Getting Around Motijheel
Motijheel is Dhaka's primary central business district and the country's largest commercial and financial hub, sitting immediately adjacent to the city's zero point. It is packed with bank headquarters, government offices and high-rise buildings, which means it is busy with commuters on weekdays and quieter at weekends. For a visitor, the practical challenge is not distance — the thana covers only a few square kilometres — but traffic, heat and the sheer density of people and vehicles. The good news is that Motijheel is unusually well connected by public transport, including the Dhaka Metro Rail.
Orientation
Motijheel lies in downtown Dhaka, between Old Dhaka to the south and Ramna, Paltan and Segunbagicha to the north. It borders Paltan to the west and Segunbagicha directly, with Rampura, Khilgaon, Sutrapur, Sabujbagh and Ramna Model thanas around it. Two roundabouts, Shapla Square and Balaka Square, are the local landmarks most people will use to orient themselves, and the area is served by the Dhaka Metro Rail.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Motijheel is served by the Dhaka Metro Rail, which is the fastest way to cover longer distances across the city and to bypass road congestion. Metro stations are the easiest places to buy tickets, and fares are typically paid per journey at the station rather than through a monthly pass, so a visitor can simply turn up and buy a ticket for the next train. Note that Dhaka has no tram network — the metro is the rail-based rapid transit option, and there is no tram service to plan around.
For longer-distance rail travel, Kamalapur Railway Station lies just outside the thana to the east and is reachable from Motijheel by bus or auto-rickshaw; several local bus routes pass it directly. If you are arriving in Dhaka by intercity train, Kamalapur is the practical gateway to Motijheel.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Buses are the workhorse of Dhaka transport and Motijheel is a major hub for them, with several depots and terminals feeding the area. Routes connect Motijheel to much of the city and beyond, including:
- Mirpur (from both the Kalyanpur and Mirpur depots), with services running Mirpur–Motijheel and Mirpur-12–Motijheel.
- Mohammadpur, via Shankar, Jigatola, Dhanmondi-15, City College, New Market, Elephant Road, Shahbagh and Paltan, continuing on to Kamalapur.
- Abdullahpur, from the Joar Sahara depot.
- Taltola, via Khilgaon Rail Gate, Basabo, Mugda, Kamalapur Railway Station, Arambagh, Shapla Chattar and the Secretariat.
- Natun Bazar (Coca-Cola) to Gulistan, from the Motijheel depot, via Uttar Badda, Madhya Badda, Merul Badda, Rampura, Abul Hotel, Malibagh, Kakrail and Paltan.
- Narayanganj, from the Narayanganj depot.
- Demra Staff Quarter to GPO, from the Jatrabari depot, via Janapath Mor (Sayedabad), Wari, Gulistan, Paltan, the Secretariat and Matsya Bhaban.
Buses are cheap and frequent but slow in peak hours. Buy your ticket from the conductor on board; there is no need to book ahead. Keep small notes and coins handy.
Women travelling alone may want to look out for the BRTC "Pink Bus" service, a women-only bus network operated by women drivers and conductors. It runs in Dhaka and adjoining areas as well as in Bogura and Chattogram, and several of its routes touch Motijheel — including the Motijheel depot route to Gulistan, the Mirpur–Motijheel services, the Mohammadpur–Motijheel route, the Taltola–Motijheel route and the Narayanganj–Motijheel route. The Gazipur–Airport service also operates under this scheme.
Auto-rickshaws (CNGs) and cycle rickshaws fill the gaps between bus stops and metro stations. Rickshaws are best for short hops within Motijheel; agree the fare before you set off, since meters are rarely used.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Metered taxis exist but are not always easy to flag down, and drivers may prefer to negotiate a fixed fare. Ride-hailing apps are generally the most straightforward option for visitors: you get a known fare up front and avoid haggling. Pick-up points around Shapla Square, Balaka Square and the main office buildings are usually easy for drivers to find. Allow extra time in the morning and evening rush, when the roads around the CBD seize up.
Walkability
Motijheel is compact and, in principle, walkable — the main business addresses, banks and government offices are clustered close together, and the two big roundabouts make useful waypoints. In practice, walking means dealing with heavy traffic, narrow or obstructed footpaths, and heat for much of the year. Short walks between nearby offices are perfectly reasonable; longer crossings are better done via the roundabouts or footbridges. Carry water and plan to break up longer journeys with a rickshaw or a metro hop.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport sits north of the city centre, and the journey into Motijheel crosses some of Dhaka's most congested corridors. Ride-hailing is the simplest option for a visitor with luggage: book from the app on arrival and expect a slow but direct run. Metered taxis are available at the airport too, though you may need to agree a fare. For a cheaper trip, local buses run between the airport area and the city, including the Gazipur–Airport service; from the airport you can connect onward to Motijheel by bus or, once in the city, by metro. Whichever you choose, build in generous time — the airport-to-downtown run is the least predictable part of any Dhaka visit.
Practical Tips
- Use the metro for long cross-city legs and buses or rickshaws for the last stretch into Motijheel.
- Buy metro tickets at the station; pay bus fares to the conductor on board.
- Keep small change for buses and rickshaws.
- Women may prefer the BRTC Pink Bus routes where they serve your direction of travel.
- Avoid scheduling tight appointments across town during rush hour; the CBD's roads are at their worst then.
- Use Shapla Square and Balaka Square as your mental anchors when giving directions to drivers.