Closest Airport
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is situated 15.5 miles east of Baku city center. It is served by major airlines including Aeroflot, Austrian Airlines, BMI, flydubai, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Most foreign visitors require a visa to enter Azerbaijan, obtainable from Azerbaijan consulates and consular offices abroad. You may also need an official invitation letter from a resident or business based in Azerbaijan. Check visa requirements for your particular country well in advance of your trip.
Fast, new roads connect the airport to Baku city center.
Taxis, Shuttle Bus, Train
London-style purple cabs with taximeters zip you to the city center at a cost of around $30. A shuttle bus also runs once an hour between the airport and Samed Vurgun Park in Baku.
International trains to Baku arrive regularly from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kiev and Tbilisi.
Public Transit
Baku has a good, reliable public bus service that is reasonably priced – just 0.20 AZN, or roughly $0.25, per person per ride. Buses can take you to almost any destination within Baku. The newer buses are comfortable and spacious during the day, but morning and evening rush hours should be avoided due to the crowds of commuters. Destinations are usually posted on the front and right side of the bus.
Baku Metro, with 23 stops, is not just a form of transport, but an attraction in itself. Each station is adorned with fantastically ornate, sometimes garish designs glistening under brilliant chandeliers.
The best way to get around Baku city center is actually by foot. Fountains Square and Torgovaya (Nizami) Street are pleasant pedestrianized areas to stroll. The 2.3 mile long Baku Boulevard is a favorite place for locals, expats and visitors to promenade, rest and chat throughout the day and evening.