CNG auto-rickshaw, taxi or Pathao · About 20–30 minutes to central Sylhet (estimate)
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
GAU7.4+0.9
ZYL6.5
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
GAU7.4+2.9
ZYL4.5
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
GAU6.2+2.7
ZYL3.5
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
GAU6.3+1.3
ZYL5.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
GAU6.1+1.1
ZYL5.0
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
GAU7.1+3.6
ZYL3.5
Best for
GAU
Northeast India trips ticketed into GAU (not IXB / IMF / DIB)Domestic IndiGo / Air India / Akasa banks into Terminal 2Priority Pass or LoungeKey holders who can use Adani Silver Lounge (T2 domestic near Gate 6)Travellers who can use prepaid taxi / signed app cabs or the daytime ASTC ₹100 bus
ZYL
Direct Biman flights to London and ManchesterSkipping the transfer at DhakaShort domestic hops to Dhaka
Watch out for
GAU
GAU (VEGT) ≠ IXB Bagdogra ≠ IMF Imphal ≠ DIB Dibrugarh — wrong Northeast IATA is a multi-hour road recoveryTerminal 1 blogs — the operator airline table is T2-only after 20 July 2026Wikipedia CAT III / 3,110 m runway copy — AIP VEGT is CAT I ILS on RWY 02 and 3,105 × 45 mDo not count on DragonPass at this Adani airport
ZYL
No lounge for international passengersWinter fog in Dhaka delays flights routed via DhakaFood options not verified; eat before you goAgree CNG and taxi fares before you set off; avoid travelling alone at nightVisa on arrival is officially listed only for Dhaka airport
Amenities and tips
GAU
Adani Silver Lounge (T2 domestic, PP + LoungeKey)Terminal 2 Kopou / bamboo hallDigiYatra (confirm signed T2 doors)GAU_FreeWi-Fi (Airtel OTP)ILS CAT I on runway 02/20
One CAT I runway — T2 is the only passenger hall, but fog still eats buffers
Operator wants 2 hours domestic and 4 hours international; DigiYatra helps only at signed doors.
All listed airlines are Terminal 2 — ignore T1 blogs
Operator airline table is T2-only. T1 is the older shell with no published scheduled carrier.
Adani Silver on T2 if entitled — otherwise landside sealed water before CISF
The live T2 soft room is Adani Silver. Landside bottles beat airside markup.
ZYL
MTB Air Lounge (Priority Pass)Free Wi-FiCurrency exchangeFree trolleys and wheelchairsCNG auto-rickshaws and taxis
Watch Dhaka's winter fog
Winter fog in Dhaka can delay Sylhet flights.
One small airport, domestic and international sides
GAU · Adani-operated Northeast gateway at Borjhar — Terminal 2 is now the passenger hall for every airline on the operator list, with a live Priority Pass / LoungeKey Adani Silver room near Gate 6. Still a single CAT I runway where the boarding-pass terminal letter (T2) and live FIDS beat any 2024 T1 blog.
ZYL · Bangladesh's third-largest international airport and the gateway for the UK's Sylheti community. Biman flies to London Heathrow four times a week and Manchester twice a week, both via Sylhet, plus weekly Jeddah and Dubai. SalamAir has flown to Muscat since September 2026. Biman and US-Bangla serve Dhaka about 92 times a week. The single terminal is small and basic, with free Wi-Fi and currency exchange, and the only Priority Pass lounge is on the domestic side. A new international terminal is due in December 2027.
