The currency
The currency is the Bangladeshi taka (BDT, ৳). Notes run from ৳2 up to ৳1,000. As a rough guide, US $1 ≈ ৳110–120 — rates move, so check a live converter close to your trip. Carry a mix of small and large notes; vendors and rickshaw drivers rarely have change for a ৳1,000 note.
Daily budget by trip style
Per person, per day, excluding international flights and visas.
| Style | Per day (BDT) | Approx. USD | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ৳2,000–3,500 | $18–32 | Guesthouses, local buses, street and canteen food. |
| Mid-range | ৳5,000–9,000 | $45–80 | Comfortable hotels, private transfers, sit-down restaurants. |
| Luxury | ৳14,000+ | $125+ | Top hotels, private guide and car, domestic flights. |
Typical costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local restaurant meal | ৳150–400 |
| Bottled water (1L) | ৳20–30 |
| Cup of tea (cha) | ৳10–20 |
| Intercity bus ticket | ৳400–1,200 |
| Domestic flight (one way) | ৳4,000–8,000 |
| Budget guesthouse (night) | ৳1,200–2,500 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | ৳3,500–7,000 |
| CNG auto-rickshaw (short hop) | ৳80–250 |
Where to exchange money
- Banks and licensed money changers give the best rates — airport counters are convenient but usually worse.
- US dollars, euros, and pounds are the easiest to exchange; bring clean, unmarked notes.
- Keep exchange receipts if you plan to convert leftover taka back on departure.
- ATMs are widely available in cities and dispense taka; expect withdrawal limits and small fees.
Payment methods
Bangladesh is still very much a cash economy. Cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at upscale hotels, restaurants, and larger shops in Dhaka and Chattogram, but rely on cash everywhere else — markets, transport, rural areas, and most eateries. Mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad are ubiquitous among locals but generally need a local account. Carry enough cash before heading to the coast, the Sundarbans, or the hill tracts, where ATMs are scarce.