Working in Dhaka Bangladesh
The capital city of Bangladesh is one of South Asia’s major cities with a population of more than 15 million people. Like much of Bangladesh, Dhaka is an extremely crowded destination and regarded as one of the most densely populated major cities anywhere in the world.
Following independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Dhaka became the country’s capital city. Since then it has become the cultural, economic and political centre of the emerging South Asian nation.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, previously known as Zia International Airport, is the main airport servicing Dhaka and the country. There are international flights available from most continents. The airport is the primary hub for Biman Bangladesh Airlines and is connected to about 20 international destinations
The most frequent flights to Dhaka leave from Istanbul, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Kolkata. There is also significant traffic from Middle Eastern cities including Muscat, Jeddah, Bahrain, Doha and Kuwait.
Railway Station
Kamalapur Railway Station
The central rail station in Dhaka, Kamalapur Railway Station is also the major terminal in Bangladesh. The Maitree Express travels direct from Kolata in India to Dhaka. This is the country’s only international service and takes about 11 hours. The station is also a key depot for the city’s bus network.
Transportation
The most common form of travel around Dhaka is by either cycle rickshaw or auto-rickshaw. As a foreigner make sure to negotiate a fare before using these. Taxis and buses are another option. Taxis are tough to find on the street.
Dhaka has three key bus stations – Sayedabad bus station, Gabtali bus station and Mohakhali bus station. All three are very crowded with commuters traveling to all parts of the city and country. Buses in the city are also always crowded and slowed by bad traffic.
Cost of Living
The cost of living for expats in Dhaka is low by western standards. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $21.50 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $85.80 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $6.40 |
| Coke (330mL) | $1.60 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $1.70 |
| Eggs | $2.90 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $3.90 |
| Monthly pass | $110.10 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $2.40 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $1715 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $2580 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $25 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $170 |
| Average monthly salary (after tax) | $2860 |
Accommodation
Accommodation in Dhaka isn’t overly expensive at any level. The city has a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget, mid-range to luxurious. A few options to consider include:
Budget
Hotel Sugandha
Hotel White House
Mid-range
Ideas Manzil
Green House Guest House
High-end
Hotel Orchard Plaza
Quality Inn
Shopping
Dhaka is a great place to find a bargain in the street markets found all over the city. Some of the more popular destinations for this include: Banga Bazar and New Market. For a shopping centre head to Bashundhara City where many modern stores found in western cities around the world are located.
Emergency
Police, fire and medical emergency 999
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
184 Gulshan Avenue
Gulshan
Dhaka, BANGLADESH
Telephone: (880 2) 881 3105
Facsimile: (880 2) 881 1125
Website: www.bangladesh.highcommission.gov.au
Insurance and Healthcare
Healthcare in Bangladesh is low by western standards, but has improved over the past decade. Poverty in the country was above 30% in 2010 and more than 60% of healthcare providers in rural areas had little or no formal training. With the poor health conditions and facilities in Bangladesh, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.