Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Bangladesh due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Thu, 30 Jul 2026
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Is Dhaka safe? 🇧🇩
Bangladesh · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Dhaka scores 53/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes, Dhaka is moderately safe for visitors who exercise caution, particularly avoiding night travel and demonstrations. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Dhaka 🇧🇩
Bangladesh · Assessed 20 October 2026
53
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime49/100CautionCrime index 62.5 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment57/100FairMixed feelings
Advisories75Good
Stability56Fair
Health63Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, an area made up of the districts of: Rangamati Khagrachari Bandarban Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2026-10-09T10:14:33Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Bangladesh: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-14T08:03:20.3397626-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
10.4M residents
38
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Bangladesh2.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
83
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMuggings and armed robberies occur, particularly at night in less-patrolled areas like Old Dhaka and near transport hubs.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in crowded markets, buses, and rickshaws, especially in Gulshan, Banani, and Motijheel.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed feelings
57/100
Reported feel50Mixed feelings
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
While locals are generally friendly and helpful, visitors report feeling safe only during daylight in secured zones; nighttime and crowded areas provoke significant worry about theft and assault.
Yes, Dhaka is moderately safe for visitors who exercise caution, particularly avoiding night travel and demonstrations.
Dhaka presents moderate safety concerns with rising crime rates since 2024, including increased muggings and theft. While daytime in upscale areas like Gulshan and Banani is relatively safe, nighttime and crowded markets carry higher risks of pickpocketing and robbery. Political demonstrations and traffic hazards add to the complexity.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Police stepped up patrols and surveillance in Dhaka amid rising crime reports— The Daily Star
- Oct 2026510 people were held in 24-hour anti-crime drives across Dhaka— Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)
- Oct 202615 individuals detained for pickpocketing and phone snatching in Dhaka— The Daily Star
- Aug 2026Indigenous youth protested in Dhaka after a Christian village was looted— Crux
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging at airports
- Fake Sundarbans tour guides
- Guesthouse bait-and-switch
- Phone snatching in crowded markets
Full briefing
Dhaka’s safety situation remains moderate as of October 2026, with police increasing patrols and conducting large-scale anti-crime drives across the city. The Detective Branch recently arrested 15 individuals for pickpocketing and phone snatching, confirming these as persistent threats in crowded areas like Gulshan, Banani, and Motijheel. Muggings are more likely at night, especially in Old Dhaka and near transport hubs, though violent crime against tourists is not widespread. Political demonstrations, such as the August protest by indigenous youth over a looted Christian village, can erupt suddenly and should be avoided.
Travelers should prioritize daytime movement in well-patrolled, upscale neighborhoods and use ride-hailing apps or pre-booked yellow cabs rather than unmarked taxis, which have been linked to overcharging and safety risks. Keep bags closed and valuables concealed, particularly on rickshaws and in markets where bag-snatching is common. Avoid all protests, hartals, and large gatherings, as these can turn disruptive or draw heavy police presence. Carry only a copy of your passport and store the original in your hotel safe. While air quality is often unhealthy for sensitive groups and traffic remains chaotic, most visitors who stay alert and avoid high-risk zones complete their trips without serious incident. The U.S. and Canadian advisories both urge increased caution, reflecting the real but manageable risks on the ground.
Was this Dhaka, Bangladesh report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Dhaka districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Dhaka safety map.
Old DhakaavoidHistoric area with narrow streets and crowded markets; higher rates of mugging, robbery, and snatching, particularly at night.
MotijheelcautionCentral business district; pickpocketing and bag-snatching frequent in crowds and on public transport, especially during rush hour.
MirpurcautionLarge residential and industrial zone; petty crime increases after dark and in less-patrolled areas near transport hubs.
KeraniganjcautionSouthern subdistrict across the Buriganga River; overcrowded and less policed, with higher risk of snatching and theft.
GulshansaferUpscale diplomatic area with embassies, hotels, and regular security patrols; lowest crime risk for visitors.
BananisaferTrendy business and residential zone adjacent to Gulshan; generally secure but stay alert in crowded commercial areas.
UttarasaferModern planned suburb with malls and residential complexes; relatively safe but limited late-night transport options.
DhanmondisaferCultural residential area with parks and universities; generally safe but experience occasional street crime and traffic congestion.
07 · After Dark
Is Dhaka safe at night?
75% of people in Bangladesh say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Muggings and armed robberies occur, particularly at night in less-patrolled areas like Old Dhaka and near transport hubs.
After dark, be most careful around Old Dhaka, Motijheel, Mirpur, Keraniganj. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Dhaka safety FAQ (2026)
Is Dhaka safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Dhaka is moderately safe for visitors who exercise caution, particularly avoiding night travel and demonstrations. Dhaka presents moderate safety concerns with rising crime rates since 2024, including increased muggings and theft. While daytime in upscale areas like Gulshan and Banani is relatively safe, nighttime and crowded markets carry higher risks of pickpocketing and robbery. Political demonstrations and traffic hazards add to the complexity. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Dhaka safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Dhaka report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Dhaka should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Old Dhaka as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Dhaka (2026)?
- Taxi overcharging at airports
- Fake Sundarbans tour guides
- Guesthouse bait-and-switch
- Phone snatching in crowded markets
How does Dhaka compare with other places in Bangladesh (2026)?
Dhaka ranks #5 of 6 Bangladesh destinations we've assessed, scoring 53/100. See the Bangladesh safety overview for the full list.
How is this dhaka safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: dhaka.json (CC BY 4.0).