Dhaka to Chittagong Train — Schedule, Ticket Price & All Trains (2026)
The Dhaka to Chittagong train is Bangladesh’s busiest, most travelled, and — for millions of passengers — most important rail journey. Covering a distance of 346 kilometres between the capital city and the country’s main port, this route carries more passengers than any other corridor on the Bangladesh Railway network. Every single day, business travellers, families, students, and workers board trains at Kamalapur and arrive in Chittagong — or do the same journey in reverse — in under six hours, at a fraction of what the same trip costs by air.
If you’ve been searching for the latest Dhaka to Chittagong train schedule, updated ticket prices, or trying to figure out which train to take — you’re in the right place. This guide covers every train currently operating on the Dhaka to Chittagong route, their exact timings, what each one is like to travel on, and how to book your seat before it sells out.
| Dhaka to Chittagong Train — Quick Facts Route Distance: 346 km (Kamalapur to Chittagong station) Number of Trains: 5 intercity trains + 3 mail express trains = 8 total Fastest Train: Sonar Bangla Express — 4 hours 55 minutes Journey Time Range: 4 hours 55 min (express) to 9+ hours (mail trains) Cheapest Fare: ৳ 145 (S-Chair class) Most Expensive Fare: ৳ 1,393 (AC Berth/Cabin) Helpline: 131 / Online Ticket Booking |
Dhaka to Chittagong Train Schedule 2026 — All Trains at a Glance
Bangladesh Railway operates 8 trains on the Dhaka to Chittagong route — 5 intercity expresses and 3 mail trains. Whether you want a morning departure, an afternoon run, or prefer to travel overnight, there’s a Dhaka to Chittagong train that fits your timing. Here is the complete, updated schedule:
| Train Name | Train No. | Departs Dhaka | Arrives Ctg | Off Day | Type |
| Sonar Bangla Express | 787/788 | 07:00 AM | 11:55 AM | Wednesday | Non-Stop Intercity |
| Subarna Express | 701/702 | 04:30 PM | 09:50 PM | Friday | Near Non-Stop Intercity |
| Mahanagar Provati | 703/704 | 07:40 AM | 02:00 PM | Saturday | Intercity |
| Mahanagar Godhuli | 705/706 | 02:40 PM | 09:10 PM | Saturday | Intercity |
| Turna Nishitha | 741/742 | 11:00 PM | 06:00 AM+ | Tuesday | Night Intercity |
| Karnaphuli Express | 1/2 | 06:45 AM | 03:50 PM | None | Mail Express |
| Chattala Express | 3/4 | 07:30 PM | 04:50 AM+ | None | Mail Express |
| Chittagong Mail | 5/6 | 10:45 PM | 07:50 AM+ | None | Mail Express |
| Note: Trains marked + arrive the next morning. All timings are from Dhaka Kamalapur Railway Station unless stated otherwise. Schedules are based on official Bangladesh Railway 2026 timetable — always verify at railway.gov.bd before travelling. |
Dhaka to Chittagong Trains — Every Train Explained
Not all Dhaka to Chittagong trains are the same. Some are fast and premium. Some are slow but budget-friendly. Some are perfect for an overnight journey. Here’s what you need to know about each one before you decide.
787/788 Non-Stop
Sonar Bangla Express Departs Dhaka: 07:00 AM Arrives Chittagong: 11:55 AM Duration: 4 hrs 55 min Off Day: Wednesday Stops: Dhaka Airport only — essentially non-stop “Sonar Bangla” means Golden Bengal — and this train lives up to the name. It’s the fastest train on the Dhaka to Chittagong route, completing the 346 km journey in under 5 hours. Launched in June 2016, it was Bangladesh Railway’s first truly premium intercity service on this corridor. Morning departure from Kamalapur means you arrive in Chittagong before noon — perfect for business travellers who need to be at a meeting by afternoon. Book at least a week in advance; this one sells out fast.
701/702 Non-Stop
Subarna Express Departs Dhaka: 04:30 PM Arrives Chittagong: 09:50 PM Duration: 5 hrs 20 min Off Day: Friday Stops: Dhaka Airport station only Subarna means “golden” in Bengali — and this train has been the gold standard of the Dhaka to Chittagong run since it launched on 14 April 1998. It’s Bangladesh Railway’s original premium express on this route, and it remains hugely popular nearly three decades later. The afternoon departure from Dhaka gets you into Chittagong in the evening — a great timing for those who can’t make a morning train. The Subarna Express stops only at Dhaka Airport station, making it one of the fastest options on the corridor.
703/704 Intercity
Mahanagar Provati Departs Dhaka: 07:40 AM Arrives Chittagong: 02:00 PM Duration: 6 hrs 20 min Off Day: Saturday Stops: Airport, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, Comilla, Feni, Laksham “Mahanagar” means metropolitan, and “Provati” means dawn — this is the early morning metropolitan express. It’s more of a stopping train than Sonar Bangla or Subarna, which means a longer journey time but more flexibility for passengers boarding at intermediate stations. If you’re in Comilla, Feni, or Brahmanbaria and want to continue to Chittagong — or if you’re boarding from somewhere between Dhaka and Chittagong — Mahanagar Provati is your best option. Runs seven days minus Saturday.
705/706 Intercity
Mahanagar Godhuli Departs Dhaka: 02:40 PM Arrives Chittagong: 09:10 PM Duration: 6 hrs 30 min Off Day: Saturday Stops: Airport, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, Comilla, Feni, Laksham Godhuli means dusk — and true to the name, this train leaves Dhaka in the afternoon and arrives in Chittagong as evening settles. It’s the afternoon counterpart to Mahanagar Provati, covering the same stops with a similar journey time. A good option for those who prefer travelling in the latter half of the day. Like its twin, it stops at major intermediate stations between Dhaka and Chittagong, making it useful for passengers along the corridor — not just at the two end cities.
741/742 Night Express
Turna Nishitha Departs Dhaka: 11:00 PM Arrives Chittagong: 06:00 AM Duration: 7 hrs Off Day: Tuesday Stops: Laksham, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Feni (varies) Turna Nishitha is the night train on the Dhaka to Chittagong route — and if you’re the kind of traveller who likes to sleep through a journey and wake up at the destination, this is your train. Departs Kamalapur at 11 PM, and you’re in Chittagong by early morning, ready to start the day fresh. It’s particularly popular with business travellers and those who want to save on a night’s accommodation. Book well in advance — Turna Nishitha is one of the most in-demand trains on this corridor, especially on weekdays.
What About Mail Express Trains? Three mail express trains also run on the Dhaka to Chittagong route — Karnaphuli Express (7:40 AM), Chattala Express (7:30 PM), and Chittagong Mail (10:45 PM). Mail trains stop at many more stations, take considerably longer (8 to 10 hours), and offer basic seating with lower fares. They’re a good choice if you’re on a tight budget or boarding from a smaller intermediate station. However, for most intercity travellers, the five intercity trains above will be the better option.
Dhaka to Chittagong Train Ticket Price 2026 — Class-Wise Fares
Ticket prices on the Dhaka to Chittagong train vary depending on which class you travel in. Bangladesh Railway offers several seat classes on this route — from basic budget seating to fully air-conditioned private cabins. Here is the updated fare chart based on the December 2025 Bangladesh Railway fare revision, which added pontage (bridge) charges to Eastern Zone routes including Dhaka to Chittagong:
| Seat Class | Sonar Bangla | Mahanagar | Subarna | Turna | Ticket Portal |
| Shulov (Super Budget) | ৳ 75 | ৳ 75 | ৳ 75 | ৳ 75 | ৳ 75 |
| Shovan (Economy) | ৳ 145 | ৳ 145 | ৳ 145 | ৳ 145 | N/A |
| Shovan Chair | ৳ 215 | ৳ 215 | ৳ 215 | ৳ 215 | N/A |
| First Class Seat | ৳ 365 | ৳ 365 | ৳ 365 | ৳ 365 | N/A |
| Snigdha (AC Chair) | ৳ 720 | ৳ 720 | N/A | ৳ 720 | ৳ 720 |
| AC Berth / Cabin | ৳ 1,393 | N/A | N/A | ৳ 1,393 | ৳ 1,393 |
| Important Notes on Dhaka to Chittagong Train Fares All fares above include the December 2025 pontage charge revision for Eastern Zone routes. Western Zone routes were not affected by this change.An additional online service charge of ৳ 20 per ticket applies when booking through the official e-ticketing portal.Children under 3 years travel free. Children aged 3 to 12 pay half the adult fare.Student concession cardholders get up to 50% discount — applicable on most intercity trains on the Dhaka to Chittagong route.Prices are subject to revision. Always confirm the final amount on eticket.railway.gov.bd at the time of booking. |
Which Dhaka to Chittagong Train Should You Take?
With 5 intercity trains running on the Dhaka to Chittagong route, choosing the right one depends on when you want to travel, how much comfort you need, and how quickly you want to get there. Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Best for Speed Sonar Bangla Express (787) 4 hours 55 minutes, non-stop morning run. Arrive before noon. Book 7 days early. | Best Afternoon Departure Subarna Express (701) The classic. Departs 4:30 PM, arrives evening. Near non-stop. Bangladesh Railway’s flagship for 28 years. |
| Best for Intermediate Stations Mahanagar Provati / Godhuli Stops at Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Feni, Akhaura. Good if you’re not at either end city. | Best Night Journey Turna Nishitha (741) Sleep from Dhaka, wake up in Chittagong. Saves you a hotel night. Book early — very popular. |
| Best on a Budget Shovan class on any intercity ৳ 215 for a reserved seat on a 5 to 6 hour journey. Comfortable enough for most passengers. | Best Premium Experience Snigdha AC on Sonar Bangla Air-conditioned, cushioned seat, fast journey. ৳ 720 — the most comfortable way to make this trip. |
How to Book Your Dhaka to Chittagong Train Ticket Online
Booking a Dhaka to Chittagong train ticket online is genuinely straightforward — and once you’ve done it once, you’ll never stand in a counter queue again. Here’s how:
| 1-Go to eticket.railway.gov.bd This is the official Bangladesh Railway e-ticketing portal. Don’t use any third-party site — only the official portal guarantees a valid ticket and secure payment. | 2-Select Dhaka as ‘From’ and Chittagong as ‘To’ Enter your journey date and preferred class. Click Search Train — all available Dhaka to Chittagong trains for that date will appear with seat availability. |
| 3-Choose your train and class Pick from Sonar Bangla, Subarna, Mahanagar, or Turna based on timing and budget. Select your seat from the interactive seat map — green seats are available. | 4-Pay and receive your e-ticket Pay via bKash, Nagad, Rocket, or debit/credit card. Your e-ticket arrives instantly by SMS and email. Show it at the station — printed or on your phone. |
| When Does Ticket Booking Open for Dhaka to Chittagong Trains? Online booking for Dhaka to Chittagong trains opens exactly 10 days before the journey date at 8:00 AM Bangladesh Standard Time. For popular trains like Sonar Bangla Express and Turna Nishitha, seats on weekends and public holidays often sell out within hours of the booking window opening. Set a reminder and be ready to book the moment it opens. |
Dhaka to Chittagong by Train — Tips From Experienced Travellers
If you’re making the Dhaka to Chittagong train journey for the first time, or just want to make it smoother than last time, these practical tips will genuinely help:
Dhaka to Chittagong by Train vs Bus — Is the Train Worth It?
People ask this a lot — especially since several comfortable bus services also run between Dhaka and Chittagong. Here’s an honest comparison:
| Factor | Train (Intercity) | AC Bus |
| Journey Time | 5 to 6 hours (express) | 4 to 5 hours (no traffic) |
| Actual Time (real world) | Predictable — fixed track | Unpredictable — highway jams |
| Fare (comfortable class) | ৳ 215 to ৳ 720 | ৳ 800 to ৳ 1,200 |
| Comfort | Reserved seat, can walk around | Seat only, no movement |
| Night Journey | Sleep on Turna Nishitha | Uncomfortable on most buses |
| Safety | Significantly safer | Road accident risk is real |
| Scenery | River plains, rural Bangladesh | Highway, trucks |
| Book in advance? | Yes — 10 days | Usually 1 to 2 days enough |
The honest verdict: if your priority is cost and safety, the Dhaka to Chittagong train wins clearly. If you absolutely must be in Chittagong in under 4 hours and traffic is light, a fast AC bus might occasionally be quicker. But for the vast majority of travellers — especially families, people carrying luggage, overnight journeys, or anyone who values arriving without being exhausted — the train is the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions — Dhaka to Chittagong Train
| Q: What is the fastest Dhaka to Chittagong train? A: The Sonar Bangla Express (train no. 787/788) is the fastest Dhaka to Chittagong train, completing the 346 km journey in approximately 4 hours 55 minutes. It departs Kamalapur at 7:00 AM and arrives in Chittagong at 11:55 AM. Off day is Wednesday. |
| Q: What is the Dhaka to Chittagong train ticket price? A: Dhaka to Chittagong train ticket prices range from ৳ 145 (Shovan class) to ৳ 1,393 (AC Berth/Cabin), depending on the seat class. Snigdha (AC Chair) costs ৳ 720 and is the most popular premium class. Prices updated December 2025 — a ৳ 20 online service charge applies when booking on the official portal. |
| Q: How many trains run from Dhaka to Chittagong daily? A: Bangladesh Railway operates 8 trains on the Dhaka to Chittagong route — 5 intercity trains (Sonar Bangla Express, Subarna Express, Mahanagar Provati, Mahanagar Godhuli, and Turna Nishitha) and 3 mail express trains (Karnaphuli Express, Chattala Express, and Chittagong Mail). |
| Q: How long does the Dhaka to Chittagong train journey take? A: Intercity express trains take between 4 hours 55 minutes (Sonar Bangla Express) and 7 hours (Turna Nishitha) to complete the Dhaka to Chittagong journey. Mail express trains take 8 to 10 hours as they stop at more stations along the way. The distance by rail is 346 km. |
| Q: How do I book a Dhaka to Chittagong train ticket online? A: Go to eticket.railway.gov.bd, select Dhaka as your departure station and Chittagong as the destination, enter your travel date and preferred class, and search. Choose your train, select your seat from the seat map, and pay via bKash, Nagad, Rocket, or debit/credit card. Your e-ticket arrives instantly by SMS and email. |
| Q: Which is the best Dhaka to Chittagong train for overnight travel? A: Turna Nishitha (train no. 741/742) is the best option for overnight Dhaka to Chittagong travel. It departs Kamalapur at 11:00 PM and arrives in Chittagong at approximately 6:00 AM. AC Berth and Snigdha classes are available for comfortable sleeping. Off day is Tuesday. |
| Q: What is the distance from Dhaka to Chittagong by train? A: The distance from Dhaka to Chittagong by train is 346 kilometres — measured along the Bangladesh Railway track from Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka to Chittagong Railway Station. The direct road distance is shorter, but the rail route takes a different alignment. |
Ready to Book Your Dhaka to Chittagong Train?
The Dhaka to Chittagong train is more than just a commute — it’s one of Bangladesh’s great rail journeys. Whether you’re travelling for work, heading home for a family occasion, or making your first trip to Bangladesh’s port city, there’s a train on this route that fits your schedule and your budget.
Book your Dhaka to Chittagong train ticket at eticket.railway.gov.bd — the official Bangladesh Railway e-ticketing portal. Booking opens 10 days before travel at 8:00 AM. For help, call Bangladesh Railway at 131. And if you want to track your train live on the day of travel, send ‘tr [train number]’ to 16318 — works on GP, Robi, and Banglalink.
