Kathmandu to Cox's Bazar Flights (2026): No Direct Route Yet — Dhaka Connection, Fares & Visa Guide

By Farhan Momen (Founder & Travel Editor) · Published October 16, 2026 · Updated 2026-10-16 · 8 min read

On 15 October 2026, our review found no confirmed scheduled passenger service from Kathmandu to Cox's Bazar. Check the Dhaka search path, a dated domestic-leg fare and the visa guidance for Nepali visitors.

Who this guide is for: Travelers starting in Kathmandu—Nepali nationals or anyone departing from KTM—who want to reach Cox's Bazar. Bangladeshi travelers planning the reverse trip should see our Nepal itinerary guide for Bangladeshi travelers.

Quick Answer As of 15 October 2026, our review found no confirmed scheduled passenger service from Kathmandu (KTM) to Cox's Bazar (CXB). The only route reported in the press is a proposal: Bangladesh is pushing for a future connection, and a minister expressed hope that Himalaya Airlines might launch it. The report does not announce an airline commitment, launch date, timetable, ticket sale or fare [1].

The route to investigate is KTM → DAC → CXB, via Dhaka. Biman's official multi-city search lists all three airports as choices [5], but that does not confirm a priced itinerary, one ticket/PNR or through-checked baggage for your dates. Treat this as a search lead—not a confirmed connection.

1. Direct Route Status Cox's Bazar Airport (VGCB) was designated an international airport effective 2 October 2025. CAAB's AIP Supplement lists customs and immigration facilities and sets out procedures for international flights [3]. A separate report says the new international passenger terminal began trial operations on 28 September 2026 while serving domestic passengers; CAAB said it was ready to handle international flights [2].

Infrastructure and an international designation do not mean international services are operating. CAAB's October 2026 NOTAM summary lists A0325/26, replacing A0189/26: international scheduled and non-scheduled flight movements to and from Cox's Bazar remain suspended. It also says the airport will not be used for international non-scheduled, emergency or diversion flights until scheduled international flight movements start. The summary lists the notice through 31 October 2026 [9]. Recheck CAAB's latest NOTAMs close to your travel date; this notice may be amended or replaced.

2. The Practical Workaround: Kathmandu–Dhaka–Cox's Bazar The itinerary to test is KTM → DAC → CXB: fly from Kathmandu to Dhaka, then take a domestic flight from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar.

Biman's official booking site offers a multi-city search with Kathmandu, Dhaka and Cox's Bazar in its airport choices [5]. This confirms the search option—not a bookable itinerary. We did not confirm a date-specific combined fare, single ticket/PNR or through-checked baggage. Search your exact dates before making plans.

Before paying, check: - Whether both legs are sold on one ticket/PNR or as separate bookings - The operating airline on each leg, not only the marketing name - The minimum connection time at Dhaka - Whether baggage is checked through; with separate tickets, you may need to collect and recheck it - Each carrier's delay, missed-connection, change and refund terms

If you book two separate tickets, treat them as independent journeys. A delay on KTM–DAC may leave you responsible for the onward DAC–CXB flight; do not assume another airline will rebook you. Allow a connection buffer that reflects this risk and confirm the immigration and baggage process with both carriers.

3. One Dated Fare Example (Domestic Leg Only) On 15 October 2026, we searched NOVOAIR's official booking engine for one adult, one-way, Dhaka (DAC) to Cox's Bazar (CXB), departing 15 November 2026. The lowest nonstop fare displayed was BDT 5,349 [6].

This is a benchmark for the domestic leg only—not a Kathmandu–Cox's Bazar fare. The search was not carried through to final checkout, so it does not establish the final payable total or whether baggage, seat or payment fees apply. Fares and availability change; search your exact dates again before paying.

Need the Kathmandu–Dhaka leg priced too? Compare live international fares →

4. Bangladesh Visa Rules for Nepali Tourists The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu says Nepali nationals visiting Bangladesh for tourism may receive a 30-day, single-entry visa without a fee once per year at any international airport in Bangladesh. The Embassy's tourist-visa fee table lists USD 0 for the first visit, USD 55 for re-entry and USD 100 for multiple entry; fees for later visits in the same year depend on the length of stay and number of entries [4]. The Embassy does not define whether “once a year” means a calendar year or a rolling 12 months. If that distinction matters to you, ask the Embassy rather than assuming. “May receive” is not a guarantee of entry.

On the KTM–DAC–CXB itinerary, Dhaka is your first port of entry into Bangladesh. You clear international immigration there; DAC–CXB is a domestic flight. Do not plan to make your first entry into Bangladesh at Cox's Bazar on this itinerary. CAAB's AIP lists customs and immigration facilities at VGCB [3], but that describes airport facilities, not an active Kathmandu route or a guarantee that international arrivals are being processed there.

Bangladesh Police Special Branch's general Visa on Arrival guidance lists a valid passport, at least USD 500 in cash or a credit card, and a return ticket for a short-term stay; it also states that VoA is for a maximum of 30 days, single entry [7]. Carry the listed documents if relying on VoA, and confirm any fee-payment requirement that applies to your case. These are general VoA requirements; the Nepal-specific fee waiver comes from the Embassy's guidance above [4]. The immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final decision.

If you need to complete an online visa form, use the official MRV portal at visa.gov.bd [8]. Treat it as the application portal: its general fee chart does not replace the Embassy's Nepal-specific tourist-visa information [4].

Nepal and Bangladesh do not share a land border. Any overland route between them passes through India, so confirm the Indian transit or tourist visa and current land-port rules before planning that journey.

5. Booking Checklist - Confirm an airline is actually selling KTM–CXB for your exact date; a proposal or terminal-readiness notice is not a ticket. - Test your dates in Biman's multi-city search, but proceed only if it returns a priced itinerary with clear ticketing, baggage and connection terms. - If buying separate tickets, confirm immigration, baggage collection and re-check-in requirements with both airlines; leave a realistic connection buffer. - Compare the final checkout total, not only the headline fare. - Recheck visa and flight details with the Embassy, CAAB and airlines shortly before departure. - If relying on Visa on Arrival, carry the required supporting documents, including a return ticket and proof of at least USD 500 in cash or a credit card [7].

Where do I clear immigration on a Kathmandu–Dhaka–Cox's Bazar trip? At Dhaka (DAC), your first port of entry into Bangladesh. The DAC–CXB leg is domestic. The Embassy says Nepali tourists may receive a free 30-day, single-entry visa once a year [4]; the general VoA guidance lists a return ticket and proof of at least USD 500 in cash or a credit card [7]. Neither source guarantees entry or proves a direct KTM–CXB flight is operating.

What does the BDT 5,349 fare cover? Only the one-way NOVOAIR DAC–CXB domestic-leg search for 15 November 2026, checked on 15 October. It does not include the KTM–DAC fare, and the final checkout total was not verified [6].

Can I book Kathmandu–Dhaka–Cox's Bazar as one ticket? Biman's site offers a multi-city search with all three airports [5], but we did not confirm a priced combined itinerary, one PNR, through-baggage or missed-connection protection. Verify the actual ticket and terms for your dates before paying.