DAC Airport: the code and names of Dhaka's main airport

If you have seen DAC on a ticket or a booking screen, it refers to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the main international gateway of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. DAC is the three-letter IATA airport code used by airlines and travel sites, while the four-letter ICAO code used by pilots and air traffic control is VGHS.

People search for this airport in many ways. Some type "DAC airport" or "airport DAC", others ask "DAC is which airport" or look up the DAC IATA code or DAC flight code. You may also see the longer form "Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport" or the shorter "Shahjalal International Airport". Older maps and some long-standing travel guides still use the former name, Zia International Airport. All of these point to the same place.

One small but useful point: travellers sometimes search for "DHK airport", but DHK is not the code for Dhaka. When you search for flights, enter DAC or simply type Dhaka and pick Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from the list. That way your search returns the right flights.

Where DAC Airport is in Dhaka

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport sits in Kurmitola, in the northern part of Dhaka. It lies roughly 17 to 18 kilometres north of the city centre, with the Uttara neighbourhood to the north and the busy Airport Road running along its front. The airport began operating in 1980 and has grown with the city around it.

Distance on a map says little about the time a trip will take. Dhaka is known for heavy road traffic, and a drive that is short at night can take far longer at rush hour. The Dhaka Elevated Expressway, which starts near the airport at Kawla and runs south towards Tejgaon and Farmgate, lets cars skip much of the congested ground-level road. Even so, plan your journey around traffic, not distance.

Terminals at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Knowing the terminal layout at DAC saves time on arrival and departure. The airport has a main international building and a separate domestic terminal next to it.

Terminals 1 and 2: international flights

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle international flights and share one building. Arriving passengers come through on the ground floor. Departing passengers go upstairs to check in on the upper departures level. Because the two terminal numbers sit under one roof, it is the floor, not the building, that separates arrivals from departures.

The domestic terminal

Flights within Bangladesh use a separate domestic terminal, set beside the international building. It is a smaller, simpler facility than the international halls. If you are connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, allow time to clear arrival formalities and walk across to the domestic side.

Terminal 3

A large new Terminal 3 has been built alongside the existing buildings to add space for more passengers, check-in counters and boarding bridges. Terminal use can change as new areas open, so check your ticket, the airline's messages and the departure screens to confirm where your flight leaves from.

Facilities at DAC Airport

The international terminal offers the everyday services most travellers look for before or after a flight.

• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is available for passengers, which helps if you have no local SIM card yet.
• Lounges: several lounges operate in the international and domestic terminals, including bank-run and pay-per-use lounges.
• Prayer rooms: separate prayer spaces for men and women are provided for passengers.
• Shopping: duty-free shops are found in the international terminal.
• Money: banking and currency exchange services are available, so you can change money soon after landing.
• Food: the international terminal has cafés and restaurants, while the domestic side has a smaller choice.

If you need wheelchair help or other assistance, tell your airline when you book so it can arrange support at DAC.

Airlines and routes from DAC Airport

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is home base for Bangladesh's own airlines. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national carrier, uses DAC as its hub, and so do the private carriers US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair and Air Astra. Between them they link Dhaka with other cities across Bangladesh as well as destinations abroad.

For travellers in Southeast Asia, the links to Malaysia and Singapore matter most. Malaysia Airlines flies between Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines also serve the Kuala Lumpur route. Singapore Airlines flies between Singapore and Dhaka. Schedules and frequencies change through the year, so search your dates on Traveloka to see which airlines fly on the day you want.

Beyond these, DAC connects Dhaka with the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia through a mix of local and foreign airlines. For many overseas visitors, it is also the starting point for trips elsewhere in Bangladesh.

Getting to and from DAC Airport in Dhaka

There are several ways to travel between Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and the rest of Dhaka. Which one suits you depends on your luggage, your budget and the time of day.

Taxi and ride-hailing

A taxi desk operates in the international arrivals area, where you can arrange a car before you step outside. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Pathao also work at the airport; follow the pickup instructions shown in the app. For most visitors with bags, a pre-arranged car or an app ride is the simplest way into the city.

Train from Airport Railway Station

Airport Railway Station lies directly across the highway from the terminal. It is on the main line through Dhaka, which makes it handy for rail journeys to other parts of the city and the country. Crossing the road with heavy luggage takes some effort, so it suits light travellers best.

Shuttle and buses

An airport shuttle bus runs between the terminal and the nearby bus and railway stations, where city buses continue towards central Dhaka. Local buses are the budget option, but they are crowded and are harder to use with suitcases.

By car via the expressway

If you are driving or being collected, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway links the airport area with Tejgaon and Farmgate, and it can cut a long, stop-start ride down to a much shorter one. Ask your driver whether they plan to use it.

Travel tips for Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

A little planning makes a trip through DAC much smoother.

• Leave early. Heavy Dhaka traffic can easily make you late for a flight. Set out with a generous buffer and follow your airline's check-in deadline.
• Keep documents ready. International arrivals pass immigration, then baggage reclaim, then customs. Have your passport, visa details and onward information at hand.
• Check your terminal. International and domestic flights use different buildings, so confirm which one you need, especially on a connection.
• Get online on arrival. Use the free Wi-Fi to message your hotel or book a ride before you leave the terminal.
• Know your airline. Airline assignments decide where you check in, so read your booking and any airline messages before you travel.

Exploring Dhaka from DAC Airport

Dhaka is a crowded, energetic capital with a long history. Old Dhaka, in the south of the city, is packed with narrow lanes, markets and historic buildings such as Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil, the pink palace on the Buriganga riverfront. Nearby Sadarghat is the city's river port, where boats of every size come and go.

Further north, the National Parliament House is known for its striking modern architecture, and the leafy districts of Gulshan and Banani hold many of the city's hotels, restaurants and embassies. Because these northern districts are closer to the airport than Old Dhaka, they are a practical base for short stays or early flights.

Food is one of the best reasons to visit. Try biryani, fresh river fish, street snacks and sweets from the city's many small shops, and give yourself time to take in daily life on the streets.

Ready to fly to or from DAC? Compare flights to Dhaka on Traveloka and set a Price Alert so you know when fares change.