Dhaka Airport (HSIA) Arrival Guide
কুর্মিটোলা থেকে শহর — ধাপে ধাপে
A step-by-step walkthrough of arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport: which terminal, which immigration lane, where to buy a SIM, how to change money and how to reach the city.
Landing and immigration
International flights now arrive at Terminal 3, the large new building north of the old terminals. Deplaning, follow the arrival signs to immigration: Bangladeshi passport and NVR holders use the nationals lane, foreign-visa holders the visitors lane. E-passport holders can often clear through the e-gates in seconds — the chip does the talking.
Have your passport, filled-in arrival card and, for NVR holders, the stamped passport ready. Families should stay together; officers process each member. Answer the standard purpose-of-visit questions simply: visiting family, duration, address in Dhaka.
Baggage, customs and the green-red channel
Belts deliver bags in the arrivals hall; free trolleys are everywhere and porters work for a small tip. All bags pass through X-ray before the exit. Nothing to declare means the green channel; carrying gold beyond limits, large cash or new electronics means the red channel and a declaration form.
Keep every receipt in hand luggage, not in checked boxes — you cannot argue a valuation without a paper trail. Read the duty-free, gold and cash rules before you pack, and budget duty the way you budget airfare.
Money, SIM and getting to the city
The arrivals hall has bank forex counters and ATMs, plus operator SIM counters — carry your passport, because every Bangladeshi SIM is biometrically registered. Tourist packages start cheap; see the SIM & Internet guide for details.
For the city: app-based rides (Uber and local apps) pick up from the designated zones, prepaid taxi counters quote fixed fares, and CNG auto-rickshaws work for the brave. The airport sits about 20 km north of Gulshan — allow 30 to 90 minutes depending on Dhaka traffic and time of day.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I reach HSIA for a departure?
For international departures allow three hours: immigration, security and the walk to the gate are all longer at the new terminal during peak hours. Domestic connections need around 90 minutes.
Is there Wi-Fi at the airport?
Yes, but a local SIM is the reliable plan. Buy it in the arrivals hall with your passport and skip the hunting for networks in a crowded terminal.
Can a friend meet me inside?
Meeters wait in the public arrivals area outside customs. Only ticketed passengers enter the restricted zones, so plan the meeting point before you land — mobile data helps here.