Getting around Baku
Baku is the easiest city to navigate. The Baku Metro has three lines (Red, Green, Purple) running roughly 6am to midnight. You cannot pay with cash on board: buy a rechargeable BakiKart at any station and tap in. A single ride costs around 0.40 AZN, making it the cheapest way to dodge traffic.
City buses also use BakiKart and reach areas the metro misses, including the airport via the H1 express bus to the 28 May metro hub. The H1 runs 24 hours and costs about 1.30 AZN.
Ride apps and taxis
Bolt and Yango are the dominant ride apps and far cheaper than flagging the purple official taxis on the street. Both let you pay by card in-app, which removes any haggling. Always confirm the plate before getting in. Uber does not operate here.
Trains and intercity travel
Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) runs comfortable services from Baku Railway Station. The standout is the overnight sleeper to Ganja, the country's second city, and trains also serve Sumgayit and Sheki. Tickets are bookable online at the ADY site or in person; bring your passport.
For most intercity trips, shared minibuses called marshrutka and intercity buses leave from Baku International Bus Terminal (Avtovagzal), near the 20 January metro. Destinations include Sheki, Lankaran, Quba and Gabala. Buses are inexpensive but can be crowded.
Car rental and driving
Renting a car opens up the mountains around Quba, Gabala and Sheki. International chains and local firms operate at Heydar Aliyev Airport. Drive on the right, carry your passport and International Driving Permit, and note that police checkpoints are common. Avoid driving into the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is restricted. Mountain roads are scenic but narrow.
Practical tips
- Keep small cash for marshrutka outside Baku, where cards are rarely accepted.
- Download an offline map before heading to rural regions with patchy signal.
- Friday and Sunday evenings see heavy traffic on the Baku–Ganja highway.
- Sheki and Gabala are best reached as a loop by bus or rental car.
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