Bangladesh

I read in an article that apparently it's possible to travel by train from Dhaka to the east coast in India. Any word on this?

All info truly appreciated!

Thank you.

Andreas

Maybe the article was misleading.

Are there any direct train services between Calcutta and the east coast then?

Will be visiting Bangladesh hopefully on my coming journey to India.

What would you recommend me to visit and not miss during my visit? Any good hotels you could recommend me to stay at? What is the price level there?

Everything will be appreciated!

Andreas

when are you going? Has anyone responded?

Other than the Lonely Planet guide from 2000, I haven't heard much.

I just got information from my embassy that I have to have a Visa beforehand in my passport .unless I'm arriving by plane. Arriving by plane I have to have an business invitation or at least a booked "business hotel" reservation.
Otherwise, get a visa beforehand to ensure your entry.

I'm not sure whether the article was misleading -- I suggest please check first in Dhaka...we all need to be accurate and not propagate misinformation.

AFAIK there _IS_ a train service between Dhaka and Kolkata _as well as_ a point-to-point bus service.

The train-link has a break at the border for customs purposes at Benapole, the border town. After crossing the border at Benapole, you have to walk (or catch a taxicab) for a few miles on the Indian side to take a train for the next leg to Kolkata (about 20~30 miles) to Kolkata. The bus service --as I said -- is door to door, i.e. you stay on the same bus

You're better off taking the bus from Dhaka to Kolkata. The buses are comfortable with aircon, have airline type seats and cost about US$20. I've seen at least the roads on the Dhaka to border leg and they compare very favorably with European standards. I say you're assured of a smooth trip.

There are no train services between Bangladesh-India. But some bus services are availablelike- Dhaka-Kolkata, Dhaka-Agortola & Dhaka-Shiliguri. The buses run everyday. Those are comfortable & cheap.

Welcome Andreas to Bangladesh, a land of plenty of green. Lot of hotels & motels awaiting in Bangladesh to welcome you. Cost are as under :

- Standard hotels : USD 8-15/NOGHT.
- Economy : USD 5-7/night
- Luxury l(5 Star) : USD 100-150/night

You can also take lunch/dinnar only for USD 1-2. So, welcome again. If you need anoy more information contact me.

From calcutta to other east coast In India , u do have a lot of train links , depends where u wanna go. check www.irctc.co.in , to book ur tickets.

Hi I 'm staying now in Varanasi and want to go to Bangladesh ,cause I need a new Visa for India .Where can I get a Visa for Bangladesh?Is it possibel to get a Visa in Calcutta and take a bus from there to Dhakar?

Welcome to BANGLADESH. Yes, you can get visa from Bangladesh Consular office at Kolkata. You can also take Dhaka-Kolkata bus from Karunamoi Bus terminal.There are also some bus services (Shohag, Green Line Paribahan & etc ) from Sudder Street. The fare is only Rs. 400-450 (One way)

Green Line launches two new routes

Thursday March 10 2005 12:29:19 PM BDT

Green Line Paribahan, a private transport operator, starts operating Volvo luxurious buses on two routes – Sylhet-Dhaka-Jessore-Benapole and Sylhet-Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar – today (Thursday) in a bid to ensure better passenger services.

The company, which has been operating air-conditioned Volvo brand busses on Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar route, has bought new four such buses from Swedish Motors Limited for the new routes.

Green Line arranged the ceremonial launching of the buses at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel in the city on Wednesday. Communications Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda was present on the occasion as the chief guest.

The minister, in his speech, urged the private sector transport owners to ensure safe journey for commuters as some drivers run the buses recklessly putting life at high risk.

He said the government would take an initiative to make roads and footpaths free from illegal occupiers to ensure smooth plying of transports.

Chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Advocate Taimur Alam Khandakar and Managing Director of Swedish Motors Limited Talebur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

Managing Director of Green Line Mohammad Alauddin was present at the function.

One-way fare for Sylhet-Dhaka-Jessore-Benapole service has been fixed at Tk 350.

BTW --- Benapole is the town where the border crossing is between Kolkata on Indian side and Jessore on Bangladesh side.

And Tk.350 is equivalent to about USD 6.00 nowadays.