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Bangladesh

Discover Bengal's rivers, ruins, and rhythms

11 apps7 essentialSouth AsiaLast updated: July 2026

Dhaka is one of the world's most congested cities. Ride-hailing apps are survival gear. BKash is used by over 70 million people and is essential for paying for almost anything when cards aren't accepted. Mobile data is affordable on Grameenphone or Robi SIMs.

The essentials

  • Pathao app iconPathaoRide Hailing
  • Uber app iconUberRide Hailing
  • foodpanda app iconfoodpandaFood Delivery
  • FFoodiFood Delivery
  • bKash app iconbKashPayments
  • WhatsApp app iconWhatsAppMessaging
  • Google Maps app iconGoogle MapsNavigation
  • Ride Hailing
  • Food Delivery
  • Payments
  • Messaging
  • Navigation
  • Language

Ride Hailing4 apps · 2 essential

View Ride Hailing guide→
Pathao app icon

PathaoEssential

Books cars and motorbikes in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and selected additional Bangladeshi cities.

Pro tip: Pathao is usually cheaper than Uber as of mid-2026, especially by motorbike. Use a local SIM and cash for the most reliable setup.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Uber app icon

UberEssential

Books cars, CNGs and motorbikes in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and selected additional Bangladeshi urban zones.

Pro tip: A 2024 study found 71.70 percent surveyed-user reach. It is easiest for English and foreign cards, but cash and a Bangladeshi SIM remain safer.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
inDrive app icon

inDrive

Lets riders agree fares with car drivers in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and selected other urban areas.

Pro tip: It is usually cheaper than Uber and Pathao cars as of mid-2026. Use cash and assess driver ratings before accepting a low offer.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Obhai app icon

Obhai

Books cars, motorbikes and CNG auto-rickshaws in Dhaka and selected Bangladeshi city service zones.

Pro tip: Use it as a CNG or price backup. English and foreign-card support are less dependable than Uber, so carry cash.

Play StoreWebsite↗

Food Delivery3 apps · 2 essential

View Food Delivery guide→
foodpanda app icon

foodpandaEssential

Delivers in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, Cumilla, Gazipur and many other Bangladeshi cities.

Pro tip: A March 2026 report estimated 50 to 60 percent market share. Use a Bangladeshi SIM and keep cash if a foreign card fails.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
F

FoodiEssential

Delivers restaurant meals in Dhaka, Chattogram and selected expanding Bangladeshi city service zones.

Pro tip: Foodi is usually cheaper than foodpanda during promotions as of mid-2026, but its city and restaurant coverage is narrower.

Pathao Food app icon

Pathao Food

Delivers meals through the Pathao app in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and selected supported urban zones.

Pro tip: It is often cheaper than foodpanda during campaigns as of mid-2026. A local SIM and cash make ordering more reliable.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Payments1 app · 1 essential

View Payments guide→
bKash app icon

bKashEssential

Bangladesh's dominant mobile money platform with 70+ million users. Accepted everywhere from street vendors to hospitals.

Pro tip: International travelers can create a limited bKash account with a passport. Ask your hotel to help set it up.

App StorePlay Store

Messaging1 app · 1 essential

View Messaging guide→
WhatsApp app icon

WhatsAppEssential

Widely used for communication with guesthouses, guides, and drivers.

Pro tip: Hotel front desks respond faster to WhatsApp than email or phone calls.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Navigation1 app · 1 essential

View Navigation guide→
Google Maps app icon

Google MapsEssential

The most reliable navigation tool for Bangladesh with good coverage across Dhaka and major cities.

Pro tip: Download offline maps for Dhaka before arrival. Data can be slow in dense urban areas.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Language1 app

View Language guide→
Google Translate app icon

Google Translate

Bengali (Bangla) script is unique. Camera translation is invaluable for reading transport signs, menus, and rickshaw destinations.

Pro tip: Download the Bengali offline pack before arrival.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Internet in Bangladesh

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac app icon

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App StorePlay StoreSee plans

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration
Registration requires your passport plus a photo, fingerprint, or other biometric check.
Tourist plans and prices
Starter prices begin near 150 BDT (~$1.35); compare the current data allowance before buying.
Where to buy
Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.
Airport prices
Airport prices are usually higher than city or online prices.
Local eSIM
Local eSIM is available and follows the same identity rules as a physical SIM.

Good to know

Use an official carrier store and complete registration and activation before leaving the counter.

Local carriers

  • Grameenphone

    Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.

  • Robi

    A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.

  • Banglalink

    Good-value option when price matters most.

  • Teletalk

    The weakest network here; choose it only for a clear price advantage.

  • Skitto

    Good-value option when price matters most.

Full SIM card and eSIM guide for Bangladesh→eSIM and SIM cards by country→
Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

Source dates: Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki: retrieved 30 Jul 2026, page indexed 18 Mar 2026; carries the 2018 BTRC validity directive and the 2017 tax structure | Phone Travel Wiz: 18 Jan 2025 | ByteSIM: 7 May 2026 (eSIM seller; source of the 'cannot buy a local GP eSIM purely online' statement and the airport-bundle-pushing report - note the commercial interest, but the biometric claim is corroborated by Sparkroam) | Sparkroam: 2 May 2026 | Holafly: ~9 Jul 2026 (eSIM seller) | Esim.net: 3 Dec 2024 | BitJoy: 17 May 2026 (EXCLUDED source; its OpenSignal coverage figures are recorded but not relied on)

Sources disagree: Registration practice or tourist eligibility still varies between published accounts. Quoted prices or bundle details vary by seller and may change at short notice.

Sources

  • prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com
  • phonetravelwiz.com
  • bytesim.com
  • sparkroam.com
  • esim.holafly.com
  • esim.net
  • thebitjoy.com

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-have apps for traveling in Bangladesh?

The essential apps for Bangladesh are Pathao, Uber, foodpanda, Foodi, bKash.

How many travel apps does Bangladesh have?

We've curated 11 apps across 6 categories for traveling in Bangladesh, including 7 essential apps.

What is the best ride hailing app in Bangladesh?

Pathao is the top-rated ride hailing app in Bangladesh. Books cars and motorbikes in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and selected additional Bangladeshi cities.

Keep exploring

How to Pay in Bangladesh

Payment apps and cashless travel tips

Is Uber Available in Bangladesh?

Ride-hailing options and local alternatives

Traveling to Bangladesh from abroad?

United States → BangladeshUnited Kingdom → BangladeshGermany → BangladeshAustralia → BangladeshCanada → Bangladesh

Also traveling in South Asia?

India

Navigate the subcontinent like a local

16 apps · 8 essential

Sri Lanka

Island life made smarter, from tuk-tuks to tea trains

6 apps · 4 essential

Maldives

Overwater villas and not much need for apps

6 apps · 4 essential

Nepal

From Kathmandu streets to Himalayan trails

7 apps · 4 essential

Pakistan

inDrive in the cities, cash for daily life, and official alerts for the road north

9 apps · 5 essential

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These apps need data

Set up a data eSIM before you fly. Land with mobile internet already working.

See plans

On this page

  • Ride Hailing
  • Food Delivery
  • Payments
  • Messaging
  • Navigation
  • Language
  • Internet in Bangladesh
  • Frequently asked questions