Overview
Azerbaijan is a country in Asia according to cheeroutdoor. Azerbaijan, an Islamic state of the former Soviet Union lying on the Caspian Sea, is rich in oil, making it a strategically important and politically powerful nation in the Caucasus. Due to its geographical location, Azerbaijan has always been a gateway between East and West and an important stopover on the Silk Road. Over the centuries, Azerbaijan has been part of all major regional powers, including the Russian, Turkish and Persian empires. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan became an independent republic in 1991. Looking at the stunning Caucasus mountains to the north, the green valleys in the south and the extensive semi-desert in between, it quickly becomes clear that Azerbaijan is a scenically beautiful piece of earth; however, the average tourist hardly knows it. The best place to start your journey inland is from the capital, Baku, from where you can easily get to all the major sights.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Lufthansa (LH) flies non-stop several times a week from Frankfurt/M. to Baku, with feeder flights from Vienna and Zurich; the tickets from Frankfurt/M. are also offered by Azerbaijan Airlines (J2). Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) also offers non-stop flights from Berlin to Baku; with feeder flights from Vienna, among others. Flights between Vienna and Zurich and Baku are offered by Air Baltic (BT) via Riga, Turkish Airlines (TK) via Istanbul and Ukraine International (PS) via Kyiv.
Flight times
Frankfurt – Baku: 4 hours 40 minutes (non-stop); Vienna – Baku: 5 hrs 40 mins (with stopover); Zurich – Baku: 6 hours 45 minutes (with stopover).
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
Car: Entry by land is possible via Iran, Georgia and the Russian Federation. There are often long delays at the borders. Long-distance buses: There are regular bus connections from Tehran (Iran), Tbilisi (Georgia) and Derbent (Russian Federation) to Baku. Toll: The motorways are subject to tolls. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Arrival by train
Entry into Azerbaijan by train is possible from Tbilisi (Georgia), including a night train, and from Makhachkala (Russian Federation). There are also train connections from Moscow and other major cities of the former Soviet republics to Baku. Another railway line runs from Tabriz (Iran) to the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan in southern Armenia.
Arrival by ship
Baku has a natural harbor on the Caspian Sea, where cargo ships that also carry passengers dock.
Ferry provider
ASCO ships connect Azerbaijan with Turkmenistan on the Baku-Turkmenbashi route and Kazakhstan on the Baku-Aktau route.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) operates flights between Baku and the Nakhchivan exclave, as well as connections between Baku and Gabala, Gandja and Lankaran.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network of Azerbaijan has a length of about 59,000 km. The M1 highway runs north from Baku to Samur on the border with the Russian Federation; the M2 runs west from Baku to the Georgian border. Streets are often unlit at night and many local drivers do not obey traffic laws. Careful driving is essential to avoid accidents.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
About half of the road network is paved, but often poorly maintained and in very poor condition. All-wheel drive is recommended for trips to the mountains. In heavy rain or snow, many roads are impassable.
Road classification
The road network of Azerbaijan consists of highways with white letters on a blue background, European roads with white letters on a green sign, trunk roads with white letters on a dark blue background and smaller country and mountain roads.
Car rental
Rental cars are available in Baku at the airport and in the city. Drivers must be at least 21 years old.
Taxi
Taxis are available at the airport and in the cities. The fare should be agreed before departure. Full-day taxi rentals are often comparable to rental car prices.
Bicycle
Bicycles and scooters can be rented from various providers in Baku.
Coach
Buses run from Baku to all major cities in the country. Minibuses, so-called marshrutkas, also serve the small towns. Buses are generally faster in Azerbaijan than trains.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – blood alcohol limit 0.0 ‰; strict alcohol ban. Speed limits: – urban: 60 km/h; – extra-urban: 90 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
In the event of breakdowns or accidents, the rental car company must be informed.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required. It is recommended that you carry a copy of your passport as the police occasionally carry out ID checks. The international insurance card for motor transport must always be carried with you.
Traveling in the city
Baku has two metro lines that connect the center with the suburbs and buses that go to the suburbs, but they are usually crowded. If you want to explore Baku by taxi, it is recommended to only use official taxis and not to share them with strangers.
Locally on the way by train
Train connections are slow but cheap. The main routes run northwest from Baku to the border with Georgia and the Caucasus mountains, and south to Astara and the border with Iran.
