How to Buy Train Tickets Online in Bangladesh: Rail Sheba App, Registration, Classes and Tips
Intercity train tickets in Bangladesh are now sold online, and tickets for popular trains sell out in minutes. Step-by-step from registration to payment, how far ahead tickets open, the difference between Shovan, Snigdha and AC berth, refunds and tricks for getting a seat.
- Where to buy
- Bangladesh Railway's e-ticket website or the Rail Sheba app
- To register
- Mobile number and national ID
- How far ahead
- Usually 10 days before travel
- Per booking
- Usually up to 4 tickets
- Payment
- bKash, Nagad, Rocket, cards
Trip ticket
For long journeys in Bangladesh, the train is the most comfortable and safest option, and often cheaper than the bus. Getting a ticket is the real challenge: intercity tickets are now sold online, and before holidays tickets for popular trains sell out in minutes. This guide walks first-timers through every step from registration to payment, which class to choose and how to improve your chances.
Where to buy
You can buy tickets on Bangladesh Railway's official e-ticket website (eticket.railway.gov.bd) and its official mobile app, Rail Sheba (on Google Play and the App Store). The same account works on both.
Step 1: register
- Choose "Register" on the website or app.
- Enter your mobile number and verify it with the OTP sent by SMS.
- Enter your national ID number and date of birth. Your name comes from the ID record automatically.
- Set a password to finish.
Register a few days before you travel, not on the day tickets open; ID verification sometimes takes time.
Step 2: find a train
- Enter where from, where to, the date and the class you want.
- The list shows each train's name, departure and arrival times and how many seats are free in each class.
- You can check in advance which train runs on which days and when it stops where on our train schedule page.
Step 3: choose seats and pay
- Pick a class and tap "Book Now", then choose your coach and seat numbers.
- You can usually buy up to 4 tickets at once and must give your fellow passengers' names.
- You get a set time (a few minutes) to pay; pay by bKash, Nagad, Rocket or card.
- Once payment succeeds, the ticket arrives by email and in your account; save it on your phone or print it.
How far ahead tickets open
Intercity tickets usually go on sale 10 days before the journey; tickets for the 20th, for example, open on the 10th. Sales usually start in the morning, sometimes in two batches by route. Special schedules are announced for Eid.
Classes: which to choose
| Class | What it is | For |
|---|---|---|
| Shovan | Non-AC bench-style seats | The lowest cost |
| Shovan Chair | Non-AC individual chairs | Comfortable on a budget, the most popular |
| Snigdha | AC chair coach | Comfort on day journeys |
| AC Seat | Seats in an AC cabin | Less crowded, good for families |
| F Berth | Non-AC sleeping berth | Night journeys on a budget |
| AC Berth | Sleeping berth in an AC cabin | The most comfortable for long night journeys |
Not every train has every class. With a berth on a night train you sleep on the way and have the whole next day to explore.
Tricks for getting a ticket
- Log in early: be logged in 10–15 minutes before sales open.
- Have payment ready: enough money in your mobile banking account and your PIN to hand.
- Plan a fallback: decide your second-choice train or class in advance.
- Search from a nearby station: for Dhaka, try Biman Bandar (airport) station instead of Kamalapur; quotas differ, so seats sometimes turn up.
- Everyone in the group tries: each from their own account.
- Cancelled tickets: check now and then in the days before travel; seats free up when people return tickets.
Refunds and the day of travel
- You can return a ticket online before a set time; how much is deducted depends on how long before departure you return it.
- On the day, carry your ticket (on your phone or printed) and your national ID. Ticket checkers may match the name against your ID.
- Reach the station at least 20–30 minutes before departure and check the platform number on the station board.
- Big stations mark coach positions on the platform; match your coach number before boarding.
Some popular routes and trains
| Route | Some intercity trains |
|---|---|
| Dhaka–Chattogram | Sonar Bangla, Subarna, Mohanagar, Turna Nishitha |
| Dhaka–Cox's Bazar | Cox's Bazar Express, Parjatak Express |
| Dhaka–Sylhet | Parabat, Joyontika, Kalni, Upaban |
| Dhaka–Rajshahi | Silk City, Padma, Dhumketu, Banalata |
| Dhaka–Khulna | Sundarban, Jahanabad (via the Padma Bridge) |
Times, off days and fares for every train on each route are on our train schedule page.
Questions and answers
How do I buy a train ticket online in Bangladesh?
Register on Bangladesh Railway's e-ticket website or the Rail Sheba app with your mobile number and national ID, then find a train, choose seats and pay by bKash, Nagad, Rocket or card.
How far in advance can I buy a train ticket?
Intercity tickets usually go on sale 10 days before the journey. Eid has its own schedule.
How many tickets can one person buy?
Usually up to 4 per booking. The rules can change, so check when you buy.
What's the difference between Snigdha and Shovan Chair?
Shovan Chair is a non-AC coach with individual chairs; Snigdha is an AC chair coach and costs more.
Do I need ID on the train?
Yes, carry your national ID so the name on your ticket can be checked.
See it on the map, plan your trip
Look up the places, routes and costs, then put your own trip together.
