Abroad Guide BDIndia Tours from Bangladesh: Destinations, Border Crossings, and Routes (2026)
Tourist visa, border crossing, flights, and the best destinations — your complete 2026 planning guide.
- Tourist visa required — apply at IVAC, allow 2–3 weeks for processing
- Maitree Express (Dhaka–Kolkata) suspended since July 2024
- Bandhan Express (Kolkata–Khulna) suspended since July 2024
- Online arrival form mandatory for land border crossings since 1 October 2025
- Road via Benapole–Petrapole: 6–8 hours Dhaka to Kolkata
- Flights: Dhaka to 8 Indian cities (Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa, Agartala)
Getting your tourist visa
Apply for a Tourist (T) visa at IVAC. As of June 2026, tourist slots remain limited during the phased restoration — book your IVAC appointment as early as possible. The default grant for first-time applicants is single-entry, 30 days. See the full guide: Indian tourist visa.
Top destinations for Bangladeshi travellers
| Destination | Why visit | From Dhaka |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | Culture, food, shopping, medical | 2h flight or 8h road |
| Darjeeling & Hills | Tea gardens, mountain views, cool climate | Kolkata + 8h road |
| Delhi / Agra / Jaipur | Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Rajasthan palaces | 3.5h flight to Delhi |
| Kashmir | Houseboats, Dal Lake, mountain scenery | Delhi + 1.5h flight |
| Goa | Beaches, heritage, seafood | 4h flight or Mumbai + overnight train |
| Kerala | Backwaters, Ayurveda, hill stations | 4h flight to Kochi or Trivandrum |
| Rajasthan | Forts, deserts, palaces | Delhi + 5–8h road/train |
| Andaman & Nicobar | Beaches, diving (RAP permit required) | Delhi or Kolkata + 2h flight |
Border crossings from Bangladesh
Benapole–Petrapole: The busiest land crossing. Complete the mandatory Indian online arrival form at indianvisaonline.gov.in before crossing. Open daily; busy on weekends. See Benapole–Petrapole crossing guide.
Akhaura–Agartala: Northeast India route. Useful for Sylhet division residents and those heading to Tripura or Assam. See Akhaura–Agartala guide.
Burimari–Changrabandha: Northern route from Rangpur division to Siliguri and Darjeeling. See Burimari–Changrabandha guide.
Online arrival form (mandatory since 1 October 2025)
All visitors crossing any Indian land border must complete an online arrival form at indianvisaonline.gov.in before arrival. Complete it 72 hours to 4 hours before crossing. Without a completed form, you may be turned back at the border.
Flights from Dhaka to India
Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India operate from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) to Indian cities. Key routes: Dhaka–Kolkata (daily, ~1.5–2h), Dhaka–Delhi (daily, ~3.5h), Dhaka–Mumbai (~4h), Dhaka–Chennai (~3.5h), Dhaka–Goa (seasonal), Dhaka–Agartala (~1h). See flights guide.
Budget planning (indicative BDT)
| Trip type | Indicative budget per person (BDT) |
|---|---|
| Kolkata weekend (2 nights, budget) | ৳15,000–25,000 |
| Kolkata (3 nights, mid-range) | ৳30,000–50,000 |
| Delhi–Agra–Jaipur (7 days) | ৳60,000–1,20,000 |
| Kashmir (5 days from Delhi) | ৳80,000–1,50,000 |
| Goa (5 days) | ৳70,000–1,30,000 |
Excludes visa fee. Includes approximate flight + accommodation + local transport. June 2026 baseline.
What is the closest Indian destination from Bangladesh?
Kolkata, accessible by road via Benapole–Petrapole (6–8 hours) or by flight from Dhaka (~2 hours).
Is the Maitree Express running between Dhaka and Kolkata?
No. The Maitree Express has been suspended since 19 July 2024. Bandhan Express and Mitali Express are also suspended. Road and air are the current options.
Do I need the online arrival form for India?
Yes, since 1 October 2025 it is mandatory for all land border crossings. Complete it at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 72 hours before crossing.
Tourist Visa · Kolkata Guide · Benapole–Petrapole Crossing · Dhaka–India Flights · India Hub
AGB Content Verification
- ✓ Fact-checked: 2026-06-05
- ✓ Next update: 2026-09-05
- ✓ Sources: mea.gov.in, ivacbd.com