Transportation in Dhaka

Dhaka's transport scene is a layered mix of cheap, crowded buses, three-wheeled CNG auto-rickshaws, ride-hailing apps like Uber and Pathao, and the new metro line that slices across the north of the city. Buses are everywhere and cost next to nothing, but they're slow and signage is in Bangla, use Google Maps or ask a local to be sure you're on the right one. CNGs are faster for short hops and usually cheaper than a private car, yet you'll need to bargain hard or insist the driver uses the meter. Otherwise the fare can jump to taxi levels for tourists. Ride-hailing apps solve the language barrier and give you a fixed price before you get in, making them the middle-ground choice for most visitors. From Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, skip the touts inside the terminal; instead, head to the official prepaid taxi counter for a set fare or open the Uber/Pathao app while still in baggage claim, both work fine at the airport and cost a fraction of the curbside hustlers' quotes. If you land during metro hours, the Airport Rail Link (not the metro proper) runs into the city and is the fastest option. But trains wind down by late evening. Miss it and the prepaid taxi queue is your safest bet.