Dhaka Airport, officially Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), is the main and largest international airport in Bangladesh. It lies at Kurmitola, about 17 km north of central Dhaka, and is the home base of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) manages it, and you may also see the short form HSIA on signs and documents. There are two international terminals, Terminal-1 and Terminal-2, which share one building, and a separate Domestic Terminal beside them.

The airport is named after Shah Jalal, one of the most revered Sufi saints in Bangladesh. Its code, DAC, comes from Dacca, an older spelling of Dhaka. This guide covers the terminals, the airlines that fly here, how to leave the airport, the facilities and what to expect at departure.

Terminals and airlines at Dhaka Airport

Always follow the terminal printed on your e-ticket.

Terminal-1 and Terminal-2 (international)

Both international terminals are in the same building. Flights between Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka are international, so they use this building. Arrivals and customs are on the ground floor and you leave through Canopy-1 or Canopy-2. Check-in and the departure concourse are on the second floor.

Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal stands to the left of the international building. It is a single-storey building, with both arrivals and departures on the ground floor, and it handles flights within Bangladesh.

Terminal-3

A third terminal, Terminal-3, is still under construction and is not open to passengers. Until it opens, ignore any booking or map that sends you there and follow the terminal on your ticket.

Airlines at Dhaka Airport

These passenger airlines fly from Dhaka Airport:

• Biman Bangladesh Airlines
• US-Bangla Airlines
• Novoair
• Air Astra
• Malaysia Airlines
• AirAsia
• Batik Air
• Thai AirAsia
• Thai Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• China Southern Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• Air China
• Jin Air
• Air Premia
• IndiGo
• Air India
• SriLankan Airlines
• FitsAir
• Himalaya Airlines
• Drukair
• Maldivian
• Emirates
• flydubai
• Etihad Airways
• Air Arabia
• Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
• Qatar Airways
• Gulf Air
• Kuwait Airways
• Jazeera Airways
• Oman Air
• SalamAir
• Saudia
• flynas
• flyadeal
• Riyadh Air
• Turkish Airlines
• EgyptAir
• Ethiopian Airlines

From Malaysia, look out for Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Batik Air, along with the Bangladeshi carriers. Airlines add and drop routes over time, so check who operates your flight on your booking.

Moving between the terminals

The Domestic Terminal sits right next to the international terminals, and there is a domestic-international connecting gate in the international arrival hall. If you are connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight, follow the signs for that gate.

Getting to and from Dhaka Airport

Dhaka traffic can be slow, so leave plenty of time when you head back for a flight.

Free airport shuttle bus

HSIA runs a free shuttle bus to Jashimuddin Mor, Airport Railway Station and Kawla. It is a handy way to reach the railway station and pick up onward transport.

Car rental and hired cars

Car rental counters are in the arrivals concourse hall, before departures Canopy-1 and Canopy-2. Follow the Car Rentals signs, and confirm the charge at the counter before you set off.

Facilities at Dhaka Airport

Lounges

Several lounges are available, mostly inside security in the international terminal. Airlines, banks and a hotel run them, alongside VIP and CIP lounges. Entry depends on your ticket, card or membership.

Terminal layout

In the international building, arrivals and customs are on the ground floor and departures with check-in are on the second floor. At the Domestic Terminal, everything is on the ground floor.

Food and drink

Restaurants and coffee shops are in the departure concourse before security and in the departure lounge after it. There is also a coffee shop in the arrivals concourse for anyone meeting a flight.

Duty free

Departing passengers find a duty-free shop after immigration. Arriving passengers can shop before immigration.

Smoking rooms

Two smoking rooms are in the boarding-bridge corridor, one on the south side and one on the north side.

Prayer rooms

Prayer rooms have separate spaces for men and women. You will find them in the international arrival hall by the domestic-international connecting gate, on the second floor of Terminal-2 before immigration, on the third floor after immigration, and in the Domestic Terminal.

Wi-Fi, money, health and families

Free Wi-Fi covers the arrival and departure areas through several providers; register at the Wi-Fi help desk with your name and mobile number to get a one-time code. Bank and money exchange booths are in the departure concourse and the immigration areas. The Airport Health Office, on the south side of Terminal-2, is open around the clock for first aid and emergency care. A nurse-staffed Baby Care room for breastfeeding and nappy changing is on the left after departure immigration and is open 24/7. Wheelchair service and seating for senior citizens are also provided.

Tips for flying from Dhaka Airport

For international departures, the airport asks you to arrive at least 4 hours before your flight and to be at the boarding gate one to two hours before departure. That is longer than many travellers are used to, so plan your journey to the airport around it. For domestic flights, follow your airline's check-in advice. Immigration counters are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Entry and exit rules depend on your passport, so check the official guidance before you travel. For updated times, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Dhaka Airport

Fare cards on this page show fares on popular routes from Dhaka. The schedule tables further down list a selection of upcoming flights at Hazrat Shahjalal by date, with the airline and the scheduled times. They are not the full timetable, so use them as a guide, search your own dates, and set a Price Alert if you would like to wait for a better fare.

Popular routes from Dhaka Airport include:

• Dhaka to Kuala Lumpur flights
• Dhaka to Singapore flights
• Dhaka to Bangkok flights
• Dhaka to Dubai flights
• Dhaka to Doha flights
• Dhaka to Jeddah flights
• Dhaka to Kolkata flights
• Dhaka to Chittagong flights

Going home to Bangladesh or heading out on business? Search Dhaka flights on Traveloka and book the one that fits your dates.