We understand that visiting a new country and culture can be daunting. Don’t worry! On this page you’ll find all the practical information you need to access and explore Azerbaijan.
Planning ahead can help make your trip to Azerbaijan smooth and enjoyable. Before travelling, check the entry requirements, customs regulations, driving rules and travel insurance options.
For Entry Requirements & Visas please visit our Tourist Visa to Azerbaijan page.
Before travelling, familiarise yourself with Azerbaijan’s customs regulations to find out which goods you can bring into or take out of the country, including restrictions on alcohol, tobacco, food products, medicines, currency and prohibited items.
For the latest rules and duty-free allowances, visit the State Customs Committee’s Information for Travellers page.
Foreign nationals staying in Azerbaijan for longer than the period specified by applicable regulations must register their place of stay in accordance with the established procedures. Registration is free of charge and can be completed by the traveller or the accommodation provider, such as a hotel. If you change your place of stay, you may need to register your new address within five working days. For details and online registration, visit the State Migration Service.
Travellers can rest assured that while they are visiting Azerbaijan they are in safe hands. The country is one of the safest tourist destinations in the world, praised for its low level of petty crime, allowing you to easily explore, discover and enjoy your surroundings with minimal safety concerns. In case of an emergency, the following numbers are available 24 hours a day:
102 – Police 103 – Ambulance 112 – Ministry of Emergency SituationsWhen travelling to remote villages and rural areas, be cautious around stray dogs, animals guarding homes or livestock, and wild animals. Avoid approaching or feeding unfamiliar animals, and always keep a safe distance.
If you experience an issue during your visit or wish to submit a tourism-related complaint, you can contact the Azerbaijan Tourism Board:
Phone: +994 12 505 8704 (ext. 1941/1925/1905/1909 ) Email: [email protected]
Wi-Fi is widely available in cafés, parks and restaurants, tourist areas, particularly in city centres. Many establishments offer free Wi-Fi, allowing visitors to stay connected while exploring Azerbaijan.
Mobile phone providers offer relatively inexpensive dongles so that you can access the web through 4G mobile networks.
Visitors can purchase a local SIM card at Heydar Aliyev International Airport or at mobile operator shops in Baku and other cities. Local SIM cards offer convenient access to mobile data, calls and texts during your stay. It is recommended to purchase SIM cards only from official mobile operator sales offices. For more information about tourist SIM packages and available offers, please visit the websites of local mobile operators:
https://bakcell.com/en/travelsim
https://www.azercell.com/en/personal/plans-and-services/roaming/tourist-tariffs.html
https://www.nar.az/en/senin-ucun/touristsim/
Azerbaijan uses Type C and Type F power sockets, with a standard voltage of 220 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. If your device has a different plug type, you may need a travel adapter.
Azerbaijan's mountains and scenic trails offer wonderful opportunities to explore the outdoors. Before setting off, check the weather and your planned route, carry enough water and let someone know where you are going.
Some hiking trails pass through summer pastures where livestock graze. Dogs you may encounter in these areas are usually not strays but shepherd dogs protecting their herds. They may see unfamiliar people as a potential threat to the animals they guard. Keep a safe distance from livestock, avoid approaching herds and, whenever possible, ask the shepherd for advice on safe passage.
If you encounter a shepherd dog, avoid behaviour that could be seen as threatening. Stay calm, do not run, make sudden movements or stare directly at the dog. If it approaches, stop and remain calm. Move away slowly when it is safe, and choose another route if necessary.
Our currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN). Card payments are widely accepted in shops and restaurants in cities and popular tourist areas, although cash is often preferred in rural areas. ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard are widely available in major towns and cities. Currency exchange services are available, making it easy to exchange money during your stay.
For the latest official exchange rates, visit the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Currency can be exchanged at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, licensed currency exchange offices, banks and some shopping malls around the city.
In Azerbaijan, tips are welcomed as a gesture of appreciation for good service. A tip of around 5–10% is generally appreciated for good service. Before tipping, check whether a service charge is already included in your bill.
Azerbaijan offers several options for travelling onward to neighbouring countries, including rail connections to Georgia, road travel via land border crossings and ferry services across the Caspian Sea. Please check the latest travel requirements and departure information before your journey.
Travel to Georgia by Train
The Baku–Tbilisi–Baku train service is available to Azerbaijani citizens and foreign nationals who are eligible to enter Azerbaijan visa-free. Travellers should check the applicable entry requirements for Georgia before departure. For schedules and tickets, visit Azerbaijan Railways (ADY).
Land Border Crossings
Foreign nationals may leave Azerbaijan through land border crossings, subject to applicable border procedures. Direct buses from Baku International Bus Terminal to the Red Bridge border crossing on the Azerbaijan–Georgia border may be an option for onward travel. Check routes, schedules and ticket availability on Biletim.az.
Ferry Travel Across the Caspian Sea
Passengers can travel by ferry from the Port of Alat, near Baku, to Kuryk in Kazakhstan and Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan. Departure times depend on vessel availability, cargo operations and weather conditions, so journeys may not follow a fixed timetable.
Foreign nationals can leave Azerbaijan by sea, subject to applicable procedures. Before booking, check the entry requirements of your destination country and confirm the departure arrangements with the operator. For ferry information and passenger tickets, visit the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO).
Only the capital, Baku, has a metro system, which operates between 6am and 12am. Stations, trains and facilities are clean and safe with trains running every two to three minutes. There are two lines – the Red Line from Icherisheher to Hazi Aslanov, and the Green Line from Khatai to Darnagul.
Buses are an inexpensive way to travel in Baku and bus schedules are generally available at bus stops. On the bus and Baku underground one journey costs 60 gepiks and taxis are also widely available as an alternative option. Baku has several licensed taxi firms, the most famous of which are Baku Taxi Company and 189 Taxi, while UBER, Yango, Bolt and other taxi apps are also available.
Construction work is currently underway on the metro line between Nizami and 28 May stations. If your route passes through the construction area, you can use the express bus routes to continue your journey. For more information about the express buses, please click here: https://metro.gov.az/en/route-change
The Airport Express shuttle buses operate between Heydar Aliyev International Airport and Baku city centre. Buses run every 15 minutes during the day and every 45 minutes at night. A single journey costs AZN 1.30. Passengers can pay using a "BakıKart", available for purchase at the airport and at bus stops for AZN 2.00, or by using an international contactless bank card.
Buses and trains are also a convenient and affordable way to travel around the country. There are daily direct flights to Nakhchivan from the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, and buses from the Baku International Bus Station. Tickets for buses and trains can be purchased online via the following link: https://biletim.az/en/ .
There are direct rail connections from Baku to Shaki, Ganja, Gabala, Shamkir and other cities across Azerbaijan. For train schedules, ticket prices and online bookings, please visit the Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) website.
Most of the population follow Islam, but we are a secular country and Muslim dress code is not enforced nor expected, and alcohol is very widely available. Besides, we pride ourselves on our multiculturalism and tolerance, which are a legacy of the Silk Road that brought so many people and cultures to these lands. As well as Muslims, Azerbaijan is home to followers of many other religions including Christians, Jews, Hindus, Zoroastrians and others, all of whom have somewhere to worship in the country.
4 hrs ahead of GMT. Since 2016, we no longer put the clocks forward an hour in summer, so while the time is 4 hrs/3 hrs ahead of UK/Western Europe in winter, that drops to 3 hrs/2 hrs from April-October.
Most international goods are available in Baku, which has a great range of shopping options with everything from state-of-the-art malls and designer boutiques to bustling traditional bazaars and well-stocked crafts, antique and souvenir shops. Export certificates are only required for carpets, art and antiques. Note that there’s a 125 g limit on exporting caviar.
Azerbaijan is among the most cost-effective countries in the world. For example, an average stay in Baku costs noticeably less than in any other European metropolis. The very competitive rates for top quality services provided everywhere from beautiful, ultramodern hotels to low-cost holiday rentals are an added bonus to visiting this exciting country.
Azerbaijani is the official and most widely spoken language in Azerbaijan. English and Russian are widely understood in Baku, particularly in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas. However, English may be less widely spoken in smaller towns and rural areas, so knowing a few basic local phrases can be helpful. Learn a few useful Azerbaijani words and phrases with our Useful Vocabulary guide to make your trip easier and more enjoyable.
Azerbaijan offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels and resorts to boutique hotels, guesthouses and holiday rentals. To find officially classified hotels in the country, visit the Certified Hotels List.
