Border crossing India to Bangladesh
Following advice from some fellow bikers - Luis and Ana (sardinhe) - who crossed in January, was well prepared to cross with my bike last week.
There are four designated integrated border checkpoints -
1) from West Bengal/Kolkata via Petrapole/Benapole (western BAN)
2) from Assam via Sutarkandi and Sheola (north east BAN
3) from Shillong to Sylhet via Dawki and Tamabil (North BAN)
4) from Tripura via Agartala Akhaura (East BAN)
I crossed the largest and busiest -Petrapole/Benapole - driving from Kolkata. It’s a very slow 70km (2+ hours) from Kolkata to the border with less traffic and nicer tree lined poldered roads the last 30km
India border was ok. Everyone very helpful. Drive up to the gate, guided to head of line for immigration. 20 minutes for CPD - just had to fill out the normal form and gets stamps and signatures. Seemed great. Unfortunately, then they wanted all bags off the bike, lugged to the X-ray. Scanned and returned.
A few short metres across into Bangladesh and the bike was directed down the pedestrian ramp to immigration, where it sat while I sorted visa on arrival (didnt have USD so they had to change my EUR). Dont do anything online before hand, that just confuses things. No passport photos needed, just passport and it’s $51US for everyone (normally Australians are $150US; Americans $280+ for visa through the embassies) it’s flat rate for everyone. Luís Ferreira told me so, and he was correct 
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