Baku Travel: 100 Questions Answered based on NeemTime research
🏛️ Logistics, Visas & Money
Do I need a visa for Baku? Most travelers need an ASAN e-visa, which is easily obtained online in about 3 days.
Can I get a visa on arrival? Only citizens of specific countries (like Gulf nations) can; most others must apply online beforehand.
What is the best time to visit? April–June and September–October. July and August are brutally hot, and winter is incredibly windy.
Is Baku expensive? It’s very affordable compared to Europe. You can eat well for $10–$15 a day.
What is the local currency? The Azerbaijani Manat (AZN).
Can I use US Dollars or Euros? No, you must pay in Manat.
Are credit cards widely accepted? Yes, in Baku’s center, malls, and hotels. However, cash is king for small shops and taxis.
Where should I exchange money? Avoid the airport. Use exchange booths on Nizami Street or in the city center for better rates.
Are ATMs easy to find? Yes, they are everywhere in the city.
Should I tip in restaurants? Most places add a 10% service charge. If they don’t, a small tip (1–2 AZN) is appreciated.
Do I need to register with the State Migration Service? If staying longer than 15 days, you must register (hotels usually do this for you).
Is there a “Baku Card” for tourists? Yes, the BakuCard offers free public transport and discounts on museums.
Is the airport far from the city? About 25–30 minutes by car.
How much is the airport bus? The Aero Express bus is very cheap (around 1.50 AZN) and runs to 28 May Station.
Can I use my Turkish Lira there? No, only Manat.
Is it better to stay in an Airbnb or a hotel? Hotels are generally better for first-timers as they handle the migration registration.
What is the “dual pricing” system? Some museums charge foreigners significantly more than locals.
Can I enter Azerbaijan if I have an Armenian stamp in my passport? Yes, but you may be questioned.
Can I enter if I’ve visited Nagorno-Karabakh? No. If you visited the region without Azerbaijani permission, you are permanently banned.
Is tap water drinkable? No. Always stick to bottled or filtered water.
🚖 Getting Around
What is the best taxi app? Bolt and Uber AZ are the gold standards.
Should I take street taxis? Avoid them if possible; they often overcharge tourists.
Is the Metro safe? Very safe, clean, and incredibly cheap.
How do I pay for the Metro? You need a BakiKart, which you can buy at any station.
Can two people use one BakiKart? Yes, you can tap it twice for two people.
Is Baku a walkable city? The center (Nizami, Old City, Boulevard) is very walkable, but the city is quite spread out.
Are there many hills? The city is built on an incline, so expect some stairs near the Flame Towers.
How is the driving culture? Chaotic. Be extremely careful when crossing streets, even at green lights.
Can I rent a car? Yes, but it’s not recommended for city driving due to traffic and aggressive drivers.
Is there a train to other cities? Yes, the fast train to Ganja or Gabala is modern and comfortable.
What is the “Purple Line”? The newest, most modern line of the Baku Metro.
Do buses have a schedule? Use the Bakubus app or Google Maps, but traffic often makes schedules irrelevant.
Are there any ladies-only sections on transport? No.
Is the Funicular working? It often closes for maintenance, so check locally before walking up.
What is the “London Taxi”? The purple cabs. They are official but usually more expensive than Bolt.
🏛️ Sightseeing & Culture
What are the “Must-See” spots? Old City (Icherisheher), Flame Towers, and the Heydar Aliyev Center.
Is the Old City free to enter? Yes, but the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs’ Palace require tickets.
What is “Little Venice”? A small canal area on the Boulevard where you can take gondola rides.
Is the Maiden Tower worth climbing? Yes, for the view of the Caspian Sea.
What is the Heydar Aliyev Center? An architectural masterpiece by Zaha Hadid. Even if you don’t go inside, see the exterior.
Is the Carpet Museum worth it? Yes, it’s uniquely shaped like a rolled carpet and has a world-class collection.
Where can I see the Flame Towers light show? Highland Park (Dagustu Park) offers the best view at night.
What is the “Mud Volcanoes” tour? A trip to see rare natural bubbling mud; usually paired with Gobustan.
Are the Mud Volcanoes far? About 1–1.5 hours south of Baku.
What is Yanar Dag? The “Burning Mountain” where natural gas has been on fire for centuries.
Is Yanar Dag disappointing? Some find it small, but it’s fascinating if you appreciate the “Land of Fire” history.
Can I visit a Mosque? Yes, the Bibi-Heybat Mosque is stunning and welcomes tourists (dress modestly).
Is Baku religious? It is a very secular city. You will see more bars than hijabs in the center.
How should I dress? Baku is modern. Shorts and t-shirts are fine for men and women, though modesty is required for mosques.
Are tattoos and piercings okay? Yes, Baku is quite liberal about personal style.
Can I take photos of the Metro? It used to be banned, but it’s generally allowed now—just don’t be too obvious near security.
Is there a nightlife scene? Yes, around Fountain Square there are many pubs, jazz clubs, and wine bars.
Are there “scam bars”? Be wary of “clubs” where women approach you to buy them drinks—you’ll get a massive bill.
What is the “Nizami Street”? The main pedestrian shopping and dining street.
When do the Flame Towers light up? Usually right at sunset.
🥘 Food & Dining
What is the national dish? Plov (saffron rice with meat and dried fruits).
What is a Qutab? A thin savory pancake filled with greens, meat, or pumpkin. A must-try!
Is the food spicy? No, Azerbaijani food is flavorful (using herbs like cilantro and dill) but rarely “hot” spicy.
Can I find vegetarian food? In Baku, yes. Outside Baku, it’s mostly meat-based.
Is the wine good? Surprisingly excellent! Try the pomegranate wine.
Where can I get the best tea? Any “Chaykhana.” Tea is served in pear-shaped glasses (Armudu) with jam.
Is pork available? Yes, but it’s not common in traditional restaurants.
What is Shah Plov? The “King Plov,” baked in a crust of lavash.
Is street food safe? Generally yes, especially the doner kebabs.
Do I need to make reservations? Only for high-end restaurants on weekends.
What is “Dushbara”? Tiny meat dumplings served in a broth.
Is coffee popular? Tea is king, but there is a booming third-wave coffee scene in the center.
What is the biggest KFC in the world? It’s located in the old Baku railway station building—worth a peek for the architecture!
Are there international chains? Yes: McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, and Hard Rock Cafe.
What is the best local breakfast? Syrab or a traditional spread with “Pomidor-Yumurta” (tomato and eggs).
📱 Safety & Connectivity
Is Baku safe at night? Extremely safe. One of the safest cities for solo female travelers.
What are the common scams? Taxi overcharging and “hospitality scams” where locals invite you to a bar then leave you with a huge bill.
Where can I buy a SIM card? At the airport (more expensive) or shops like Azercell or Bakcell in town.
Is there free Wi-Fi? Many parks and cafes have it, but it’s often slow or requires a local number to login.
Should I use a VPN? Not usually necessary for most sites, but good for privacy.
Is it safe to talk about politics? Best avoided. Discussions about the President or the conflict with Armenia can be sensitive.
Is there a lot of police presence? Yes, but they are generally helpful and don’t bother tourists.
What if I lose my passport? Contact your embassy; most are located near the city center.
Are there “No Photo” zones? Avoid photographing government buildings, military sites, or the presidential palace.
How is the healthcare? Private clinics like Bona Dea or Central Clinic are world-class.
🏔️ Beyond Baku (Day Trips)
Can I do a day trip to Gabala? Yes, it’s about 3.5 hours away. Great for mountain views.
Is Sheki worth the 5-hour drive? Absolutely. The Khan’s Palace is a UNESCO gem. Better as an overnight stay.
What is Guba known for? Carpets, apples, and the “Red Village” (the world’s last surviving shtetl).
Can I see the Caspian Sea beaches? Yes, but the ones in Baku city are for walking. For swimming, go to Bilgah or Mardakan.
Is the sea clean for swimming? Outside the city center, yes. Bilgah is the cleanest.
What is Shahdag? A luxury ski resort about 3 hours from Baku.
Can I visit the “Oil Rocks”? No, it’s a restricted industrial city in the sea.
How do I get to Gobustan? Best by organized tour or a Bolt (though Bolt might not wait for you).
What are the “Musical Stones”? In Gobustan, there is a rock that sounds like a tambourine when struck.
Is there a desert in Azerbaijan? Parts of the Absheron peninsula are very arid and desert-like.
💡 Random Pro-Tips
What does “Baku” mean? Most believe it comes from the Persian Bad-kube, meaning “Wind-pounded city.”
Why are there so many cats? Like Istanbul, Baku loves its street cats. They are generally well-fed.
Do people speak English? The younger generation and hotel staff do. The older generation speaks Azeri and Russian.
Is it okay to haggle? Only in bazaars (like Taza Bazar) or for souvenirs. Never in malls or restaurants.
What souvenir should I buy? A small carpet, Armudu glasses, or Azerbaijani silk scarves (Kelaghayi).
Is there a “toilet fee”? In some public parks or markets, yes (usually 0.30–0.50 AZN).
Do I need a power adapter? They use European-style Type C and F plugs ($230V$).
Is the F1 race a good time to visit? It’s exciting but the city center is blocked off and hotels are triple the price.
How do I say “Thank you”? “Cox sag ol” (pronounced chokh sa-ol).
What is the most important rule? Don’t bring any Armenian-made products or souvenirs into the country.