Azerbaijan — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Foreign women should dress modestly, especially in the rural areas, and cultivate a certain coolness of manner. Both men and women should avoid wearing shorts as this will attract unwelcome attention. Although mostly Muslim in population, Azerbaijan is a largely secular society that views religion as a private matter. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Business cards are invariably exchanged at any kind of official meeting, and not infrequently on first meeting socially as well. It’s always a good idea to give gifts to people you meet, business contacts. Flowers, post-cards, picture books and alcohol make excellent presents.
International Travel
Getting There By Air
The national airline is Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) (website: www.azal.az), which operates regular flights to Ankara, London (via Istanbul), Paris, Milan, Moscow, Kiev, Dubai, Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Departure Tax
None.
Main Airports
Baku Bina (BAK) is 25km (16 miles) east of Baku (journey time - 40 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis and buses are available to the center. Facilities: Car hire, bank/bureau de change, left luggage facilities and a VIP lounge.
Getting There By Water
Main ports:Baku offers a range of shipping services across the Caspian Sea, including regular trips to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan and to Bandar Anzali and Bandar Nowshar in Iran.
Getting There By Rail
Azerbaijan is connected with Tbilisi in Georgia and Makhachkala in Dagestan (Russia), as well as Moscow and other major cities in the CIS.
Getting There By Road
There are routes from Azerbaijan to Iran, Georgia and the Russian Federation. It may be quicker to use public transport than to drive, owing to lengthy delays at the borders.
Bus: There are regular services on the following routes: Baku-Tehran, Baku-Tbilisi and Baku-Derbent (Russia).
Duty Free
Overview
The following goods may be imported into Azerbaijan by persons over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• 1000 cigarettes or 1000g of tobacco products.
• 1.5L of spirits and 2L of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
• Goods up to a value of US$10,000.
Note: On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables which must be registered on the declaration form.
Prohibited Imports
Weapons and ammunition, narcotics, live animals (subject to special permit), photographs and printed material directed against Azerbaijan, fruit and vegetables.
Prohibited Exports
Weapons and ammunition, precious metals, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture) and furs.
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) (website: www.azal.az) operate several flights a day between Baku and the Azeri ‘exclave’ of Naxçivan as well as connections between Baku and the second city Gence.
Getting Around By Water
A boat service sporadically links Baku to the southern city of Lenkeran.
Getting Around By Rail
Rail connections are slow but cheap.
Getting Around By Road
Traffic drives on the right. Azerbaijan’s road network totals around 57,770km (34,346 miles). Road conditions are often pretty poor and 4-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for journeys into the mountains, eg west of Kuba. Roads are rarely lit. Visitors should note that many local drivers do not adhere to traffic regulations and that cars are badly maintained.
Coach/bus: In general, the best way to get around the country on public transport is to use the large bus network. Buses are generally old and uncomfortable, but journey times are generally small compared to the far slower trains.
Car hire: International car hire firms are available in Baku.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit or license issued by an EU country is required.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Taxi fares should always be negotiated before starting a journey and visitors should be aware that rates proposed initially are likely to be unreasonably high. There is a metro system in Baku totaling 28km (17.5 miles) but it mainly connects the suburbs to the center and so most visitors use taxis or private cars for trips within the city center. Buses run from central Baku to the suburbs but they tend to be overcrowded.
