Bangladesh’s heaving capital Dhaka is its cultural and financial hub. A city of some 18 million people, Dhaka is frenetic, energetic, vibrant and a cultural melting pot. Despite its incredibly fast pace of life, there are still some oases of calm and tranquillity where visitors can catch their breath for a moment. Book a flight to Dhaka with Qatar Airways and you’ll also discover that this is one of the friendliest cities on earth too.

It is Dhaka’s colourful chaos that gives Bangladesh’s capital its charm. Home to 18 million people, the modern-day city is the nation’s industrial, commercial and political centre.

Book a flight to Dhaka with Qatar Airways, to discover a city of stark contrasts, from the shanty towns of Old Dhaka to the glistening high rises of Banani and Gulshan.

The iconic JFK airport is representative of the city it serves – big, busy and vibrant. A total of eight terminals and all the major international carriers connect passengers all over the world.

Packed with facilities and friendly staff, JFK is one of the world’s busiest air hubs. Because the airport is so busy, it is important to plan ahead and know which terminal your Qatar Airways flight leaves from.

Transportation and car parking

The easiest way to get to and from the airport is via the JFK AirTrain - a 24-hour service that connects all of the airport terminals with rail and metro stations.

The New York City Airporter Bus runs every 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the airport. Taxis are plentiful and a pre-booked limousine service is also available. Car parking for Terminal 8 is in the ‘Red’ Lot, although shuttles from other parking zones provide you with more options if the Red Lot is full.

Arriving in New York

Qatar Airways flights from New York leave from Terminal 8. The free AirTrain service connects the terminals, which is particularly useful if you are transferring from an internal or other international flight.

If your flight leaves from a high-numbered gate, it is advisable to use the free motorized shuttle, due to the distance between the departure area and the gates. The Oasis Lounge (charges applicable) in Terminal 4 is open 24 hours a day and has extensive facilities including showers.

Facilities and amenities

While waiting for your Qatar Airways flight from New York, Terminal 8 offers extensive food and drink outlets serving snacks and fast food, light meals, coffee and refreshments.

There is also a wide range of retail outlets selling everything from watches and sunglasses to a dedicated ‘Metropolitan Museum of Art’ shop. Facilities include baby-care areas, dry cleaning, a pet relief area and a Welcome Centre. Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport for a fee.

Bangladesh’s heaving capital Dhaka is its cultural and financial hub. A city of some 18 million people, Dhaka is frenetic, energetic, vibrant and a cultural melting pot. Despite its incredibly fast pace of life, there are still some oases of calm and tranquillity where visitors can catch their breath for a moment. Book a flight to Dhaka with Qatar Airways and you’ll also discover that this is one of the friendliest cities on earth too.

It’s also a time capsule charting the various influences in the region in its eclectic mix of architecture, from the Mogul Emperors through to colonial British rule in the 19th century. Today it also has a shining and ultra modern business epicentre, making Dhaka a treasure-trove of experiences for the visitor.

Tourist attractions

Apart from its incredibly friendly people, Dhaka’s main attractions are its buildings. The Lalbagh Fort was built by the son of Mogul emperor Aurangazeb, Prince Mohammad Azam in 1678. Surrounded by formal gardens, it also provides a little bit of green space in the heart of the city. The fort also houses a number of monuments and attractions within its walls, including the Tomb of Pari Bibi, Lalbagh Mosque, the Audience Hall and the Hammam of Nawab Shaista Khan, which also houses a museum.

Dhaka’s parks are beautifully kept and offer dazzling displays of colour all year round. Baldha Garden is a botanist’s delight, and is packed with native and rare plant species. The National Botanical Gardens offers 205 acres to explore and is right next to the city’s zoo. Ramna Green is a traditional public park surrounded by a winding lake that offers some cool respite during the heat of the summer.

If modern architecture is your passion then pay a visit to the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, or parliament building. Designed by American architect, Louis I. Kahn, it is a landmark building in a uniquely modern style. You will need to take your passport to go on a tour of the building.


Travel considerations

Flights to Dhaka with Qatar Airways land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure. Before you fly to Dhaka please check the visa and passport requirements.