Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Dhaka Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
the upstairs transit area is the best area and completely different from the usual Asian chaos below. – poodlemark
DAC Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Dhaka Airport (code: DAC).
What to Expect
Dhaka Airport has three small, outdated terminals that are easy to navigate on foot: T1 and T2, for international flights, and the Domestic Terminal. Travellers have reported that security guards sometimes ask for bribes or speak in a harassing manner, but this may be improving in the last couple years. The airport is notorious for its chaos, so expect disorganization, inefficient or non-existent security procedures, and odd policies like prohibiting water bottles in certain airport areas.
Facilities seem to be limited to a restaurant, a cafe, and a few small shops. Don’t expect clean toilets. Bring your own toilet paper and sanitizer just in case. The free WiFi helps pass the time. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter a few airport lounges, two of which have showers for freshening up. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.
Sleeping in Dhaka Airport
Travellers that have reported staying the night here generally don’t recommend it due to the poor facilities, lack of safety and security, and the presence of locals who are looking to “sell” a variety of services. If you do risk spending the night, bring a sleeping bag and have a backup plan. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info or read some traveller reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Dhaka Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Intercontinental Dhaka Balaka Executive Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, 2nd Floor. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- MTB Air Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, International Departures, 2nd Floor. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Skylounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, 2nd Floor. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Dhaka Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Dhaka Airport:
- Best Western Plus Maple Leaf – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Richmond Hotel & Suites – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Dhaka Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Dhaka airport; however, a reader tells us that you must have a local telephone number to use it. (October 2019)
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – There is a bank on site which may have an ATM.
Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, there are baby care facilities available both Landside and Airside.
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge throughout the airport.
Currency Exchange – There is a currency change office opposite the baggage claim area.
Duty Free & Shopping – Duty Free is available in addition to a small variety of stores selling books, newspaper, snacks, etc.
Food & Drinks – According to a recent reviewer (Oct, 2016), a restaurant called Spices is the only restaurant available in the airport. There is also a coffee shop called Barista (location is unknown).
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic.
Medical Services – First Aid services are available. Seek assistance from airport staff if necessary.
Mobile Charging – A reader tells us that mobile charging is available in the International departure area, landside.
Prayer Rooms – Male and Female prayer rooms are available in the Arrivals area of Terminal 1.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Showers are located inside the lounges. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
SIM Cards – A reader tells us “There are multiple kiosks just past immigration that sell SIM cards to local carriers. There are also multiple money exchangers located in this area. On a unrelated note, the immigration process can take quite some time. The guards are individually, inputting information, including your passport number add Bangladesh visa number. The luggage carousel’s are located to the left, and the right of the immigration, and they may pull your luggage and set it against the wall if you have taken a longer time to get through the queue. It took me approximately an hour.”
Airport Hours
As of this update, we were unable to confirm airport hours of operation. We recommend that you read a few reviews before deciding to sleep in the airport overnight. If you know the airport hours, click here to update this airport guide and we will update this airport guide.
Airlines
Dhaka airport is served by the following airlines: Air Arabia • Air Asia • Air China • Air India • Biman Bangladesh Airlines • Cathay Dragon • China Eastern Airlines • China Southern • Druk Air • Emirates • Etihad Airways • flydubai • Gulf Air • Himalaya Airlines • IndiGo • Kuwait Airways • Malaysia Airlines • Maldivian • Malindo Air • Novoair • PIA • Qatar Airways • Regent Airways • Salam Air • Saudia • Singapore Airlines • Spicejet • Sri Lankan Airlines • Thai Airways • Thai AirAsia • Thai Lion Air • Turkish Airlines • US Bangla Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Car Rentals
There is a car rental desk outside the airport. The airport suggests that travellers “should beware of cheats and exorbitant rates. It is best if you have your guide (most hotels provide guide assistance themselves as a complimentary service) in Bangladesh to take care of this part of the journey”.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update we were unable to find any hotels offering an airport shuttle. See also Airport Hotels above.
Last updated: 2024-01-31
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.