Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, and Cox’s Bazar, the longest sea beach in the world, are two of the most popular destinations for tourists and travelers alike. However, until now, there was no direct train service between these two places, making the journey time-consuming and inconvenient. But that is about to change soon, as the government has announced that the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar rail link project will be inaugurated on November 12, 2023.
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Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar train Schedule
Train 1 Schedule
| Station | Time | Station | Time |
| Dhaka | 8:15 PM | Cox’s Bazar | 5:30 AM |
| Cox’s Bazar | 10:00 AM | Dhaka | 7:15 PM |
Train 2 Schedule
| Station | Time | station | time |
| Dhaka | 11:50 PM | Cox’s Bazar | 9:30 AM |
| Cox’s Bazar | 12:45 PM | Dhaka | 10:00 PM |
Dhaka Cox’s Bazar Train Ticket Price
The train ticket price from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar depends on the type of train and the class of seat you choose. The minimum fare for the intercity train from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar is Tk565 for the Shovon chair, the minimum fare for the first class is Tk863 for the first chair/seat, and the maximum fare for the first class is Tk1,977 for the AC berth. The train service on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route is expected to be launched in December 2023. You can purchase the train tickets online or from the railway stations.
| Shovon Chair | AC Chair | First chair(Non AC) | First Bath(Non AC) | AC Bath |
| 556 taka | 995 taka | 863 taka | 1259 taka | 1977 taka |
The Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar rail link project is one of the ten priority projects of the government, along with the Padma Bridge rail link project. The project involves the construction of a new 101 km dual gauge single line connecting Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and implemented by two Chinese firms. The project was initiated in April 2011 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and so far, 84% of the work has been completed.
The new rail line will ensure fast and smooth movement of trains from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar, reducing the travel time from 12 hours to 6 hours. The new rail line will also be connected with the Trans-Asian Railway Corridor, which will boost regional connectivity and trade. The new rail line will also play an important role in the economic growth of the country, especially in the tourism sector, as Cox’s Bazar is a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists.
However, there are some challenges and obstacles that remain to be overcome before the new rail line can operate smoothly. One of them is the renovation of the Kalurghat bridge, which is a vital link between Chittagong and Dohazari. The bridge is old and narrow, and cannot accommodate dual gauge trains. The railway minister has assured that an expert team is working on the renovation of the bridge, and there will be no obstacles to operating trains once the necessary work is done. Another challenge is the bypass route from Faujdarhat, which is needed to allow direct train services from Dhaka. The bypass route will add at least 1.5 hours to the train journey from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar.
Despite these challenges, the railway minister has expressed his optimism that the new rail line will be a milestone for Bangladesh Railway and a boon for the people. He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the project on November 12, 2023, and people will be able to enjoy a comfortable and scenic train ride from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar soon. He also said that more trains and facilities will be added in the future to cater to the increasing demand of passengers.
The Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar rail link project is a testament to the government’s vision and commitment to develop the railway sector and improve the transportation system of the country. It is also a reflection of the growing cooperation and friendship between Bangladesh and China, as well as Bangladesh and ADB. The new rail line will not only enhance the connectivity and mobility of people, but also create new opportunities for trade, tourism, and development. It will also bring joy and happiness to millions of travelers who want to explore the beauty and diversity of Bangladesh.
The construction of the Cox’s Bazar railway, with a total cost of Tk18,034 crore. It is one of the priority projects of the government. In this way, the Kalurghat railway bridge is the main challenge of this project, Bangladesh Railway(BR) has taken a project to repair the bridge. On the other hand, a new bridge design has been done and will start construction very soon.
