Major city · Bangladesh
Sylhet
Go for 2 days: the town itself takes half a day (shrines, clock tower, riverfront), then a day for Jaflong and Ratargul swamp forest. Skip if you have only one day and no interest in tea gardens or wetlands.
Sylhet, capital of Sylhet Division, sits in a lush valley of tea estates, rivers and haor wetlands. Its main attractions – Shah Jalal Dargah, tea gardens, Jaflong and Ratargul swamp – fit comfortably into a two‑day itinerary. Travel from Dhaka by plane or bus, then use rickshaws, CNGs or Uber within town.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BDT
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, floods)
- Airport
- ZYL
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bangladesh ↗Apply for a visa only on the official government e-visa portal or at an embassy; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules differ by nationality.
- Bangladesh ↗Dress modestly in cities and near mosques: cover shoulders and knees, and women carry a scarf for mosques and shrines.
- Bangladesh ↗Carry Bangladeshi taka in small notes; rickshaws, markets and small shops are cash-only, and foreign cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Bangladesh ↗Political rallies, strikes (hartal) and blockades can close roads and cut mobile internet with little notice: check the news and your hotel before any transfer day and stay away from demonstrations.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sylhet999 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance999
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sylhet, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?BDT in small notes (50s and 100s) for rickshaws, tea and entry tickets.Bangladesh-wide
- SIM or eSIMGrameenphone, Robi and Banglalink sell SIMs at Dhaka airport with passport and biometric fingerprint registration.Bangladesh-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; buy sealed bottles or use hotel filtered water.Bangladesh-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge.Bangladesh-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bangladesh-wide
- SafetySylhet is generally safe for tourists, but stay alert for pickpockets in busy markets and be cautious crossing traffic.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and malls; squat toilets with a hose or jug elsewhere.Bangladesh-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the main day off: shops open after midday prayers, offices closed; Saturday is also a weekend day for government.Bangladesh-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportZYL Osmani International Airport (Domestic flights from Dhaka; international flights to Doha, Dubai, London, etc.).
- Getting aroundRickshaw and CNG auto‑rickshaw are common for short trips; Uber operates in the city; rental bikes are limited.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Shah Jalal Dargahcheck৳20–30
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomBDT 1,500
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomBDT 2,500
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomBDT 4,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BDT 1,200 · Mid BDT 1,800 · High BDT 3,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZYL Osmani International Airport (Domestic flights from Dhaka; international flights to Doha, Dubai, London, etc.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (85°F)85°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sylhet: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Feb
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Apr
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
May
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Jun
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (78°F)78°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Oct
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Nov
30°C (85°F)85°F (30°C)
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
0 rd
Dec
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Rickshaw and CNG auto‑rickshaw are common for short trips; Uber operates in the city; rental bikes are limited. Walkability is low.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jaflong
goDoor to door: ≈4 h round‑trip (check)
Bus or shared taxi 55 km (34 mi) east, about 1 h 30 min each wayBus or shared taxi 34 mi (55 km) east, about 1 h 30 min each way
Border scenery, waterfalls and tea gardens.
Ratargul Swamp Forest
goDoor to door: ≈3 h total (check)
Boat from Goainghat, about 30 min boat ride (check access from Sylhet)
Fresh‑water swamp, birdwatching.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Grand Sylhet Hotel & Resort
Near airport, mid‑range, good for short stays.
Nirvana Inn
Centre of town, budget‑friendly, air‑conditioned.
Hotel Golden City
East Zindabazar, easy access to markets.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ৳1,200–1,800 excl. bed
- Mid
- ৳1,800–2,800 excl. bed
- High
- ৳3,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 2 nights × BDT 2,500 | BDT 5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BDT 1,800 | BDT 7,200 |
| Osmani Airport → Sylhet city (taxi)2 × BDT 1,500 · check | BDT 3,000 |
| Bus Dhaka → Sylhet (one‑way)2 × BDT 1,200 · check | BDT 2,400 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × BDT 800 · check | BDT 1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BDT 1,920 |
| Trip total≈ BDT 5,280 per person per day, bed included | BDT 21,120 |
2026 estimate in BDT; flights and visas excluded. Prices are check.
Prices of common things
| Tea (cup)check | ৳30–50 |
| Meal at local restaurantcheck | ৳120–250 |
| Rickshaw (5 km)check | ৳80–120 |
| Bus ticket Dhaka → Sylhetcheck | ৳1,200–1,400 |
| Entry to Shah Jalal Dargahcheck | ৳20–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Footpaths are scarce; watch for traffic when walking.
- Pickpockets reported in crowded bazaars – keep valuables secure.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SylhetSylhet
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
এই ঠিকানায় নিয়ে যানTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
Embassy
British Consular Services in Sylhet (check address); Indian Visa Application Centre nearby.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Osmani Airport → Sylhet city (taxi): ≈৳1,500, 20 min (check)
- Rickshaw 5 km: ≈৳100 (check)
Say or show
- দুঃখিত — Excuse me / Sorry (dukhito)
- ধন্যবাদ — Thank you (dhonnobad)
- এটা কত? — How much is it? (eta koto?)
- বাথরুম কোথায়? — Where is the bathroom? (bathroom kothay?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sylhet. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, floods) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Sylhet
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sylhet, revision 5243778 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Sylhet
Loading…
Was this useful?