FAQ
HOW TO COME TO AZERBAIJAN
By plane
It is the easiest way to reach Azerbaijan, its capital - Baku by this kind of transport, where the International airport named after Heydar Aliyev ( 25 kilometres to the city center) is located. Increasing number of the western air companies connect Baku with Europe and the world. Besides, several airlines connect Baku with CIS cities making Baku a regional center. For example, there are a few daily flights from Moscow to Baku (one-way ticket price is average 115 -160 dollars, flight time - 2 hours 30 minutes). It is also possible to reach Azerbaijan via Turkey from European countries. There are plenty of flights and no problems.
• www.aerosvit.com
• www.azaviation.com
• www.aua.com/az/eng
• www.britishairways.com
• www.lufthansa.com
• www.silkway.com
By train
It is possible to get to Azerbaijan by train from Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. The trains Moscow-Baku go on the route from Russia to Baku three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (time of voyage is two and a half days). There is connection with Makhachkala, St-Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Rostov. From the Ukraine to Azerbaijan Kiev-Baku (on Tuesdays) and Kharkov-Baku (on Sundays) trains run.
From Georgia to Baku train departures every day in 18:55 and the other train departures on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in 20:50. Modern, comfortable express Tbilisi-Baku runs every day except for Wednesday and Friday. Voyage time is 12 hours. SI ltd Company organized train running between Baku and Tbilisi for the amateurs of the comfortable voyage of "Lux" class (ticket price is high enough, it costs 168 US dollars in one way, 270 dollars - both ways).
Arrived, one may reach metro station "28 May" just from the railway station in Baku located in the center of city. There are a lot of buses and taxis here as well. It will cost 3-6 Azeri manats (4-7 $) to get to any hotel by taxi.
There are 2,125 kilometres of local railway lines in Azerbaijan. The main routes are electrified ( 1,278 kilometres ). The head line of the railway runs along the coast of the Caspian Sea from Russia until Iran. You may reach Lankaran via this line. Another line is from Baku to Georgian bound. You may reach the cities of Ganja, Gazakh, Sheki, and Zagatala via this line.
On ship
It is possible to reach Baku on ship from Aktau (Kazakhstan) and Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan). The trip will take 12 hours. Price of the ticket from Baku is 56 - 70 US dollars.
By bus
It is possible to get to Azerbaijan by bus from Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, and Georgia. Total amount of the bus routes is nearly 30. Usually this transport is used by the CIS countries' citizens. Some queues, inspections may take place at the border. Departure and arrival is executed at the new bus station in Baku situated near the metro station "20 January".
By car
It is possible to get to Azerbaijan by car via Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Iran, as through the countries bordering on Azerbaijan. Visa for the automobile drivers is prepared in the same way as for other tourists. Automobile insurance is obligatory. It might be prepared in the local and foreign representative insurance companies that function in Baku.
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Getting a visa
In order to come to Azerbaijan, you have to get a visa in the embassy of the Republic of the Azerbaijan in your country. Visa is issue based on invitation from the business partner, private person or tourist agency. It is easier to get an Azeri visa via the tourist agency. State tax at the amount of 20 US dollars is charged from the tourists submitting tourist voucher or tourist permit since January 1, 2003.
The passengers visiting relatives should be registered in a local police office and should have registration record in the visa. In case of accommodation at the hotel, this record is placed by the hotel. The visa is valid only for the cities indicated in the visa.
Citizens of Iran, urgently, are recommended to obtain visa before arrival in Azerbaijan. The visa is not given out to citizens of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Because they have to present the invitation letter certified by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic to reception on arrival.
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Additional information
Vaccination
At the entrance to Azerbaijan from other countries, vaccination is not required.
Airport charges
There are no any airport charges from passengers on arrival at the airport of destination.
Customs control
Imports:
Free import is authorized to persons from 16 years and more:
- 1000 cigarettes or 1000 gram of tobacco products;
- 1.5 litres of alcohol, 2 litres of wine;
- reasonable quantity of perfumery for personal use
Azerbaijani citizens are allowed to import goods in an amount not exceeding 10,000 USD - only for personal use.
Citizens of other countries are allowed to import goods not exceeding 10000 USD.
Additional information:
If a video camera for personal use is declared, it's not required any special sanctions for importing it on arrival.
Re-export: the Customs declaration filled while arriving in Azerbaijan or other countries of CIS should be carefully kept, until the subsequent departure from Azerbaijan. This declaration should be presented at the departure from Azerbaijan and also from other countries of CIS.
IT IS FORBIDDEN:
Photos and printed editions carrying the anti-Azerbaijan character, animals (the special sanction is necessary), the weapon, ammunition, drugs (opium, hashish, etc.), fruit and vegetables.
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Links
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