Overall, Dhaka is not a big city. But often what started as a 20-minute outward journey can turn into a two-hour return route. The terrible congestion suffered along the city’s key arteries means that it is effectively quite hard to plan ahead. It is best to leave at least an extra hour for any cross-city journeys.

By River

Compared with all other forms of transport, river journeys are the most ‘Bangladeshi’ way to travel, a type of journey you really can’t experience anywhere else. Given the fact that the country lies at the mouth of the Ganges–Brahmaputra river basin, the world’s largest delta, any journey to Bangladesh should include time spent on the water, whether that be a multi-day excursion to Sundarban, a cross-country journey on the Rocket paddlesteamer or a day outside Dhaka on the Sitalakhaya.

By Air

The airline market in Bangladesh has just seen a few new competitors setting up shop, which at first was very good for local travellers but prices have since increased to the point where some might think twice before flying, especially because bus travel is just so cheap in comparison. At the time of research, routes were changing frequently to reflect the growing airline business in Bangladesh. Currently there are services between Dhaka and the major divisional cities (Rajshahi, Jessore, Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox’s Bazaar; and with less frequency Barisal and Saidpur). At the time of research there was also a direct flight between Jessore and Chittagong, which would be very handy for mid-range travellers who want to travel between Sundarban and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, two of Bangladesh’s best destinations, without having to go via Dhaka which would be something like a 16-hour bus ride – it’s not unheard of.

By Private Vehicle

Typically referred to as a ‘reserved vehicle’, hiring a car is definitely the most convenient way to travel around Bangladesh, allowing you to stop where requested and providing for some interesting journeys in the countryside. Naturally, it is also the most expensive way to travel, with a daily fee for a sedan vehicle costing about US$40–60 per day, depending on the distance travelled and where you go. Larger vehicles such as microbuses and multi-seat coaches can go well over US$100. Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles can be used east of the Jamuna and Meghna rivers as these areas are supplied regularly with natural gas; but in Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal divisions, costs are significantly more expensive because natural gas is not available and petrol must be used (most vehicles can change between using CNG and petrol at the flip of a switch). You’ll also get less far on a tank of natural gas, as CNG-equipped vehicles need to be refilled far more frequently and what you save in fuel costs could easily be lost in terms of the time it takes to refill. In Dhaka especially, there can be extremely long queues at the CNG pumps.