Live train tracking in Bangladesh tells you where a Bangladesh Railway train is right now: last station crossed, whether it is late, and when the next stop is likely. That is how you avoid standing on a platform for an hour on a rumor from a group chat.
There are two practical ways to check. The official railway SMS service works on any phone. TrainTrack BD is the in-app path: search the train, read the full route, then unlock live progress when you actually need it.
How official live train tracking works (SMS to 16318)
Bangladesh Railway publishes live location through a short SMS. You do not need a smartphone or mobile data for this method. You do need a Bangladeshi SIM and enough balance for a standard SMS.
- Open the Messages app on your phone.
- Type TR, a space, then the train number. Example: TR 701.
- Send the SMS to 16318.
- Wait for the reply. It should include current location, last station crossed, and delay if the train is running late.
The command is not case-sensitive. TR 701, Tr 701, and tr 701 all work. Put a space between TR and the number. If nothing comes back in a minute or two, wait and send again. Peak hours can slow the reply.
The train number is printed on your ticket. If you only know the name, search it first in TrainTrack BD, open the train, and copy the number from the detail page, then send the SMS if you prefer that channel.
SMS charges apply (set by your operator). This SMS service is run by Bangladesh Railway, not by TrainTrack BD. TrainTrack BD is a Squard product. Always follow official railway rules for tickets and safety.
Live train tracking short recap
Open SMS → type TR Train No. → send to 16318. Example: TR 701.
TrainTrack BD guideline: check live location in the app
Use TrainTrack BD when you want search, the full station list, and a live unlock in one place, without sending an SMS each time. Open traintrackbd.squard.dev (or the Android app) and follow this order.
1. Sign in
TrainTrack BD uses a squard.dev account. Search, schedule, and live unlock all need you to be signed in. The same login can also work with other Squard products.
2. Search the train
Find the service with whichever clue you have:
- Name (for example Subarna Express or Parabat Express)
- Code / train number (the same number you would send after TR)
- From and To (for example Abdulpur to Rajshahi) when you do not know the name
Search and the station list do not spend credits.
3. Open the route before you go live
Open the train. Confirm origin, destination, running days, and every stop with scheduled arrival and departure. This is the step most SMS-only pages skip. If the train does not stop at your station, a live ping will not help.
4. Unlock live location
Tap the live action. A confirm screen shows how many credits this view costs. Continue only if you still need the live check. Each time you open live location, credits are charged again. The unlock is meant for a current look, not an always-on map of every train.
If your balance is too low, open Credits, pick a pack (10, 20, 50, or 100), pay with the supported mobile-wallet flow, then return and unlock. As a rule of thumb, ৳10 adds 10 credits.
5. Read the live view
When the unlock succeeds, TrainTrack BD shows passenger-useful progress from available live data, not a GPS pin on every coach:
- Train name and how fresh the update is
- Status: running, late, not departed, not running today, or journey completed
- Delay in minutes when the train is late
- Pass stations before the next halt, then the next stop
- ETA to upcoming stops against the scheduled time
- A Google Maps link for the current location when that URL is available
When to use SMS vs TrainTrack BD
- SMS to 16318 if you have no internet, only a basic phone, or you already know the train number from the ticket.
- TrainTrack BD if you need to find the train first, check the stop list, then unlock last station, next stop, and delay in the app.
- Do not pay twice for the same question. If you just unlocked in TrainTrack BD, you usually do not also need an SMS for that same moment.
What live tracking will not do
- It will not book or cancel tickets. Use official railway booking for that.
- TrainTrack BD is not an official Bangladesh Railway app.
- Coverage and freshness depend on the live sources the product can read. If a train has not published location yet, the app will say so.
- Search and live unlocks need an internet connection. The SMS method does not.
- The documentation page at squard.dev/product/traintrackbd does not auto-open the app. Use traintrackbd.squard.dev.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check live train tracking in Bangladesh?
Send TR plus the train number to 16318, or sign in to TrainTrack BD, open the train, and unlock live location with credits.
Where do I find the train number?
On your ticket, or on the TrainTrack BD train detail page after you search by name or by From and To.
Does TrainTrack BD replace the 16318 SMS?
No. The SMS service is the official railway channel. TrainTrack BD is a separate Squard product that searches trains and unlocks live progress in the app.
Do I need an account for TrainTrack BD?
Yes. Live location also uses credits. Search and the full route do not spend credits.
Does it show the exact GPS of every coach?
No. The live unlock focuses on last-station / next-stop context and delay, plus a maps link when available.
Why was I charged more than once?
Each time you open live location, credits are deducted again. Confirm the cost on the prompt before you continue.
Check live location when it actually changes your plan
If you already know the number, SMS TR 701 (use your real number) to 16318. If you still need to find the train and see the route, open TrainTrack BD, search, read the stops, then unlock live tracking once.