The Crucial Travel Reality: Land Borders Are Closed
The single most important planning fact for travelers visiting Azerbaijan is that all international land borders remain closed for entry under a long-standing government decree. You cannot walk or take a train across the border from Georgia, Russia, Iran, or Turkey into Azerbaijan.
- How You Must Enter: All foreign tourists must arrive by air into Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) in Baku.
- Exiting by Land: While entry by land is prohibited, exiting Azerbaijan by land into Georgia has occasionally been permitted with special paperwork, but travelers should plan to fly out to avoid being turned back at border posts.
- Do Not Assume Land Routes Exist: Never purchase a theoretical Baku to Tbilisi bus or train ticket online from outdated third-party sites; cross-border international passenger train service between Azerbaijan and Georgia has been suspended since 2020.
Official ASAN E-Visa Requirements
Citizens of over 95 nations (including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) can obtain an official electronic visa online:
- Official Portal: Use evisa.gov.az (the official ASAN Visa government system). Avoid commercial third-party scam sites charging 80 to 120 Euros.
- Official Fee: The standard e-visa costs $25 USD (around €23) and is processed within 3 working days. An urgent 3-hour visa is available for $60 USD.
- Important Rule: If you have previously visited the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh without official permission from Azerbaijan authorities, you will be denied entry.
Baku on a Budget
- BakiKart Transit: The Baku Metro and red BakuBus municipal buses use the reloadable BakiKart. Rides cost just 0.40 AZN (around 0.22 Euros) per journey.
- Airport Bus H1: The BakuBus Aero Express runs 24/7 between Baku Airport and the 28 May central railway station in 30 minutes for 1.30 AZN (0.70 Euros).
- Eating Cheaply: Enjoy fresh qutab flatbreads stuffed with mountain herbs, lamb, or pumpkin for 1.00 to 1.50 AZN (under 0.80 Euros), and hearty piti lamb stew in clay pots for 6 AZN.