A trip to Saint Martin is really four journeys in a row: Dhaka to Cox's Bazar, Cox's Bazar to the jetty, the ship to the island, and the way back. Knowing what happens when makes the whole trip easier. This guide walks through each step, with tickets, the travel pass, buses, stays, costs and rules.
Timeline at a glance (special overnight bus)
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| Evening or night before | The special bus leaves Dhaka at a time set by your ship's departure |
| About 1 hour before sailing | The bus drops you at Nuniarchhara jetty; report, ticket and travel pass checked |
| 4–10 AM (November) | Ship departs — the time changes daily with the tide |
| 5–7 hours later | Arrive at Saint Martin (the crossing takes about 5–7 hours, depending on the tide) |
| Next day, 3–5 PM | Return ship leaves the island |
Step 1: When to go and how long to stay
November to February is the best window: calm sea and clear skies. Weekends and public holidays sell out first because of the daily cap, so mid-week is easier for tickets and rooms.
- Day trip: you get only 2–3 hours on the island. Fine for a quick look, but rushed.
- 2 days, 1 night on the island: sunset and sunrise both fit. This is the plan we recommend.
- 3 days, 2 nights on the island: enough time for the coral beach at low tide and Chhera Dwip, without hurrying.
Step 2: Tickets and the travel pass
The QR travel pass is issued automatically with every Cox's Bazar → Saint Martin ship ticket — there is nothing to apply for, and no pass is needed for the return. To book, for every group of up to 5 passengers we need one lead guest's name, NID number, date of birth, mobile number and email; for the others, just their names. Details: travel pass and rules.
Choosing a ship: return fares per person
| Type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Budget deck (MV Teknaf Main Deck) | ৳3,600 |
| Economy chair (Karnafuly Express, Baro Awlia) | ৳4,200 |
| Business / lounge | ৳4,500–5,800 |
| Cabin (per cabin) | ৳10,000–25,000 |
Full list of ships and classes: ticket prices. Comparison: all ships. First sailings: Karnafuly Express and Baro Awlia on 5 November, MV Teknaf on 6 November, per the operators; check the schedule page for updates.
Step 3: Dhaka to Cox's Bazar by overnight special bus
Ships leave early in the morning (4–10 AM in November, changing daily with the tide), so the overnight bus is the most practical way. The special bus leaves Dhaka the evening before at a time set by your ship's departure, so you reach the ghat about an hour before sailing; we confirm the exact time on WhatsApp. Actual times depend on road and traffic conditions.
| Bus | Type | Round trip for ticket holders |
|---|---|---|
| Bengal Paribahan | AC sleeper; takes all passengers straight to the ship ghat | ৳3,500 (regular round trip ৳4,000) |
| Relax King | Non-AC; schedule matched to the ship | ৳2,000 (regular round trip ৳2,300) |
Seats and booking: Dhaka to Cox's Bazar bus. Confirm your return bus time and seat before you leave.
Things to keep in mind
- On a regular bus, a road delay can make you miss the ship, and the ticket money is not refunded. Our partner bus is timed to your ship's departure.
- For a calmer start, reach Cox's Bazar the afternoon before and stay one night, by flight or a daytime bus. You can then walk into the jetty fresh.
- Sleep on the bus; the ship ride is long too. Carry a light jacket.
Prefer the train (about 8 hours) or a flight (about 1 hour)? Arrive the day before. Details: all ways to get there from Dhaka (in Bangla).
Step 4: Cox's Bazar to Nuniarchhara jetty
From the Kolatoli or Sugandha area the jetty is a 15–20 minute ride by CNG or car. If your bus goes straight to the ghat, you don't need separate transport. Fill your water flask, and keep ready: the e-ticket with QR code, and the NID or birth registration used for the ticket.
Step 5: On the ship
- The crossing takes about 5–7 hours and is comfortable in calm seas. If you get seasick, ask a doctor about medicine beforehand.
- Breakfast and lunch are sold on board, but bring your own water and light snacks.
- Before stepping off, confirm the return ship's time and where it departs.
Step 6: Where to stay on the island
| Type | Room per night |
|---|---|
| Budget hotels and cottages | ৳1,500–3,000 |
| Sea-view resorts | ৳3,000–6,000 |
| Eco resorts | ৳2,500–6,000 |
| Premium beach resorts | ৳6,000–15,000 |
Confirm your room before the ship lands, as rooms run out at peak times. Ship ticket holders get a discount on hotels booked through TourVill: hotels and resorts.
Step 7: A 3-day plan (2 nights, 1 of them on the island)
Day 1: overnight bus
- Evening or night before: bus from Dhaka, timed to your ship.
Day 2: reach the island
- About an hour before sailing: reach Nuniarchhara jetty; the ship leaves between 4 and 10 AM in November, depending on the tide.
- About 12:30–1:00 PM: arrive, check in, have lunch.
- Afternoon: walk the western beach and watch the sunset. Evening: seafood dinner (beach lights, loud music and barbecue parties are banned).
Day 3: explore and head back
- Early: sunrise, then breakfast.
- Morning: cycle or take a van around the island; at low tide visit the coral beach and Chhera Dwip (subject to local guidance).
- Midday: fresh coconut, lunch, check-out.
- 3–5 PM: return ship; you reach Cox's Bazar in the evening or at night. A night bus gets you to Dhaka in the morning; if you're tired, stay a night in Cox's Bazar and travel the next day.
More on what to see: things to do on Saint Martin (in Bangla).
Step 8: A realistic total budget
Estimated cost per person for two people sharing, from Dhaka, 2 days with 1 night on the island:
| Item | Budget | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Dhaka ⇄ Cox's Bazar bus (round trip) | ৳2,000 | ৳3,500 |
| Ship (round trip) | ৳3,600 | ৳4,200 |
| 1 night on the island (per person, sharing a room) | ৳750 | ৳1,500 |
| Food | ৳1,500 | ৳2,500 |
| Local transport, cycle or van | ৳300 | ৳500 |
| Total (approx.) | ৳8,150 | ৳12,200 |
| The ৳100 environmental fee is included in the ship fare. | ||
These are estimates and vary by date and hotel. An extra night in Cox's Bazar, a flight or a cabin will raise the total. For an exact figure, start a booking or send your dates on WhatsApp. More: travel cost breakdown (in Bangla).
Rules: what is not allowed
- No lights at night on the beach or nearby, no loud music and no barbecue parties.
- No entering the keya forest, collecting or trading keya fruit, or harming turtles, birds, coral or shellfish.
- No motorbikes, jet skis or sea bikes on the beach.
- No polythene or single-use plastic; take your waste back with you.
Packing list and safety: travel tips (in Bangla).
Pre-departure checklist
- Ship ticket and QR travel pass confirmed.
- Dhaka–Cox's Bazar bus or flight booked, plus your return journey.
- Island hotel (and a Cox's Bazar hotel, if needed) confirmed.
- NID or birth registration, with the e-ticket printed and saved on your phone.
- Cash, power bank, water flask, sunscreen, water shoes.
To book the ship, bus and hotel together, see the packages or message us on WhatsApp at +880 1914-449448. For the latest fares, rules and sailing updates, check this site before you pay anyone.
Frequently asked questions
When does the special bus leave Dhaka and when does it reach Cox's Bazar?
The special bus leaves Dhaka the evening before at a time set by your ship's departure, so you reach the ghat about an hour before sailing; we confirm the exact time on WhatsApp. Ships leave between 4 and 10 AM in November, so the bus time changes from day to day.
Can I do Saint Martin as a day trip?
Yes, but you will only get 2–3 hours on the island. A night stay lets you see sunset, sunrise and the island properly; overnight stays are allowed all season in 2026–27, including November.
How much does a Saint Martin trip cost in total?
From Dhaka, for two people sharing, 2 days with 1 night on the island, expect roughly ৳8,000–12,500 per person depending on the bus, ship class and hotel.
Do I need a travel pass to visit Saint Martin?
Yes, for the trip to the island — but it is issued automatically with your Cox's Bazar → Saint Martin ship ticket, so there is nothing to apply for. No travel pass is needed for the return.
Ship ticket holders get an exclusive hotel discount
Book your Saint Martin or Cox's Bazar hotel with TourVill and get a ticket-holder discount on the room rate. Share your budget and we'll send the best options on WhatsApp.