Upscale neighborhood with embassies, international restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls.

About Gulshan / Banani (Diplomatic Zone)

Gulshan and Banani are Dhaka\'s most affluent neighborhoods, home to most foreign embassies, international NGO offices, upscale hotels (Westin, Le Méridien, Amari), and the city\'s best international dining. Gulshan Avenue and Banani Road are lined with restaurants serving cuisines from Thai and Chinese to Italian and Mexican, alongside excellent traditional Bengali restaurants.

Gulshan 1 and 2 circles (traffic roundabouts) anchor the neighborhood\'s commercial activity. Jamuna Future Park, one of the largest malls in South Asia, is nearby. The area around Gulshan Lake offers a rare green respite with walking paths and boat rides. For visitors, Gulshan/Banani is the most comfortable base in Dhaka, with reliable electricity (most buildings have generators), cleaner streets than the old city, and security guards at most buildings. The area is also the center of Dhaka\'s small but growing café culture and art gallery scene.

Nearby Landmarks

Gulshan Lake Park Jamuna Future Park Embassy Row National Parliament House (nearby)

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost 300-500 BDT (~$3-5)
Time 20-40 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost 200-350 BDT (~$2-4)
Time 20-40 minutes

Terminal 1 arrivals exit

Step-by-Step Directions

CNG auto-rickshaw or ride-hailing app from airport to Gulshan Circle 1/2 or Banani.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi 300-500 BDT (~$3-5) 20-40 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare 200-350 BDT (~$2-4) 20-40 minutes Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Taxis, CNG rickshaws, and ride-hailing (Pathao, Uber) are available 24/7. Gulshan has Dhaka's most active late-night scene with restaurants open until midnight and some later. The airport-to-Gulshan taxi fare is BDT 500–800. Many Gulshan hotels offer airport pickup service for BDT 1,000–2,000 in comfortable vehicles.

Luggage Tips

The short distance to Gulshan makes luggage manageable. Hotel airport pickup services use sedans or SUVs with adequate space. CNG auto-rickshaws struggle with more than one bag. If checking into a Gulshan hotel, most offer bell service and luggage storage.

Accessibility

Gulshan has better infrastructure than most of Dhaka, but sidewalks are still uneven and often obstructed. Major international hotels are wheelchair accessible. Shopping centers like Jamuna Future Park have elevators and accessible facilities. Street navigation by wheelchair is impractical—use private vehicles for all movements.