Bungarus fasciatus is nocturnal and terrestrial, and is known from varied habitats ranging from dry and moist deciduous forest, broadleaf forest and tropical scrub to human habitations and other disturbed or degraded habitats. It prefers open areas close to water. A clutch contains 4-14 eggs, and females stay with the eggs until they hatch.

Bungarus fasciatus occurs from India north of 17º latitude across southern China to Vietnam, and southward to Sundaland (Smith 1943; Whitaker and Captain 2004; David and Vogel 1996). It has a wide elevational range, having been recorded from 20 to 2,300 m asl.

In India, the banded krait is listed on Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is a protected species in Vietnam, where the national Red Data Book lists it as Endangered (Dang et al. 2007). This widespread snake has been reported from many protected areas. Trade in this species requires investigation, particularly in areas adjacent to and exporting this snake to China, in order to determine whether this activity is significant and requires regulation.