Cheap Flights to Dhaka (DAC)

You know that when you're searching for cheap flights to Dhaka you're not lining yourself up for just another city-break. Those heading to the capital of Bangladesh are in for a roller-coaster of adventure in one of the world's most vivid and vivacious cities. Dhaka will splash you with colour, bury you in history, gorge you with delicacies and gift you with 17 million bright smiles.

When should I book flights to Dhaka?

Bursting with people and thrumming with life, Dhaka also simmers with heat and humidity. A popular time to fly out here is in the cool season from November to February, after the monsoons have dissipated. The good news for those looking to book cheap tickets to Dhaka is that the cooler months are when prices are pretty low. November in particular is a sweet spot for bargains. For really cheap flights to Dhaka, though, it's good if you have nerves of steel: some of the lowest prices can be found if you book just two weeks before your holiday.

Where can I fly to Dhaka from?

If you're heading to the Bangladeshi capital from London, you'll find connections from Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow and London City airports. Expect to be in the air for 14 hours including one quick stopover if you travel with British Airways, but the journey is considerably longer with lower-cost carriers. For cheap flights to Dhaka Bangladesh, Aer Lingus and Etihad Airways generally tussle to offer the best value for money, but you can get good deals with Qatar Airways and Emirates too. These two flag carriers also operate out of Birmingham, while Turkish Airlines flies to Dhaka from Manchester. Those coming from Scotland need to plan their flights to Dhaka carefully – there are day-long treks available with Emirates, but heading via airports further south may seem preferable.

Getting from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to my hotel

The main airport for Dhaka was once known as Zia International, but is now called Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC). It's only a few miles north of the city, but traffic in Dhaka is often glacially slow, so ride in a taxi or auto-rickshaw (also called CNGs) into central districts like Sadarghat or Motijheel can take a couple of hours. Expect to pay as much as BDT 1,000 for a taxi and BDT 400 for a CNG. Although there are buses to locations across the city, this isn't an easy way for visitors to get to their hotel.

What can I do in Dhaka once my flight has landed?

Dhaka can astound visitors with the number of things to do here. A good place to start is at the cool parks along the Buriganga River. Here, the crowds thin and Dhaka's frenetic energy becomes less jagged. Look out to the river, though, and its tumble of river traffic reminds you that Dhaka never really slows. Old Dhaka thrills with its clash of Mughal and Colonial stonework, both echoing shanty-town cries, while Gulshan is the place to catch Bengalis at their flashiest – full of retail sparkle and sizzling shukto dishes.