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Bangladesh · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Sylhet scores 63/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Sylhet is a moderately safe city for travelers, but requires a high degree of caution due to specific risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bangladesh · Assessed 13 October 2026
63
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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 2026-09-24T08:53:33.120000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile violent crime like robbery is not highlighted as a primary concern for visitors, opportunistic theft can occur, particularly in crowded areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded public transport (rickshaws, CNGs, buses) and busy tourist spots.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
70/100
A significant majority of people report feeling safe walking alone after dark, indicating a generally positive sense of personal security for visitors.
Sylhet is a moderately safe city for travelers, but requires a high degree of caution due to specific risks.
While Sylhet has a low homicide rate and many visitors feel safe, there are concerns regarding petty crime, harassment, and road safety. Official advisories highlight the need for caution, particularly given the country's political stability and rule of law indicators.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Travel advisories for Sylhet, Bangladesh, urge a high degree of caution, reflecting a complex safety landscape. While the city benefits from a generally friendly local population and a low homicide rate, visitors should be aware of potential risks.
Recent incidents highlight specific concerns. In May 2026, a female tourist faced harassment at a local tea garden, leading to detentions, underscoring the risk of unwanted attention. Separately, in August 2026, a triple homicide occurred within a Sylhet residence, with a suspect apprehended, indicating that serious crime can occur. Road safety is also a significant concern, with high traffic accident rates nationally.
Travelers should exercise vigilance, particularly regarding petty crime. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded areas like bus terminals and on public transport such as CNGs and buses. Be wary of strangers offering food or drink, as drugging is a known issue in the region. When navigating the city, prioritize safety by avoiding isolated areas after dark and being extremely cautious around traffic.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Sylhet districts for visitors, 8 needing caution. See them plotted on the Sylhet safety map.
Sylhet SadarcautionGeneral city area, exercise caution due to moderate crime risk and potential for petty theft.
Shahjalal UpazilacautionIncludes areas around the shrine, generally safe but can be crowded; watch for pickpockets.
Osmaninagar UpazilacautionMore rural, exercise caution with transportation and be aware of surroundings.
Jaintiapur UpazilacautionKnown for natural attractions, but remote areas require extra vigilance and awareness of local conditions.
Companiganj UpazilacautionCan experience flooding; stay informed about weather and local conditions.
Gowainghat UpazilacautionPopular for Ratargul Swamp Forest, exercise caution in less developed or remote areas.
Beanibazar UpazilacautionGeneral rural area, maintain awareness of surroundings and transportation safety.
Balaganj UpazilacautionExercise caution, particularly in less populated areas and during nighttime.
07 · After Dark
75% of people in Bangladesh say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
While violent crime like robbery is not highlighted as a primary concern for visitors, opportunistic theft can occur, particularly in crowded areas.
After dark, be most careful around Sylhet Sadar, Shahjalal Upazila, Osmaninagar Upazila, Jaintiapur Upazila. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Sylhet is a moderately safe city for travelers, but requires a high degree of caution due to specific risks. While Sylhet has a low homicide rate and many visitors feel safe, there are concerns regarding petty crime, harassment, and road safety. Official advisories highlight the need for caution, particularly given the country's political stability and rule of law indicators. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Sylhet 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.
Remote, unlit, or deserted areas, especially after dark.. See the district-by-district safety map.
Sylhet ranks #1 of 6 Bangladesh destinations we've assessed, scoring 63/100. See the Bangladesh safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ 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: sylhet.json (CC BY 4.0).
