Transportation in Azerbaijan: How to Get Around Easily
Getting around a new country can feel overwhelming, but transportation in Azerbaijan is surprisingly easy once you know your options.
From modern metro systems in Baku to scenic train rides through the countryside, the country offers a mix of transport methods for every type of traveler.
In this guide Azerbaijan transportation guide, we’ll cover the best ways to travel between cities, how to navigate local buses and taxis, and tips for making your journey smooth and stress-free. Whether you are exploring the capital or heading to the mountains, this will help you plan your trip with confidence.
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Introduction: What to Know About Transportation in Azerbaijan
Before diving into all the options for transportation in Azerbaijan, let’s start with the basics. We’ll first cover how to get to Azerbaijan and then explain what traveling around this diverse country is like.
How to Get to Azerbaijan
There are several ways to visit Azerbaijan, including:
- Flying into Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport or Nakshivan Airport
- Arriving overland from neighboring countries (a lot of restrictions though)
- Sail to Azerbaijan: There are a few ferries to Baku, Azerbaijan from both Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Want the full details for each option? Check out our complete guide on how to get to Azerbaijan, which goes over everything you need to know.
If you are wondering how to visit Azerbaijan, there are a few important things to know before planning your trip. From visa requirements to the different ways of entering the country, preparing in advance will make your travels much smoother.Whether you are flying directly into the capital, crossing overland from
What is the Best Base for Exploring Azerbaijan?
The best base depends on your itinerary and how you plan to get around, but here are some of the ideal destinations to spend a few days or base yourself from:
- Baku is ideal for first-time visitors, and you can easily take day trips to some of the top attractions of Azerbaijan.
- Sheki is perfect for history and culture lovers, and is good for those exploring the north of the country.
- Gabala or Quba are great for nature, hiking, and being centrally located, but having a car makes getting around much easier.
Baku is the main hub in Azerbaijan for first-time travelers.
How Do You Get Around in Azerbaijan?
Here are the main ways to travel across Azerbaijan:
- Rent a car: Best for flexibility and exploring remote areas.
- Use public buses and minibuses (marshrutkas): Affordable and reach most towns and cities.
- Take taxis or ride-hailing apps: Convenient for city travel and shorter distances.
- Domestic flights: The most ideal option for visiting Nakhchivan
- Join guided tours: Perfect for stress-free sightseeing and local insights.
- Train travel: Comfortable for intercity trips, like Baku to Ganja or Sheki.
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Transportation in Azerbaijan: Different Options for Getting Around
Ready to explore the best of Azerbaijan? Here's a deep dive into our Azerbaijan transportation guide with all of the options for getting around the country, and within the cities.
Getting Around Azerbaijan by Car
Renting a car in Azerbaijan is the best choice if you want full freedom to explore cities, mountains, and historic sites at your own pace. We absolutely loved our Azerbaijan road trip, especially since the country is small and there are always cool spots just off the main routes.
Roads are generally good between major cities, but if you're planning on visiting some hidden gems or going into the mountainous areas, then a 4x4 is a good idea. Don't worry though - if this is your chosen mode of getting around Azerbaijan then our guides will definitely help!
Public Transportation in Azerbaijan: Buses and Minibuses (Marshrutkas)
If you’re on a budget or don’t want to drive, Azerbaijan has a network of buses and minibuses connecting cities, towns, and some rural destinations. They are cost-effective, but schedules can be less predictable outside major cities.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Apps in Azerbaijan
Taxis are widely available in Baku and larger cities, and apps like Bolt operate in urban areas. They are convenient for short trips or when buses are unavailable but are definitely more expensive than public transportation in Azerbaijan.
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Domestic Flights
Azerbaijan is a pretty small country, but there are still a couple of cities you can fly domestically to. For long distances, such as from Baku to Fuzuli, there are select flights with Azerbaijan Airlines.
The only way to visit Nakhchivan from the main land of Azerbaijan is by flight as well, since Armenia runs though Azerbaijan's territories and the land borders are closed.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can put from "Azerbaijan" to "Azerbaijan". This way you can see the different flights offered domestically.
Search for a flight within Azerbaijan:
From Baku you can fly direct to select cities in Azerbaijan.
Joining Guided Tours
Guided tours are ideal for those who want local insight or don’t want to plan logistics, and while tours can get pretty pricey, they're actually really affordable in Azerbaijan! Many tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off, plus expert guidance on cultural sites and scenic locations.
Not only that, but you can take 2-3 day trips from Baku and experience almost all of the best places in Azerbaijan! There are even overnight and 2-night trips for those wanting to visit places like Sheki without having to worry about organizing transportation in Azerbaijan at all.
Train Travel in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s trains connect major cities, including some overnight services. They are comfortable, and a scenic way to experience the country, especially for longer trips. The cities that have trains connecting them include Aghdam, Baku, Gabala, Ganja, Sabunchu, and Sumgait.
Transportation in Azerbaijan's Cities
When exploring rural areas, the options for public transportation in Azerbaijan can be limited. When it comes to getting around the cities in Azerbaijan though, you'll find more pubic transportation options. Many bigger towns/cities have buses, and in Baku there is a metro system.
Taxis and Bolts are also available, and you can also drive, but expect traffic and limited parking, especially in Baku.
There is a lot of traffic in Baku, and parking can be difficult.
Transportation in Azerbaijan FAQ
Now you have all of the information you need for transportation in Azerbaijan! In case you missed anything though, here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions that we've seen across the web.
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Transportation in Azerbaijan: Final Tips for Getting Around & What's Next
Now that you know all of the ways to get around Azerbaijan, it's time for the final part of our transportation guide, sharing helpful tips for getting around, info for visiting, and some related reads.
Tips for Getting Around Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a fun country to do a road trip!
Other Things to Know About Visiting Azerbaijan
Now that you know how to get around Azerbaijan, here are some other things you'll probably want to know about visiting!
Getting to Azerbaijan: Baku is the main airport connecting the country with other parts of Europe and the Middle East. Nakchivan has a separate airport, not connected with the rest of Azerbaijan.
❣️ Places to Azerbaijan to Visit: Baku, Sheki, Quba, and Qabala are some of the top destinations for your Armenia itinerary.
Language: Azerbaijan has its own language, which is similar to Turkish.
Currency: Azerbaijan has its own currency, which is the Azerbaijani Manat. $1 USD= 1.7 Manat.
Safety: Azerbaijan is really safe, and local are super welcoming.
Weather: Azerbaijan experiences all 4 seasons, with very hot and sunny summers, and cold, snowy winters (especially in the mountains).
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What's Next?
Now that you know all about transportation in Azerbaijan and how to get around the country, you'll probably want to know more details about things to do and see there.
Here are a few other travel guides we have about Azerbaijan:
🤔 Is Azerbaijan Worth Visiting?
❣️ The Best Places to Visit in Azerbaijan
🛀🏻 The Naftalan Oil Baths Experience
📸 The Best Photo Spots in Azerbaijan
📖 Complete Azerbaijan Travel Guide
We're going to also be having new articles each Thursday as well, so stay tuned!
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
Now you know all about the options for transportation in Azerbaijan! We hope our guide has helped you learn how to get around Azerbaijan in every way, and that you have a safe and enjoyable journey.
Want to learn more visiting Azerbaijan? We have many other Azerbaijan Travel Guides for you, as well as new ones coming up every week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you're able to stay up to date with our most recent content, and get special discounts on our shop.
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