The Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line-6) has become the backbone of urban transportation of the capital of Bangladesh in a flash, offering a reliable, speedy and air-conditioned getaway from the city’s notorious traffic gridlock. But national and religious holidays require major logistical changes to accommodate increased holiday traffic and the well-being of transit workers.
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has officially announced a special service schedule for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha 2026 holiday period. This 7-day government holiday window will be from May 25 to May 31, 2026, and will involve major changes, including a change in operational hours, a change in train frequencies, and an absolute shutdown of the whole system on the day of Eid itself. Millions of commuters can plan their festive travel seamlessly with a detailed breakdown of the temporary changes provided in the guide.
A Quick Look at the 7-Day Holiday Structure
The Eid-ul-Azha holiday period will be of a week’s duration, starting from Monday, May 25 and ending on Sunday, May 31. Thursday, May 28, marks the Eid al-Azha holiday, and the transit authority has divided the holiday week into two separate operating schedules:
- Operating Days (6 Days): Monday, May 25 – Wednesday, May 27 and Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31.
- The Absolute Shutdown (1 Day): Thursday, May 28 (Eid Day)
- Critical Notice: Total Closure on Eid Day (28 May)
MRT Line-6 will be fully closed on Thursday, May 28, 2026, and no commercial trains will run between Uttara North and Motijheel.
The complete suspension of service is a common practice among various public utility sectors in Bangladesh during the major religious festivals. The closure will give metro rail operators, station staff, security personnel and technical crews an opportunity to observe the holiday, attend Eid prayers and spend irreplaceable time with their families.
Other Means of Travel on Eid Day
The metro will not be operational so those intending to travel for morning Eid prayers, family banquets or cattle market clean-ups will have to make alternative transport arrangements beforehand. Regular roads are likely to be relatively clear in the morning but much busier in the afternoon. Some possible replacements here:
- Traditional Rickshaws: Great for short distance trips in the neighbourhood.
- CNG Auto-Rickshaws: Good for travelling medium to long distances inside the city, but prices can go up on holidays.
Ride-Sharing Services: Cars and motorbikes through digital apps will be available but driver availability may be limited during prayer hours.
New Timings for the Six Operating Days
For the remaining six days of the holiday, the metro rail will run under a restricted timeline. Trains will start later and finish earlier than the standard weekday timetable.
Station Terminal Timetable
| Station Terminal | First Train Departure | Last Train Departure |
| Uttara North | 6:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
| Motijheel | 7:15 AM | 10:10 PM |
Train Frequency and Headway Adjustments
During normal operating hours, the MRT Line-6 is operated at tight headways of 8 to 10 minutes during peak hours to cater to the massive volume of passengers. But during the Eid holiday, commuter patterns change from office commuters to holiday shoppers and travelers heading out of the city.
- DMTCL has therefore fixed a uniform train frequency (headway) of every 12 to 15 minutes for the whole day.
Commuter Effect: Miss a train and the next one is 15 minutes away, which can throw your entire trip off course. Passengers switching over to long-distance bus terminals, launch terminals (such as Sadarghat) or the Kamalapur Railway Station must be mindful of these wider windows to prevent missing their main holiday transport.
Ticket Office Opening Hours
DMTCL has fixed strict timings for ticketing offices to avoid crowd congestion in the stations. These hours apply only to passengers travelling on Single-Journey Tickets.
- Ticket Counters Open: 6:40 AM (Daily)
- Ticket counters close daily at 9:20 pm.
At 9:20 pm, all manual ticket offices and the automatic Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) for single journey cards will stop functioning.
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Pro Tips for Easy Ticketing
Rapid Pass / MRT Pass Benefits: If you have a registered MRT Pass or Rapid Pass, you are not subject to these ticket counter restrictions at all. Cardholders can enter the turnstiles till the last train departure times (9:30 PM at Uttara North / 10:10 PM at Motijheel).
Get there early. If you have to buy a single journey ticket for your evening commute, make sure you are in the concourse well before 9.20 pm. If you arrive after the cutoff, you will be turned away at the platform level, even if the last train has not yet left.
Holiday Commuters Checklist Summary
To enjoy a hassle-free travel experience in Dhaka this hectic festive season, keep this checklist in mind:
- Check The Date: “Ensure you have no essential travel planned for Thursday, May 28.
- Consider Platform Shortfalls: Expect to wait on the platform for about 15 minutes. Turn up the heat on your usual travel equations for 20 minutes.
- For evening jaunts, mind the clock: If you are travelling out of Motijheel late at night, bear in mind the absolute last train leaves at 10:10 pm, and ticketing stops at 9:20 pm.
- Monitor Updates: Watch for real-time updates on emergency schedule changes through official DMTCL press releases or the official transit app.
The city will return to its normal business routine and normal service, including regular peak-hour frequencies and extended night schedules, will resume promptly on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Summary:
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has issued a special holiday schedule for Eid al-Adha 2026. The metro rail will be completely closed on Eid day (May 28) but will operate for the other six days of the government holiday (May 25–31) with adjusted timings and 12–15 minute intervals.
