Azerbaijan, the 'Land of Fire,' blends ancient Silk Road heritage with futuristic architecture in Baku. Discover UNESCO-listed old towns, mud volcanoes, Caucasus mountain villages, and Caspian Sea beaches in this fascinating crossroads of Europe and Asia.
- Public
- Baku's metro (3 lines, 25 stations) and bus network are clean, affordable, and reliable for getting around the city. BakiCard reloadable transit card required for both systems.
- Taxi
- Bolt and Yango rideshare apps offer safe, metered taxi service across Baku at very reasonable prices. Always use apps rather than street taxis which overcharge tourists significantly.
- Rental
- Car rental useful for visiting Gobustan, Absheron Peninsula beaches, and mountain regions. Driving in Baku city center is challenging with aggressive local driving style. International Driving Permit required.
- Walking
- Central Baku around Fountain Square, Old City, and Boulevard is very walkable with wide promenades and pedestrian zones. Distances between major sights are manageable on foot.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Aero Express bus: 1.50 AZN ($0.88), runs 24/7 every 30 min (day) / hourly (night) to 28 May metro
- Shuttle
- Bolt/Yango rideshare: 10-15 AZN ($6-9) to city center, 40 minutes
- Bus
- Official taxi: 30-40 AZN ($18-24) to city center
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus network covering Baku and suburbs
Hours: 06:00-23:00 (varies by route)
- Cost
- 0.20-0.30 AZN ($0.12-0.18) with BakiCard
- Payment
- BakiCard required, exact change not available
- Tips
- Route signs in Azerbaijani, can be confusing for tourists
- Google Maps works for bus routes
- Buses can be crowded during peak hours
- Purple city buses are more modern and comfortable
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Official taxis: 1-2 AZN base + 0.40-0.70 AZN/km
- Apps
- Bolt: Most popular, cheapest, widely available, Yango: Local alternative, similar pricing, Nə Gəlir?: Local option, fewer drivers
- App Names
- Bolt: Most popular, cheapest, widely available, Yango: Local alternative, similar pricing, Nə Gəlir?: Local option, fewer drivers
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Extensive intercity bus network, main option for reaching most destinations
- Main stations
- Baku International Bus Terminal (near 20 Yanvar metro)
- Avtovağzal: Central station for most routes
- Popular routes
- Baku-Sheki: 6-7 hours, 8-12 AZN ($5-7)
- Baku-Gabala: 3-4 hours, 5-8 AZN ($3-5)
- Baku-Ganja: 5-6 hours, 6-10 AZN ($4-6)
- Baku-Quba: 2.5-3 hours, 4-6 AZN ($2.50-3.50)
- Baku-Gobustan: 1.5 hours, 3-5 AZN ($2-3)
- Tips
- Arrive 30 minutes early during peak travel times
- No advance booking needed for most routes
- Marshrutkas (minibuses) faster but less comfortable
- AC on most modern buses
- Limited English - write destination in Azerbaijani
Flights
Limited domestic flights, mainly to Nakhchivan
Routes: Baku-Nakhchivan: Daily flights, 1 hour, 60-120 AZN ($35-70), Baku-Ganja: Limited service, seasonal, Baku-Lankaran: Occasional flights
- Tips
- Only worthwhile for Nakhchivan (isolated exclave)
- Most destinations faster/cheaper by bus
- Book through AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines)
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Heydar Aliyev International Airport
From centre: 20 km northeast of Baku
Options: Aero Express bus: 1.50 AZN ($0.88), runs 24/7 every 30 min (day) / hourly (night) to 28 May metro; Bolt/Yango rideshare: 10-15 AZN ($6-9) to city center, 40 minutes; Official taxi: 30-40 AZN ($18-24) to city center; Hotel shuttle: Available from many hotels, pre-book
Ganja International Airport
From centre: 5 km from Ganja city
Options: Taxi: 5-10 AZN ($3-6) to city center; Hotel transfer: Available from most hotels; Limited public transport options
Gabala International Airport
From centre: 15 km from Gabala
Options: Taxi: 15-20 AZN ($9-12); Hotel shuttle: Pre-arrange with accommodation; Seasonal flights only
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bolt
Most popular rideshare in Baku, cheapest fares, widely available, payment by card or cash
Yango
Local Yandex alternative to Bolt, similar pricing and availability across Baku
ADY (Azerbaijan Railways)
Official app for booking intercity train tickets to Ganja, Sheki, Quba and other cities
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Bolt before arriving — it is the essential Baku transport app and far cheaper and safer than street taxis
Buy a BakiCard (2 AZN deposit, reloadable) at any metro station for discounted bus and metro fares — essential for budget travel
The Aero Express bus (1.50 AZN) from the airport to 28 May metro station runs 24/7 and is dramatically cheaper than taxis
Metro runs until midnight daily — plan evening activities to catch the last train or budget for a Bolt home
For day trips outside Baku, shared taxis (marshrutkas) from Avtovagzal bus terminal are the most economical option, departing when full
Street taxis near the airport and Old City regularly quote 40-60 AZN for rides worth 10-15 AZN on Bolt — always use the app