Solo female travelling in Bangladesh

Hello everyone,

I am a British, 31 year old, reasonably seasoned traveller and would like to travel in Bangladesh for 2 weeks at the end of January. I have previously travelled extensively for 3 years (1 year of this spent in India) with my boyfriend but, sadly, we have now split up. I am now working in London but have a 2 week window of opportunity and would like to make the most of it.

I have a few simple questions:

• Can I do this as a single female???? What are the dangers? I would especially like to hear from single females who have actually visited BD on their own.

• How to get a visa in London. What is required. I have between 29th Dec and when I leave (16th Jan?) to sort this out.

• Any suggestions for 2 week itineries. I realise I do not have much time but want to make the most of it. I have already visited the Sunderbans from the Indian side, so could miss that out.

• Any advise on flights - What about Biman?

I would be very grateful for your replies as I have quite a short time to sort this out. My other option is to go to Sri Lanka, which I know would be much easier for me, but BD is very tempting and I have heard so many good stories. I am just concerned about travelling as a solo female. I would be quite happy doing this in India, but am not so aware of the differences I will experience in Bangladesh.

Thank you

Natalie

From a male perspective only on this question:

1) Western travelers (men or women) are generally given a lot of assistance to travel through Bangladesh.

2) I personally found night travel through the city (walking the streets and laneways) were safer than most parts of India.

3) Getting a visa that quickly may be an issue. There is another post here of someone who managed to get a visa on arrival (Australian) and there were no issues with getting that done.

4) There is so much to see and do in Bangladesh. Briefly, the places to see would be:
- Dhaka city
- Cox's Bazaar (excellent and remote beach location)
- Rangamatti lake & forest area.

5) Biman air is not always reliable. I like GMC but they too have been having problems with cancelling bookings.

Best to ask Mahmud or Clown777 for local (and up to date) advice.

Cheers
Zoltan

Hi Zoltan,

Thank you.

As I am working I am unable to visit the embassy in person in London but this morning have spoken to Hussain at a UK based company called Instant visas who can sort visas 40GBP for the visa itself plus 30GBP for their services. If I do go down this route I will feed back on here. I have been advised by these people I need 3 photos, completed forms, letter of employment, and (possibly) hotel reservation. Embassy is open 29th, 30th, 31st Dec, then 4th Jan onwards.
http://www.instantvisas.com/visas-detail.asp?id=22&gclid=CJqihdfu554CFUQA4wodx0iCIA
I would NEVER normally employ an agency to get me a visa but this cost is minor when you consider 2 days off from work and 2 travelcards into London.

Best flights seem to be Jet Airways via Delhi. Ethiad are cheaper, but much longer journey time.

Mahmud, Clown777 - can you help any further? Or anyone else?

Thanks

Natalie

Hi Natalie,
I travelled with my husband not alone but having been I wouldn’t hesitate travelling alone there. If you have travelled India you will be well used to the staring, it is curiosity only and I personally didn’t find it uncomfortable in the way it can be in India (sorry don’t mean to offend anyone!). The Bangladeshi’s are an absolute delight, hospitable, warm, kind, considerate, generous and courteous and with a lovely sense of humour, They will absolutely delight in showing you their country/culture/village/home/workplace etc etc. They are so proud of their country and will go out of their way to help you make the most of your trip, making sure you get the right bus/ferry/you are paying a fair price for the rickshaw ride etc, etc. Do a search for single female travelers on this forum and you will find quite a bit has been discussed previously.
If you haven’t already gone down the ‘agency’ route, we made a postal application for a tourist visa to the HC in London and received the visas back in 10 days. If you do it straight after the Xmas break you should be fine. We didn’t send an itinerary with our application just gave our destination as Dhaka and gave the Ramna Hotel (where we planned to stay for the first night) as our contact address in Bangladesh. They didn’t question it or ask for a booking confirmation. We didn’t need reference letters/proof of employment, just download the form from their website and send Special Delivery with a SD env for the return of your passport.
We also only had 2 weeks and visited Dhaka, took the Rocket to Khulna, then on to Barisal, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and St Martin’s. Easily doable in 2 weeks, we didn’t use internal flights just boat/bus and it was a nice little taster of the country.
Go, you will love it!
x

Dress properly and follow the advice of the TTers especially zoltan, you'll be fine.

Bon voyage.

Hi thanks very much everyone.

I was totally convinced about BD then read the female solo travel bit in the Bradt guide and thought "mmmmmm not sure if I could do it or not". Sri Lanka would be easier but I have seen so much of India, and need a bit of a mini adventure....

• What are costs like compared to India?
• Can I use an ATM at Dhaka international airport?
• What currency is best to take - USD? Seems like TCs are a waste of time??
• Arriving at 16.30, what are my options to get into Dhaka? Are there prebooked taxis?
• Where would you recommend staying in Dhaka itself? As I am on a 2 week holiday I am no longer on my 2 dollar a day budget (!) but at the same time want somewhere good value and safe.

Thanks

Natalie

Pleasure is mine, though the credit goes to zoltan & SUSANandJEFF.

Bon voyage.

Hi, thanks for your interest to travel Bangladesh. I am sure tht you will enjoy the trip.

1. Since last couple of years, I me more than 100 female solo travelers of the world. But no one, i repeat no one, faced any kind of difficulties in this country. So, dont worry about security issue.

2. As far as I know, London embassy asks for a Reservation letter. If so, write to Hotel Pacific for a reservation confirmation. Later, you can cancel the reservation.

3. I will recommend you the followings :

• Dhaka City & surroundings.
• Rocket Steamer Trip.
• Srimongol.
• St. Martins Island.
• Rajshahi & Bogra

If u need any more specific info, feel free to ask me.

Mahmud

• What are costs like compared to India? : The cost is around two third of India. say a decent hotel room tariff starts from USD 2-3/Night
• Can I use an ATM at Dhaka international airport? : Yes.
• What currency is best to take - USD? Seems like TCs are a waste of time?? : USD
• Arriving at 16.30, what are my options to get into Dhaka? Are there prebooked taxis? - No need. You will find a Taxi counter just outside immigration. Take a Taxi from that counetr
• Where would you recommend staying in Dhaka itself? As I am on a 2 week holiday I am no longer on my 2 dollar a day budget (!) but at the same time want somewhere good value and safe. - You can stay at Hotel ramna (USD 6-7) located at Central Dhaka 9Gulistan)

Hi Natalie,

I just got back from B'desh and I am a female traveller - I did part of the trip with an agency and part alone. I felt totally safe and as the others already said - Bangladeshis are so incredibly helpful and hospitable. Another female traveller I met on the way had already been in the country for 7 weeks and was invited to stay with locals at their homes. Just dress appropriately and respectfully - salwar kameez would be a great idea! Just go - you will love it! The country is beautiful and the people are amazing - a true adventure!

Have fun!

That is a great experience & travel report.

Happy travels.

Cost will be less than India.
ATM's - There is an ATM at Zia Airport, just after the passport counters on the facing wall alongside the money changers. We had no problem finding ATM’s during our trip (not one on St Martin’s) and found the Dutch Bangla Bank ATM’s the most reliable. We took an emergency reserve of US$ cash but didn’t need to use it.
Taxi from airport - Due to a lengthy flight delay we arrived into Dhaka late evening so decided to throw ourselves at the mercy of the pre-paid taxi counter. Actually it was fine, the guys were good fun and we thought it was worth the extra Taka for the convenience. The counter is as you exit the airport to the left, they will complete a form for you with details of your destination and number of bags, then you pay them a 50T booking fee with the 500T (that was the rate to the Ramna) paid to the taxi driver at your destination. Yes for sure it will be cheaper if you exit the airport and pick up a cab outside but for the difference in price sometimes it is worth paying a little more for the comfort and convenience on arrival.

A pleasure to assist - hope you have a great time there - photographically, it's got so much on offer - take a good camera; a good lens and lots of memory cards.

Cheers
Zoltan

Bangladesh is more easier for a solo female travelers then India though as a white or western women except more attention from man as its part of the subcontinental culture.

Use common sense,stay alert and follow the proper precautions when talking to stranger (and there will be many who might try to be friendly) its advisable to keep it short and not reveal much about your plans or business (some would want to spend more time with you or show you around...they might just be polite...but avoid it.

You will be stared at anyways and Shalwar Kameez isn't guaranteed to prevent things but it helps.

Subcontinental man don't think that white re sluts,they do think they re easy with sexual relationship and hence will try their luck so try not to be over friendly.

And also do not except any help,drinks or DINNER from stranger particularly in the streets and don't leave your drink unattended and if some one feels avoid him.

Hello there Nat,

To respond to your queries:

What are costs like compared to India?
Cheaper than India when it comes to most things; accommodation,food,shopping...however, alcohol isn't that widely available and are pricey in the big hotels. Being a foreigner, you will have the advantage of purchasing them cheaply from bonded warehouses.

Can I use an ATM at Dhaka international airport?
Depending on the bank, but seldom there have been any problems with travellers...regardless of the type of card they had.

What currency is best to take - USD? Seems like TCs are a waste of time??
USD still dominates, and USD TCs are a safer bet, in case you lose them.

Arriving at 16.30, what are my options to get into Dhaka? Are there prebooked taxis?
Plenty of options, taxis being one of them.

Where would you recommend staying in Dhaka itself? As I am on a 2 week holiday I am no longer on my 2 dollar a day budget (!) but at the same time want somewhere good value and safe.

Any hotel/guesthouses in the Gulshan,Baridhara,Banani and the adjacent areas should cater to you with extra comfort...which obviously will charge you extra as well.

Hope you have a nice stay there!

Oh, the Bangladeshi embassy/consulate is located in London- you can call them for information regarding visa requirements.