Kalni Express back to Dhaka

January 4, 2026

The afternoon train was scheduled to arrive 4 hours before my flight out of Dhaka, which should have been plenty of time. This was riskier than I originally thought, however, given the three hours delay yesterday (1), so I opted for the morning train (2). The train arrived about 1 hour late. The train attendant helped me find my car and seat. 

The train only lost another half hour en route to Dhaka. I pondered heading to the city center for a look around, but decided not to when I read that a 10 mile taxi ride to the airport takes 1 to 2 hours. Alighting at the airport, I found a quiet restaurant before heading to the airport for a late flight to Malaysia.

(1) "Dhaka to Sreemangal sometimes takes 4 hours, sometimes it takes all day," Razbe said.

(2) Trains in Bangldesh sell out as soon as tickets go on sale. My guide was able to get me a seat on the railway-ticket black market. Unlike yesterday, when I rode in an air- conditioned car, today was a soft seat without A/C.

Young goat found some fresh grass on the tracks at Sreemangal 

Graffito at railway station celebrating Bangladeshi independence 

The Kalni Express

The paper my hard-boiled egg was served in on the train. It appears to be from a page of an English-language/civics workbook

Train surfing by locals (young men, of course) People even heaved up wheely bags. There are very few overpasses on Bangadesh Railways. At an earlier stop, I heard footsteps on the roof, which the woman next to me acknowledged with a smile.

Bus driving is a contact sport in Dhaka