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I am planning a trip to Bangladesh in January and am a bit confused about the visa requirements when crossing Indian territory by train. If I wanted to go from…

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ONLINE

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:23:50 +0000

I am planning a trip to Bangladesh in January and am a bit confused about the visa requirements when crossing Indian territory by train.

If I wanted to go from, for example, Dhaka to Srimangal, the train seems to cross the Indian border at Akhaura, before later re-entering Bangladesh. So if I am traveling from Dhaka to Srimangal without planning to leave the train in India, do I still require an Indian visa for the crossing? Similarly, should I apply for a multiple-entry Bangladeshi visa, rather than a single-entry? Essentially, am I regarded as leaving Bangladesh and entering India simply because the train from Dhaka to Srimangal passes through Indian territory en route?

Thanks for your help!

1

ONLINE

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:04:29 +0000

Entering India from BD and back again isn't like crossing Switzerland on the overnight train between France and Italy. You'd have to get off the train and pass immigration and Customs four times (an hour or more each time)!

The train towards Sylhet does go via Akhaura, which is close to the border, but the route does not cross the border. The only train route with border crossing formalities is the one between Dhaka and Kolkata.

Edited by: chuckles

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ONLINE

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:28:49 +0000

Thanks Chuckles. What about the train from Srimangal to Chittagong? Would that train journey require a visa?

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ONLINE

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:50:57 +0000

Having gone back and examined a couple of maps in light of your response Chuckles, I've realized my error. The north-south train line connecting Srimangal and Chittagong skirts, but does not actually cross the Indian border. Is that correct? My guidebook, when indicating that the train stops at Akhaura "for the Indian border," was simply indicating that passengers could disembark to cross into India, not that passengers are required to do so. Let me know if I'm still mistaken!

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ONLINE

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:45:32 +0000

Indian trains do not cross into Bangladeshi territory. Bangladesh trains do not cross into Indian territory. The only train that crosses borders is the Kolkata - Dhaka train.

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anonymous

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Wed, 12 Dec 2012 07:41:16 +0000

Thanks Chuckles. What about the train from Srimangal to Chittagong? Would that train journey require a visa?

No...Both cities are inside Bangladesh. So no question about Visa.

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ONLINE

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:56:59 +0000

"My guidebook, when indicating that the train stops at Akhaura "for the Indian border," was simply indicating that passengers could disembark to cross into India, not that passengers are required to do so. Let me know if I'm still mistaken!"

Yes, Akhaura is where you would disembark if you were going to Agartala, in India.

My relatives settled in Agartala after remaining in their ancestral land (nearby, Sylhet region) became impossible. I think they walked all the way, but today you can take local transport to the border.

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