Dhaka to Leeds Flights

  About Dhaka

Nestled close to the lovely Buriganga river is the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka. The city has an excess population and exquisite architecture, inspired by the Mughal, British and American rule.

Best time to visit Dhaka

The busiest months for Dhaka are June, January and February. The seasons of Dhaka are quite similar to the ones faced in the North Eastern locales of India. However, they are slightly tweaked depending on the impact of the rains and summer. June is the onset of summer and hence, a very comfortable time to visit. The air is continuously humid, which could be another reason to avoid this time of the year. March through May is spring for Dhaka and the weather is slightly tolerable. Expect some rain though even during spring as the city is known to face regular rains throughout the year. Spring becomes a favoured month among travel enthusiasts who wish to visit the city as the hotel rooms are cheap. Even if you don't make prior reservations, you will find cheap hotels in Dhaka during this season. The crowd in the city is also comparatively few, making it easier for you to venture around.

You will find many cheap flight and hotel deals to Dhaka if you opt for spring. Fall is another such season when the flight and hotel prices are low, allowing tourists to get the perks of good deals. September through November is not ideal for tourism though as the showers can get very risky. The torrential rains could even lead to floods and waterlogging in the city of Dhaka. The city witnesses excess rain from the winds arriving from the Bay of Bengal, which gets really murky. Tourism sees a tremendous dip during this season, making hotel prices very cheap and affordable. The best time to visit though, aside from spring is winter. With temperatures that stand at 223 degree Celsius as opposed to the exorbitant ones during summer, Dhaka's winters are very beautiful. However, as this is a busy time for tourism in the country, you might have a tough time finding decent accommodation in the city. Plus, the prices would also be quite high. The best thing to do to get cheap and affordable deals would be to make prior hotel bookings in Dhaka.

Places to visit in Dhaka

The city has a plethora of lovely neighbourhoods that can be explored. There are a few religious sites that you can start with when visiting in Dhaka. These establishments are top tourist attractions in Dhaka and definitely worth your time. You can start with the Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection which was erected back in 1781 by American missionaries. You do not need a specific tour guide to take you through this place. You also have the Holy Rosary Church to visit. Dhaka also houses many mosques as it is predominantly an Islamic country. You will find exquisite mosques in the city. Check out some prominent ones such as the Baitul Mukarram Mosque, Chawk Mosque, Hussaini Dalan Mosque, Musa Khan mosque and Sitara mosque. It is imperative that you follow some protocols of the religion before entering the mosque as they are very strict about their customs. The city also has a Hindu temple, Dhakeshwari Temple, which was built in the 12th century.

An important tourist attraction in the city is the Lalbagh Fort. The fort, built during the Mughal era, has witnessed some bloody wars in the old times. In fact, the spot has experienced some of the biggest iconic moments in Bangladesh's history and hence, holds a prominent position in their cultural heritage. You should also check out the Curzon Hall, which has now been transformed into the University of Dhaka. Also, do not miss the Banga Bhaban, the official abode to the president of Bangladesh. The palace has been heavily inspired by the British India era and reflects the same. The 1857 Memorial is a spot worth checking out. It is basically a vast expanse of memorial that has been built to honour the martyrs who perished during the first Liberation War that took place to oppose the British rule. Do not miss the National Poet's graveyard as well, which is the tomb of the revolutionary poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam. The National Botanical Gardens is a beautiful location within the city which transports you from the excess noise of Dhaka to tranquillity.

Things to do in Dhaka

There are quite a handful of things that you can do during your stay in Dhaka. As part of your excursion to learn more about the city, you can visit the National Museum. The place will take you through the past and struggles of Bangladesh before being blessed with freedom and a separate nation of its own. You can also visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and known more about Bangladesh's freedom fighter Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also called, 'Father of the Nation'. The Dhaka Zoo is another interesting place you can visit when in the city. The zoo has many species of exotic birds and animals including the profound Royal Bengal Tiger. The Sadarghat River Front is also a beautiful place where you can relax and unwind after a long day of indulging in tourist activities. The riverfront rests on the banks of the lovely Buriganga river. You can further elevate your experience by taking up boat rides.

Food and Restaurants in Dhaka

Dhaka has an abundance of food varieties ranging from traditional Bangladeshi food to Chinese, Indian and even Mexican cuisine. Most of the food is served in buffet style at these restaurants with fixed prices so you should carry enough cash with you. To get the best of Dhaka's fine dining scene, you should visit Gulshan, Baridhara, Lalmatia, Banani and Dhanmondi. These streets have elite food establishments with international cuisine. You would be surprised and amazed by some of the astounding joints that these streets have in Dhaka. La Forchetta is one such restaurant that brings the flavours of Italy on a platter. It is one of the best Italian joints in the city and definitely recommended. The city also has steakhouses with a food establishment called Steakhouse.

A&W is one of the famous burger joints with special American-style burger served with fries and a rootbeer float. They also have a jukebox in the background that would take you back in time. Bamboo Shoot is another fantastic restaurant especially in Chinese and Thai food. Adding to the authenticity of the joint are a number of Chinese expats who seem to relish the food here. Bella Italia is another food restaurant that was founded by an individual who served at an Italian restaurant. For some local food, you should check out Dhanshiri, located in Gulshan street. The food served here celebrates the Bangladeshi food and is served at a reasonable price. You can also check out Gulshan Khabar Ghar for some more local food. The cafe scene in Dhaka is also quite good and something you would enjoy. Mermaid Cafe, Bittersweet Cafe are some places where you will get good coffee and baked goods. The ambience served is just as exquisite.

How to reach Dhaka (Transportation)

By Air

Flight connectivity to Dhaka from India is excellent. As a neighbouring country, a majority of flights to Bangladesh sees a layover in Kolkata. In fact, you will find direct and nonstop flights to Dhaka from Kolkata. The city's proximity to Bangladesh's capital makes it possible. This is the most popular route to Dhaka often chosen by travellers visiting the city from India. There are no direct nonstop flights to Dhaka from any other city in the country. If you are travelling from Mumbai or Delhi, you will have to change flights at Kolkata. From Delhi though, Biman Bangladesh is the only airline that has reserved a nonstop direct flight to Dhaka. Besides this, much of the airlines opt for a layover in Kolkata. Many Indian airlines such as SpiceJet, IndiGo and Vistara, have regular flights to Dhaka. However, they all travel till Kolkata, from where Biman Bangladesh takes the passengers to Dhaka. Flights to Dhaka from India also take international routes with layovers in cities such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo and Istanbul, depending on the airlines chosen.

The flight tickets to Dhaka are extremely cheap from India. You can get flight tickets to Dhaka for as less as INR8,000. The flight duration is also quite decent with popular airlines reaching in less than five hours. Of course, these flights are expensive as compared to the ones who reach Dhaka in 12 hours.

By Rail

Flights are not the only way to reach Dhaka, though. There is a special dedicated train that connects Dhaka and Kolkata. The Maitree Express is touted to be the first international railway line connecting Dhaka with an international city, i.e., Kolkata. It is a full-AC train which is quite posh and has luxurious services available.

By Road

AC buses to Dhaka are also available, owing to how close the cities of Dhaka and Kolkata are. Much of these buses are government-run as it has to do with international borders. These buses travel to Dhaka on alternate days and are super cheap.

  About Leeds

Located in the northern English county of Yorkshire is the quaint and lovely city of Leeds. It is snuggled up on the banks of the Aire River and is recognised highly to be one of the fast-paced economies. The city also has some famous food and the third busiest railway station in the country.

Best time to visit Leeds

As a city that is predominantly known to be cold, the summers automatically become the best season to visit. Even in summer, Leeds is not really hot to be specific as the temperatures stand at 21 degree Celsius during the days. Now, this could also vary depending on the erratic changes in the temperatures. Mainly, it ranges from 13 degree Celsius to 21 degree Celsius. June to August is considered to witness the best of summers in Leeds as the temperatures are extremely favourable, especially if you come from a hot country and do not wish to see extremely cold temperatures. July and August's months see a proper summer in Leeds. It is undoubtedly the best time to visit Leeds and also comes with some surge in the tourism industry. The hotel reservations are severe as many people from around the country and world flock over to witness the Leeds summer. This results in a massive spike when booking hotels in Leeds. Even flight tickets to Leeds are expensive during their summers. Hence, you should make prior bookings and avoid the excess surge in rates.

No matter what happens, though, avoid winters. The temperature can get quite low, and the air would be very dreary. The city continues to keep the morale up by hosting festivals and events, including ringing in the alluring Christmas and New Year's. However, the brisk cold breeze and temperatures could be bad for you. Not to mention how it could also lead to frostbites and other health conundrums that accompany cold weathers. Leeds is also known to face the typical English weather with monsoon showers taking over amid summers and winters. The fickle nature of the rain often might disrupt with your touristy plans. But do not let it bring your spirit down as the city's spring and summer do have a pleasant vibe. The best thing about spring in Leeds is it comes with a slash in hotel prices. You can actually book hotels in Leeds for cheap during spring. In fact, the earlier you book your rooms and flight tickets, the better it is. You might even be able to snag some lovely online deals that would enable you to save up and spend more pounds on other activities in the city.

Places to visit Leeds

Leeds is home to some interesting attractions that would further add to the tourist fun. You can start your excursion by visiting the Harewood House. It is located in West Yorkshire and spans over 1,000 acres. The estate is known to be a member of the Treasure Houses of England. An interesting location that would engage you is the National Coal Mining Museum for England. You can actually learn more about the industry and its relevance to the Leeds economy. Temple Newsam is actually one of the popular sites and part of the Leeds Museum and & Galleries. The estate does have an interesting brown building with green expanses making the place's vibe serene. You should also check out the intriguing ruins of the Cistercian monastery called the Kirkstall Abbey. The picturesque ruins paint quite a picture and have been attracting photographers and artists. The National Science and Media Museum is the perfect place to explore more of Leeds' exhibitions of animation, photography, video games, television and everything related to media and science.

Things to do in Leeds

You have got to visit the Roundhay Park, which is one of the most extensive gardens in the city. The popular tourist attraction does accommodate a huge crowd and is perfect for picnics and other fun activities. There are lakes, woodlands, gardens and parklands that easily manage to attract the tourists. RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a public garden which has waterfalls and exquisite flowers and other plants. It recently merged with the Northern Horticulture Society. The place also has coffee shops which serve amazing food and beverages. If you are interested in art, then you should directly check out the Leeds Art Gallery. It has been recognised to be of national importance by the British government. The structure is also quite Victorian and has a fantastic architecture that would marvel you. You should also visit The Hepworth Wakefield to check out some of the best works of artist and sculptor Barbara Hepworth. You should also check out the Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. While you're at it, do not miss Senado Square and A-Ma Temple in the city.

Food and restaurants in Leeds

Leeds is touted to be one of the culinary gifts of the United Kingdom. The city, with its impressive array of restaurants and quality kitchen, takes food rather seriously. You will be thoroughly amazed to find the diversity in Leeds' restaurant culture. Do not be surprised by the plenty of curry houses in the city as they do have a slew of Indian restaurants. From basic budget restaurants to upscale Michelin-starred establishments, you will find food for all kinds of mood in Leeds. From Italian trattorias to Thai restaurants, you will find them all, and you will fall in love with them too. You can start your food expedition in the city from Aagrah. The best thing about this place is it raves Kashmiri dishes and also has room for the famous Hyderabadi-style food. It is quite famous among the Yorkshire locals. To engage in a more elegant setting with wood-cooked food, you can try OX Club. As stated, wood-fired cooking is phenomenal, and the barbeque grills just bring forth a beautiful smokey flavour. It's especially perfect as you relish the lovely spring weather in Leeds.

Another upscale establishment is The Man Behind the Curtain. The setting of the place is rather compelling, not to mention how the food that borders pretence works well for them. It is undoubtedly an experience worth engaging in. The city also indulges in South American cuisine as they have the Brazilian steakhouse, Fazenda, as its jewel. The establishment is the kind which doesn't just offer exquisite skewered meat but also falls in the budget. Sukhothai is a cute mid-range restaurant which boasts classic Thai food. It actually has many branches within the city and offers authentic dishes from the South-East Asian kitchen. If you do miss home and wish to indulge in some Gujarati vegetarian food, you can find that here as well. Hansa's is a popular restaurant in Leeds that has often earned many accolades in the culinary world of Leeds for being the best vegetarian restaurant hub. The Gujarati thalis, especially, are a rage. You can further check out places like Roots and Fruits, Tharavadu, Nation of Shopkeepers and Prashad.

How to reach Leeds

There is no direct way to reach Leeds from India and flights is the only way out. Sadly though, there are no nonstop flights that fly to Leeds from Indian cities. Even though the demand to visit Leeds is quite a lot in the country, there are no dedicated flights from any of the Indian airlines. Luckily though, the flight connectivity to Leeds is impeccable as there are many international airlines that have regular services to the city. Airlines such as KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Swiss, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, to name a few, have excellent services and connectivity to Leeds. The most popular route to reach Leeds is via Amsterdam and London. Many flights often connect to KLM Royal Dutch to fly to Leeds. Aside from Amsterdam, London and Paris are other famous international routes chosen to fly to Leeds. Since European cities are considered to be the best way to reach Leeds, a Schengen transit visa is required. You will have to apply for a transit visa for flight connectivity. This can be done online or by visiting the embassy.

The duration of flights varies from 13 hours to 15 hours, depending on the layover, change of flights and weather in Leeds. The UK weather is famed for its eccentric and untimely monsoon. Hence, this often disrupts with the flight behaviour and causes delays too. The flight tickets to Leeds are actually quite reasonable. As long as you make prior bookings of flights to Leeds, you will be able to avail some of the benefits. There is a slew of online flight deals to Leeds that can be availed, provided you make prior bookings. Even though the flights are cheap and affordable to Leeds, it would be better to get more discounts from the rates. The pounds saved can be instead spent on luxury accommodation. Speaking of, you can also make your hotel bookings in Leeds. Once again, prior booking of hotels in Leeds would help you as you will be able to get some discounts and online deals. You can opt for some budget rooms or even luxe hotels in the city. The best way to save money would be to book flights and hotels in Leeds together.

  About Hazrat Shahjalal Airport

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is the most prominent international airport that is installed in Dhaka. It is situated about 17 km from Kurmitola. The airport is also part of the BAF Bangabandhu Base which is being utilised by Bangladesh Air Force. The airport was previously known as Dacca International Airport, which later changed to Zia International Airport, to honour Shah Jala, one of the most venerated Sufi saints from Bangladesh. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport caters to Bangladesh's flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, as a primary hub. It is also known to be a hub for many private Bangladesh-based airlines such as Regent Airways, US-Bangla Airlines and Novoair. It currently accommodates a whopping 18.5 million passengers. The first landing strip was constructed in 1941, at Kurmitola, by the British government and used for World War II's airfare.

About Airport Terminals

There are two functional terminals available at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A third one is being constructed to expand the passenger capacity and to add more features to the airport. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 both have international flight functions. They are located in the same building. Terminal 1 is on the ground floor, and it is used as an international arrivals hall. Meanwhile, Terminal 2 is on the upper floor and serves as the departure hall for international travels. In the domestic terminal, the arrivals and departure halls are present on the same floor. A designated VIP terminal has also been constructed with a view to accommodate Bangladesh's delegates. The terminal is only 200 meters away from the international terminals.

Terminal 3 is currently under works, the foundation of the same was laid in 2019 by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The terminal is slated to complete on 2022. A portion of the financial assistance is being provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The new terminal is said to include passenger terminal with a floor that is sprawled across 64,000 sq ft, a VVIP complex, a multi-level parking bay in the building terminal and the capacity to accommodate 20 million passengers.

About Airport Authority

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport falls under the ownership of the Government of Bangladesh. It is currently operated by Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB). The statutory body functions as a regulatory frame to cater to all activities that relate to aviation in Bangladesh. CAAB is recognised nationwide and is the central aviation authority. It operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. The authority is headquartered in Dhaka's Kurmitola. Over the years, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has witnessed several upgradations and development schemes to make it better.

The airport is currently working on several extension and up-gradation plans. There is a passenger extension apron that is being constructed from foxtrot taxiway to the export cargo apron recently concluded. Along with this, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has also laid new asphalt concrete on the runway. Along with this, consultancy services have also upgraded the airport's premise. Meanwhile, some of the works in action are improving the security system of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Additionally, there are works to develop the entire airport and expand it to accommodate more airlines.

Top airlines flying from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Bangladesh's proximity with India has enabled the functioning of several direct flights to the city of Dhaka. There are three Indian airlines that operate from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. In fact, the Indian airlines that operate from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet. Along with some Indian airlines, there are a few international airlines to that function from the airport. Airlines that fly from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport include Air Arabia, Air Asia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathay Dragon, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Gulf Air, Himalaya Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Maldivian, Malindo Air, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines. The international airlines mostly connect with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Cities such as Abu Dhabi, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Medina, Riyadh, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Colombo, Istanbul, Doha and more, are well-connected with Dhaka.

Facilities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Baggage - The airport provides several baggage services that one can avail. At the entrance of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, you can find trolleys to take your luggage inside the airport with ease. There are baggage wrapping services also available along with porter facilities and storage. For baggage wrapping, you might have to inform the airlines beforehand so they can fix it for you.

Lounge - The terminals also have a lounge. The airport lounge has services such as restaurants, relaxing spaces, complimentary shower booths and more. You can avail all of this along with their good hospitality, provided your ticket or premium membership at any of their airlines allows.

Medical services - With a view to providing services in times of medical emergencies, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has also ensured to keep clinics in their premise. Along with clinics, the airport also has pharmacies as well as an ambulance. This is to make sure that there are enough amenities available in times of emergencies.

ATM and banks - The airport also offers some of their local banks at the premise to help with transfers and withdrawals of money. You can get access to your personal funds from the airport and avail their bank services. Further, there are foreign exchange facilities also available at the banks. They give decent rates too, making the currency exchange easier and affordable. ATMs are also present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport so you can withdraw money and use it for currency exchange.

Hotel booking - At the airport, there is a dedicated travel agent booth. They basically help travellers with information about the city along with tours and travel packages that one can avail. The booking booth also has hotel recommendations and accommodation facilities. You can book your hotel at the airport itself. It's convenient and easy as you wouldn't have to traverse through the city a lot before finding the ideal place to stay. They have a range of hotels from mid-range to luxury.

WiFi - Free WiFi is a perk the airport gives away. This is mostly at the international terminal for passengers travelling from other countries. You can get details on how to log in to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's network at their information desk or even the official website.

Entertainment deck - With a view to indulging and entertaining the travellers who are waiting for their boarding, the airport has also facilitated entertainment decks. These dedicated spaces have TVs that you can watch. You might have to share the space with other passengers as well since the entertainment deck's area is limited.

Prayer room - Multi-faith rooms are also available at the airport but separated for men and women. These can be found at the arrival as well as departure zones of the terminals.

Restaurants and cafe - At the departure and arrival sections of the terminals, there are many restaurants and cafes also installed. You can find dedicated restaurant spaces as well as a food court for affordable munchies and snacks. The same can be availed at the airport lounge as well. However, the lounge comes with an exorbitant cost and is exclusive to specific ticket holders or premium members.

Visitor's facility - A special deck has been installed which is called as visitor's faculty. Basically, all visitors who are dropping off passengers or expecting them, use this space to relax.

How to reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has a perfect connection with downtown Dhaka. The government has constructed an eight-lane Airport Road to directly connect the airport and the main city. You can take this route to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. There are many ways to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from the city centre.

Public transport

There is a dedicated railway station that directly connects with the airport. In fact, the station called Airport Railway Station is located juxtaposed to the airport. The train can be taken from within the city. You can take the train to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Since the airport is currently undergoing tremendous expansion plans, the entire city has been engulfed by the airport. This means you can easily make it to the airport from anywhere in the city.

Taxicabs

Taxicab and rental services are also available at the airport and from anywhere in the city. In fact, if you have checked into one of the big hotels with airport shuttle services, you can make use of the same facility. The prices are reasonable, but you might have to haggle with the driver before getting into the car. There are many hotels located in proximity to the airport so you can easily get a room in one of these accommodation services. Rickshaw services are also available that would reach you to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.