Dhaka to Khulna Train Schedule 2026: Padma Bridge Trains & Fare

The Dhaka to Khulna train schedule for 2026 has three intercity trains each way: Jahanabad Express and Sundarban Express over the Padma Bridge, and Chitra Express over the Jamuna bridge. Jahanabad is the fastest, at about 3 hours 45 minutes, while Chitra takes over 9 hours.

A commuter train, Nakshikantha, also runs daily on the Padma Bridge line. This guide covers times in both directions, off days, journey time, fares by class, the two routes and smart tips. The times follow the official Bangladesh Railway timetable (Time Table No. 54, in force since 10 March 2025), cross-checked in October 2026.

Quick answer: From Dhaka (Kamalapur), Sundarban Express leaves at 8:00 AM, Chitra Express at 7:30 PM and Jahanabad Express at 8:00 PM. Jahanabad reaches Khulna at 11:45 PM via the Padma Bridge, the fastest option. A Shovan Chair seat costs Tk 445 on Jahanabad and about Tk 625 to Tk 630 on the other two trains.

Dhaka to Khulna Train Schedule at a Glance

Here are the main facts of the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule in one table. Save it on your phone, or take a screenshot before you leave home.

Fact	Details
Intercity trains each way	3 (Jahanabad, Sundarban, Chitra)
Commuter train	Nakshikantha (runs daily, slow)
Fastest train	Jahanabad Express, about 3 h 45 min
Slowest intercity	Chitra Express, about 9 h 10 min
Routes	Padma Bridge line (Jahanabad, Sundarban, Nakshikantha) and Jamuna bridge line (Chitra)
Rail distance	About 383 km for Sundarban and about 412 km for Chitra
Lowest intercity fare	Tk 445 (Shovan Chair on Jahanabad)
Stations	Kamalapur (Dhaka) and Khulna
Where to buy	eticket.railway.gov.bd, Rail Sheba app, station counters

Rail travel to Khulna changed a lot in the last few years. Commercial trains began crossing the Padma Bridge on 1 November 2023. Then Jahanabad Express started on 24 December 2024 and cut the trip to under four hours. Before that, most trains went the long way round through Tangail and Ishwardi.

Full Dhaka to Khulna Train Schedule 2026

The table below shows the full Dhaka to Khulna train schedule. All trains leave from Kamalapur. Trains in Bangladesh often run 30 to 90 minutes late, so keep some extra time.

Train name & number	Departure (Dhaka)	Arrival (Khulna)	Off day	Journey time
Sundarban Express (726)	8:00 AM	3:40 PM	Wednesday	7 h 40 min
Nakshikantha Commuter (26)	11:20 AM	9:05 PM	No weekly off day listed	9 h 45 min
Chitra Express (764)	7:30 PM	4:40 AM (next day)	Sunday	9 h 10 min
Jahanabad Express (826)	8:00 PM	11:45 PM	Monday	3 h 45 min

Padma Bridge route trains

Jahanabad Express takes the newest and shortest line. It goes over the Padma Bridge to Bhanga, then on to Kashiani, Lohagara, Narail, Singia and Noapara. That is why this part of the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule looks so short.

Sundarban Express also crosses the Padma Bridge, but it runs via Rajbari and Kushtia before turning south to Jashore (Jessore) and Khulna. So it takes about 7 hours 40 minutes. Nakshikantha is a commuter train on the Padma line. It stops at many small stations and is the slowest.

Jamuna bridge route train

Chitra Express still uses the old northern route. It goes through Joydebpur, Tangail, the Jamuna Railway Bridge, Ishwardi, Chuadanga and Jashore. It is long, but it is very useful if you are travelling from Tangail, Sirajganj, Pabna or Kushtia.

Khulna to Dhaka Train Schedule (Return Trains)

Going back to the capital? Here is the full Khulna to Dhaka train schedule. Jahanabad leaves at dawn, Chitra in the morning and Sundarban at night.

Train name & number	Departure (Khulna)	Arrival (Dhaka)	Off day	Journey time
Jahanabad Express (825)	6:00 AM	9:45 AM	Monday	3 h 45 min
Chitra Express (763)	9:00 AM	6:05 PM	Sunday	9 h 05 min
Sundarban Express (725)	9:45 PM	5:10 AM (next day)	Tuesday	7 h 25 min
Nakshikantha Commuter (25)	11:00 PM	9:10 AM (next day)	No weekly off day listed	10 h 10 min

Look closely at Sundarban Express in the Khulna to Dhaka train schedule. Its off day is Tuesday from Khulna but Wednesday from Dhaka. The train leaves Khulna at night and returns from Dhaka the next morning, so the two off days fall one day apart.

Jahanabad and Chitra keep the same off day in both directions. Jahanabad does not run on Monday, and Chitra does not run on Sunday.

Weekly off days at a glance

This small table joins the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule and the Khulna to Dhaka train schedule into one weekly view. It shows which intercity train does not run on each day.

Day	Not running from Dhaka	Not running from Khulna
Sunday	Chitra Express (764)	Chitra Express (763)
Monday	Jahanabad Express (826)	Jahanabad Express (825)
Tuesday	All three intercity trains run	Sundarban Express (725)
Wednesday	Sundarban Express (726)	All three intercity trains run
Thursday to Saturday	All three intercity trains run	All three intercity trains run

From Thursday to Saturday you get the full choice in both directions. Thursday is often the busiest of these days, so book as soon as sales open.

Best return train for work

Need to be in a Dhaka office by 10 AM? Check the Khulna to Dhaka train schedule first. Jahanabad Express at 6:00 AM is the only train that makes it. Sundarban Express at 9:45 PM is a good pick if you want to sleep on the train and arrive at 5:10 AM. Keep this Khulna to Dhaka train schedule saved for quick checks.

About the Nakshikantha Commuter

Nakshikantha used to run from Khulna to Goalanda as a mail train. From 1 December 2023 it began running all the way to Dhaka over the Padma Bridge. It runs every day and stops at many small stations. It is slow, but it links places that the fast trains skip.

Students and workers on a tight budget often use it. If you choose it, carry food and water, because the trip is close to ten hours.

Padma Bridge Route vs Jamuna Bridge Route

Many people are confused by the two routes in the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule. This side-by-side table makes the difference clear.

Point	Padma Bridge route	Jamuna bridge route
Trains	Jahanabad, Sundarban, Nakshikantha	Chitra
Fastest time	About 3 h 45 min (Jahanabad)	About 9 h 05 min
Key places	Bhanga, Kashiani, Narail or Rajbari, Kushtia	Tangail, Sirajganj, Ishwardi, Chuadanga
Best for	Speed and south-west towns	North-west towns on the way
Shovan Chair fare	Tk 445 (Jahanabad), about Tk 625 (Sundarban)	About Tk 630

For a straight trip, the Padma Bridge side of the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule wins easily. Choose the Jamuna route only if Chitra’s timing suits you, or if your seat on the faster trains is sold out.

Dhaka to Khulna Train Ticket Price by Class

Fares in the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule change by train, because each train uses a different route and distance. These are the adult one-way fares reported when Jahanabad started in December 2024. AC fares include 15% VAT unless noted.

Train	Shovan Chair	Snigdha	AC Seat	AC Berth
Jahanabad Express (825/826)	Tk 445	Tk 851	Tk 1,018	Tk 1,330 before VAT
Sundarban Express (725/726)	Tk 625	Tk 1,196	Tk 1,432	Check at station
Chitra Express (763/764)	Tk 630	Tk 1,208	Check at station	Tk 2,168
Nakshikantha Commuter (25/26)	Check at station	Not available	Not available	Not available

Jahanabad is both the fastest and the cheapest intercity train. Its Shovan Chair seat is Tk 180 cheaper than Sundarban. Nakshikantha had a Tk 210 fare when it began in late 2023. Ask at the counter for its current price.

Add Tk 20 per seat for online booking. Counter tickets have no service charge. Children aged 3 to 12 need a cheaper child ticket. Fares can change, so trust the final price on the checkout page.

Simple ways to save money

• Choose Jahanabad in Shovan Chair. At Tk 445, it is the lowest intercity fare on this route.
• Buy at the station counter if you live close by. You skip the Tk 20 online charge per seat.
• Buy a child ticket for kids aged 3 to 12 instead of a full adult seat.
• Take a night train in Shovan Chair and save the cost of one hotel night.
• Book early. Cheaper classes sell out first, and late buyers are pushed into AC seats.

Stations on the Way From Dhaka to Khulna

Your stops in the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule depend on which train you take. Here are the main stations reported for each one. Not every train stops at every small station.

Jahanabad Express stops

1. Dhaka (Kamalapur)
2. Bhanga Junction
3. Kashiani Junction
4. Lohagara
5. Narail
6. Singia Junction
7. Noapara
8. Khulna

Sundarban Express stops

Sundarban crosses the Padma Bridge to Bhanga, then turns west through Faridpur and Rajbari towards Kushtia. From there it heads south through Chuadanga and Jashore to Khulna. Check your ticket for the exact stop list, because small stations can change.

Chitra Express stops

Chitra stops at Dhaka Airport, Joydebpur, Tangail, Ibrahimabad, Shaheed M. Mansur Ali, Ullapara, Boral Bridge, Chatmohar, Ishwardi, Bheramara, Poradah, Alamdanga, Chuadanga, Kotchandpur, Mubarakganj, Jashore and Noapara before Khulna.

If you only need to go from Khulna to Jashore, a short local trip, see our Khulna to Jessore train schedule for all the options on that line.

Best Train From Dhaka to Khulna: Which One to Pick?

Each train in the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule fits a different kind of traveller. Use this guide.

• Fastest and cheapest: Jahanabad Express. About 3 h 45 min and Tk 445 in Shovan Chair. Off on Monday.
• Daytime trip: Sundarban Express at 8:00 AM. You see the countryside and reach Khulna by 3:40 PM.
• Overnight with a sleeper: Chitra Express. It has AC Berth seats, so you can lie down.
• Tightest budget: Nakshikantha Commuter, if you have time to spare.
• Families: Sundarban in Snigdha class. Daytime travel is easier with children.
• Going to Narail: Jahanabad, which stops at Narail on the way.

One warning about Jahanabad from Dhaka. It reaches Khulna near midnight. Arrange your pickup in advance, or stay close to the station.

What if tickets are sold out at 8 AM?

Jahanabad seats often go first, because it is the fastest and cheapest train in the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule. Try these steps:

• Switch to Sundarban or Chitra on the same day.
• Try another class, such as Snigdha.
• Look at the next day. Tickets go on sale 10 days ahead.
• Check again later. Seats from cancelled tickets sometimes come back.
• Go to the station counter. Never buy from strangers or social media pages.

How to Buy Dhaka to Khulna Train Tickets Online

Buy only from the official Bangladesh Railway e-ticket website, the Rail Sheba app or a station counter. Online sales open at 8:00 AM, up to 10 days before the journey.

1. Register with your mobile number and a verified NID. Ages 12 to 18 can use a birth certificate. Foreigners use a passport.
2. Log in. Select From: Dhaka, To: Khulna, the date and the seat class.
3. Pick your train and choose up to 4 seats.
4. Fill in passenger details and tap “Continue Purchase”.
5. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
6. Pay with bKash, Nagad, Rocket, Upay or card before the timer runs out.
7. Download your e-ticket from Purchase History. It also arrives by email.

Using a phone? Our Rail Sheba app guide shows each screen. For refunds, ID rules and more, read our Bangladesh Railway ticket guide.

You can cancel until 6 hours before departure, with a deduction that grows closer to the time. Date and name changes are not allowed. Cancel and buy a new ticket instead.

Travel Tips for the Dhaka to Khulna Train Schedule

These simple tips will help you use the times above without stress.

• Reach early: Be at Kamalapur at least 30 minutes before your train.
• Plan for delays: Trains often run 30 to 90 minutes late. Night arrivals can slip past midnight.
• Eid rush: The Khulna to Dhaka train schedule after Eid is just as busy as the trip home. Before Eid ul-Fitr 2026, weekly off days of all intercity trains were cancelled from 16 March until the day before Eid. Tickets in those weeks sell out in minutes.
• Keep your ID: Carry the NID or document you used to register.
• Light luggage: Racks are small. Keep big bags under your feet only if there is space.
• Late arrivals: Jahanabad reaches Khulna near midnight and Chitra before 5 AM. Tell your family your train number so they can track it.
• Food and water: Carry your own, mainly on Chitra and Nakshikantha.
• Beware of fraud: In September 2025, Bangladesh Railway warned about fake ticket sellers on Facebook. Never share your OTP or password.

Good news for the future: in August 2026, officials said a new Dhaka–Khulna intercity train is planned once new coaches arrive. Until it starts, the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule above stays the same. Check the official site for any launch notice.

How to Track Your Dhaka–Khulna Train

Send an SMS to find your train. Type TR, a space and the train number, then send it to 16318. A small charge applies.

• Jahanabad Express: TR 826 (to Khulna) or TR 825 (to Dhaka)
• Sundarban Express: TR 726 or TR 725
• Chitra Express: TR 764 or TR 763

The reply shows the last station the train passed. Compare it with the Khulna to Dhaka train schedule or the Dhaka trip table to guess the delay. For other help, call the railway hotline 131.

FAQs about Dhaka to Khulna Train Schedule

What is the Dhaka to Khulna train schedule in 2026?

Sundarban Express leaves Dhaka at 8:00 AM, Chitra Express at 7:30 PM and Jahanabad Express at 8:00 PM. A commuter, Nakshikantha, leaves at 11:20 AM. The Dhaka to Khulna train schedule gives each intercity train one weekly off day.

Which is the fastest train from Dhaka to Khulna?

Jahanabad Express is the fastest. It takes about 3 hours 45 minutes over the Padma Bridge. It does not run on Monday.

What is the Khulna to Dhaka train schedule in the morning?

Jahanabad leaves Khulna at 6:00 AM and reaches Dhaka at 9:45 AM. Chitra leaves at 9:00 AM and reaches at 6:05 PM.

How much is the train fare from Dhaka to Khulna?

Shovan Chair costs Tk 445 on Jahanabad, Tk 625 on Sundarban and Tk 630 on Chitra. Snigdha starts at Tk 851 on Jahanabad. Online booking adds Tk 20 per seat.

Does Sundarban Express use the Padma Bridge?

Yes. Sundarban Express now crosses the Padma Bridge and runs via Rajbari and Kushtia. Chitra Express is the only intercity train on this route that still uses the Jamuna bridge.

Which trains in the Khulna to Dhaka train schedule run on Monday?

Jahanabad is off on Monday. Chitra and Sundarban both run on Monday, and so does the Nakshikantha commuter. So on Monday the first train out of Khulna is Chitra at 9:00 AM.

Final Word on the Dhaka to Khulna Train Schedule

The Dhaka to Khulna train schedule is better than ever thanks to the Padma Bridge. A trip that once took a whole day now fits into an evening. Pick Jahanabad for speed and price, Sundarban for a day trip and Chitra if you want a sleeper or live along the northern line. For the way home, keep the Khulna to Dhaka train schedule table handy.

Book early, check the off day and reach the station on time. New to booking? Our simple page on how to buy a Bangladesh Railway ticket online walks you through it. You can also visit the official Bangladesh Railway website and the Khulna railway station page. Have a safe trip!

Last checked: October 2026. Train times and fares can change. Always confirm on the official Bangladesh Railway e-ticket website before you travel.