Bangladesh
|
This article is a stub. This means that the information available to us is obviously insufficient. In these places little information is available or the description is severely outdated. If you have been there, whether hitchhiking, for travel or as part of an organized tour − be sure to extend this article! To start editing articles you can request an account. |
 Bangladesh | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | Bengal |
| Capital: | Dhaka |
| Population: | 158,570,535 |
| Currency: | Taka (BDT) |
| Hitchability: | <rating country='bd' /> |
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
| <map lat="23.7104" lng="90.407439999996" zoom="6" view="0" float="right" /> | |
| Check out hitchhiking spots on Hitchmap | |
Bangladesh is a country in Southern Asia. Hitching is not really understood here. However, if you are a foreigner, your mere presence will attract interest.
Especially outside of Dhaka. Bangladeshis are generally very helpful to foreigners, so whilst they may be amazed that you choose not to use the (very cheap) public transport, you may succeed in receiving offers of lifts.
Risi hasn't had success simply standing by the roadside. Actually, the number of private cars is very few, compared to the number of buses. It's more recommended to show a cheery smile at a roadside cafe or petrol station.
Cities
Personal Experience
Hitchhikernick - Visited in early June 2025 for 7 days. Visited in following order: Benapole > Jashore > Lohagora > Dhaka > Mashakhali (train surfing) > Sreepur (train surfing back south) > Mawna > Kaliakair > Rajshahi > Sonamsjid Land port (border crossing where I got turned back as only locals allowed to use it) > Benapole
Hitching rides was pretty easy once out of the city sprawl. I managed to hitchhike all the way from benapole to Dhaka in same day (12 hrs) that included being held at police station for 4 hours as they didn't know what to do with me hitchhiking, in the end they gave me a nice meal and a lift to Jashore. The first guy who picked me up and took me to the police station, as well as the police were concerned for my safety. Hitching was easy when out of town but had to keep saying i had little money and wanted free ride and no buses or taxis.
Only once got asked for money at end, by a cart driver that took me 5km, but I already said I wanted free ride at beginning, so said no money and sorry (bow gesture) and then walked away.
I didnt experience any aggresion, just women and kid beggars at nighttime in Dhaka following me, asking for money (only in shady area, mohakali, where my hostel was...security guards were everywhere and so many at the excessive number of banks). First night i got there, my hostel was shut, so had to go and sit on the street in the safe district (gulshan, mosquitoes are present) and at 3am a local guy, picked me up and took me back to his house near the airport. He is a young politician and managed to get hold of some beer and i had some homemade vodka and tasty meals with him and his friends 😁
Train surfing i wasn't sure would be easy so went to airport station and watched some locals get on front and hopped on. The driver kicked only me off, but the locals at the station just said jump back on when it started moving again, so I did and the driver didn't stop this time but had a word with me. I rode for an hour, as the train wouldn't stop for ages, and luckily the train next to us, when we stopped, was going the other way and had lots of locals on the roof, so I switched trains and finally got on the roof to surf. Never got asked for ticket and never came across any security/police, thankfully.
Average waiting times was around 30 mins. I got bought some snacks and meals when hitchhiking, though only did it for 2 of the 7 days I was there.
Be aware that all border crossings, except for Benapole, are closed to foreigners. Only bangladesh, indian and nepalese can cross at these border posts...or so I was told when I got sent back at Sonamsjid. I obtained the visa on arrival at Benapole, when entering bangladesh from India, and the process was simple and took 15mins. I paid 51usd to enter and 960 Taka (8usd) at the departure tax kiosk, right next to immigration, when leaving back to India.
In total I spent 35usd, including 3 nights in hostel within that amount. hitchhikernick
Borders
- The border to Myanmar is closed (information from Sep 2023)
Nomadwiki & Trashwiki
Check Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :) visa:Bangladesh
