, checked October 2026.

International flights into Dhaka land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), in Kurmitola in the north of the city, roughly 17 km from the centre. As of October 2026, every international flight uses Terminals 1 and 2, which share one building. The new Terminal 3 is not open yet. Allow time for immigration and baggage, book your hotel car before you fly, and change money and buy a SIM before you walk out of the terminal.

*Facts checked October 2026. Airport procedures and the Terminal 3 timetable change, so check with your airline and the official airport website, [hsia.gov.bd](https://www.hsia.gov.bd/), before you travel.*

## Dhaka airport at a glance

| What | Details (as of October 2026) |
| --- | --- |
| Airport code | DAC, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport |
| Location | Kurmitola, north Dhaka, beside Airport Road |
| International flights | Terminals 1 and 2, in the same building |
| Domestic flights | A separate single-storey domestic terminal |
| Terminal 3 | Partial opening targeted for 16 December 2026; full operation expected March–April 2027 |
| Airport call centre | 13600 (24 hours) |
| Arrive for departures | At least 4 hours before your flight, per the airport's guidance |

## Terminals in 2026

Terminals 1 and 2 handle all international flights and sit in the same building. Arriving passengers clear immigration and customs, then leave through the international arrivals hall on the **ground floor**, via exits known as canopy 1 and canopy 2. Departures use the international departure hall on the **second floor**. According to the airport, the **domestic terminal** is a separate one-storey building to the left of the international terminals, with arrivals and departures on the same floor.

If you are connecting to a domestic flight to [Cox's Bazar](/destinations/coxs-bazar/), Sylhet or Chattogram, you clear immigration and customs in Dhaka first and then move to the domestic building. Give yourself a generous gap, especially if your flights are on separate tickets.

### Terminal 3: when will it open?

Terminal 3 was partially inaugurated on 7 October 2023, but it has not opened to passengers because the equipment inside has not been fully integrated. On 8 September 2026, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat told The Daily Star that it was expected to open partially on **16 December 2026**. About 20 flights would operate at first, increasing gradually, with full operation expected by **March or April 2027**. Treat these as targets, not promises. The airport's own website still showed an older 2025 date when we checked. Until your airline tells you otherwise, expect to use Terminals 1 and 2.

## Before you land: two online forms

- **E-Arrival Card.** Foreign passport holders can complete it online through the [immigration police portal](https://immi.specialbranch.gov.bd/). Have your hotel's address, district and phone number to hand. Paper cards were still accepted at the airport after the online service launched in August 2026.

- **Visa on arrival pre-registration.** If you are relying on a visa on arrival, apply first on the [official VOA portal](https://voa.specialbranch.gov.bd/login) and print the acknowledgement receipt.

Our [Bangladesh visa guide](/guides/bangladesh-visa-guide/) explains who is eligible, what to carry and the current fee.

## Step by step: from the aircraft to the kerb

- **Off the aircraft.** Your aircraft may park at an air bridge or at a remote stand. Either way, signs lead you to the arrivals immigration hall.

- **Visa on arrival (if you need one).** The official instructions place the visa-on-arrival area at the bottom right of the escalator. Pay the fee, US$50 excluding processing charges, in cash at the Sonali Bank counter. Then take your receipt and printed acknowledgement to the visa desk beside it. Officers may ask about your plans, how long you are staying and where.

- **Immigration.** Foreign passport holders use the foreigners' counters. Immigration is open 24 hours a day. Visa-on-arrival holders are directed to the crew and diplomats' line, according to the official instructions.

- **Baggage.** Find your belt on the display screens. There are help desks on either side of the belt area. Report damaged or missing bags to your airline or the lost-and-found desk near belt 1 before you leave.

- **Customs.** If you have nothing to declare, walk through the green channel. If you are carrying dutiable goods, or more cash than the declaration limit, declare it at the customs desk. Bags may be scanned on the way out, which can be slow.

- **Out to the arrivals hall.** You leave through exit gates 1 and 2. Just beyond the green channel you will find car-rental counters, mobile SIM sellers, bank booths for currency exchange and free telephone booths.

> **Insider tip:** Ask your hotel to send the driver's name, phone number and car registration by email before you fly. Agree to meet at canopy 1 or canopy 2. Then you can walk past anyone offering a ride and go straight to your driver.

## Money: exchange, cash and cards

The airport says authorised bank and money-exchange booths operate in the arrival immigration area, in front of the customs green channel and in the departure lounge. The visa-on-arrival area has its own exchange facility at the Sonali Bank counter. The official instructions say its rate matches the rate outside immigration, which helps if you arrive without US dollars for the fee.

A few rules are worth knowing before you change a large amount:

- **Declaration limit.** Canada's official travel advice (updated 14 October 2026) says to declare funds above US$5,000 or Tk 5,000, or the equivalent, on arrival or departure.

- **Changing money back.** To change taka back into dollars, you need a ticket for travel out of Bangladesh.

- **Cash for the first few hours.** Change enough for tips, a ride-hailing fare paid in cash and your first day's small purchases, and tell your bank before you travel that you will use your card abroad.

## SIM cards and Wi-Fi

The airport lists customer-service counters for **Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk and Airtel**, where you can buy and activate a SIM on arrival. Bring your passport. Bangladesh has required fingerprint registration for every new SIM since December 2015, so expect a quick biometric scan at the counter.

Free airport Wi-Fi is available in both arrivals and departures. Most of the networks ask you to register at the Wi-Fi help desk with a mobile number and then send a one-time password by SMS, so they are easiest once you have a working number. BTCL's open "Free Wi-Fi Hotspot Zone" network needs no code. If your phone supports eSIM, a travel eSIM bought before departure is another option.

## Getting into the city: transfer options

| Option | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hotel car | Pre-booked with your flight number; the driver meets you outside arrivals. The Westin Dhaka lists an airport shuttle; Pan Pacific Sonargaon arranges limousines through its concierge. | First visits, late-night arrivals, families | Book at least a day ahead and confirm the meeting point |
| Airport car rental and taxi counters | Counters in the arrivals hall before canopies 1 and 2; there is also a kiosk for ordering and prepaying a taxi | When you have not pre-booked | Agree the price and destination before you leave the counter |
| Ride-hailing apps | Uber (UberX, Premier, UberXL) and local apps such as Pathao and Obhai operate at the airport | Experienced travellers with mobile data | Most rides are paid in cash; check the car and driver match the app |
| Free airport shuttle bus | Air-conditioned buses, launched on 8 July 2026, run to Jashimuddin, the Airport railway station and Kawla | Light luggage, short hops nearby | Does not go into central Dhaka |
| Metro (MRT Line 6) | No airport station; the line runs from Uttara through Farmgate and Karwan Bazar to Motijheel | Travelling light, daytime | You need a ride to an Uttara station first |

### The elevated expressway

The Airport–Farmgate section of the **Dhaka Elevated Expressway** opened in September 2023. The toll for a private car is ৳80. You join it at Kawla, close to the airport, or on Airport Road in front of the Army Golf Club. Southbound exits include Kemal Ataturk Avenue (for Banani), Mohakhali bus terminal, Indira Road (Farmgate) and Karwan Bazar. Construction on the remaining section towards Kutubkhali has a deadline extended to December 2026. Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka in Karwan Bazar says the drive from the airport takes about 15 minutes via the expressway. That is a realistic best case, so allow more at busy times.

### How far is it to the main districts?

| Destination | What we know | Route notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Airport area (Nikunja, Khilkhet) | Dhaka Regency says it is a 3-minute drive | Airport Road |
| Gulshan | The Westin Dhaka in Gulshan 2 puts the airport about 8 km away | Surface roads or the expressway, depending on traffic |
| Banani | Next door to Gulshan | The expressway's Kemal Ataturk Avenue exit |
| Karwan Bazar ( Tejgaon ) | Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka quotes about 15 minutes via the expressway | Expressway to the Karwan Bazar exit |
| Motijheel | The farthest of the four, in the old business district | Expressway to Farmgate or Karwan Bazar, then city streets |

Distances are short, but traffic sets the timetable. Late at night or early on a Friday the run can be quick. At weekday peaks the same trip can take far longer, so ask your hotel for a current estimate when you book the car.

> **Insider tip:** If you have an evening meeting on the day you land, choose a hotel near the expressway. A base in Banani or by Karwan Bazar gives you the most predictable airport run. Our [business travel guide to Dhaka](/guides/business-travel-in-dhaka/) compares the districts.

## Staying near the airport

A hotel on the Airport Road strip makes sense for a late-night arrival, a dawn departure, a long transit or a conference in north Dhaka:

- **[Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort](/hotel/dhaka-regency-hotel-resort/)**, on Airport Road in Nikunja 2, describes itself as a three-minute drive from the terminal. The hotel has 221 rooms and suites, a Thai spa, and a rooftop pool overlooking the airport runway.

- **Uttara**, the planned suburb just north of the airport, is the northern end of MRT Line 6. See [hotels in Uttara](/hotels/dhaka/uttara/).

For a longer stay, many visitors move on to Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara, where international hotels, embassies and restaurants are concentrated. Our guide to [where to stay in Dhaka](/guides/where-to-stay-in-dhaka/) explains who each district suits. The full list of [5-star hotels in Dhaka](/hotels/dhaka/5-star/) shows our selected properties.

## Safety at the airport

Dhaka's airport is busy but manageable if you follow a few rules:

- **Touts and taxis.** The UK government warns of theft (including passport theft), harassment and taxi overcharging at Dhaka and Sylhet airports. It advises avoiding people who offer to carry your bags and arranging transport in advance. Canada's advice is similar: decline unsolicited offers of transport or help with luggage, and use registered taxis booked through your hotel.

- **Strikes.** Canada notes that passengers at the airport can be stranded during general strikes (hartals). On a strike day, confirm your transfer and build in extra time.

- **No photography.** Canada's advice says photographing airports is illegal.

- **Help.** Call the airport's 24-hour line on 13600, or the national emergency number, 999.

For a balanced look at safety across the country, read [Is Bangladesh safe for tourists?](/guides/is-bangladesh-safe-for-tourists/).

## Leaving Dhaka: departure tips

- **Arrive early.** The airport asks passengers to reach the departure driveway at least **four hours** before the flight. Security checks your passport and travel documents at the entry gate before you can enter the terminal. Free trolleys are available at every gate.

- **Complete the e-Departure Card** online through the [immigration police portal](https://immi.specialbranch.gov.bd/) before you set off.

- **Check in, then clear immigration.** Make sure your passport is stamped. Business-visa holders should carry their income tax clearance or exemption certificate, which Canada's advice says is required on departure.

- **Spend or change leftover taka** at the exchange booth in the departure lounge, which also has duty-free shops and restaurants.

- **Head to your gate early.** The airport asks passengers to go to the boarding gate at least one to two hours before departure. Security there is thorough: jackets, belts, shoes, watches, phones, laptops and power banks go in the trays.

- **Lounges.** The airport lists nine lounges inside security in the international terminal. They include Biman's own lounge, Thai Airways' Royal Silk Lounge, the InterContinental Dhaka Balaka Executive Lounge, and lounges branded by City Bank American Express, Standard Chartered, EBL, UCB and MTB. Access depends on your ticket, airline status or card.

## Next steps

Sort your entry paperwork with the [Bangladesh visa guide](/guides/bangladesh-visa-guide/), then choose where to stay from our [hotels in Dhaka](/hotels/dhaka/) and the [airport area](/hotels/dhaka/airport/) selection. If Dhaka is the start of a longer trip, our [Bangladesh travel guide for first-time visitors](/guides/bangladesh-travel-guide/) and [the best time to visit Bangladesh](/guides/best-time-to-visit-bangladesh/) will help you plan the rest.

## FAQ

**Which terminal do international flights use at Dhaka airport?**
As of October 2026, international flights use Terminals 1 and 2, which share one building at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Domestic flights use a separate single-storey terminal next to it.

**Is Terminal 3 at Dhaka airport open?**
Not yet. In September 2026 the civil aviation minister said Terminal 3 was expected to open partially on 16 December 2026 with about 20 flights, and to be fully operational by March or April 2027. Check your airline's information before you fly.

**Can I buy a SIM card at Dhaka airport?**
Yes. The airport lists customer-service counters for Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk and Airtel, with SIM sales in front of the customs green channel. Bring your passport: new SIMs in Bangladesh are registered with a fingerprint scan.

**Is Uber available at Dhaka airport?**
Yes. Uber and local apps such as Pathao operate to and from the airport, and the UK government notes that most rides are paid in cash. A pre-booked hotel car is the simplest option on a first visit or a late arrival.

**How early should I get to Dhaka airport for an international flight?**
The airport's own guidance is to arrive at the departure driveway at least four hours before your flight. Security checks your passport and travel documents before you can enter the terminal.

**Are there hotels near Dhaka airport?**
Yes. Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort on Airport Road in Nikunja, for example, says it is a three-minute drive from the terminal. Our airport-area hotel page lists the properties we have selected.

Sources: https://www.hsia.gov.bd/content-details/5/Terminals · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/passenger-guide-category/2/arrival-guideline-2 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/passenger-guide-category/1/departure-guideline-1 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/passenger-guide-category/3/general-guideline-3 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/our-services/other-service-52 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/our-services/money-exchange-service-33 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/our-services/lounge-facility-24 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/our-services/car-rental-service-43 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/our-services/shuttle-bus-51 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/our-services/free-wi-fi-facility-49 · https://www.hsia.gov.bd/content-details/19/Bangladesh-Immigration-Police · https://www.thedailystar.net/news/news/dhaka-airports-third-terminal-expected-partially-open-dec-16-minister-4267746 · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazrat_Shahjalal_International_Airport · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhaka_Elevated_Expressway · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRT_Line_6_(Dhaka_Metro_Rail) · https://voa.specialbranch.gov.bd/public/voa-instructions.html · https://immi.specialbranch.gov.bd/ · https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bangladesh/safety-and-security · https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/bangladesh · https://www.uber.com/global/en/airports/dac/ · https://identityweek.net/bangladesh-launches-biometric-sim-registration/ · https://www.dhakaregency.com/ · https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-dhaka.html · https://www.marriott.com.cn/hotels/dacwi-the-westin-dhaka/overview/