Useful Information
Time Zone / Time Difference
The time zone of Azerbaijan is GMT+4.
The time difference between Baku and Moscow is –1 hour.
Please note that the local time in Azerbaijan may differ from the time in your city of residence. To determine the exact time difference depending on the season, we recommend using specialized online resources.
Customs Regulations
Foreign visitors entering the Republic of Azerbaijan and carrying a significant amount of jewelry, mobile phones, or other valuable equipment are strongly advised to complete a customs declaration indicating the exact amount of cash and other valuables.
Mandatory declaration applies to the import and export of cash exceeding USD 10,000. The customs declaration must be certified with the signature and stamp of a Customs Service officer and retained until departure from the Republic.
A special permit issued by the relevant authorities is required for the export of antiques and carpets.
Duty-free export per person (aged 16 and over) is permitted in the following quantities:
• up to 200 cigarettes;
• up to 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages;
• a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use;
• personal goods with a total value of up to USD 1,500 (for persons under 16 years of age — up to USD 500);
• jewelry containing up to 20 g of gold or up to 0.5 carats of diamonds;
• up to 30 kg of food products and up to 125 g of caviar per month;
• medicines in quantities sufficient for personal use.
Any carpets or handicraft items produced before 1960 are automatically classified as antiques and subject to taxation. Tax exemption is granted only upon presentation of a certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, which is provided when purchasing items from official art salons or licensed shops. Goods purchased at markets or private stores usually do not have such certificates — please clarify this at the time of purchase.
The transit of narcotic substances, weapons and ammunition (except hunting weapons with proper authorization), as well as literature and video materials that offend public morals or the constitutional order of the country, is strictly prohibited.
Customs regulations are subject to periodic changes. Please verify current information on the official website of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan: customs.gov.az
Passport Control
Upon arrival in Azerbaijan, all visitors must proceed to passport control.
Citizens of the Russian Federation and most CIS countries do not require a visa.
An exception applies to citizens of Turkmenistan.
IMPORTANT
If a passport contains evidence of visits to the territories of Azerbaijan that were previously under occupation (including Nagorno-Karabakh) during the occupation period, entry into Azerbaijan will be denied even if a valid visa is held.
Importation of products bearing Armenian symbols or alphabet is prohibited.
Baggage
In case your baggage does not arrive, please contact the airport Lost & Found service immediately and complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Indicate the delivery address for delayed baggage and keep one copy of the report.
Exit
After passing passport and customs control and collecting your baggage, proceed to the arrivals hall following the signs EXIT.
During Your Trip
Meeting with the Company Representative
If your tour includes a group or individual transfer, a representative of the receiving company will be waiting for you in the arrivals area holding a sign with the tourist’s surname (for individual transfers).
IMPORTANT:
If you cannot locate the representative for any reason, please contact the company immediately using the phone number provided in your tour program or transfer voucher.
Airport–Hotel Transfer
A representative of the receiving company will be waiting for you at the airport for no more than one hour from the scheduled landing time of your flight. In the event of significant delays of tourists (more than one hour), the transfer may not be provided. If, upon arrival in Azerbaijan, tourists decide to refuse the previously booked transfer, the cost of the transfer is non-refundable. Tourists traveling on group programs are advised, upon boarding the bus, to save the contact details of the tour escort or the representative of the receiving company.
IMPORTANT: In case of an international flight delay or unforeseen circumstances (issues with border or customs authorities, lost baggage, or inability to locate the meeting representative), you must contact the phone number указан at the end of the printed tour program or in the voucher.
If your tour package includes a group or individual transfer and, for any reason, you are unable to find the meeting representative, please contact the company representative using the phone number provided at the end of the printed tour program or in the transfer voucher (for individual tours).
Hotel Accommodation
Upon check-in, guests must present their passport and hotel voucher.
Standard check-in time is after 14:00, subject to room availability.
Baggage may be stored at the hotel until check-in.
In case of accommodation issues, please contact the receiving company representative or the manager who arranged your tour.
Passport
A passport is required for hotel registration. It is also advisable to carry your passport while in the city, on excursions, and when visiting restaurants and public places.
Hotel Services
Before using any hotel services, please confirm their cost.
Before using laundry services, clarify the processing time, which is usually no less than 24 hours.
Early Breakfast
In most hotels, breakfast is served from 7:00–8:00 a.m. until 10:00–11:00 a.m. In case of an early check-out, please check with the hotel staff whether packed breakfast boxes (“lunch boxes”) can be provided as an early breakfast.
Safe
Some hotels are equipped with in-room safes. Where available, guests are advised to store money and valuable items in the safe.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in guest rooms in most hotels. Both smoking and non-smoking room options may be available. This restriction also applies to public areas such as restaurants and cafés.
Hotel Check-Out
Hotel check-out time is generally by 12:00 noon.
Please remember to settle in advance any charges for additional paid services used at the hotel, such as telephone calls, in-room minibar, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
On the day of departure, guests should proceed to the reception desk at the time communicated by the guide.
Please make sure to verify this information against the details of your airline ticket.
Heydar Aliyev International Airport is located 25 km from the city center. To avoid missing your flight, it is recommended to plan your travel time to the airport taking into account road conditions and peak traffic hours.
Check-in for international flights opens 3 hours before departure.
Check-in closes 1 hour before departure.
Boarding gates close 15 minutes before departure.
Migration Registration
All foreign visitors staying in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days are required to complete free registration with the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan within 15 days from the date of arrival. A completed registration form, a copy of the passport, and a copy of the visa (for citizens of visa-required countries) must be submitted to the State Migration Service either in person, by email, or through the ASAN service centers.
Hotels provide assistance to their guests with this procedure; however, tourists staying in private apartments or in hotels without a license must complete the registration independently. The online registration service of the State Migration Service is also available at:
https://www.migration.gov.az/en/oyq/oyq
Each tourist is personally responsible for ensuring that the registration is completed.
Registration is completely free of charge; however, failure to register may result in a fine of 300–400 AZN and/or a ban on entry into the country for a certain period of time.
Tourist Tax
The tourist tax / city tax is USD 1.10 per person per night for hotels in Baku and USD 0.70 per person per night for hotels in the regions of Azerbaijan.
Money
The national currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN).
The exchange rate of the manat is relatively stable and averages approximately 1 USD = 1.7 AZN.
For the most up-to-date exchange rate information, we recommend checking the following resource prior to arrival: http://www.azn.az
Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 manats.
Currency exchange services are available at bank branches, post offices, or at hotel reception desks.
Bank Branches for 24/7 Currency Exchange in Baku, Azerbaijan
1. Bank Respublika
“Azneft” Branch, Office 24
67 Neftchilar Avenue (near the funicular) – open 24 hours
Hotline: 144
2. Yapi Kredi Azerbaijan
“Narimanov” Branch
106A Tabriz Street (Metropark)
Weekdays: 09:00–22:00
Weekends: 10:00–22:00
Hotline: *0444
3. BAKI MERKEZI VALYUTA LLC
Sabail District, 59 Khagani Street – open 24 hours
4. BAKI MERKEZI VALYUTA LLC
Additional outlet No. 1
Nasimi District, 81 Nizami Street – open 24 hours
5. Expressbank
“Nasimi” Branch
29 Bulbul Avenue / 189 Vidadi Street – open 24 hours
Hotline: 132
6. Pasha Bank
Heydar Aliyev International Airport – open 24 hours
Hotline: *9123
7. Kapital Bank
Ganjlik Mall Shopping and Entertainment Center
Weekdays: 11:00–19:00
Weekends: 11:00–21:00
Hotline: 196
Credit Cards
VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards are accepted for payments in almost all hotels, shops, cafés, restaurants, museums, and other establishments in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, as well as in major large cities. The use of credit cards in provincial areas and rural locations may be limited or not always available.
Use of MIR Cards
In Azerbaijan, MIR cards can be used to withdraw cash in Azerbaijani manats only at VTB Bank ATMs (see the list below). Card payments are not supported; only cash withdrawals and balance inquiries are available (a small fee applies for balance checks). Card top-ups are not possible.
Only MIR cards issued by Russian banks are accepted (with the exception of Ozon Bank). Visa and MasterCard cards issued by Russian banks do not work.
Please ensure that you have a standard MIR card and not a co-badged card. The card number must start with the digit 2, as co-badged Maestro–MIR cards issued by VTB do not work. The functionality of other co-badged cards (JCB and UnionPay) is currently unknown.
ATMs accept only physical (plastic) cards; NFC is not supported for virtual cards.
In some cases, the ATM screen may display a message about technical maintenance; however, if you insert the card, cash withdrawals usually work without any issues.
VTB Bank does not charge a fee for cash withdrawals, but your issuing bank may apply its own commission (please check with your bank). If the card account is denominated in rubles, the exchange is processed at the MIR system rate (except for Alfa-Bank cards).
The MIR exchange rate can be checked on the official system website: https://vamprivet.ru/currency/
Withdrawal limits per card:
• 250 AZN per transaction
• 500 AZN per day
VTB ATM Locations (as of early July 2024):
A Google Maps list with all currently confirmed VTB Bank ATMs: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jYzQ8tkHyiaiNcT96
NOTE: This information requires regular verification, as changes may occur.
If necessary, guests can obtain additional information about regulations, banking cards, and other related topics via a Russian-language chat channel for relocants in Azerbaijan: https://t.me/+plnhQ7J91fMzYzli
Shops
Retail outlets and markets operate from 09:00 (some boutiques open no earlier than 10:00 a.m.) until 20:00–21:00.
Shopping malls are open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. without breaks. Large supermarkets operate seven days a week, and some are open 24/7.
Cuisine and Restaurants
The fame of Azerbaijan’s rich cuisine has long spread around the world. It is worth noting that the capital offers guests the opportunity to enjoy not only national dishes but also cuisines from almost every country. International franchises, authentic cafés, upscale restaurants, open-air venues, cozy wine bars, lively beer pubs, and many other interesting establishments await those who wish to experience the city’s character through food and interaction with Baku residents.
Azerbaijani cuisine is widely known for kebabs, meat dishes—particularly lamb, beef, poultry, and fish—as well as dishes prepared in a tandoor oven. Due to Islamic dietary requirements, pork dishes are not offered in most traditional restaurants. A distinctive feature of Azerbaijani cuisine is the extensive use of spices and fresh herbs, including hot and aromatic peppers, basil, cinnamon, cloves, dill, parsley, coriander, mint, cumin, saffron, and especially sumac.
A wide variety of vegetables and fruits is available in Azerbaijan throughout the year and is actively used in national cuisine, particularly in one of the signature dishes—dolma. One of the most famous Azerbaijani dishes is plov.
Cultural and Religious Sites
Visiting Places of Worship
Tourists of non-Islamic faiths are permitted to visit mosques in Azerbaijan. When visiting a mosque, it is necessary to observe the established rules and dress appropriately. Entry in shorts or short skirts is prohibited. Women are advised to cover their heads with a scarf or head covering.
Museums
Most museums are open seven days a week. Some museums are closed on Mondays.
Please check museum opening hours and admission fees with your guides on site.
Official Public Holidays
1 January – New Year’s Day
8 March – International Women’s Day
20–21 March – Novruz Holiday (the schedule of non-working days may extend for up to one week)
9 May – Victory Day
28 May – Republic Day
15 June – National Salvation Day of the Azerbaijani People
26 June – Armed Forces Day
8 November – Victory Day in the Karabakh War
9 November – State Flag Day
17 November – National Revival Day
31 December – Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis Worldwide
Muslim holidays — Gurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) and Ramadan Bayram (Eid al-Fitr) — have movable dates.
Telecommunications
We recommend activating international roaming and any special roaming packages offered by your mobile operator prior to traveling to Azerbaijan in order to reduce call costs. Fixed-line and mobile communications, as well as internet access, are widely available and generally operate without issues. The leading mobile network operators are Azercell, Bakcell, and Azerfon.
Public Transportation
Public transportation in Baku includes route buses, the Baku Metro, and taxis (street taxis, taxi services ordered via short numbers such as #189, as well as taxi booking through applications such as Uber and Bolt). Transportation between regions is provided by intercity buses, railway services, and domestic flights operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL).
To travel on buses within the city of Baku and on the metro, passengers are required to purchase Baku Bus cards. Information on bus routes and card prices is available on the website: https://www.bakubus.az/en
Cards for buses and the metro can be purchased from special terminals installed at bus stops and within metro stations.
The option to pay for fares on BakuBus vehicles and in the Baku Metro using NFC-enabled bank cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, has also been activated. Currently, up to two consecutive trips can be paid for with a single card or device. Further expansion of the number of consecutive payments is planned.
Car Rental and Parking
There are many car rental companies operating in cities across Azerbaijan, particularly in Baku. In addition, car rental services can be arranged at the reception desk of almost any hotel. An international driving license is required to operate a vehicle in Azerbaijan.
In Baku, paid parking is available at shopping centers, along city streets, and in dedicated parking facilities.
Tipping
In many restaurants, tips amount to 5–10% of the total bill. If tipping is not included or mentioned in the menu or on the bill, guests may add approximately 10% to the total amount. Porters at the airport or in hotels may be tipped around 5 AZN, depending on the amount of luggage. Tipping is not customary for taxi services; it is recommended to agree on the fare in advance.
Excursions and Transfers
Group services:
Pre-booked and prepaid services, such as transfers and excursions, are provided only at the time specified in the tour program or voucher. The schedule may be adjusted by the group escort on site due to specific circumstances, such as flight delays, traffic congestion, vehicle breakdowns, or guide illness.
Individual services:
For each individual service, you will be issued a separate voucher indicating the date, time, and meeting point, as well as a contact phone number to be used in case of any issues or questions.
We strongly recommend booking excursions as early as possible, as popular routes may have limited availability, and last-minute bookings may not be accommodated.
Please check cancellation deadlines and penalty conditions with your manager at the time of booking.
During museum visits as part of excursions, entrance tickets must be paid on site. For guaranteed group tours, museum entrance fees included in the program are already included in the tour price.
For all excursions, we recommend wearing comfortable flat shoes, a hat, carrying an umbrella, a camera, and drinking water. For excursions that include visits to cathedrals and churches, appropriate attire is required: shoulders and knees must be covered.
Tourists who fail to attend or arrive late for an excursion are not entitled to a refund or rescheduling of the excursion to another date.
Insurance and Medical Assistance
Medical Insurance Policy and Medical Care
When traveling abroad, every tourist is required to have a medical insurance policy. The policy must include the tourist’s surname and the dates of their stay in Azerbaijan. The insurance policy contains information in Russian regarding the rules for coverage of medical expenses. Please make sure to carefully review the terms and conditions of the insurance contract before traveling.
In order to receive medical assistance, you should contact the representative office of your insurance company using the phone number indicated in the policy and provide the following details: the insured person’s surname, first name, date of birth, and insurance policy number. A representative of the medical assistance service will clarify the situation, determine your location, explain how to proceed, inform you of the coverage available, and, if necessary, refer you to a doctor. In such cases, the medical examination and subsequent treatment are covered by the insurance company.
In certain situations, it may be necessary to pay for medical treatment on the spot. This is permitted only with the prior approval of the insurance company. In such cases, the expenses incurred by the tourist under the insured event will be reimbursed by the insurance company’s representative office after the tourist returns home, provided that supporting documents are submitted.
If a tourist seeks medical assistance independently without contacting the insurance company, all medical expenses must be paid personally, and the tourist may not be entitled to full reimbursement by the insurer.
Personal Safety
Azerbaijan is generally a safe country with a low crime rate. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, we recommend not leaving your luggage unattended in crowded places (airports, public transport stops, trains, buses, railway stations, stadiums, shops, etc.), and not leaving personal valuables in plain sight, including in hotels, restaurants, or on seats in public transportation.
General Information
Azerbaijan is a secular country despite its strong Muslim and Caucasian traditions. In Baku and other major cities, the majority of the population speaks Russian, and younger people also speak English. As in other countries of the East and the Caucasus, tourists are treated in a friendly and hospitable manner.
Azerbaijan is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Overall crime rates are very low, and street crime is almost nonexistent. Cities are generally clean and well organized. Citizens and tourists alike are required to comply with local laws, as in any other country. Purchasing goods from street vendors or from private individuals is not recommended.
Photography and video recording are generally permitted throughout Azerbaijan. Exceptions include the metro system, oil industry facilities, and certain government buildings, where written permission from the authorities may be required. If a tourist wishes to photograph an unfamiliar person, it is customary to ask for permission in advance.
Tax Free
A TAX FREE system operates in Azerbaijan, allowing for full or partial refunds of value-added tax (VAT) paid on goods purchased by foreign citizens, including tourists. VAT paid by foreign citizens for goods not intended for production or commercial use, purchased in stores displaying “Tax Free” stickers, is refunded at the airport upon departure from Azerbaijan.
To take advantage of the Tax Free system, purchases must be made at retail outlets marked with “Tax Free” stickers. The total value of goods purchased under a single electronic tax invoice (including VAT) must be at least 300 AZN, and the goods must be exported from the country by air within 90 days from the date of purchase. VAT refunds are issued either in cash or via transfer to a bank card. The refundable VAT amount is paid after deducting a 20% service fee charged by the authorized bank and additional fees for banking operations.
Emergency and Information Telephone Numbers in Azerbaijan
Fire Service: 101
Police: 102
Ambulance: 103
Receiving Company Hotline:
+994 50 250 11 56
