Sylhet, in the north-eastern hills of Bangladesh, is one of the country’s most rewarding destinations, with rolling tea gardens, swamp forests and centuries-old shrines. Getting there from Dhaka is simple, with three main options depending on budget, time and how much of the trip you want to enjoy rather than suffer.
Flying: The Fastest Option
For time-stressed travellers, flying is the obvious choice. There are around seven flights a day between Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines operating several flights a day. The flight itself is under an hour, but the total door-to-door time including check-in is usually more like two hours. Prices vary greatly depending on the time of booking – from budget rates under 30 dollars to much steeper prices if you book last minute.
Taking the Train: Relaxed and Beautiful
Normally the train is considered the most balanced option, providing a fair amount of comfort at a fraction of the cost of flying. Bangladesh Railway runs services like the Parabat Express from Dhaka to Sylhet, which takes around six to six and a half hours. The prices of tickets range from a few dollars for general seating to higher rates for A/C chair and A/C berth class. As the route runs through parts of the Sylhet-Habiganj countryside, the train also offers a chance to watch rural Bangladesh unfold outside the window, something that flights obviously miss completely.
By Bus: The Budget Option
The cheapest and most frequent way to travel is by bus. Shyamoli Paribahan, Hanif Paribahan, Green Line, Ena Paribahan and Unique run services throughout the day from Dhaka’s Arambag and other counters. Road distance is around 240 km and takes around seven to eight hours depending on the traffic. AC and non-AC options are available. It is the least comfortable option for long distances, but the most flexible in terms of departure times and pricing.
What to see when you arrive
The main attraction of Sylhet is its tea country. Malnicherra Tea Estate, founded in 1849, is the oldest tea garden in the subcontinent, and is close enough to the city to visit in a short CNG ride from the Amberkhana area. For a more immersive experience, head to Sreemangal in the Moulvibazar district, the tea capital of Bangladesh. The region is home to vast plantations, the country’s signature seven-layer tea, and proximity to Lawachara National Park, a rainforest reserve that is home to more than 200 bird species and endangered hoolock gibbons.
Nature lovers should also see Ratargul Swamp Forest, one of the few freshwater swamp forests in the world, where boats move among submerged trees in monsoon season, and Jaflong, a hill station on the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border known for its clear rivers, smooth stones and views into the Khasia hills of India.
For the spiritually inclined, Sylhet has the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal, a 14th-century Sufi saint, one of the holiest places of pilgrimage in the region and a place of quiet historical resonance even for visitors with no religious connection.
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Journey Planning
For a short trip where you only want to see Sylhet city and the tea gardens nearby, the best option is to fly in and out. If Sreemangal, Lawachara or Ratargul are also on the itinerary, train is a good middle ground as Sreemangal itself has its own rail stop, so travellers can break up the journey rather than backtrack from Sylhet city. Whichever route you choose, the region rewards travellers willing to spend a few more hours soaking up the greenery on the way.
Summary
Sylhet is about 240 km away from Dhaka by air, train or bus. Flights take less than an hour, trains six hours and buses seven to eight hours. Tea gardens, rain forests and shrines are dotted along the way and around the city, making the region one of the top travel destinations in Bangladesh.
