Dhaka Airport Guide: Terminals, Transfers, Transport and Arrival Tips

Last updated: Jul 13, 2026

Key takeaways

Terminals 1 and 2 handle international flights and are within the same terminal building; the domestic terminal is a separate ground-floor facility beside them.
The international arrival sequence is Immigration, baggage reclaim, Customs and then the arrivals concourse exits at Canopy 1 or Canopy 2.
Official airport transport choices include arrival-hall rent-a-car/taxi desks and a shuttle to the nearest bus and railway station; app-based rides are also available.

Table of Contents

Dhaka airport terminals

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s official terminal page describes three main passenger facilities:

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2: both are designated for international flights and are within the same building. International arrivals use the ground-floor arrivals concourse, while departing passengers check in from the international departure concourse on the second floor.
Domestic terminal: located to the left of the international terminal building. Its arrivals and departures concourses are both on the ground floor.
Terminal 3: a third terminal building was completed and ceremonially inaugurated in October 2023, but it has not started handling passenger flights. HSIA and Bangladesh’s civil aviation authority (CAAB) have discussed opening dates for later in 2026, but as of the last-checked date above there is no confirmed passenger-operations date.

Your airline assignment matters more than the terminal number in a general guide. Check the ticket, airline message and flight-information display when you arrive.

This article deliberately omits a specific Terminal 3 opening date because HSIA and CAAB have not published a confirmed passenger-operations date as of the last-checked date above.

International arrival flow at Dhaka airport

Keep your passport, visa if required, completed immigration documentation and onward details accessible.

HSIA says arriving passengers first clear Immigration, then collect baggage and complete Customs.

Bangladesh Customs says the Green Channel is for passengers carrying no dutiable goods, while the Red Channel is for passengers carrying dutiable goods; passengers must make a correct baggage declaration.

Baggage-belt displays and the nearby help desk can identify the correct carousel.

Your international arrival journey

1. Arrival Immigration

Present your passport, visa if required and the immigration form or other documents requested for your journey.

2. Baggage reclaim

Find the belt on the flight-information display or ask the help desk beside the baggage area. Free trolleys are available beside the belts.

3. Customs

Follow the channel and declaration instructions that apply to your baggage and traveller status.

4. Choose the correct Customs channel, then exit

Use the Green Channel only if you are carrying no dutiable goods; use the Red Channel if you are carrying dutiable goods, and make the required baggage declaration correctly. Then continue toward Gate 1 or Gate 2 and the Canopy 1/Canopy 2 areas, confirming your transport pickup point before exiting.

If a checked bag is missing or damaged, notify the relevant airline before leaving the baggage area and ask the arrival help desk for directions. HSIA also lists a Lost and Found service and its airport hotline for assistance.

International-to-domestic and other transfer considerations

For an international-to-domestic connection, the official airport FAQ directs arriving passengers through Immigration, baggage reclaim and Customs before using the path from the international arrivals side toward the domestic terminal.

In practical terms, this is a landside transfer rather than a promise of an airside connection.

Whether baggage is checked through depends on the airline and ticket, so confirm this before departure. If you must collect and recheck bags, allow time for each of the following:

Immigration and Customs clearance
The walk from international arrivals to the domestic terminal
Domestic check-in
Domestic security screening

Do not rely on a fixed minimum connection time from a general guide, because queues, baggage delivery and airline cutoffs vary.

For an international-to-international connection, ask the operating airline whether you remain in transit, need to collect baggage or must meet Bangladesh entry requirements.

If the flights are on separate tickets, confirm the transfer process, baggage handling, check-in deadlines and disruption arrangements with both airlines before travel, and allow extra time.

Transport from DAC airport to Dhaka city

Dhaka traffic can make road times unpredictable. Compare the live price, pickup instructions, luggage space and your destination rather than choosing only by a typical duration.

The airport and operators currently describe these options:

Airport rent-a-car or taxi desk

Where: arrivals concourse, before the Canopy 1 and Canopy 2 exits
Best for: an on-site arranged car and travellers who want staff assistance
Check: destination price and vehicle size before agreeing

App-based ride

Where: follow the pickup directions displayed after requesting
Best for: seeing a live estimate and driver details in the app
Check: driver’s name, number plate, vehicle colour and luggage fit before boarding

HSIA shuttle bus

Route: between the airport and the nearest bus and railway station
Published fare: Tk 20 per person, or Tk 50 with extra luggage
Check: current stop and service availability with HSIA before relying on it

HSIA’s official rent-a-car page lists the operators at the arrivals concourse. For app-based pickup, the operator’s DAC pickup page says meeting points can vary and that the app supplies current directions.

Do not enter a vehicle based only on someone approaching you in the terminal or canopy area.

Using the HSIA shuttle bus

The airport shuttle is not a direct city-centre express. Its official description connects the terminal with the nearest bus and railway station, so plan the next leg separately.

HSIA’s published page lists air conditioning, luggage space, free Wi-Fi and assistance for senior passengers and travellers with special needs, but confirm the live stop and schedule before travel.

Facilities and passenger help

Useful official services include free trolleys in arrivals and departures, free help desks in both international areas, emergency health care, restaurants in the departure areas, duty-free shops and lounges.

Access to a lounge depends on the lounge’s own rules, your cabin, membership or payment arrangement.

HSIA’s FAQ also lists free telephone booths in the Immigration, baggage and arrivals concourse areas; mobile charging points; and SIM-company booths after Customs near Green Channel 1. Availability can change, so ask a help desk if a facility is closed or has moved.

Wheelchair assistance and special needs

Arrange wheelchair assistance with the airline before travel where possible. For an unexpected need, contact the airline or the HSIA call centre.

The airport’s free help desks are the best first stop for terminal directions, baggage-belt information or a service location.

Departure and pickup tips

Allow a large buffer. HSIA’s departure guide advises international passengers to reach the airport at least four hours before the scheduled flight. Your airline’s check-in cutoff still applies.
Use the live displays. Entry gate, check-in row and boarding gate assignments can change.
Keep documents accessible. Have your passport, ticket and required travel documents ready for the terminal entrance and check-in.
Share the correct meeting point. Tell a pickup driver whether you are at Canopy 1 or Canopy 2, and send the live location only after clearing Customs.
Save the airport contacts. HSIA publishes hotline 13600 and 09614-013600, plus [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

How many passenger terminals does Dhaka airport currently use?

HSIA currently operates Terminals 1 and 2 for international flights in the same building, plus a separate domestic terminal beside them. A third terminal (Terminal 3) has been built but had not opened for passenger flights as of the last-checked date above.

What is the international arrival process at Dhaka airport?

Arriving passengers normally complete Immigration, collect baggage, and clear Customs. They then exit through the international arrivals concourse toward Canopy 1 or Canopy 2.

How do I transfer from an international flight to a domestic flight?

Clear Immigration and Customs, and collect baggage if required. Then follow the signed path from international arrivals toward the domestic terminal, and confirm baggage handling and check-in deadlines with both airlines.

Can I get a taxi or app-based ride at Dhaka airport?

Yes — HSIA lists rent-a-car and taxi services in the arrivals concourse before the canopy exits. App-based airport pickup is also available; follow the live app directions and verify the driver and vehicle before boarding.

Which Dhaka airport terminal should I go to?

Use the terminal or entry gate shown by your airline and the current airport displays. International flights use the Terminal 1/2 building, while domestic flights use the separate domestic terminal.

Plan your arrival in Dhaka

Confirm your terminal and transport pickup before flying, keep the airport hotline accessible and leave room for traffic and connection delays. Once your dates are fixed, compare hotels in Dhaka on Wego and choose an area that works for your meetings, sightseeing or onward journey.

Sources

Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.