Stretching from tidal river wharves along the Rupsha and Bhairab rivers down to the mangrove wilderness of the Sundarbans, Khulna is south-western Bangladesh's main commercial centre. The city serves as the departure point for multi-day forest cruises sailing past tidal creeks, muddy channels, and wildlife watchtowers at Karamjal and Hiron Point. Recent road and rail links across the Padma Bridge have cut journey times from Dhaka to less than half of what they were.
- From Dhaka
- About 180 km, 4 hours by road
- Best time
- November to February
- A day costs
- About ৳1,400 to ৳7,500 per person
- Nearest airport
- Jashore Airport (JSR)
What Khulna is famous for
- Chui jhal meat curry চুইঝাল দিয়ে মাংস
- Galda and bagda prawns গলদা ও বাগদা চিংড়ি
- Sundarbans wild honey সুন্দরবনের মধু
- Coconut sandesh নারকেলের সন্দেশ
How Khulna got its name
The name is said to come from the Khullaneshwari temple, founded by merchant Dhanapati in honour of Goddess Khullana on the bank of the Bhairab River. Another tradition traces it to Kismat Khulna, a revenue settlement recorded during Mughal and early colonial surveys.
Places to visit in Khulna
Photo: Shahid BDWiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Karamjal Ecotourism Centre করমজল বন্যপ্রাণী প্রজনন কেন্দ্র
The northern gateway to the Sundarbans, featuring elevated wooden boardwalks, saltwater crocodile breeding pens, and spotted deer enclosures.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Forest entry roughly ৳20–50 for Bangladeshis, more for foreigners; engine boat from Mongla ghat roughly ৳1,000–1,500 for a group
Photo: MD AMANAT ULLAH, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Hiron Point হিরণ পয়েন্ট
A remote coastal forest station and tidal observatory in the southern Sundarbans where the Nilkamal River meets the open Bay of Bengal.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Full day or overnight cruise
- Cost
- Forest permit roughly ৳150–300 daily; multi-day tourist cruise from Khulna or Mongla roughly ৳8,000–15,000 per person including boat and food
Photo: Anup Sadi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Khulna Divisional Museum খুলনা বিভাগীয় জাদুঘর
The principal regional museum of southern Bengal, displaying terracotta temple plaques, Sultanate stone inscriptions, and coastal folklore relics.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳20–30 for Bangladeshis, more for foreign visitors; easy-bike from town centre about ৳20–30
Unseen Khulna: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: Kaushik sur, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Chuknagar Genocide Memorial চুকনগর শহীদ স্মৃতিসৌধ
A solemn memorial complex on the Bhadra River commemorating thousands of refugees killed during the single largest massacre of the 1971 war.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry free; local bus from Sonadanga terminal roughly ৳60–80 each way
Photo: Shahriar Amin Fahim247, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Khan Jahan Ali Bridge খান জাহান আলী সেতু
A sweeping cable-stayed bridge spanning the Rupsha River, popular with local residents for cool evening river breezes and sunset views.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Free access on pedestrian walkways; easy-bike from town centre about ৳40–50
How to get to Khulna
- Sundarban Express and Chitra Express run from Kamalapur, while the Jahanabad Express crosses the Padma Bridge and travels directly to Khulna station in under 4 hours.
- Coaches from Sayedabad and Gabtoli cross the Padma Bridge via Bhanga and Gopalganj to reach Khulna's Sonadanga terminal in about 4 hours, operated by Green Line, Shohagh, Hanif and Tungipara Express.
- Domestic flights link Dhaka with Jashore Airport (JSR) in 35 minutes; air-conditioned connecting microbuses or private taxis reach central Khulna in about 75 minutes.
Where to stay in Khulna
Rooms run from about ৳1,000 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳3,500 mid-range and ৳9,000 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- City Inn, Majid Sarani near Shibbari Mor
- Hotel Castle Salam, G-8 KDA Avenue
- Tiger Garden International, KDA Avenue
- Budget hotels around Station Road and Sonadanga Bus Stand in Khulna
What to eat in Khulna
Fiery mutton or beef cooked with slices of chui jhal pepper stem, served at Chuknagar's historic roadside eateries. Coastal restaurants excel in giant galda prawns in mustard paste, spicy bhetki fish curries, and fresh Sundarbans comb honey drizzled over curd.