How Do I Get Around In Bangladesh

How I Got Around in Bangladesh – My Travel Experience 🚆🚗⛴️

Hey there! I’m Arif, and I recently had an amazing adventure traveling across Bangladesh. While most people talk about the places they visit, I realized that how you get around can be just as memorable. From rickshaw rides that felt like roller coasters to peaceful ferry journeys under the stars—I experienced it all. Let me share my story with you.

🚲 1. The Rickshaw Ride That Turned into a Street Race

As soon as I landed in Dhaka, I knew I had to try the iconic cycle rickshaw. I hopped on one near New Market, thinking it would be a chill ride. But guess what? My rickshaw driver had other plans.

Suddenly, another rickshaw pulled up beside us, and without saying a word, the two drivers started racing through the crowded streets. I was holding on for dear life, laughing nervously while dodging buses, pedestrians, and random goats. It was like a real-life video game! At the end of the “race,” my driver proudly looked back and said, “Bhaia, jeetlam!” (Brother, we won!). That 15-minute ride felt like an adventure of its own.

Pro Tip: Always negotiate the fare before you start—but also be ready for unexpected thrills!

🚖 2. The CNG Driver Who Became My Tour Guide

I wanted to visit Lalbagh Fort, so I flagged down a CNG (auto-rickshaw). The driver’s name was Karim, and instead of just dropping me off, he started telling me stories about the city. He showed me hidden alleys, old tea shops, and even stopped at a roadside stall insisting I try fuchka (a popular street snack).

What was supposed to be a 20-minute ride turned into a spontaneous city tour. By the end, Karim refused to charge extra. He just smiled and said, “Apnar shathe kotha bole bhalo laglo.” (I enjoyed talking to you.)

That ride reminded me that the best travel moments often come from unexpected connections.

🚘 3. When a Pathao Bike Saved Me from Missing My Train

I had booked a train from Dhaka to Sylhet, but thanks to Dhaka’s infamous traffic, I was running late—really late. In a panic, I ordered a bike ride through the Pathao app. Within minutes, a guy named Sajib showed up.

We weaved through traffic like ninjas on a mission. At one point, we even took a shortcut through a narrow street that looked more like someone’s backyard (I swear, there was a chicken just casually walking by). Miraculously, I made it to the station with five minutes to spare. I gave Sajib the biggest “thank you” ever because that man was a hero.

Lesson learned: When in doubt, take a bike. It’s faster, cheaper, and sometimes feels like an action movie scene.

🚆 4. A Train Ride with Strangers Who Felt Like Family

The train from Dhaka to Sylhet wasn’t just a ride—it was an experience. I sat next to an elderly couple who noticed me struggling with my bag. They helped me settle in, and before I knew it, we were sharing snacks, tea, and even life stories.

At one point, a little boy from another seat started singing a folk song, and soon, people around joined in. It felt like I was part of a traveling community, surrounded by strangers who didn’t feel like strangers anymore.

⛴️ 5. A Night Ferry Under the Stars

One of the most magical parts of my trip was taking an overnight ferry (locally called a launch) from Dhaka to Barisal. I booked a small cabin, but I couldn’t resist stepping out onto the deck late at night.

The river was calm, the sky was clear, and the stars reflected on the water like tiny lanterns. The cool breeze, the gentle sound of the waves, and the distant lights from riverside villages—it was peaceful beyond words. That quiet moment, standing alone under the vast sky, was when I felt truly connected to Bangladesh.

✈️ 6. The Flight That Felt Like a Time Machine

After all the road and river adventures, I took a domestic flight from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar. What would’ve been a 12-hour bus journey took just under an hour. As we landed, the sight of the endless beach stretching along the Bay of Bengal was breathtaking.

It felt like I had traveled from the chaos of the city to paradise in the blink of an eye.