Bangladesh Railway
How to Buy Plane, Bus, and Train Tickets Online in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has been making fast strides in digitalization across the board. Gone are the days when queuing up for hours was the only option for a ticket during any major holiday. Now, based on availability, tickets can be purchased online for buses, trains, and planes. Here’s how to do it.
Best Platforms to Buy Plane, Bus and Train Tickets in Bangladesh
Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the premier airline of Bangladesh. As the flag carrier, Biman has been successfully operating international and domestic flights since 1972.
Biman offers online ticketing services for their international and domestic flights. Users can conveniently book flights from the website or use the Biman app available for both Android and iOS users. For any kind of query regarding booking and baggage, users can contact their hotline number.
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Bangladesh Railway E-Ticketing Service
Bangladesh Railway E-Ticketing Service is the premier online ticketing service for train travel in Bangladesh. The platform has endeavored to ease the ticketing process by shifting the service to online. Currently, tickets can be bought 10 days in advance for any route of Bangladesh Railway.
The service also has an app called Rail Sheba. Users can conveniently check schedules and book tickets from the app. Usually, each person is allowed to book up to 4 tickets from one account.
Bus BD
Bus BD is one of the premier websites for booking bus tickets in Bangladesh. The ticketing portal is a subsidy of Robi Axiata Limited.
Read more: How to Avoid Scams During Travel Bookings
Currently, the portal is operating in all districts of Bangladesh with over 100 bus services under their coverage. The portal busbd.com.bd is easy to navigate with intuitive search and selection options. The standard rate of fare applies to all the tickets purchased through the portal.
However, during a rush season like Eid, the platform introduces a reserve ticket system which adds to the cost. Additionally, there’s a 10% ticket cancellation fee for selected bus operators. Bus BD uses the SSLCommerz gateway to support bank, card, and MFS payments for the tickets.
BD Tickets
BD Ticket is an all-in-one portal that also works as a booking site under Robi Axiata Limited. Unlike Bus BD, BD Tickets offers tickets for buses, planes, launches, and hotels. Users can book from their website or the app available for both Android and Apple users.
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The web and app interface show search options for all three modes. However, users would have to call their hotline number to confirm air and launch tickets as the interface is still in the development stage.
Users can book tickets in simple intuitive steps and pay through all the leading online payment services.
Launch BD
Launch BD is a dedicated service working alongside Bus BD under the same management. Previously, users were able to search and book for launch tickets directly from the Launch BD portal. But now the booking service has been shifted to Bus BD and BD Tickets portal.
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Shohoz
Shohoz initially offered an all-in-one integrated bus ticketing service to the users. The hassle-free booking and cancellation policy made Shohoz a reliable and popular ticketing service for many.
Later, the company developed the technical infrastructure of the Bangladesh Railway E-Ticketing Service and currently provides train tickets from their dedicated website and app as well. Shohoz also launched its air and waterway ticketing service recently. The air ticketing service is still in its beta state.
Shohoz currently covers over 100 bus companies on over 30 routes. Their launch ticketing service covers more than 50 launches in several local routes.
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Jatri
Jatri aims to radically transform the public transportation scenario in Bangladesh by creating a digital ticketing, fleet management, and mobility marketplace for users and stakeholders.
Currently, Jatri offers bus and launch ticket booking services through their website. Users also have the option for reserve bus booking from the portal. This Eid, Jatri is partnering up with bKash for a 100 BDT cashback on ticket booking.
Chokrojan
Chokrojan is another reliable online bus ticket booking portal in Bangladesh. The platform was founded in 2019 to provide a smooth online bus ticketing service to users. Chokrojan is offering tickets for over 1443 trips daily in over 247 destinations.
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The platform currently partners with over 24 bus companies on 64 routes across Bangladesh. The intuitive booking system shows the bus service, fare, and available tickets based on destinations. Users will also be able to select seats according to their preferences.
GoZayaan
GoZayaan is one of the first online travel aggregators in Bangladesh. Founded in 2017, GoZayaan has been working tirelessly in the aviation travel industry both locally and internationally. In addition to their ticketing service, the travel aggregator also offers tour packages across the globe.
The online portal has a sleek and intuitive interface for users to search and book flights. GoZayaan follows standard cancellation policies set by the respective airlines. The convenience fee is non-refundable in case of cancellation.
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Flight Expert
Being a concern of the Makkah Group, Flight Expert has been providing online travel agent services for several years. Since its inception, the organization has worked to provide all-around support to users from flight booking to hotel management.
Similar to other OTAs, Flight Expert has an intuitive landing page in their portal from where the users can easily search and book flights.
Flight Expert has two unique features that give it a competitive edge in the air travel aggregator segment. Firstly, they have the ‘Best Price Guaranteed’ feature which means they will provide the cheapest rate available for a flight. Secondly, they also have the ‘Book Now Pay Later’ feature which allows users to book and hold a flight for a certain period.
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Buy Tickets
Buy Tickets started its operation as a sister concern of Airspan Limited. The OTA started its operation back in 2018 and has since been providing reliable air ticket service to the users. In addition to domestic and foreign flight ticketing services, Buy Tickets also provides comprehensive information on visa processing for different countries.
Currently, the platform is providing up to 15% discount on air tickets in collaboration with bKash for the Eid holiday.
Final Words
With online ticketing services, traveling across Bangladesh and internationally has become easier than ever. Several leading online travel aggregators are providing service with diligence and efficiency. Coupled with selective offers and discounts, it is not only easier but also better to book tickets online rather than going for the physical route.
Read more: Visa-free Eid Vacation for Bangladeshis: 10 Best Affordable Overseas Destinations
Move to fell century-old trees at Ctg’s CRB, Tiger Pass sparks concerns
Environmentalists and residents have raised serious concern over a recent move by Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) to cut 46 century-old trees and hill slopes from Tiger Pass to CRB area for the construction of a ramp of the elevated expressway.
Earlier in 2022, the government bid to construct a private hospital in CRB area was halted amid strong movement of the port city residents and green activists.
The CRB area, that takes its name from the Central Railway Building - built by the British colonial administration in 1872 as the headquarters of the Assam-Bengal Railway - is a scenic, hilly quarter of the Port City known for its Shireesh trees (Albizia Lebeck) Surrounded by centuries-old trees, hills, hills and valleys, this area is home to a variety of species of birds and animals.
Chattogram residents celebrate the Bengali New Year on April 14 every year on an open stage called "Shireeshtala" at CRB area. CRB also hosts the famed "Boli Khela", an annual freehand wrestling challenge that draws competitors from far and wide.
Read more: No cutting trees without permission in DNCC areas: Atiqul Islam
Environmentalists and civil society members fear that felling of trees and destruction of hills will cause environmental disaster.
Sources said CDA has already applied to the Forest Department and Bangladesh Railway for permission to fell trees and the trees that will be cut have already been marked.
Meanwhile, environmentalists and civil society representatives have called the decision "irresponsible" and requested the CDA to find an alternative plan for the construction of the ramp.
Ritu Parvin, an official of green organisation Environmental Movement Green Fingers Bangladesh, said, “CRB is marked as a heritage area. Bangladesh Railway wanted to build a hospital there, but the railway authority backed tracked due to people's agitation. No construction will be allowed in the CRB area and its surrounding areas which will destroy the environment. We will also stage protest. Already we have announced the sit-in programme at CRB on Monday.”
Read more: Plant more trees to protect environment: Environment Minister
According to the Bangladesh Railway, the Tiger Pass road was built on the hill slope to connect CRB and polo ground with the port area of Chittagong during the British period.
It is known as a double decker road to locals. The slope of the hill has been kept as a divider of this road. Hundreds of small and big trees were planted in the road division. Some trees are over 100 years old which are abode of many birds.
The construction of the 16 km long elevated expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to the airport at a cost of Tk 4,298 crore is in the final stage. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the expressway in November last year. But it has not yet been opened to traffic. The duration of the project has been extended till June 2024 as the work could not be completed on time.
Journalist Mohsin Kazi, Joint Secretary General of Civil Society Chittagong, said that CDA must consider an alternative to build ramps instead of cutting trees by damaging the environment. “If any government organisation tries to cut the trees we will again start movement.”
According to CDA officials, among the 14 ramps of the expressway, one will be constructed at GEC junction, two at Tiger Pass, four at Agrabad, one at Fakirhat, two at Nimtala, two at CEPZ and two at KEPZ.
One of the two ramps at the Tiger Pass intersection will be on the New Market-bound road via CRB, while the other will be on the Ambagan-bound road. CDA sent a letter to the Bangladesh Railway on March 25 seeking permission to use 14 decimal land for its construction.
Kazi Hasan bin Shams, Chief Engineer of CDA, said that the ramp will be constructed in the CRB area with utmost importance to the environment.
“It will not have any impact on the environment if the trees are cut to build the ramp. While 46 trees are planned to be cut for the construction of the ramp, more trees will be planted. The ramp will be constructed in the national interest without damaging the double-decker road on the hill slopes.”
Md. Sujan, chief estate officer of Railway Eastern Zone said, CDA has sought permission to use the land. “We have a seven-member departmental committee which will visit the area before approval. How much land is there, how many trees are there, whether the trees will be cut - the departmental committee will check all the issues and give a report. Then it will be sent to headquarters for approval.”
Read more: WFWP-ULAB organises events to inspire youth to plant trees
Padma Bridge rail link: Goods train reaches Mawa station in Faridpur on trial
A freight train of Bangladesh Railway successfully completed a test run from Faridpur’s Bhanga station crossing the Padma Bridge on Saturday (September 16, 2023).
The goods train left Bhanga station at 7:40 am and reached the Mawa Station via Padma Bridge and again returned to Bhanga Station, said Project director of Faridpur Rail Project, Brig: General Syed Ahmed.“ Five bogies carried 350 metric tonnes of stone during the trial run and the speed limit was 80 kilometers per hour,” he said.
Locals block Hili rail track demanding restoration of stopover of all trainsPresident of Faridpur Chamber of Commerce Nazrul Islam said people will be able to transport their goods using the train service at a low cost.Earlier, the test run of a passenger train from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station to Faridpur’s Bhanga Station was successfully completed on September 7.
Test run: Train reaches Faridpur’s Bhanga from Dhaka via Padma BridgePrime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the rail link on October 10.
Test run: Train reaches Faridpur’s Bhanga from Dhaka via Padma Bridge
A special train of Bangladesh Railway successfully completed a test run from Dhaka to Bhanga station in Faridpur crossing the Padma Bridge via Mawa on Thursday.
This test run marks a significant step in preparation for the grand opening scheduled for next month.
Read: Dhaka-Bhanga railway track via Padma bridge all set for trial run on Thursday
The trial train took two hours and 10 minutes to cross the 82-km-long railway line.
The train left Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station at 10:07am and crossed the Padma Bridge at 11:34 am. The special train reached Bhanga station at 12:17pm.
The trial train was operated by locomaster Enamul Haque and assistant locomaster MA Hossain.
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan was among the passengers of the test train.
Read: Elevated expressway marks first of 9 megaprojects to be inaugurated before election
Deputy Minister for Water Resources Enamul Haque Shamim, Awami League Presidium Member Shajahan Khan, Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury, Railway Secretary Dr Humayun Kabir, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Kamrul Ahsan, Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Director Afzal Hossain, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Railways and senior railway officials were present.
Read: ICC World Cup Trophy travels to Padma Bridge
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said Prime Minister will inaugurate the Padma Bridge rail link project on October 10.
Dhaka’s rail link with other parts of country restored after about 5 hrs
Rail communication between Dhaka and other parts of the country resumed on Sunday afternoon after nearly five hours of suspension due to blockade on rail tracks by a section of temporary workers of the Bangladesh Railway.
Earlier, in the day, the temporary workers of Bangladesh Railway obstructed the rail track in the capital’s Malibagh area, demanding that their jobs be made permanent, halting train communication between Dhaka and the rest of the country, said Ferdous Ahmed Biswas, officer-in-charge of Kamalapur Railway Police Station.
Read: British-era Alamdanga railway station lies uncared for
The workers started demonstrations on the rail track since 10 am.
Meanwhile, the blockade was withdrawn after four and half an hours around 2:30 pm, said Ferdous Ahmed Bishwas, Officer-in-Charge of Kamalapur Railway Police Station.
Read: Dhaka’s rail link with other parts restored after 5 hrs as railway workers withdraw blockade
Contacted, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan told UNB that there is no possibility of making their jobs permanent as they work on the basis of daily wage.
Terming the workers’ demand “illogical,” the minister said he would recommend recruiting the workers once recruitment is done through outsourcing.
Kalurghat Bridge closed for 3 months for renovation
Rail and road communication via Kalurghat Bridge, the century-old bridge over the Karnaphuli River, have been suspended for three months to get some much-needed renovation work done.
The authorities concerned of Bangladesh Railway said the movements of vehicles and trains through the bridge were suspended from Wednesday. After that the railway authorities will inaugurate it with the movement of the Cox’s Bazar-bound train, said Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Railway (East) Abu Zafar Mia.
Padma bridge project cost increased further by Tk 1,117 crore
Rail communication on the Chattogram-Dohazari route will also remain suspended until the reopening of the Kalurghat bridge, said Abu Zafar.
Already the authorities concerned of the Roads and Highways Division have launched a ferry service under the bridge to ensure smooth crossing of vehicles. Two ferries will operate under the bridge while one will remain on standby.
Bangladesh Railway appointed a contractor for the renovation work of the bridge, involving Tk 55 crore.
Padma Bridge loan: Bridges Division pays 316.02 crore as 2nd two installments
The authorities concerned also fixed the tolls for ferrying vehicles: Tk 5 for ferrying rickshaw, van, bicycle and cart, Tk 10 for motorbike, Tk 25 for three-wheeler vehicles, Tk 55 for private cars, Tk 90 for microbus and pickup, Tk 115 for minibus, Tk 135 for vehicles used in agriculture sector, Tk 170 for small truck, Tk 205 for bus, Tk 225 for truck, Tk 450 for heavy truck and Tk 565 for trailer.
The bridge was the only means for ten lakh people in Boalkhali upazila to get to Patiya east zone, Rangunia south zone, Chandgaon and Mohora area of the city.
Railway suspends 3 employees over Cumilla train collision, salvage work continues
Bangladesh Railway has suspended thee of its employees over Sunday’s collision between Sonar Bangla Express train and a freight train that left 35 people injured.
They are Abdul Quader, a guard (Chattogram division) ; Jasim Uddin, locomotive master (Dhaka headquarter); and Md Mohsin, assistant locomotive master (Dhaka headquarter).
Wahid, who was in charge of maintaining Hasanpur station signal, was also suspended.
Also Read: Two trains collide at Hasanpur Station in Cumilla; at least 20 injured
A four-member probe body was formed which was asked to submit the report within three working days.
Meanwhile, the train movement resumed after 9 pm on Sunday after two salvage trains removed the bogies from the main lines, train examiner SM Akhtar Hossain and Station Master of Hasanpur Railway Station Mong Marma said.
Work to remove the other bogies is underway, they said.
Six bogies and the locomotive of Sonar Bangla Express train derailed on Sunday injuring at least 35 passengers and six of them are in critical condition.
Several of the injured are being treated at Nangalkot Health Complex.
Officer-in-charge of Laksham Railway Police Station Jashim Uddin said, the Dhaka bound freight train was stationed in a line on the Hasanpur station.
Dhaka- bound Sonar Bangla Express from Chattagram wrongly entered the same line and hit the rear side of the freight train at around 6:22 pm.
Shohoz says issued 1 crore train tickets in 4 months
The Bangladesh Railway's online ticketing partner Shohoz-Synesis-Vincen-JV has claimed to have issued around 1 crore train tickets in the last four months.
The ticket service provider issued 80,000 to 1 lakh tickets online and over the counters on average daily, according to a media statement.
Shohoz started issuing train tickets on March 25 this year at 77 stations by counter panel software following its contract with the Railway.
Read: Shohoz files writ with HC challenging legality of Tk 2 lakh fine
Despite allegations of scams in online ticketing, Shohoz claimed to have issued more than 16 lakh tickets during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha.
The vendor signed an agreement with the authority on February 15 to operate the ticketing system of the Railway.
In 1994, a computer-based ticketing system was introduced in the Railway. At that time, only 27 stations used to issue tickets through the system, but now, 81 stations use it.
HC: Bangladesh Railway gets 7 days more to submit report on mismanagement
The High Court has granted seven more days to Bangladesh Railway to submit a report on mismanagement including black marketing of tickets, carrying passengers on roof etc.
Bench of Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder asn Justice Khizir Hayat Khan passed the order on Sunday after the rail authority appealed seeking extension of time.
Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin represented the state during the hearing.
The court has asked to submit the compliance report by Sunday after extending the time, said the DAG.
On July 21, the HC bench asked the railway authorities to submit an action taken report by July 31 on its order to stop traveling on train tops and black-marketing of train tickets.
Read: Rail mismanagement: Roni suspends movement
Earlier, the court also wanted to know the stance of Dhaka University (DU) student Mohiuddin Roni’s protest about his six-point demand as he staged demonstrations at Kamalapur station from July 7-18 against Bangladesh Railways mismanagement.
The High Court also wanted to know what steps the Anti-Corruption Commission took after Rony’s protest against corruption in the country's railway sector.
Following the court's order, the railway authorities said that a probe body was formed to look into the allegations.
A letter of the probe body was also submitted to the court by Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin.
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Roni, from July 7, has been demanding the implementation of his six-point demand after being deceived by SOHOZ.com while buying a train ticket to go home during the vacation of Eid-Ul-Azha.
However, when he alleged this deception to the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), they investigated it and fined SOHOZ.com an amount of TK. two lakh of which Roni was given Tk 50,000 on July 20.
On July 25, Roni suspended his movement after a meeting with the high officials of Bangladesh Railway including the Railways secretary and Director General when the authority agreed with his demands.
Mirsarai tragedy: Gateman suspended, FIR filed
Bangladesh Railway on Saturday suspended gateman Saddam Hossain for "dereliction of duty" in connection with the Mirsarai train accident that left 11 people dead.
Besides, sub-inspector Zahirul Islam filed a complaint against the gateman, Saddam, with the Chattogram Railway Police in the morning, following which an FIR for negligence was lodged against the railway staff, Superintendent of Chattogram Railway Police, Hasan Chowdhury, said.
“Stern action will be taken against Saddam if he is found guilty in the probe committee report,” he said.
Also read: 11 tourists killed, 6 injured after train hits microbus in Ctg
Eleven people were killed and six others injured when a speeding express train rammed into the microbus carrying the tourists at a level crossing in Mirsharai upazila on Friday.