Bangladesh · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Dhaka scores 61/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Dhaka is moderately safe for visitors who stay alert and follow practical precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bangladesh · Assessed 28 July 2026
61
/ 100
Safer than ~58% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts
“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 2026-07-15T11:12:09Z
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 2026-06-23T10:33:43.8804413-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMuggings and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated incidents, especially in poorly lit areas of Old Dhaka and during periods of civil unrest
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in crowded markets, transport hubs and tourist attractions, particularly during festivals and evening hours
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
63/100
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe during daylight in upscale districts but express concern about nighttime streets, scams and occasional protests, reflecting a cautious but overall positive perception
Yes — Dhaka is moderately safe for visitors who stay alert and follow practical precautions.
Dhaka’s composite safety index of 60 reflects moderate risk, driven by crime, political volatility, and infrastructure challenges, but homicide and terrorism rates are low; recent data show heightened police activity and protests, yet overall visitor safety remains manageable with vigilance.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Dhaka remains a city where most visitors can travel safely if they respect the moderate risk profile. The composite index of 60 signals moderate overall danger, with crime and political volatility pulling the score down while health, air quality and terrorism indicators keep it from being higher. Recent news from July 2026 shows a major police anti‑crime operation resulting in hundreds of arrests and a large protest over a religious‑minority arrest, both of which have increased police visibility and occasional road disruptions across the capital. The city’s night‑time safety sub‑score of 50 reflects elevated pickpocketing and mugging concerns, especially in crowded markets, Old Dhaka’s narrow lanes and near transport hubs such as the airport and railway stations. Travel advisories from the UK FCDO and Canada consistently warn against non‑essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts and advise a high degree of caution elsewhere, but they do not flag Dhaka’s central neighborhoods as off‑limits for tourists who follow basic precautions.
For a visitor, the practical takeaway is to stay in well‑patrolled districts such as Gulshan, Banani or the diplomatic zone, use registered rideshare apps or hotel‑arranged taxis after dark, and keep valuables concealed in busy areas like New Market or the Shahbag metro‑style hub. Pickpocketing is reported as high, so a money belt and vigilance in crowds are essential. Scams commonly involve overcharging by unlicensed rickshaws, fake guides at heritage sites and currency‑exchange tricks at airports; agreeing on fares upfront and using reputable services mitigates these risks. While homicide and terrorism rates are low, the political climate can shift quickly, so avoid any demonstrations, stay updated via local news and heed the advisory to exercise a high degree of caution. By planning transport, limiting nighttime wandering and respecting local advisories, travelers can enjoy Dhaka’s vibrant culture and historic sites with a realistic but manageable safety outlook.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Dhaka districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Dhaka safety map.
Old DhakaavoidHistoric core with dense crowds and higher petty‑theft rates; best avoided after dark
Chittagong Hill TractsavoidPolitically sensitive region with elevated risk of unrest and kidnappings
MotijheelcautionCommercial hub with bustling markets; daytime is fine but stay alert after dark
MirpurcautionResidential area with mixed safety; avoid isolated streets at night
GulshansaferUpscale diplomatic and expatriate area with strong police presence and well‑maintained infrastructure
BananisaferModern residential and commercial district, heavily patrolled and popular with tourists
BaridharasaferPlanned suburb with gated communities and good security, favored by visitors
SylhetsaferTourist‑friendly hill city with low crime and well‑managed attractions
07 · After Dark
75% of people in Bangladesh say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Muggings and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated incidents, especially in poorly lit areas of Old Dhaka and during periods of civil unrest
After dark, be most careful around Old Dhaka, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Motijheel, Mirpur. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Dhaka's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Yes — Dhaka is moderately safe for visitors who stay alert and follow practical precautions. Dhaka’s composite safety index of 60 reflects moderate risk, driven by crime, political volatility, and infrastructure challenges, but homicide and terrorism rates are low; recent data show heightened police activity and protests, yet overall visitor safety remains manageable with vigilance. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Field research flags Old Dhaka, Chittagong Hill Tracts as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Dhaka scores 61/100 — see the Bangladesh safety overview for country-level data.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the Bangladesh safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: dhaka.json (CC BY 4.0).
