South Asia

Is Bangladesh safe?

Capital: DhakaBengali, EnglishUpdated October 2026

L3Reconsider travel

Is Bangladesh safe?

Crime against visitors is uncommon, but political protests, strikes (hartals) and mob violence flare up. Road safety is very poor, and crowds of onlookers are normal.

Key facts

US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-01-19.
Homicide rate: 2.3 per 100,000 people (2018, UNODC via World Bank).
Road deaths: 15.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
Emergency numbers: Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
Solo women: Solo women draw intense attention and some harassment. Dress conservatively with a scarf, and use women's sections on buses and trains.

Risks, scams and laws

Main risks

Political protests and hartals that can turn violent
Very dangerous roads and overloaded ferries
Cyclones and floods, April–May and October–November
Dengue fever, peaking during the monsoon

Common scams

CNG and rickshaw drivers charging foreigners several times the fare

Laws visitors break by accident

Alcohol is restricted to licensed hotels and bars; drinking in public is illegal.
Photographing military, police or government buildings can lead to detention.

Safety by place in Bangladesh

Place	Safety
Dhaka	3/5 · Take real precautions
Cox's Bazar	3/5 · Take real precautions

Quick answers

Is Bangladesh safe for tourists?

Crime against visitors is uncommon, but political protests, strikes (hartals) and mob violence flare up. Road safety is very poor, and crowds of onlookers are normal.

Is Bangladesh safe for solo female travelers?

Solo women draw intense attention and some harassment. Dress conservatively with a scarf, and use women's sections on buses and trains.

What is the emergency number in Bangladesh?

Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.

Safety by place

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.