Hazrat Shahjalal International — BRTC Bus + Uber
Hazrat Shahjalal International (DAC) to Dhaka — Updated 2026
Hazrat Shahjalal International (DAC) is 12 km north of central Dhaka but traffic makes it feel much further — 60-90 minutes is standard for the central Dhaka run (Gulshan, Banani, Motijheel). Options: BRTC (public bus) at BDT 50-100 (~$0.50-1) for the budget option; Uber + Pathao (Bangladesh's local ride-hail) at BDT 400-800 (~$4-8) direct to hotel; official airport taxi at BDT 1,500-2,500 (~$14-23) — significantly more expensive but fixed rate.
BRTC Bus + Uber stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DAC Airport | 0 min | Terminal 1 (int'l) + Terminal 2 (domestic) |
| Uttara | ~15 min | North Dhaka residential + planned zone |
| Airport Road → Kuril | ~30 min | Traffic bottleneck typically starts here |
| Banani | ~45-60 min | Diplomatic zone + hotels |
| Gulshan | ~60-75 min | Central tourist + business zone |
| Motijheel (CBD) | ~75-90 min | Old Dhaka + business district |
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BRTC Bus + Uber vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRTC bus (Route 3) | BDT 50-100 (~$0.50-1) | 75-100 min | Cheapest. A/C variants available. Crowded. |
| Uber / Pathao (car) | BDT 400-800 ($4-8) | 60-90 min | App-based. Reliable pricing. Best for tourists. |
| Airport taxi (fixed) | BDT 1,500-2,500 | 60-90 min | Counter inside arrivals. Fixed rate. |
| Airport taxi (CNG auto) | BDT 300-500 | 60-90 min | Auto-rickshaw with meter. Negotiate first. |
| Hotel airport shuttle | BDT 800-1,500 | 60-90 min | Book at reservation. Often included with 4+ star. |
FAQ
How much is Uber from Dhaka airport?+
BDT 400-800 (~$4-8) to central Dhaka depending on destination + traffic. Uber operates at DAC — set pickup as "Terminal 1 Departure/Arrival Gate" for correct location. Pathao (Bangladesh's local app) is often cheaper + has more drivers — download before travel. Both accept card + BDT cash.
Dhaka airport traffic — how bad?+
Very bad. Dhaka is one of the world's most congested cities. Airport-to-central Dhaka is 60-90 minutes standard, can hit 2 hours during Fri/Sun peak or Ramadan Iftar timing. Plan flight departure 4 hours before if going airport-outbound during rush hour (07:30-10:30 or 17:00-20:00).
BRTC bus safety + comfort?+
BRTC Route 3 (Airport-Motijheel) is government-operated with air-conditioned + non-A/C variants. Reasonable for budget travellers with backpack; awkward with heavy luggage. Payment: cash to conductor, small BDT notes. Buses are crowded during peak hours + relatively unmanaged — pickpocket awareness needed.
What if my flight arrives 03:00?+
Late-night arrivals at DAC: Uber + Pathao operate 24/7 (though wait times can hit 15-25 min). Official airport taxi counter open 24/7. BRTC bus stops running around 22:30. For late arrivals, book Uber/Pathao before exiting immigration + walk out with the ride confirmed. Airport-to-hotel at 03:00 is 30-45 min (no traffic) vs 90 min daytime.
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