Is Dhaka, Bangladesh Safe in 2026? Crime, Scams & Travel Tips

What the score means — 61/100

• Personal safety (55) — moderate. Violent crime against tourists is rare, but pickpocketing, bag-snatching and petty theft in crowds are common, and the sheer density magnifies opportunistic crime.
• Transport (55) — the notorious weak spot in daily life. Gridlocked traffic, chaotic roads and unsafe long-distance buses drag this down. The new Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line 6) is a genuine bright spot.
• Healthcare (57) — mixed. Top private hospitals (United, Evercare) offer good care; public facilities are overstretched and serious cases are often evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore.
• Night safety (50) — the lowest sub-score and the honest weak point. Streets empty and lighting is patchy after dark; take pre-booked transport rather than walking, and avoid unfamiliar or quiet areas at night.

Safest areas — where to stay

Recommended bases for visitors:

• Gulshan — the main diplomatic and upscale district. Embassies, international hotels, good restaurants, better security presence. The most comfortable base for most visitors.
• Banani — adjacent to Gulshan, popular with expats, with cafes, shops and hotels. Similar feel, slightly more relaxed.
• Baridhara — the diplomatic zone proper, quiet, leafy and heavily secured, home to many embassies and diplomatic residences.
• Dhanmondi — a lively middle-class residential and cultural area with lakes, restaurants and the Liberation War-era heritage; generally comfortable and well-served.

Stay aware: Old Dhaka — the historic heart around Sadarghat, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil and the bazaars is atmospheric and unmissable by day, but it is intensely crowded, easy to get lost in, and a hotspot for pickpocketing. Visit in daylight, keep valuables secure, and consider a local guide. It is not a place to wander alone after dark.

Petty crime, pickpocketing and scams

• Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the most common crimes affecting visitors — concentrated in crowded markets, on buses, at transport hubs and in the dense lanes of Old Dhaka. Snatch-and-grab from rickshaws and CNGs (auto-rickshaws) does happen, sometimes by passing motorbikes.
• Keep valuables minimal and out of sight. Carry a cross-body bag worn to the front, keep your phone away in crowds, and don't display cash, jewellery or expensive cameras.
• ATM and card skimming occurs — use machines inside banks or hotels where possible, and monitor your accounts.
• Overcharging of foreigners is routine in markets, with rickshaws and CNGs — agree a fare before you get in, and expect to bargain. This is annoyance-level, not danger.
• Fake guides and over-friendly strangers occasionally attach themselves to tourists; be politely firm. Use guides arranged through your hotel or a reputable operator.
• Credit-card fraud is common enough that many travellers rely on cash for day-to-day spending.

Getting around — traffic, rickshaws, CNGs and ride-hailing

• Traffic is legendary. Dhaka is regularly ranked among the most congested cities in the world; short distances can take an hour or more in peak hours. Always build in huge buffer time, especially for airport runs.
• Cycle rickshaws — Dhaka is often called the rickshaw capital of the world. Cheap and iconic for short hops; agree the fare first. Fine by day; avoid at night for longer trips.
• CNG auto-rickshaws — the green three-wheelers (named for their compressed-natural-gas engines) are the workhorse taxi. Insist on the meter or agree a price first; keep bags inside and away from open sides to deter snatching.
• Ride-hailing — Uber and the local app Pathao (cars and motorbikes) are widely used and are the safest, most transparent option. Fixed pricing, a record of the trip and no fare haggling. This is the recommended default for visitors.
• Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line 6) — the city's modern elevated metro is clean, fast, air-conditioned and a welcome way to skip the gridlock along its route. Women-only carriages are available.
• Avoid local buses — overcrowded, poorly maintained, driven aggressively, and a pickpocketing hotspot. Long-distance road travel and intercity buses have a poor safety record; where possible travel by day.
• From the airport — Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) is north of the centre. Use a pre-booked hotel car or a ride-hailing app rather than accepting touts inside the terminal.

After dark — the weak spot (night 50/100)

• Night is the lowest sub-score here for a reason. Many streets empty out after dark, street lighting is inconsistent, and the same crowds that provide safety-in-numbers by day thin out.
• Don't walk after dark in unfamiliar or quiet areas. Use a pre-booked car or a ride-hailing app door to door.
• Stick to the well-lit, busier parts of Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara if you're out in the evening; these have more security presence.
• Avoid Old Dhaka and quiet backstreets at night — the disorientation and crowd-related risks compound after dark.
• Nightlife is limited — Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country and alcohol is restricted, so evenings centre on restaurants and hotels rather than bars and clubs. Plan to be back at your accommodation reasonably early.

Women and solo travellers

• Dhaka is manageable for women and solo travellers who take standard precautions, and Bangladeshi hospitality is genuine — but expect staring and unwanted attention, which is common for foreign women.
• Dress modestly. Bangladesh is conservative; covering shoulders, chest and knees reduces attention and is respectful. A scarf is useful for religious sites.
• Verbal harassment ("eve-teasing") occurs, particularly in crowds and on public transport. Use the women-only carriages on the metro and the front seats reserved for women where available.
• Prefer app-based transport (Uber, Pathao) over street cabs, especially at night, and share your live trip with a contact.
• Avoid walking alone after dark and be selective about which areas you explore solo — daytime, busier and diplomatic-zone areas are the most comfortable.
• Trust your instincts and don't feel obliged to engage with persistent strangers; a firm, polite refusal works.

Health, medical care and emergencies

• National emergency number: 999 (police, fire, ambulance) — English-speaking operators are available.
• Best hospitals: for serious care use the leading private facilities — United Hospital (Gulshan) and Evercare Hospital (formerly Apollo, Bashundhara). Public hospitals are overstretched; serious cases are often medically evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
• Don't drink the tap water. Stick to sealed bottled or properly filtered water, use it for brushing teeth, and avoid ice of unknown origin.
• Food hygiene: street food is a highlight but choose busy, freshly-cooked stalls; peel fruit yourself and be cautious with raw salads and unpasteurised dairy. Travellers' diarrhoea is common — pack rehydration salts.
• Mosquito-borne illness: dengue is a recurring seasonal problem in Dhaka, peaking after the monsoon. Use repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk, and choose accommodation with screens or air-conditioning.
• Vaccinations and medication: check routine and travel vaccines with a clinic before you go, and bring any prescription medicines with you as availability can be inconsistent.
• Air quality: Dhaka's air is often severely polluted, especially in the dry winter months — those with respiratory conditions should bring masks and medication.

Seasonal risks — monsoon, heat, air and demonstrations

• Monsoon (June-September): heavy rain causes widespread waterlogging and street flooding, which snarls the already-difficult traffic and raises disease risk. Avoid wading through floodwater.
• Heat and humidity: the pre-monsoon months (April-May) are intensely hot and humid; stay hydrated and pace outdoor sightseeing.
• Air pollution: worst in the dry winter (roughly November-March), when Dhaka frequently ranks among the world's most polluted cities.
• Political demonstrations and hartals (strikes): Bangladesh sees periodic protests, rallies and strikes, particularly around election periods, which can be called at short notice and occasionally turn violent or disrupt transport. Avoid all demonstrations, large gatherings and political events, follow local news and your government's travel advice, and keep flexible plans during politically sensitive periods.
• Best time to visit: the cooler, drier winter (November-February) is the most comfortable for sightseeing, weather aside from the air-quality caveat.

Practical tips and quick facts

• Emergency: 999 (national — police, fire, ambulance).
• Currency: Bangladeshi taka (BDT). Carry small notes for rickshaws, CNGs and markets; card acceptance is limited outside hotels and malls, and card fraud is common, so cash is king for daily spending.
• Transport default: use Uber or Pathao for reliability and safety; keep the Dhaka Metro in mind to beat traffic along its line.
• Dress: modest, conservative clothing reduces unwanted attention and respects local norms.
• SIM/data: local SIMs (Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink) are cheap and require your passport to register — a data connection makes ride-hailing and maps far easier.
• Register: consider enrolling with your embassy's traveller programme, and keep a copy of your passport separate from the original.
• Keep buffers: assume everything takes longer than the map says because of traffic — plan airport departures with hours to spare.
• Respect customs: ask before photographing people, dress appropriately for mosques, and be discreet about alcohol, which is restricted.