Key takeaways
Bangladesh has four active carriers with 4G reaching most of the country and 5G launching commercially from September 2025. Grameenphone leads on rural coverage, reaching into the Sundarbans fringes and the Chittagong Hill Tracts where others drop out. A Roamix Bangladesh eSIM connects you the moment you land at Hazrat Shahjalal International, skipping the 30-minute airport SIM queue. Budget 5 to 8 GB for a two-week trip and always cache offline maps before entering the Sundarbans or the remote hill tracts.
- Grameenphone has the widest 4G coverage including remote rural and hill tracts areas where Robi and Banglalink are patchy.
- Robi and Grameenphone both launched commercial 5G in September 2025 in major divisional cities.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival at DAC and saves you the lengthy airport SIM card registration queue.
- Cash in BDT is essential for most of Bangladesh outside Dhaka hotels, as card acceptance is limited.
- Cache offline maps for the Sundarbans, the Hill Tracts and Cox's Bazar beach road before leaving Dhaka.
Best way to get data in Bangladesh
For most visitors to Bangladesh, a Roamix eSIM is the most convenient option, saving the airport SIM queue and providing reliable Grameenphone and Robi coverage from Dhaka to the coast.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation on a local network, skips the lengthy airport SIM registration process and avoids roaming bills. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Extended stays needing a local Bangladeshi number | Requires passport, photo and a 15 to 45 minute registration process at the airport or a city store. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups sharing one connection | Another device to charge, and signal still drops in the same areas where any cellular signal fails. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short Dhaka business trips | Most European and US carrier roaming rates in Bangladesh are high compared to local plan costs. |
Hotels in Dhaka offer reasonable wifi. Outside Dhaka, wifi quality drops significantly, and guest houses in regional towns often have slow or unreliable connections. Mobile data is more dependable for anything beyond a Dhaka hotel.
How much data you need
Data needs in Bangladesh are moderate in Dhaka but increase significantly when travelling to remote regions where offline preparation is critical for navigation.
3 to 5 GB
One week Dhaka and Dhaka region
Rideshare, navigation, social uploads and messaging in a well-covered capital.
6 to 10 GB
Two week country trip including Cox's Bazar and Sundarbans
Offline map downloads, boat operator contacts, weather checks and regular photo sharing across regions.
20 GB or more
Remote work base in Dhaka
Video calls, laptop tethering and cloud uploads on Dhaka's fast urban 4G.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline map packages for the Sundarbans approach from Khulna, the Chittagong Hill Tracts roads and the Cox's Bazar beach road before leaving Dhaka.
How to set up a Bangladesh eSIM
A Roamix Bangladesh eSIM is best installed over wifi before departure. It activates automatically when you connect to a local network on arrival at DAC, letting you bypass the 30-minute airport SIM registration queue.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Bangladesh eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land at DAC and the eSIM connects automatically to Grameenphone or Robi.
Works on eSIM capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line. Check settings, select the network manually and restart.
Visa and entry for Bangladesh
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Bangladesh. Visa on arrival is available at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for eligible nationalities, and an e-visa can be applied for online in advance.
- Visa on arrival
- Available
- eVisa or ETA
- Bangladesh e-visas can be applied for at evisa.immigration.gov.bd. Visa on arrival at DAC costs USD 50 for most Western nationalities and is granted for 30 days. Processing at the airport can take 30 to 60 minutes.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel and accommodation are commonly requested at immigration.
Keep your visa approval and hotel booking accessible on your phone. Use your Roamix eSIM to pull up documents and navigate from DAC.
Entry rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Department of Immigration and Passports at dip.gov.bd before booking.
When you land in Bangladesh
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How people message here
Bangladeshis primarily use Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp for messaging. SMS remains widely used. Facebook is enormously popular and often used for business communication.
Do you need a local number?
A local number can be useful for booking accommodation in regional areas where communication happens via local calls. For Dhaka and tourist areas, WhatsApp with an international number works.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two-factor authentication while using the Roamix line for data.
Airports in Bangladesh
DAC
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Dhaka
Free wifi in the terminal, but quality is variable. Use your Roamix eSIM for reliable data from the moment you land.
Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing to skip the 30-minute airport SIM queue. Use data to book your Dhaka hotel transfer, navigate traffic on the Dhaka Airport Road and contact your accommodation.
CGP
Shah Amanat International Airport
Chittagong
Basic terminal wifi. Grameenphone 4G is reliable throughout the arrivals area.
Chittagong is the gateway to Cox's Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Use Roamix data to arrange your onward road or bus transport before leaving the terminal.
ZYL
Osmani International Airport
Sylhet
Limited terminal wifi. Grameenphone covers the airport and surrounding Sylhet city well.
Sylhet is the gateway to Srimangal tea gardens and the Ratargul Swamp Forest. Use Roamix data to arrange a local guide and download offline maps of the tea estate roads before heading out.
CXB
Cox's Bazar Airport
Cox's Bazar
Small terminal with limited wifi. Good Grameenphone and Robi 4G in the arrivals area.
Land connected to book your beach hotel transfer, check surf conditions on Inani Beach and download the offline map of the 120 km beach road before your driver arrives.
Apps and internet access in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has an open internet and all mainstream apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There is no blocking of mainstream social media, messaging or international news services. No VPN is required for any commonly used service.
WhatsApp, works
Fully available for messaging and calls.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over data and wifi.
Google Maps and Search, works
No restrictions.
Social media, works
Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook all work.
Getting around Bangladesh
Bangladesh combines cycle rickshaws in Old Dhaka, CNGs (auto-rickshaws) across cities, intercity buses and domestic flights to reach remote regions. Data is essential for navigation in chaotic Dhaka traffic.
Rickshaws and CNGs
Cycle rickshaws are the main way to navigate Old Dhaka's narrow lanes. CNG auto-rickshaws are used citywide. Use Roamix data to agree prices with drivers using a map and avoid getting lost in Dhaka's complex road system.
Rideshare
Pathao and Uber operate in Dhaka. Both require a data connection to book. Pathao also connects motorcycle taxis which are the fastest way through Dhaka traffic.
Intercity buses
Long-haul air-conditioned buses run between Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar. Use Roamix data to book seats on operators like Hanif or Green Line and track your departure from the busy Dhaka bus terminals.
Domestic flights
US-Bangla Airlines, Biman and Novoair connect Dhaka to Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar in under an hour. Use your eSIM to check in and manage bookings.
Download the Pathao app before arrival for Dhaka rideshare and motorcycle taxi. Agree prices with CNGs before getting in and use Google Maps navigation to confirm the route.
Money and payments in Bangladesh
The Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) is the only accepted currency. Cards are accepted at Dhaka's larger hotels and restaurants, but cash is needed for almost everything outside the capital.
- Cards and cash
- Withdraw BDT at the airport ATM before leaving Dhaka. Card acceptance is rare in Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and anywhere regional. Taxis, rickshaws, markets and guesthouses all require cash.
- ATMs
- ATMs are available at DAC and throughout Dhaka. In regional towns, Dutch-Bangla Bank and BRAC Bank ATMs are most reliable. Carry enough for your whole regional trip as rural ATMs are sparse.
- Payment apps
- bKash is Bangladesh's dominant mobile money platform, widely used for payments at local shops but requiring a local number to operate.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not strongly expected but appreciated. Around 10 percent in Dhaka restaurants is a kind gesture. Guides and boat operators on Sundarbans tours appreciate a tip for good service.
Daily budget
Budget travellers spend around 800 to 1500 BDT a day for guesthouses and local food. Mid-range Dhaka hotel and restaurant trips run 3000 to 6000 BDT per day.
Local tips for Bangladesh
- Language
- Bengali is the national language and spoken everywhere. English is understood in Dhaka's hotels, upscale restaurants and by educated residents. Outside Dhaka, English is limited and a translation app is very useful.
- Food
- Bangladeshi cuisine is rice-centric with outstanding fish curries, dal and mustard-based preparations. Look for hilsa fish (ilish) in Dhaka during monsoon, fresh prawn curry at Cox's Bazar, pithas (rice cakes) in winter and the street-food biryani of Old Dhaka.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type C and D plugs
Apps worth having
Pathao
rideshare
Bangladesh's dominant rideshare app covering motorcycle taxi, car rides and food delivery across Dhaka.
Google Maps
navigation
Good coverage of Dhaka and major regional roads with offline download for Sundarbans approach routes.
US-Bangla Airlines
travel
Best domestic airline app for managing Dhaka to Cox's Bazar, Chittagong and Sylhet bookings and check-in.
Safety and health in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is generally safe for tourists in tourist areas. Dhaka traffic and air pollution are the main practical hazards. The Chittagong Hill Tracts require a permit for foreigners and some areas have restricted access. Check your government's travel advisory before visiting.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to contact your embassy, get emergency help in Dhaka traffic and stay connected during monsoon weather events which can change travel conditions rapidly.
- Health
- Hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies vaccines are recommended. Healthcare is limited outside Dhaka. Square Hospital and Apollo Hospitals in Dhaka are the best options for serious medical care. Carry comprehensive travel insurance.
- Tap water
- Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Bangladesh. Use only bottled or filtered water, including ice made from tap water. Most hotels and restaurants serve filtered water.
Networks and coverage in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has four operators: Grameenphone (the largest), Robi Axiata, Banglalink and state-owned Teletalk. All four have 4G LTE, and Grameenphone and Robi launched commercial 5G in September 2025 across divisional cities. A Roamix Bangladesh eSIM connects you to the strongest local network at DAC, bypassing the lengthy airport SIM registration process.
Grameenphone
Largest operator with the widest 4G reach across Bangladesh including rural areas, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Sundarbans fringes. Best choice for travel beyond divisional cities.
Robi
Second-largest operator with strong urban and semi-urban 4G quality. Competitive data pricing and 5G in divisional cities from September 2025.
Banglalink
Strong third-place operator popular for aggressive pricing and youth-focused data plans. Good 4G in major cities, less consistent in remote areas.
- Typical speeds
- Dhaka 4G delivers 20 to 60 Mbps. Divisional cities average 10 to 30 Mbps on LTE. Remote areas may see 5 to 15 Mbps.
- 5G
- 5G commercially live in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and other divisional cities via Grameenphone and Robi from September 2025.
For Dhaka and coastal travel, Robi and Banglalink offer excellent value. For the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sylhet tea estates and any rural travel, Grameenphone has the only reliable 4G reach beyond the main roads.
Bangladesh has excellent coverage in Dhaka and divisional cities, but the deep Sundarbans mangrove forest, remote Chittagong Hill Tracts villages and the offshore islands of the Bay of Bengal can have no signal. Download offline maps before any rural excursion. Bangladesh uses standard LTE bands. Most unlocked phones from iPhone XS onward and recent Android models work on the 4G network.
Where to go in Bangladesh
Bangladesh offers remarkable density of culture, history and nature in a compact country. The ancient Mosque City of Bagerhat, the world's largest mangrove forest at the Sundarbans and the 120 km Cox's Bazar beach are all accessible, but reliable data for navigation and booking is essential. A Roamix eSIM keeps you connected from Dhaka to the coast.
Best time to visit
November to February for dry, cool weather ideal for the Sundarbans and hill tracts. October and March are shoulders with good conditions. April to September is monsoon season, with heaviest rain June to August.
Dhaka and the Capital Region
One of the world's most densely populated cities, where colonial Mughal architecture in Old Dhaka, the chaotic river ghats and world-class garment district sit beside modern malls, rooftop bars and galleries in Gulshan and Banani.
- Lalbagh Fort
- Sadarghat river ferry terminal
- Ahsan Manzil Pink Palace
- Bangladeshi National Museum
- Gulshan lake park
Excellent 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout Dhaka, Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi and Old Dhaka. The rickshaw lanes of Chowk Bazar and the busy Sadarghat river ferry terminal have full signal.
Chittagong and the Southeast Coast
Bangladesh's second city and main port, gateway to Cox's Bazar and the gateway to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with a vibrant fish market, colonial hill station and the sprawling Kaptai Lake.
- Patenga Beach
- Agrabad Business District
- Kaptai Lake
- Ethnological Museum
- Foy's Lake Amusement World
Good 4G throughout Chittagong city and along the coast road to Cox's Bazar. Signal is strong at Shah Amanat Airport. Kaptai Lake boat routes can have patchy coverage.
Cox's Bazar and the Bay of Bengal Coast
The world's longest uninterrupted natural sea beach at 120 km, backed by fishing villages, surfing spots and the Inani Beach rock formations, with affordable seafood restaurants lining the beach road.
- Cox's Bazar main beach
- Inani Beach
- Himchari National Park
- Laboni Point
- Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary
Good Grameenphone and Robi 4G along the main Cox's Bazar beach road and through the town centre. Remote southern sections of Inani Beach and the offshore islands can be patchy.
Sundarbans Mangrove Forest
The world's largest mangrove delta spanning Bangladesh and India, home to Bengal tigers, Irrawaddy dolphins and saltwater crocodiles, accessible by boat tour from Mongla or Khulna.
- Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary
- Harbaria Nature Trail
- Kochikhali Tiger Point
- Hiron Point
- Dublar Char island
Signal exists at Khulna city and Mongla town on Grameenphone. Inside the Sundarbans forest, signal drops entirely. Download offline maps, tiger zone boundaries and boat operator contacts in Khulna before entering.
Sylhet and the Tea Gardens
The spiritual heartland of Bangladesh, with Sufi shrines in the city of Sylhet, emerald tea gardens rolling across Srimangal and the jungle pools of Lawachara National Park.
- Hazrat Shah Jalal Mosque
- Srimangal Tea Gardens
- Lawachara National Park
- Ratargul Swamp Forest
- Madhabpur Lake
Good 4G in Sylhet city and Srimangal town. Grameenphone covers the main tea estate roads. Remote jungle trails in Lawachara can drop to no signal.
Off the beaten path
One of the best access points into the Sundarbans for Bengal tiger sightings, spotted deer, saltwater crocodiles and Irrawaddy dolphins on narrow mangrove creek boat routes.
Signal: No signal inside the sanctuary. Book your Sundarbans boat tour and download all offline maps over Roamix data in Khulna or Mongla before entering the mangrove forest.
Bangladesh's tea capital, where rolling green estates spread across the hills of the Sylhet lowlands and the Seven-Layer Tea of Srimangal's famous tea rooms is made in front of visitors.
Signal: Grameenphone 4G covers the Srimangal town and main tea estate roads. The deepest plantation rows and Lawachara National Park trails go patchy.
The most scenically dramatic section of the Cox's Bazar coast, where large coral rock formations emerge from the shallow sea bed at low tide, creating natural pools and sheltered coves.
Signal: Good Grameenphone 4G at the main Inani Beach rock outcrop. The beach road south has variable coverage beyond Inani village.
A UNESCO World Heritage site containing over 360 medieval mosques from the 15th-century Sultanate of Bengal, including the extraordinary nine-domed Shat Gombuj Mosque with its ancient acoustic design.
Signal: Grameenphone 4G covers Bagerhat town and the main UNESCO sites. The network is reliable throughout the heritage zone.
Bangladesh's only freshwater swamp forest, accessible only by small wooden boat through a magical network of shallow canals under a canopy of swamp trees that stand waist-deep in water during monsoon.
Signal: Basic Grameenphone signal at the boat launch point. Signal disappears inside the swamp forest. Download maps of the river channels in Srimangal before heading to the launch site.
The most dramatic scenery in Bangladesh, where forested hills rise above indigenous Marma, Tripura and Murung villages and the volcanic Boga Lake sits in a crater above the tree line.
Signal: Limited Grameenphone signal in Bandarban town. The trek route to Boga Lake at 1246 m altitude has no coverage. Download maps and register your trek in Bandarban before hiking.
A UNESCO World Heritage site containing the ruins of the Somapura Mahavihara, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world from the 8th century, spread across a vast cruciform platform in the Bangladesh plains.
Signal: Grameenphone 4G covers the site and nearby Jaipurhat town. Good signal throughout the archaeological park.
One of the few beaches in the world where you can see both sunrise and sunset over the sea, a Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage destination with a distinct Rakhine community heritage and access to the Sundarbans by boat.
Signal: Grameenphone 4G covers Kuakata town and the main beach. The remote eastern end of the beach toward the forest can lose signal.
A magnificent unfinished 17th-century Mughal fort on the banks of the Buriganga River in Old Dhaka, housing the tomb of Pari Bibi and the Diwan-I-Aam audience hall, the most photogenic Mughal monument in Bangladesh.
Signal: Full 4G throughout the Lalbagh Fort complex in Old Dhaka and surrounding streets.
A remote high-altitude plateau in the Chittagong Hill Tracts where clouds roll through the hilltop village at sunrise, surrounded by Lushai hills and indigenous Chakma and Tripura villages.
Signal: Limited Grameenphone signal in Sajek village at 1800 m altitude. The road from Khagrachhari is off-grid for long sections. Download all maps and contact your tour operator before leaving Khagrachhari.
Events and seasons in Bangladesh
January
Dhaka Lit Fest
Bangla Academy, Dhaka
One of South Asia's leading literary festivals, bringing together Bangladeshi, Indian and international authors for readings, panel discussions and poetry evenings at the Bangla Academy grounds.
February
Cox's Bazar Beach Carnival
Cox's Bazar main beach
A beach festival with cultural performances, seafood fairs, traditional music and sand sculpture competitions along the world's longest natural sea beach.
February 21
Ekushey February Shaheed Minar
Shaheed Minar, Dhaka
Language Martyrs Day (now International Mother Language Day) marked at the Shaheed Minar monument in Dhaka with flowers, processions and tribute to those who died protecting the Bengali language in 1952.
March
Bangladesh National Museum Art Festival
Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka
An annual exhibition at the Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh featuring contemporary and traditional Bangladeshi art, photography and sculpture.
April
Chittagong Hill Tracts Weaving Festival
Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts
A showcase of the traditional woven textiles of the Chakma, Marma and other indigenous hill peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with live demonstrations and stalls selling handmade garments.
April 14
Pohela Boishakh
Dhaka, particularly Ramna Batamul
Bengali New Year, the most colourful secular festival in Bangladesh, celebrated with the Mangal Shobhajatra procession on Dhaka University campus (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage), traditional songs at Ramna Park and thousands of people dressed in red and white.
October
Durga Puja
Dhaka Old Town, Dhakeshwari Temple
The Hindu festival of Durga Puja celebrated across Bangladesh with elaborately decorated temporary temples and colourful processions through Old Dhaka to the Buriganga River for idol immersion.
November
Rash Mela Festival
Dublar Char island, Sundarbans
A Hindu pilgrimage festival on the remote island of Dublar Char in the Sundarbans, where thousands of devotees arrive by boat for prayers and a traditional Hindu cultural fair.
November
Srimangal Tea Festival
Srimangal, Sylhet Division
A celebration of the Sylhet tea industry with plantation tours, blending demonstrations, the famous Seven-Layer Tea competition and cultural performances from the Manipuri and Khasi communities of the tea estates.
End of Ramadan, date varies
Eid ul-Fitr
Nationwide
The most important festival in Bangladesh, marking the end of Ramadan with prayers at the National Eidgah in Dhaka, family feasts, new clothes and a national holiday that empties Dhaka as millions travel home to villages.
Through the year
- Spring
- March is transitional with warm dry weather before pre-monsoon heat builds. Good for Paharpur and Bagerhat heritage sites before the humidity rises.
- Summer
- April to June is pre-monsoon and increasingly hot, up to 38C in Dhaka. The Pahela Boishakh celebrations in April are spectacular but Dhaka traffic is severe. Not ideal for outdoor sightseeing.
- Fall
- September to November is post-monsoon with cooling temperatures (22 to 32C) and lush green landscapes. The best time for the Sundarbans after water levels recede and tiger sightings increase.
- Winter
- November to February is the dry cool season (14 to 24C in Dhaka) and the best time to visit. Festivals, the tea harvest in Srimangal and comfortable Sundarbans boat conditions make this the peak tourism period.
Working remotely from Bangladesh
Dhaka is a developing but viable remote work base, with improving coworking spaces in Gulshan and Banani, fast 4G and reasonable international flight connections to Southeast Asia and the Gulf.
- Connection
- Dhaka 4G handles video calls and tethering adequately. A Roamix plan with 15 to 20 GB suits a working week of calls and uploads alongside sightseeing.
Gulshan and Banani coworking spaces in Dhaka have reliable power and fast wifi. Use your Roamix eSIM as a backup for calls and secure uploads on shared networks.
