Bangladesh · Asia
Dhaka, Bangladesh: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 10.4MCurrency: BDTTime zone: Asia/Dhaka
US travel advisory
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Nov and Dec
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and its largest city, with a population of about 10.4 million people. As a low-cost destination by international standards, it offers a wide range of daily budgets: travelers can expect to spend around $30 a day on a budget trip, $70 a day for a mid-range stay, or $150 a day for a more comfortable, luxury-oriented visit. Over a full week these add up to $210, $490, and $1,050 respectively. The city's weather swings sharply across the year, from dry, sunny stretches in the winter months to heavy monsoon rain in mid-summer. Political demonstrations, crime concerns, and country-level travel advisories mean visitors should plan carefully and stay informed before and during a trip. This page summarizes typical costs, the months with the best weather, and the main safety points travelers should know about before visiting Dhaka.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
25°
3mm
Feb
28°
11mm
Mar
32°
52mm
Apr
36°
66mm
May
34°
251mm
Jun
33°
248mm
Jul
32°
234mm
Aug
32°
352mm
Sep
32°
231mm
Oct
32°
220mm
Nov
30°
36mm
Dec
26°
14mm
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a week in Dhaka cost?
A week on a budget plan runs about $210, a mid-range week about $490, and a luxury week about $1,050. These figures cover lodging, food, local transport, and typical daily spending at each comfort level.
When is the best time to visit Dhaka?
January, February, November, and December have the highest visit scores, with low rainfall, comfortable highs in the mid-20s to high-20s Celsius, and close to 9.6 to 9.9 hours of sunshine a day. These months offer the most reliable weather for sightseeing.
Is Dhaka safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Bangladesh at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and UK FCDO guidance flags terrorism risk, political unrest, and violent crime including robbery and sexual assault. Both advisories apply at the country level, so travelers should also check for city-specific updates before and during a trip.
Can you visit Dhaka on a tight budget?
Yes, the budget daily estimate is $30, which covers basic lodging, simple meals, and local transport. Sticking closely to this tier requires modest accommodation choices and eating at low-cost local establishments rather than restaurants aimed at visitors.
What is the cheapest time of year to visit?
May, June, and July are the off-season months, coinciding with the start of heavy monsoon rain, and are typically the quietest and least expensive time to visit. Travelers accepting more rain and humidity can often find lower prices during this stretch.
What about food and getting around the city?
Local transport options include rickshaws, motorized rickshaws known as CNGs, buses, and taxis, though solo travelers are advised to avoid public transport, especially at night. For food, costs vary widely between simple local eateries and restaurants aimed at foreign visitors, which factors into the difference between the budget and mid-range daily estimates.
Keep reading
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.