Short answer: an apartment for rent in Uttara near the airport puts you minutes from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and at the northern end of Dhaka Metro Rail MRT Line-6, at rents well below Gulshan. In our current listings, three-bedroom Uttara flats of 1,800–2,000 sq ft rent for BDT 90,000–100,000 a month. It suits aviation staff, frequent flyers and anyone who wants more space for their budget.
Uttara is a large planned township in the far north of Dhaka, directly beside the international airport. For years it was seen mainly as a local middle-class suburb, but better transport links and newer apartment buildings have made it a practical choice for foreign professionals whose work or travel pattern centres on the north of the city. This guide explains how Uttara is laid out, what our listings show, how the metro and road links work and who the area suits best.
How is Uttara organised?
Uttara is divided into numbered sectors, each with its own grid of numbered roads. An address such as "Sector 4, Road 19" tells you almost exactly where a building is, which makes Uttara one of the easier parts of Dhaka to navigate. The sectors closest to the airport and the main highway are the most convenient for travel; sectors further west and north tend to be quieter and more residential.
The area has its own supermarkets, restaurants, clinics, schools and parks, so daily life does not depend on trips into central Dhaka. Its lakes and green strips, and generally wider roads than in older districts, are part of the appeal. Building quality varies from sector to sector and from road to road, so it pays to inspect each building rather than choose by sector alone.
How close is Uttara to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport?
Very close. Uttara sits immediately north of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, along Airport Road. From many sectors the airport is a short drive, and for a resident with an early flight that can mean leaving home far later than you would from Gulshan or Banani. Travel time still depends on traffic at the airport approaches, so allow a margin at peak hours.
This proximity is the main reason people choose Uttara: airline crew, aviation and logistics staff, consultants who fly out of Dhaka every week or two, and regional managers covering several countries. If you are arriving for the first time, our guide to getting from Dhaka airport to Gulshan covers arrival logistics for the more central districts.
Does the Dhaka Metro Rail serve Uttara?
Yes. Dhaka Metro Rail MRT Line-6, the city's first metro line, starts at Uttara and runs south through Mirpur and Farmgate towards Motijheel, with stations within Uttara itself. For residents whose office, university or regular meetings lie along that route, the metro offers a predictable journey that avoids road traffic.
The metro does not run through Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara, so if your office is in the diplomatic or corporate districts you will still normally travel by road. The usual route south is along Airport Road, and the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, which begins near the airport, can shorten some journeys towards the centre depending on your destination. Test your actual commute at the hours you will travel before you commit.
How much is an apartment for rent in Uttara near the airport?
Our Uttara data covers nine properties: two apartments, one independent house and six office floors. Some of these have already been let; they are shown as evidence of the market rather than as current availability.
| Property (from our listings) | Size | Details | Monthly rent (BDT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-bedroom apartment, furnished | 2,000 sq ft | 8th floor of a new building; generator, CCTV, lift | 90,000 |
| 3-bedroom apartment, Sector 4 | 1,800 sq ft | Marketed as a serviced apartment for short and long stays | 100,000 |
| 4-bedroom independent house, Sector 14 | 5,860 sq ft | Unfurnished; already let | 300,000 |
| Office floors | 4,000–12,000 sq ft | Commercial buildings; already let | BDT 100–120 per sq ft |
For the Sector 4 apartment, confirm the exact furnishing and service package at viewing, as serviced terms can differ. Service charge, commonly BDT 8,000–20,000 a month in Dhaka buildings, is usually added for standard lets. See live availability on the Uttara area page or our full properties list.
Is Uttara good value compared with Gulshan and Banani?
On rent per square foot, generally yes. Comparing furnished three-bedroom flats in our own listings:
| Area | Furnished 3-bedroom in our listings | Monthly rent (BDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Uttara | 2,000 sq ft | 90,000 |
| Bashundhara R/A | 2,000 sq ft | 80,000–110,000 |
| Banani | 2,400–2,500 sq ft | 120,000–140,000 |
| Gulshan | 2,200 sq ft | 130,000–160,000 |
Uttara also offers commercial space at lower rates than the prime districts, which can suit organisations that want their office and staff housing close together in the north. What you give up is proximity to the embassy cluster, most international schools and the Gulshan and Banani restaurant scene. For a wider comparison, see our best areas to live in Dhaka for expats and the cost of living in Dhaka for expats.
Who is Uttara best suited to?
- Aviation and airline staff who need to reach the airport quickly and at unsociable hours.
- Frequent flyers, including regional managers and consultants who leave Dhaka often.
- Budget-conscious tenants who want a larger flat or a newer building within a fixed housing allowance.
- Staff whose office is in the north, in Uttara itself or nearby, or along the metro line.
- Short-stay professionals on project work, for whom a serviced flat near the airport keeps arrivals and departures simple. See short-term furnished rentals in Dhaka.
Uttara is less likely to suit families whose children attend schools in Baridhara or Gulshan, or diplomats whose mission requires housing within a particular security zone. Check your employer's housing policy before you shortlist.
What about Nikunja and other areas near the airport?
Nikunja, next to the airport, is another option in the north and in our data is favoured by aviation-linked and financial businesses. Our current Nikunja residential listing is a large full building at the top of the market, so for most individual tenants Uttara offers a wider choice of apartments. Bashundhara R/A, to the south-east, is also on the airport side of the city; read our Bashundhara guide if International School Dhaka is part of your plans.
What should you check before renting in Uttara?
- The exact sector and road, and a timed trip to your office and to the airport.
- Distance to the nearest MRT Line-6 station if you plan to use the metro.
- Aircraft noise, which varies by sector and flight path. Visit at different times of day.
- Generator capacity that covers air-conditioning, not only lifts and lights.
- Lifts, water pressure, guard roster and controlled entry.
- Allocated parking in writing, and the service charge amount and inclusions.
- A photographed, signed inventory at handover.
Organisations housing crew or project teams can use our corporate relocation service to set one standard across several Uttara flats.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Tell Rent Property how many bedrooms you need, your budget, your move-in date and where you will work, and we will send you current Uttara options near the airport. Message us on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255. We usually reply within one working day, Saturday to Thursday, 9:00–19:00.