Is it better to pay taxis in Bangladesh with cash, or do drivers accept cards or payment apps?
My trip through Bangladesh taught me quickly that taxis require cash only. Even though the country is moving forward with mobile payments in shops and restaurants, the taxi sector hasn’t caught up yet. The drivers I used weren’t equipped with card readers or apps, so I just paid in taka. I’d say the easiest approach is to keep a stash of small bills handy for rides. If you want more convenience, ride-hailing apps are available, but regular taxis mean cash every time.
I used taxis a couple of times in Bangladesh, and cash was the only option. Cards weren’t even part of the conversation-drivers just expected taka. I also found that haggling over the fare before the ride was normal since meters weren’t always used. For travellers, I’d suggest downloading Uber or similar apps for more transparent pricing and the option to use digital payment. But if you’re flagging taxis on the street, carrying cash is absolutely necessary.
In Dhaka, I never saw a taxi accept cards. Everything was handled in cash, and drivers usually wanted payment in Bangladeshi taka. Some drivers were willing to negotiate fares upfront, and having small notes really helped because change was rarely available. Ride-hailing apps like Pathao and Uber were much easier since you can link a card, but the traditional taxis didn’t offer that. If you’re just arriving, definitely withdraw cash because plastic won’t get you far in a taxi here.