Welcome to Azerbaijan

Visas, entry & migration registration

Almost every visitor needs a visa or e-visa before arrival (rules vary by nationality). Do not rely on visa-on-arrival myths — apply through official channels.

e-Visa (ASAN Visa)

• Apply only on the official portal: evisa.gov.az
• Apply at least 3 working days before travel for a standard e-visa (urgent option exists, typically within hours)
• Typical e-visa: single entry, valid for 90 days from issuance, stay up to 30 days
• Print your approved e-visa and carry it with your passport at the border
• Passport should normally remain valid at least 3 months beyond the e-visa expiry

Registration at place of stay (important)

If you stay more than 15 days (30 days for citizens of Kazakhstan), you must register at your place of stay with the State Migration Service (SMS). Hotels and many short-term rentals handle this for you. In private apartments, the host or guest must submit registration.

• Deadline: within 15 calendar days of arrival (unless a special rule applies)
• Channels: SMS electronic services, email [email protected], regional migration offices, or ASAN centres
• Documents typically: application + passport copy including visa and entry stamp pages
• No state fee for place-of-stay registration
• Changing address: re-register within 5 working days at the new place

Customs & cash

• Declare foreign currency as required at the border — rules are enforced by the State Customs Committee
• You generally cannot leave with more undeclared cash than you brought in
• Keep hotel bookings / onward tickets accessible (digital screenshots are fine for most travellers)

Arriving at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)

Most international flights arrive at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) east of Baku. Immigration queues are longest mid-morning to evening; have your passport, printed e-visa and hotel address ready.

Airport → city options

First 30 minutes tipBuy a BakıKart at the airport bus stop machines (cash manat notes often preferred at some machines — bring small notes). Then either ride H1 or order Bolt with Wi‑Fi/eSIM already working.

Other airports

• Ganja (GNJ) — useful for western Azerbaijan
• Gabala / Nakhchivan — seasonal or limited domestic connections; check Azerbaijan Airlines and local schedules

Money, exchange & payments

The manat (AZN) is relatively stable versus the US dollar (historically around 1.70 AZN per 1 USD — check a live rate on arrival). Cards work widely in Baku; cash still matters for markets, marshrutkas, tips and some regional buses.

Practical payment notes

• Tips: ~5–10% in restaurants if service isn’t included; round up for taxis
• Bargaining: common in souvenir markets; uncommon in restaurants with printed menus
• ATMs: some dispense USD as well as AZN in major cities
• Online payments: local sites (iTicket, ADY, BakıKart top-up) generally accept major cards

Baku metro, city buses & BakıKart

Baku’s public transport is cheap, frequent and the smart default for most city travel. Payment revolves around one card: BakıKart.

BakıKart Buy & top up for metro and city buses Must-have Baku Metro Maps, station notices, service updates

BakıKart — buy this first

Fare checkTariffs were revised under the 2025–2030 Baku transport programme. Confirm on bakikart.az / metro.gov.az if you arrive later.

Taxis & ride-hailing — what works best

Visitors usually mix apps (Bolt first) with Azerbaijan’s long-running call-centre taxis. Both are widely used — apps for price transparency, phone lines when you want a local dispatcher or a London-style cab.

Apps

Bolt Best default in Baku — clear fares, English UI Recommended Uber Useful backup when available Yango Local favourite alternative during surge

Call numbers locals still use

189 Taxi Dial 189 24/7 — Baku’s classic call-centre taxi (also app + 189taxi.az) Nationwide familiar Baku Taxi · 1000 State taxi — London-style cabs (TX4 / LEVC TX), including the newer red fleet. Official airport booth at GYD T1 London cabs

London-style cabsBaku’s iconic TX “London taxis” are run by the state Baku Taxi service — historically purple/white, with a large batch of red LEVC TX vehicles added more recently. Order via 1000, the official app, or the GYD Terminal 1 booth. They are metered and a solid choice when you want a recognisable official cab rather than a ride-hail car.

Solo travellersBolt, 189 or 1000 are all more predictable than flagging a random car. Prefer well-lit pickup points.

Trains — Azerbaijan Railways (ADY)

Trains are one of the best ways to reach major cities: comfortable, inexpensive and less stressful than highway traffic. Book online — ticket offices outside Baku/Ganja have been reduced as digital sales dominate.

Buy train tickets online

Official Azerbaijan Railways booking — also use the ADY Mobile app.

Open ticket.ady.az → Call 1822

24/7 ADY hotline for schedules, refunds and travel help.

Tap to call →

How to buy tickets

• Website: ticket.ady.az
• App: ADY Mobile (App Store / Google Play)
• Staffed ticket offices for inter-regional tickets: mainly Baku and Ganja stations (bring ID)
• Hotline: 1822 (24/7) · email [email protected]
• Corporate / contacts: corp.ady.az/en/contacts

Popular routes (indicative)

Fares on major intercity routes are often in the ~10–25 AZN range for standard classes (varies by train type and date). Overnight sleepers exist on some corridors.

Intercity buses & marshrutkas

Coaches and shared minibuses (marshrutkas) connect almost every town. They are the budget backbone of regional travel — especially where trains are infrequent.

Biletim.az

Search many coach services and buy intercity bus tickets online.

Check schedules →

Avtovağzal hub

Baku International Bus Terminal — reach by metro/bus/Bolt; allow traffic time.

Cash still common on marshrutkas

Main hub in Baku

• Baku International Bus Terminal (Avtovağzal) — main long-distance departures
• Reach it by metro/bus/Bolt; allow extra time in traffic
• Popular destinations: Sheki, Gabala, Guba, Lankaran, Ganja, border directions toward Georgia/Iran corridors

Booking & tickets

• Online platforms such as biletim.az list many coach services
• Many marshrutkas still work on a cash, depart-when-full model from terminal bays
• Typical one-way fares to mountain / regional towns: often ~8–15 AZN (route dependent)
• Journey examples: Baku–Gabala ~3–5 h · Baku–Sheki ~4.5–6 h · Baku–Guba ~2.5–3.5 h · Baku–Lankaran ~5–6 h

Marshrutka vs coach vs private driver

• Coach: scheduled, safer seating, better for luggage
• Marshrutka: faster fills, cheaper, more crowded — fine for daylight budget hops
• Private driver / tour: best for Gobustan + mud volcanoes day trips, Khinalug, multi-stop Caucasus loops

Where to eat — and where to check what’s good now

Azerbaijani cuisine rewards curiosity: plov, dolma, kebabs, qutab, piti, dovga, fresh herbs, Caspian fish, and endless tea with jam. Baku also has strong Italian, Turkish, Caucasian, Japanese and international scenes.

Michelin note (honest)

As of mid-2026, Baku does not have Michelin-starred restaurants in the classic Michelin Guide restaurant selection. Luxury hospitality is still excellent — for example Four Seasons Hotel Baku has been recognised with Two MICHELIN Keys (hotel recognition), and its dining (including Zafferano) is a high-end reference point. Treat “Michelin” hotel recognition separately from restaurant stars.

Where to discover restaurants (live reviews)

Tripadvisor Rankings & traveller reviews Google Maps Open now · recent ratings Most current Wolt Menus, delivery & popularity Bolt Food Delivery alternative in Baku Editor’s pick Fountain Square & the lanes around it Put the apps away for an evening. Walk the square and the small authentic streets that branch off it — hundreds of tables, live music on the corners, something happening any hour, any day of the week. Open on the map →

Stay currentFor “what’s hot this month,” combine Google Maps (sort by rating + recent reviews) with Instagram/Telegram food accounts and Wolt popularity. Menus and kitchens change fast in Baku.

What stands out for visitors

• Traditional Azerbaijani: look for places specialising in plov, saj, kebabs and regional dishes — Fountain Square / Old City / Nizami Street corridors are dense with options
• Tea culture: tea houses (çayxana) and garden cafés — try local jams and sweets
• Hotel fine dining: Four Seasons / Fairmont / JW Marriott Absheron corridors for polished international rooms
• Boulevard & Caspian views: good for sunset meals; book weekends
• Dietary needs: vegetarian possible (qutab, salads, dairy dishes); communicate allergies clearly — English menus vary

Etiquette & practicalities

• Service is generally welcoming to solo diners
• Alcohol is widely available in Baku restaurants, bars and hotels; some rural settings may be quieter about it
• Ask for the bill (“hesab”) — cards usually OK in central restaurants
• Friday/Saturday evenings: book popular spots

Events, concerts, opera & workshops

Baku has a serious cultural calendar: opera and ballet, philharmonic programmes, mugham nights, jazz festivals, theatre, sports and pop concerts.

Browse events on iTicket

Opera, philharmonic, theatre, sports and concerts — QR tickets in the app.

See what’s on → Heydar Aliyev Center

Architecture icon + exhibitions and major cultural programmes.

Visit the site →

Primary ticket platform

QR tickets are common — download the iTicket app and activate tickets on the event day when required. Physical tickets remain available at city points of sale.

Key cultural venues

Follow these houses for what’s on — tickets are usually on iTicket or the venue’s own site.

Opera & Ballet Theatre

National stage for classical opera and ballet — the grand yellow landmark on Nizami Street.

How to get there Metro Sahil or 28 May, then a short walk toward Fountain Square / Nizami Street. Bolt is easy from anywhere central.

operabalet.az →

Philharmonic Hall (Magomayev)

Orchestral, chamber and festival programmes in a historic hall beside the Old City gardens.

How to get there Metro Icherisheher or Sahil — walk up Istiglaliyyat Street toward the Philharmonic park.

philharmonichall.az →

International Mugham Center

Tar-shaped concert house on the Boulevard — the place for mugham nights and traditional music.

How to get there Metro Icherisheher, then walk down to the Caspian Boulevard (about 10 minutes). Or Bolt to “Mugham Center”.

Find shows on iTicket →

National Carpet Museum

World-class carpet collection in the iconic rolled-carpet building on the waterfront — easy to pair with a Boulevard stroll.

How to get there Metro Icherisheher + 10–15 min walk along the Boulevard, or Bolt to the museum. Closed Mondays.

azcarpetmuseum.az →

Heydar Aliyev Center

Zaha Hadid’s white wave — museum exhibitions, architecture visits and major cultural programmes.

How to get there Metro Gənclik, then a short walk or taxi. Bolt drop-off at the main plaza is simplest.

heydaraliyevcenter.az →

Heydar Aliyev Palace

Baku’s big concert stage — large pop, classical and national spectacles (check the calendar before you go).

How to get there Metro 28 May or Sahil, then walk/taxi to Bülbül Avenue by Winter Park.

Venue & tickets on iTicket →

Old City (Icherisheher)

UNESCO walled city — Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, plus seasonal jazz, piano and open-air festival programmes.

How to get there Metro Icherisheher exits into the walls. Explore on foot; Bolt can’t enter the narrow lanes.

icherisheher.gov.az →

Workshops & experiences

• Carpet weaving, cooking classes and calligraphy workshops appear via tourism operators and Old City studios
• Start with azerbaijan.travel activity pages and reputable local tour operators
• Hotel concierges and well-reviewed Airbnb Experiences-style offerings can fill last-minute gaps

Museums & major sights

Combine UNESCO Old City landmarks with a few modern icons — Baku’s contrast is the point.

Icherisheher (Old City)

UNESCO walled city — Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, caravanserais and the densest first-day walk in Baku.

How to get there Metro Icherisheher exits into the walls. Explore on foot; Bolt can’t enter the narrow lanes.

icherisheher.gov.az →

Fountain Square & side streets

The city’s social living room — cafés, live music spillover and the small authentic lanes that branch off in every direction.

How to get there Metro Sahil or 28 May, then a short walk. Best late afternoon into evening.

Open on Maps →

Heydar Aliyev Center

Zaha Hadid’s white wave — rotating exhibitions plus one of the world’s most photographed buildings.

How to get there Metro Gənclik, then a short walk or taxi. Bolt to the main plaza is simplest.

heydaraliyevcenter.az →

National Carpet Museum

World-class carpet collection in the rolled-carpet building on the Boulevard — easy to pair with a seaside stroll.

How to get there Metro Icherisheher + 10–15 min walk along the waterfront, or Bolt. Closed Mondays.

azcarpetmuseum.az →

National Museum of History

Deep country context inside the Taghiyev mansion — archaeology, oil-boom rooms and the story of Azerbaijan under one roof.

How to get there Taghiyev Street, central Baku. Metro Sahil or Icherisheher + short walk, or Bolt.

azhistorymuseum.gov.az →

Museum of Modern Art

Azerbaijani modern and contemporary works in a purpose-built gallery — strong if you want today’s art scene after the classics.

How to get there Yusif Safarov Street area. Best by Bolt; combine with Boulevard / Port Baku if you’re nearby.

moma.az →

Flame Towers & Highland Park

Skyline views and the evening LED light show — free viewpoints around Martyrs’ Lane / Highland Park.

How to get there Bolt or walk up from Sahil / Old City. Best near sunset for photos and the light show.

Open Highland Park on Maps →

Baku Boulevard (seafront)

Caspian promenade — cafés, evening air and an easy link between Old City, Carpet Museum and the Mugham Center.

How to get there Walk down from Icherisheher / Sahil, or Bolt to any Boulevard entrance. Open public park.

Open on Maps →

Gobustan Rock Art

UNESCO petroglyphs carved into stone — the classic day trip south of Baku (often paired with mud volcanoes).

How to get there ~1 hour south of Baku. Best as a private driver, Bolt Comfort day hire, or organised tour.

UNESCO listing →

Ateshgah & Yanar Dag

Fire temple and the burning hillside — the Absheron peninsula’s classic half-day “eternal flame” combo.

How to get there Surakhani / Absheron. Bolt or private driver for both stops in one loop (~half day from central Baku).

ateshgah.com →

Walking the Old Town of Baku (Icherisheher)

Icherisheher is compact, largely pedestrian, and the emotional centre of a first visit. Cobblestones, caravanserais, artisan shops, tea terraces and sudden Caspian viewpoints sit inside medieval walls.

What it feels like

• Daytime: easy wandering — Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, mosques, craft streets
• Evening: warm lighting, restaurants spill into courtyards, music in season
• Practical: wear comfortable shoes; alleys can be uneven; summer heat reflects off stone — carry water
• Navigation: Google Maps works; still expect charming wrong turns
• Nearest metro: Icherisheher station drops you at the edge of the walls

For an official orientation, start here: Explore Baku’s Old City on azerbaijan.travel and the reserve site icherisheher.gov.az.

Walking as a woman · religion · local norms

Is Baku comfortable for women travellers?

Yes — and more freely than many first-time visitors expect. Street crime and public harassment are uncommon; central Baku feels clean, watched and calm compared with a lot of large European cities. Locals largely mind their own business, and police presence is visible and practical.

• Dress codes are social, not religious: short dresses, nightlife looks and evening fashion are normal in the city
• Women routinely walk alone in central areas into the evening; people do not police clothing the way some travellers fear
• Nightlife is open — bars, clubs and late dining are part of ordinary Baku life
• Social life is broadly live-and-let-live; visitors who are LGBTQ+ usually find the capital more relaxed than regional stereotypes suggest
• Outside Baku, some towns and rural areas can feel more traditional — use ordinary judgement there, not fear

Religion in daily life

• Azerbaijan is a secular state. Heritage and demographics are majority Muslim, but day-to-day Baku does not feel like a religious city
• City mosques are often quiet outside prayer times; most residents do not organise life around mosque attendance
• You will still see historic mosques, churches and synagogues as architecture and community landmarks — treat them with normal respect if you enter
• Elsewhere in the country, observance can feel a little stronger in places (and it varies by region), but the capital stays cosmopolitan and largely unconcerned with religion in public life

Beyond Baku — cities & connections

Azerbaijan rewards leaving the capital. Mountain air, Silk Road towns, Caspian south and the second-city energy of Ganja are all reachable in a half-day or overnight hop.

ShekiSilk Road town · ~4.5–6h GabalaMountains & resorts · ~3–5h GanjaSecond city · best by train Guba / GusarCaucasus · ~2.5–3.5h LankaranTea & Talysh · ~5–6h GobustanPetroglyphs · easy day trip

Well-connected vs plan-ahead

• Easiest public transport links: Ganja (train), Gabala/Sheki/Guba (frequent buses), Absheron day trips
• Need extra planning: Khinalug, high villages, Nakhchivan, multi-stop mountain loops
• Official region pages: browse destinations on azerbaijan.travel

Border awarenessDo not attempt travel near restricted or sensitive border areas without checking current advice. Entry with certain stamps / surnames can face extra scrutiny — verify with official sources before travel.

Country essentials

Azerbaijan sits on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, between Europe and Asia. Most visitors land in Baku, then explore the Absheron Peninsula, the Caucasus foothills (Sheki, Gabala, Guba/Gusar), the second city Ganja, or the subtropical south around Lankaran.

Key facts

• Official name: Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası)
• Capital: Baku (Bakı) — about half of urban economic life concentrates here
• Population: about 10.18 million (early-2024 official statistical figure)
• Official language: Azerbaijani (Türkic family). Russian is widely understood; English is common in hotels, restaurants and central Baku
• Currency: Azerbaijani manat (AZN / ₼). 1 manat = 100 qəpik
• Religion: Secular state; heritage is majority Muslim, though everyday Baku does not feel like a religious city — modern and cosmopolitan. Some regions outside the capital can feel more traditional
• Neighbours: Russia (north), Georgia (northwest), Armenia (west), Turkey (via Nakhchivan exclave), Iran (south), Caspian Sea (east)
• Driving: Right-hand traffic

Best official tourism overview

About this pageWe summarise what visitors usually need and point you to official or well-established providers. Prices and schedules change — always confirm on the linked sites before you travel. Absolute Azerbaijan is a property-services company; this guide is a free public resource for guests and travellers.

Local platforms, apps & guides

Save the logos you already know — these are the ones visitors actually open in Baku.

BoltRide-hailing UberRide-hailing BakıKartCity transit ADYTrain tickets iTicketEvents WoltFood delivery AirbnbShort stays Booking.comHotels Google MapsNavigation

BoltTaxis UberTaxis BakıKartMetro & buses ADYTrains BiletimCoaches

WoltDelivery Bolt FoodDelivery TripadvisorReviews Google MapsOpen now

AirbnbApartments Booking.comHotels AgodaHotels Absolute check-inGuest arrival flow

For Absolute Azerbaijan guests, your host team can help with orientation — see Online Check-in.

SIM cards, safety & numbers to save

Mobile & internet

Azercell SIM & eSIM · shops & airport Bakcell SIM & eSIM · tourist packs Nar SIM & eSIM · prepaid

• Airport and city shops sell tourist SIMs/eSIMs from these operators
• Bring an unlocked phone; passport usually required for SIM registration
• Coverage is strong in Baku and main highways; mountains can drop signal

Emergency & key numbers

Useful phrases

• Salam — hello
• Təşəkkür — thank you
• Zəhmət olmasa — please
• Hesab — the bill
• Neçəyədir? — how much is it?

Safety snapshot

• Baku is exceptionally safe and clean by big-city standards — street crime and street fighting are rare; people tend to mind their own business
• Surveillance and policing are active in the centre; serious incidents involving visitors are uncommon
• Tap water: many visitors prefer bottled water
• Summer heat and winter Caspian wind are the main “weather risks”
• Keep digital + paper copies of passport and e-visa

Official & trusted link directory

Bookmark these first — they are the sources we recommend for accuracy.

• azerbaijan.travel — official tourism
• evisa.gov.az — e-visas
• migration.gov.az — migration & registration
• airport.az — GYD airport
• bakikart.az — city transit card
• metro.gov.az — Baku Metro
• ticket.ady.az — train tickets
• corp.ady.az — Azerbaijan Railways
• iticket.az — events & shows
• biletim.az — bus tickets
• icherisheher.gov.az — Old City reserve
• heydaraliyevcenter.az — Heydar Aliyev Center
• asan.gov.az — ASAN public services
• azal.az — Azerbaijan Airlines
• mincom.gov.az — transport & digital development ministry news

Guide compiled for Absolute Azerbaijan visitors · English edition · last reviewed 18 July 2026. Always re-check fares, timetables and entry rules on official sites before you travel. Русская версия available.

Frequently asked questions