Help and questions

Indonesia uses the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Carry some cash for markets, small shops and food stalls, tell your bank before you travel, and check what your card charges for payments and withdrawals abroad.

Singapore uses the Singapore dollar (SGD). Carry some cash for hawker stalls and small shops, tell your bank before you travel, and check what your card charges for payments and withdrawals abroad.

Malaysia uses the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). Carry some cash for markets, food stalls and small shops, tell your bank before you travel, and check what your card charges for payments and withdrawals abroad.

Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB). Carry some cash for markets, street food and small shops, tell your bank before you travel, and check what your card charges for payments and withdrawals abroad.

The UAE dirham (AED), the currency of the whole United Arab Emirates. Carry some cash for small purchases, and check your bank's fees for using your card abroad before you go.

The Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR). Cards are accepted at resorts and in many places, but carry some cash on local islands, and check your bank's fees for using your card abroad.

The UAE dirham (AED). Carry some cash for souks and small purchases, and check your bank's fees for using your card abroad before you go.

See your doctor or a travel clinic several weeks before you go. In Bali, protect yourself from mosquito bites, take care with food and drinking water, use sun protection, and keep away from dogs, monkeys and other animals, as rabies is a risk in Indonesia.

See your doctor or a travel clinic several weeks before you go. Take care with food and water, guard against insect bites, and mention any trekking plans, as altitude illness is a risk on high treks. Air quality in the valley can be poor, so check local reports while you are there.

It can be, especially from November to February, when colder weather and still air trap smoke near the ground and air quality is usually at its worst. If you have a heart or lung condition, mention your trip at a travel health appointment, and check local air quality reports while you are there.

See your doctor well before you travel, as pilgrims have their own health entry requirements. In Makkah, drink plenty of water, keep out of direct sun where you can and wash your hands often, as coughs and colds spread easily in crowds.

Take care in the sea. Quicksand can be a danger at ebb tide, so swim only where local guidance says it is safe, and never swim alone.

Nyepi is the Balinese Hindu Day of Silence, which marks the Saka new year and falls on a different date each year. For 24 hours from 6am, work, travel and entertainment stop, visitors must stay in their hotels and the island's airport closes, so check the date before you book.

A hawker centre is a shared dining space with many food stalls, where people from all walks of life eat together. Hawker culture grew out of Singapore's street food and draws on Chinese, Malay, Indian and other traditions, and UNESCO added it to its list of intangible cultural heritage in 2020.

Yes. Singapore is known for strict laws: littering, smoking outside permitted areas, vaping and drug offences can bring fines or much heavier penalties. Follow local signs and read the rules for visitors before you go.

Batu Caves is an active Hindu shrine about 13 km north of the city, so dress modestly and be ready to climb 272 steps to the main temple cave. The main shrine is dedicated to Murugan, whose large statue was unveiled there in 2006, and the caves are the focus of the yearly Thaipusam festival.

Dress modestly, with your shoulders and legs covered. The Grand Palace asks visitors to dress with respect because it is a place of reverence for Thai people, and it does not allow sleeveless or see through tops, shorts, mini skirts, or torn or tight trousers. Dressing the same way for other temples is a sensible habit.

Dress modestly at temples and other religious sites. Never pose for a photo beside or in front of a statue or mural, and turn off your flash, because it can harm old paintings.

Clockwise. Buddhist pilgrims usually walk around a sacred site in a clockwise direction, a practice called kora, and you will see it at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, so join the flow of people going that way.

The Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site has seven groups of monuments: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas, and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan. All seven are in the valley around the city.

Durga Puja falls in the Hindu month of Ashvin, which corresponds to September or October, so the dates change from year to year. The festival lasts several days, and in 2021 UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Yes. Visitors book an online access pass in advance, while worshippers can enter without one. Wear loose, modest clothing that covers your arms and legs, and women also cover their hair. The mosque's official site sets out the full code of conduct.

Dress modestly in the village and keep swimwear for the beach set aside for visitors, often called a bikini beach. Alcohol is served at resorts but not on local islands, and keep public displays of affection to a minimum.

Yes. Visitors who are not Muslim are not required to fast, and some restaurants change their hours or set aside dining areas away from people who are fasting. Ramadan comes about 11 days earlier each year, so check the dates when you plan.

Dress conservatively, with your shoulders, arms and knees covered, and women also cover their hair. Visiting arrangements vary, so check with the mosque before you go.

Dress modestly and behave quietly and respectfully, especially in and around the mosques. Only photograph people with their permission, and never photograph government or military buildings.

Yes. Ramu is about 10 km from Cox's Bazar and has a sizeable Buddhist community, with monasteries and pagodas. Dress modestly and take your shoes off where you are asked to.

Dress modestly in town and on the beach, with shoulders and legs covered, as Bangladesh is a mainly Muslim country. Local dress codes matter even more during Ramadan.

Mezban, a traditional feast of hot beef curry served with white rice, is a local speciality. Kala bhuna, a beef dish made with mustard oil and spices, is another.

Dress modestly and keep your voice low, as the shrine is a place of pilgrimage. Only men may enter the tomb area, and women have a separate section near the entrance. Visitors often feed the catfish in the shrine's pond.

Dress modestly, with shoulders and legs covered, as Bangladesh is a mainly Muslim country. Local dress codes matter even more during Ramadan, when opening hours of shops and restaurants can also change.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the official sources on this page before you book, and again shortly before you travel, as rules can change. Use only official Indonesian government websites for any visa or arrival form, as other sites may charge to apply for you.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the official sources on this page before you book, and again shortly before you travel, as rules can change. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority also runs an official online arrival card; use only its own website or app.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the official sources on this page before you book, and again shortly before you travel, as rules can change. The Immigration Department of Malaysia also runs an official online arrival card; if you need it, use only the department's own website.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the official sources on this page before you book, and again shortly before you travel, as rules can change. Thailand's Immigration Bureau also runs an official online arrival card; if you need it, use only the government's own website.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check Sri Lanka's entry requirements before you book. Apply for any visa or travel authorisation only through official government websites.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the official sources on this page before you book, and again shortly before you travel, as rules can change. The Nepal Tourism Board explains how tourist visas are issued, and Nepal's Department of Immigration runs an official online visa form.

The rules depend on your passport and the reason for your trip, and they change. With a Bangladeshi passport, start with the High Commission of India in Bangladesh. On another passport, use only India Visa Online, the official portal. Check before you book and again before you travel.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip. Abu Dhabi follows the entry rules of the United Arab Emirates, which can change, so check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you book and again before you travel.

It depends on your passport and the reason for your trip, and the rules can change. Check the official Maldives Immigration site before you book and again before you fly.

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip. Dubai follows the entry rules of the United Arab Emirates, which can change, so check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you book and again before you travel.

No, Makkah is open only to Muslims. Visitors who are not Muslim can still travel to other parts of Saudi Arabia, such as Jeddah, if they meet the entry rules.

Not with a Bangladeshi passport. Family and friends coming on another passport should check Bangladesh's entry rules for that passport, as they depend on the passport and the reason for the trip and can change. Check when you book and again shortly before you travel.

May to October is usually the best time to visit, as these are the driest months in the climate table, with August the driest. Rain is heaviest from December to March, during the west monsoon, and January is usually the wettest month.

February to March and June to September are usually the best times, with less rain, and February is often the driest month. November to January is the wettest time, and afternoon thunderstorms are common between the monsoons, from late March to May and in October and November.

June to August is usually the best time, as these are the relatively dry months, with June the driest in the climate table. Rain falls all year, and the wettest times are usually March to April and October to December, with November the wettest month.

November to February is usually the most comfortable time to visit, as it is the cool, dry season with the fewest rainy days. March to May are the hottest months, and the rainy season runs from around mid May to October, with September usually the wettest month.

January to March is usually the best time to visit Colombo, as it is the driest part of the year. The city is warm all year, but the monsoon seasons bring heavy rain from April to June and from September to November.

October and November, after the monsoon, and March and April, before it, are usually the most comfortable months, with mostly dry, mild weather. December to February is also dry but cold at night, while most of the year's rain falls from June to September.

November to February is usually the most comfortable time, with mild, mostly dry weather. March to June is hot and humid, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September.

November to February is usually the most comfortable time, as it is dry, with average highs of about 31°C to 34°C. The southwest monsoon brings very heavy rain from June to the end of September, and July is the wettest month.

October to March is usually the most comfortable time, with dry weather and warm days that turn cool, and often foggy, from late November to February. May and June are the hottest months, and the monsoon brings most of the year's rain in July and August.

November to March, the cooler season, when average highs are about 24 to 31°C. From May to September it is extremely hot and humid, with average highs above 40°C from June to September, so keep outdoor plans to mornings and evenings.

January to April is usually the driest and sunniest time, with the fewest rainy days. From May to December showers are more frequent, but it stays warm all year, with average highs of about 30 to 32°C.

November to March is the most comfortable time to visit, with average highs of about 24 to 31°C. June to September is extremely hot and humid, with average highs around 40°C or more, so outdoor plans work best early or late in the day.

November to March is the mildest time, with average highs of about 24 to 31°C and cool nights in midwinter. From June to September average highs are about 42 to 44°C, so drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun.

For milder weather, go from December to February, when average highs are about 31 to 33°C. From May to September average highs reach about 42 to 44°C, so drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun. Umrah itself can be made through most of the year.

November to March is the best time for the beach, when it is dry and daytime highs are about 27 to 32°C. June to September is the wettest part of the year, with July usually the wettest month.

November to February is usually the most comfortable time, when it is dry and daytime highs are about 26 to 30°C. The monsoon brings heavy rain from May to September, with July usually the wettest month.

November to February is the driest and most comfortable time, with daytime highs of about 26 to 30°C. From May to September the rain is very heavy, though that is when most visitors see the flooded Ratargul swamp forest by boat.

Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, falls on 14 April each year in Bangladesh and is a public holiday. In Dhaka it begins at dawn with a gathering under the banyan tree at Ramna, and a colourful procession organised by fine arts students follows.

November to February is usually the most comfortable time, when the weather is dry and daytime highs are about 25 to 30°C. March to May is hot, and the monsoon brings most of the year's rain from May to October.

Public transport is the easiest way to get around: the network is made up of MRT and LRT trains, buses and taxis.

Trains are usually the simplest way: LRT, MRT, monorail and commuter lines cover the city and its suburbs, and KL Sentral is the main hub. A non stop airport train runs between KL Sentral and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Rail is often the easiest way to cross the city: the BTS Skytrain and MRT lines cover much of it, and the Airport Rail Link runs to Suvarnabhumi Airport. River boats serve stops along the Chao Phraya. Metered taxis are common, while tuk tuk fares are usually agreed before you set off.

Three wheelers, also known as trishaws, are a mainstay of transport in Colombo and across Sri Lanka, and are handy for short trips around the city.

The Kolkata Metro, running since 1984, is a simple way to cross the city, and an extensive bus network covers much of the rest. Ferries cross the Hooghly between Kolkata and Howrah, and auto rickshaws are usually shared and unmetered.

Suburban trains on the Western, Central and Harbour lines carry commuters across the city and the wider region, and the Mumbai Metro, which opened in 2014, adds more lines. Buses and metered taxis cover the rest, and ferries leave from terminals such as the Gateway of India.

Take a ferry from the jetties at the Gateway of India across Mumbai Harbour to Elephanta Island, about 10 kilometres east of the city. The rock cut caves on the island are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Delhi Metro is a practical way to cross the city, and its lines also reach neighbouring cities such as Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad. For shorter trips, taxis are easy to hail, and auto rickshaw fares are usually agreed with the driver before you set off.

Resorts close to Velana International Airport are reached by speedboat, and those further away by seaplane or domestic flight. Ask your resort how its transfer works when you book. Scheduled ferries also run from Malé to many atolls.

The driverless Dubai Metro runs on two main lines, the Red Line and the Green Line, and has stations at Dubai International Airport. To cross Dubai Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai, take an abra, a small boat used as a water taxi.

Take the high speed railway, which links the two cities by way of Jeddah and has a branch to Jeddah's main airport. You can also go by road.

Both are day trips by road from the city. Ratargul is about 26 km away, and you see the forest by local boat from Gowainghat. Jaflong is about 60 km away, roughly a two hour drive.

Cycle rickshaws carry a large share of journeys, alongside auto rickshaws known locally as CNGs, buses and taxis. The city's first metro line, MRT Line 6, opened in December 2022. Agree a rickshaw or CNG fare before you set off.

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) serves Colombo. It is at Katunayake, about 32 kilometres north of the city.

Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) serves Kathmandu. Nepal also has international airports at Pokhara and near Lumbini.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) serves Kolkata. If you arrive by rail, the city's two major stations are Howrah, across the river, and Sealdah.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) serves Mumbai. Navi Mumbai International Airport also serves the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) serves Delhi. The Delhi Metro's Airport Express line, also called the Orange Line, links the airport's Terminal 3 with New Delhi station.

Zayed International Airport (AUH), about 30 km east of the city. It was known as Abu Dhabi International Airport until it was renamed in February 2024.

Madinah has its own international airport, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport. You can also arrive on the high speed railway from Jeddah or Makkah.

Makkah has no airport of its own. Fly to Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast, or to Madinah, which also has an international airport, and the Haramain high speed railway links all three cities. Our team can find flights from Dhaka: call or WhatsApp +880 1318 302427.

Cox's Bazar Airport (CXB) serves the town. Chattogram is about 150 km to the north, and the railway from Chattogram has reached Cox's Bazar since its station opened in December 2023.

Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP) serves the city. It lies at South Patenga, close to Patenga beach.

Yes. The government changed the city's official name from Chittagong to Chattogram in 2018, and you will still see the older name, for example in the Port of Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Osmani International Airport (ZYL) serves Sylhet. Tea gardens such as Malnicherra Tea Estate lie a short distance from the airport.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) serves Dhaka. It lies about 15 km north of the city centre, so allow extra time for the road journey into town.

Umrah itself is performed in Makkah, and many Muslims also visit Madinah to pray at the Prophet's Mosque. Pilgrims use Nusuk, the official Saudi platform, for Umrah information and permits, and the rules change, so check it before you book.

Umrah permits are issued through Nusuk, the official Saudi platform of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, on its app and website. Permits and the rules around them change, so check Nusuk and the official travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that Muslims can make through most of the year, unlike Hajj, which takes place on set dates in the Islamic calendar. During the Hajj season, Umrah is limited to those performing Hajj.

British Bangla Travel Ltd is a member of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), membership number 18753. Before you pay, we tell you which airline and supplier terms apply to your booking, including how changes and refunds work.

On this website you can search and book flights and hotels. Our team in Dhaka also arranges holidays and tours, accommodation, transfers and trip planning, with prices in BDT.

Yes. Call us on +880 1318 302427, message us on WhatsApp on the same number, or send us a message from the contact page and our team will help you plan your Umrah.

Open Manage booking with your booking reference and email address. From there you can see your booking and ask us for a change.

We will work with you and the relevant suppliers to resolve issues promptly and fairly, in line with applicable regulations. Call us on +880 1318 302427 or email sales@britishbanglatravel.com.

We encourage every customer to take out travel insurance and to check passports, visas and the official travel advice for their passport and destination before departure.

Call +880 1318 302427, message us on WhatsApp on the same number, or email sales@britishbanglatravel.com. Our registered office is Suite 2B, Level 1, 22 Ataturk Tower, Road 17, Block C, Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh.