Azerbaijan at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia, from the beautiful Caspian Sea coastline to the majestic Caucasus Mountains, Azerbaijan’s nature is as intriguing and surprising as finding a hidden gem. Experience ancient petroglyphs and mud volcanoes in Gobustan National Park.
1. Azerbaijan Quick Facts
Language Azərbaycan
Religion Islam
Currency ман manat (AZN)
Visa Visa on arrival for most nationalities
Power Plugs 220 V 50 Hz (C/F Type)
Capital Baku
ATM ATM are also readily available, allowing you to withdraw local currency using your credit or debit card.
Use card
When paying by card, it’s often cheaper to pay in local currency rather than your home currency or dollars. You can pay with credit cards from most card companies, including Visa and MasterCard.
Useful APP
Google Maps
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Metro
There are 2 lines in downtown Baku and the fare is 0.2AZN. They run from 6am to 12am and are very crowded during rush hour due to the large number of people using them, and there is a risk of accidents due to poor facilities.
Buses
The fare is 0.2AZN, but bus stops are often unmarked and routes are unclear, making it difficult for foreigners to navigate.
Taxis
“Purple” taxis, also known as London taxis, are metered, but for unmetered taxis, you’ll need to tell the driver where you’re going before you get in and negotiate the fare (3AZN and up as standard).
UberTaxi and Call Taxi number 189, which have been operating recently, have two fare systems: Business and Economy.
The city’s fleet is mostly second-hand cars imported from Europe, many of which are badly aged or lack proper air conditioning.
4. Safety
While Azerbaijan is considered safe compared to its neighbors, walking at night can be dangerous.
Pickpockets can be found in crowded areas such as traditional markets, rush-hour buses, and the subway, and foreigners are easy targets for extortion, so be careful not to carry valuables in plain sight.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
Police: 102
Ambulance: 103
Fire departments: 101
General emergency number: 112
Country dialing code: 994
5. Climate
Azerbaijan is home to nine of the world’s 11 climate zones. Summer temperatures can reach into the 40℃(104°F) and winter temperatures rarely dip below freezing, but it’s a very windy place. During the winter months of December through March, Azerbaijan experiences fairly cold weather with occasional snowfall, and the average winter temperature is 0°C (32°F). In July, the average temperature ranges from 25℃(77°F) to 27℃(81°F), with a high of 43℃(109°F), and in the high mountains, the average temperature in January is below -10℃(50°F).
6. price
The cost of living is low, especially transportation and groceries.
Gasoline (1 liter) 1.00 AZN
McDonald’s combo meal:9.90 AZN
Water (1.5 liters): 0.86 AZN
Milk (1 liter) 2.10 AZN
Starbucks Americano 3.5 AZN
7. Travel precautions
Avoid poorly lit and isolated places at night, and use only legitimate taxis such as Uber and Lyft.
Avoid religious conversations whenever possible.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
In Azerbaijani culture, making the OK sign with your hands (thumb and forefinger forming a circle) is considered an aggressive gesture.
In religious places, you should wear long clothes and socks.
Greetings are generally warm and should include a handshake and eye contact.
Tip
Tip is not customary in Azerbaijan. In established restaurants, bars, hotels and taxis, a 5-10% service charge is usually automatically added to the bill.
9. Holidays
The public holidays in Azerbaijan in 2024
1 Jan to 2 Jan Mon to Tue New Year Holiday
20 Jan Sat National Mourning Day
8 Mar Fri International Women’s Day
20 Mar to 24 Mar Wed to Sun Novruz Holiday
10 Apr to 11 Apr Wed to Thu Ramazan Bayram Holiday
9 May Thu Victory Day
28 May Tue Republic Day
15 Jun Sat Salvation Day
16 Jun to 18 Jun Sun to Tue Gurban Bayram Holiday
17 Jun Mon Salvation Day Holiday
26 Jun Wed Armed Forces Day
8 Nov Fri Victory Day (Zəfər Günü)
9 Nov Sat Flag Day
11 Nov Mon Flag Day Holiday
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday to Thursday, 1 January to 2 January : New Year Holiday
Monday, 20 January : National Mourning Day
Saturday, 8 March : International Women’s Day
Monday,10 March : International Women’s Day Holiday
Thursday to Monday,20 March to 24 March : Novruz Holiday
Sunday to Tuesday, 30 March to 1 April : Ramazan Bayram Holiday
Friday, 9 May : Victory Day
Wednesday, 28 May : Republic Day
Friday to Sunday, 6 June to 8 June : Gurban Bayram Holiday
Sunday, 15 June : Salvation Day
Monday, 16 June : Salvation Day Holiday
Thursday, 26 June : Armed Forces Day
Saturday, 8 November : Victory Day (Zəfər Günü)
Sunday, 9 November : Flag Day
Monday, 10 November : Flag Day Holiday
Monday, 10 November : Victory Day Holiday (Zəfər Günü)
Wednesday, 31 December: Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis