Mid-Range Travel Guide: Dhaka

Accommodation

$25-70 per night

Private rooms in mid-range hotels, boutique guesthouses, business hotels with AC

Food & Dining

$12-30 per day

Mix of local restaurants, hotel dining, traditional Bengali cuisine, occasional international food

Transportation

$8-20 per day

Mix of rideshares, taxis, CNG auto-rickshaws, occasional private car hire

Activities

$15-40 per day

Guided city tours, cultural sites, boat trips, museums, handicraft shopping

Eat at local tea shops and street stalls instead of hotel restaurants (typically 70-80% cheaper)

Use local buses and shared rickshaws instead of private taxis (saves 60-75% on transportation)

Stay in Old Dhaka area for cheaper accommodation and authentic local experience (30-50% less than business districts)

Shop at local markets like Kolkata instead of shopping malls (typically 40-60% cheaper for similar items)

Visit during weekdays when possible as weekend rates for activities can be 20-30% higher

Book accommodation directly with smaller guesthouses to avoid booking platform fees (usually 10-15% savings)

Only eating in air-conditioned restaurants in upscale areas instead of trying local street food (can cost 3-4x more)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the local bus system (typically 5-8x more expensive)

Staying only in Gulshan or Banani business districts without exploring cheaper neighborhoods (often 50-100% markup)

Not bargaining at markets and with rickshaw drivers (can overpay by 30-50%)

Exchanging money at hotels instead of authorized money changers (usually 3-5% worse rates)