Paltan

Introduction

Paltan sits at the middle of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, and is often described as the point that divides Old Dhaka from New Dhaka. If you want to understand how the city's older and newer halves meet, this is the precinct to start with.

Paltan became a thana in its own right in 2005, when it was carved out of part of Motijheel thana. Expect a compact, busy urban area rather than a spread-out district, and plan your time around the fact that you are standing on the seam between two versions of the same city.

Getting around

Paltan sits at a crossroads of Dhaka's main movement corridors, between Old Dhaka and New Dhaka, which makes it a practical base: many routes pass through the area rather than requiring a detour, and you can often reach a destination without changing modes more than once. Dhaka's transport mixes rail, bus, taxi and ride-hailing services, with walking filling the gaps. Plan around the mode that suits your trip — rail for longer fixed corridors, buses for cheap point-to-point travel along major roads, taxis and ride-hailing for door-to-door convenience, and your own two feet for the last stretch.

• Rail: The rail network is centred on Kamalapur, just beyond Paltan and a stop on several bus routes serving the area. Reach the station by bus or taxi, then connect onward by train. Tram services are not part of the network described in the available material, and metro services are not covered here — treat rail and the bus network as the reliable fixed-route options and confirm current metro arrangements locally.
• Buses: Buses are the workhorse of public transport and Paltan is well served. BRTC services stop in Paltan, including the women-only "Pink Bus", staffed by women drivers and conductors. Routes through Paltan connect Natun Bazar (Coca-Cola) with Gulistan; Demra Staff Quarter with GPO via Janapath Mor (Sayedabad), Wari, Gulistan, Secretariat and Matsya Bhaban; and Mohammadpur with Motijheel via Shahbagh, Paltan, Motijheel and Kamalapur. Other routes link Taltola, Mirpur and Abdullahpur with Motijheel, and Narayanganj and Gazipur are tied into the Motijheel and Airport corridors. Buy tickets on board from the conductor, keep small notes handy, keep valuables secure on crowded buses, and allow extra time at peak hours.
• Taxis and ride-hailing: The most straightforward door-to-door option, especially for trips buses do not cover directly or when you are carrying luggage. Drivers are generally familiar with the area and its landmarks, such as Baitul Mukarram, the National Stadium and the Paltan Super Market. Agree the fare or confirm the app price before setting off, and expect journeys to take longer during busy periods.
• Walking: Paltan is compact and densely built, and many notable features are close enough to reach on foot — the National Stadium complex with the Bangladesh Kabaddi Stadium and venues for boxing, field hockey, handball, gymnastics, roller skating and volleyball, plus mosques, community centres such as Ananda Bhaban and Paltan Community Center, and shopping centres including Polwel Super Market, Paltan Super Market, City Heart and Gazi Bhaban. Walking also covers the last mile between a bus stop or taxi drop-off and your destination. Pavements can be busy and uneven, so allow more time than you might expect for short distances.
• From the airport: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport lies to the north and is linked into the bus network, with a Gazipur depot route running between Gazipur and the Airport. Taxis and ride-hailing are the most direct way to reach Paltan door to door. By public transport, look for buses heading into the central city and toward Motijheel, the business district immediately adjacent to Paltan, then continue by bus, taxi or on foot. Confirm current airport bus arrangements locally, as routes and stops can change.

Use the wide divided VIP road — now named Anjuman-e-Mufidul Islam road and Shahid-Manik road — and Baitul Mukarram as orientation points when navigating the area.

Three days in Paltan

Day one: Base yourself in Paltan, a central neighbourhood of Dhaka that puts you within reach of both Old Dhaka and New Dhaka. Start by getting your bearings along the main routes, then head to Motijheel to see the commercial heart of the city. If you want to plan your movements, note that buses are the main way around: BRTC services and the Pink Bus routes connect Paltan with places like Gulistan, Sayedabad, Wari, the Secretariat, Matsya Bhaban, Shahbagh, Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Abdullahpur, Narayanganj, Gazipur and the Airport. Expect heavy traffic, so allow generous time between stops.

• Paltan as your base
• Motijheel for the commercial district
• Gulistan and Sayedabad for bus connections
• Wari and the Secretariat area

Day two: Devote the day to Old Dhaka, using the buses or a taxi from Paltan. Reach the older parts of the city and wander the lanes around the GPO and Natun Bazar. Buy a Coca-Cola or a local cola from a roadside stall when you need a break. If you prefer rail for a longer excursion, Kamalapur is the city's main rail hub, and the tram no longer runs, so plan around buses and taxis instead.

• Old Dhaka lanes
• GPO and Natun Bazar
• Kamalapur for rail
• Roadside cola stalls

Day three: Use your last day for the outer neighbourhoods. Take a bus or taxi to Mohammadpur, Mirpur or Abdullahpur, or head further out to Narayanganj or Gazipur if you have time. Janapath Mor, Taltola and Demra Staff Quarter are other points you can pass through on the way. Expect long rides and plan your return to Paltan before the evening rush. Taxis are quicker but cost more; buses are cheaper but slower.

• Mohammadpur, Mirpur and Abdullahpur
• Narayanganj and Gazipur for a longer trip
• Janapath Mor, Taltola and Demra Staff Quarter en route
• Taxis versus buses for the return