The third largest city in the northwestern corner of Bangladesh, Khulna, awaits you with its mesmerizing natural treasures. The Sundarbans, world’s largest mangrove forest, was a strong contender in the race of world’s top 7 natural wonders. The wildlife, the unbroken canopy of the lofty tree tops for mile and miles there, will make you speechless. The tiger prawns, lobsters, catfishes and crabs, some mouth-watering delicacies all over the planet, are grown widely here. Going to pack? Wait, I am not done. I didn’t even tell you about Mongla Port, the second sea port of this country, situated just in the outskirt area of Khulna. Can you imagine a city that is free from polluted air, not so much crowd yet up to date? Khulna is exactly that
There is no direct flight to Khulna, due to lack of any domestic airport. But you can reach Jessore, which is only 71 Km away from Khulna city and every airline, serving there, has wonderful bus service from the Jessore domestic airport for the Khulna urban area.
| Name | Departure | Arrival | Price (Tk) |
| United Airways | 10:50 | 11:35 | 4000-6500 |
| NovoAir | 13:10 | 13:50 | 4500-6000 |
Travel Tip: If you are planning for a quick and short weekend, this will be the best option for you. Just step on any of these comfortable planes, no travel fatigue and you will have more time to spend for your upcoming excitements.
Bangladesh Railway has two intercity express trains running between Dhaka and Khulna. They are available on five weekdays, exceptions are Saturday and Monday. Before you are booking a ticket, be sure about its current schedule from their website or close to your rail station.
| Name | Departure | Arrival | Price (Tk) | Off Day |
| Sundarban Express | 06:20 | 16:20 | 400-1400 | Saturday |
| Chittra Express | 19:00 | 05:10 | 390-1390 | Monday |
Travel Tip: Night journey is time-saving, go on a sleep when the train moves. At morning, there is your destination and you are fitted on your top to explore all of it. But a small proposal of mine, if you are travelling with friends or fiancée, a train journey will be the best option to have a cheerful chitchat or a romantic crossing of your life. Who can measure the price of those precious moments?
Khulna is about 333 Km away from the capital city, so usually takes 6-7 travelling hours to reach your destination. Roads are free and you will get an interesting motion picture of traditional Bangladeshi standard of living. There are Non AC, AC Economy and Executive bus services from Dhaka to Khulna, serving many private companies along with the Government BRTC bus service. So hop in one of them, they are leaving Dhaka in every half an hour, from early morning to midnight.
| Company Name | Coach Type | Price (Tk) |
| Saintmartin Hyundai | AC Chair Coach | 550 |
| Saintmartin Hyundai | AC Economy | 1000 |
| Tungipara Express | AC Chair Coach | 450 |
| Hanif Paribahan | AC Chair Coach | 450 |
| Dola Paribahan Ltd | AC Chair Coach | 340 |
| Eagle Paribahan | AC Economy | 850 |
| Eagle Paribahan | Non AC | 500 |
| Ehsan Paribahan | Non AC | 400 |
| Green Line | AC Economy | 950 |
| Parjatak Paribahan Sonadanga | Non AC | 520 |
| Parjatak Paribahan | Non AC | 500 |
| Shohagh Paribahan | AC Economy | 1000 |
| Shohagh Paribahan | Non AC | 500 |
| Shohagh Paribahan | AC Executive | 1200 |
| Sundarban Service Pvt. Ltd. | Non AC | 500 |
| Soudia Paribahan | Non AC | 450 |
Travel Tip: A night journey will reduce the journey fatigue and will save you a full day of vacation. But if you can make an early morning voyage, you can enjoy the unique beauty of the countryside. The people, roadside “Bazaar”s or street foods will give you the perfect blend of living.
Rocket is the generic name that is given to special Paddle Steamer from the colonial period that runs daily between Dhaka and Khulna (nowadays, till Morelganj), stopping at Chandpur, Barisal, Mongla and many other lesser ports in the route. With white wooden cabins, beds in crisp white sheets and a range of western and local dishes served on fine china, the tranquil paddle steamboat voyage through spectacular rivers leaves a genteel memory in the minds of millions.
If you’re heading to the Sundarbans, Kolkata, or the historic Muslim city from 15th century – Bagerhat, traveling by a Paddle Steamer is a great way to go for a major part of the journey. You can enjoy the true riverine beauty of Bangladesh by traveling on Paddle Steamer. Many top travel guides, including Lonely Planet, recommend a Paddle Steamer trip while in Bangladesh, and they have been featured on the BBC, CNN and other news services.
Paddle Steamer has two levels. The front side of the upper level is reserved for 1st class. There are 12 cabins here in large vessels, and 8 in the smaller ones. Half of them containing two single bed in the cabin, with a washbasin, and a fan. Other half is with single bed with the same facilities. In the middle space between two cabins, there is a sofa for sitting, and a table for dining. The real highlight of 1st class, though, is the outside deck at the front of the boat, where you can sit while stewards serve tea and biscuits, and the Padma flows by.
The second class is at the back of the boat. Rooms are smaller than those in 1st class and have no washbasin and no bed linen. There are small fans, though, and some chairs outside your door for scenery-gazing. If you are staying back here, it might be possible for you to dine in 1st class, for a fee, naturally. There are 10 cabins in this section in big vessels, and 6 in the smaller vessels.
Inter and deck classes are similar to those in ferries. Foreigners are highly unlikely to be sold tickets in either of these classes. You have to bring your sleeping bag to travel in this class.