Dhaka to Rajshahi by Bus: Travel Time, Bus Types and What to See

The Dhaka to Rajshahi bus crosses the Jamuna into the north-west, to a calm, green city on the Padma known for silk, mangoes and some of the oldest heritage in the country. Buses run day and night. This guide explains how long the journey takes, how to choose your bus and how to make the most of Rajshahi once you arrive.

How long does the Dhaka to Rajshahi bus take?

The road distance is roughly 250 kilometres, and the bus usually takes 5 to 6 hours. Traffic leaving Dhaka and around the approach to the Jamuna Bridge is the main thing that can stretch the trip, especially before weekends and holidays. Around Eid, expect it to take much longer.

Treat the arrival time as an estimate and avoid booking anything tight for the hour you are due in.

The route: over the Jamuna

The bus leaves Dhaka to the north-west and crosses the Jamuna Bridge (Bangabandhu Bridge) into Sirajganj. The view of the river from the bridge, with sandbanks stretching away in the dry season, is one of the best moments of any trip to the north.

West of the bridge, many buses pass the Hatikumrul junction, where the old Hatikumrul Navaratna Temple stands a short way off the highway. The road then runs through Natore, which is on the Dhaka–Rajshahi highway, so many Rajshahi buses stop there too, before the last stretch into Rajshahi city.

Most buses take a meal break on the way. Keep your ticket and valuables with you when you step off.

Day bus or night bus?

Day buses suit this route well: five or six hours puts you in Rajshahi in time for an evening on the riverbank.

Night buses let you arrive early and start sightseeing right away, which helps if you want a full day for Puthia or Paharpur.

AC or non-AC?

• AC buses are worth it in the hot months, and the north-west can be very hot in April and May
• Non-AC buses are cheaper and comfortable in the cool, dry winter
• On a night bus, look for a seat layout with more legroom and recline

Check the cancellation and change rules before you pay.

Boarding and arrival

Dhaka has several bus terminals and counters. Choose the boarding point closest to you and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. Your ticket shows the exact boarding and drop-off points.

Rajshahi is compact, green and easy on foot or by rickshaw and battery auto-rickshaw. For towns around it, take intercity buses from the city’s terminals or hire a car for the day.

When to go

• October to February is dry and pleasant, the best time for sightseeing
• May to July is the mango season, when the orchards of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj are at their best and the whole region talks about little else

What to see in Rajshahi

Our Rajshahi guide covers food, areas to stay and getting around. In the city:

• The Padma riverbank, by T-Badh and Padma Garden, best in the late afternoon
• Varendra Research Museum, one of the oldest museums in the country, for sculpture and finds from the Varendra region
• Shah Makhdum’s Shrine in Dargah Para, near the river

Rajshahi is the Silk City, and its showrooms sell Rajshahi silk saris and cloth.

Day trips from Rajshahi

The region around Rajshahi is rich in heritage, and most of it is an easy day out:

• Puthia Temple Complex, about 30 kilometres east on the Natore road; take a Natore-bound bus
• Bagha Mosque, about 40 kilometres south-east, 1 to 1.5 hours by bus or CNG
• Natore Rajbari, about 1 to 1.5 hours by bus, a short rickshaw ride from Natore town
• Choto Sona Mosque, near the border beyond Chapainawabganj, about 2.5 hours in all
• Paharpur Buddhist Vihara, the UNESCO World Heritage monastery, about 2.5 to 3 hours by road via Naogaon or Joypurhat; start early, as it is a long round trip

Puthia and Natore lie on the same road east of the city, so they combine well in a single day by bus or hired car.

If you have a few days, you can work your way back east through Natore and Bogura, where Mahasthangarh is about 2.5 hours from Rajshahi by bus.

Tips for the trip

• Carry a hat and water for the heritage sites, which are open and sunny
• Check the opening days of museums before you go, since they close on some days of the week
• In mango season, buy from the markets and orchards rather than roadside sellers you cannot ask about the fruit
• Book early for long weekends and the mango season

Book your seat

See departures and pick your seat on the Dhaka to Rajshahi bus page. Your e-ticket arrives as soon as you pay. For other cities, search all routes.