Heydar Aliyev Airport to Central Baku
Baku's airport sits roughly 25 km northeast of the centre, which is a 25 to 40 minute drive depending on traffic. There are three sensible ways in, and one common way to overpay.
The options
The airport express bus is the cheapest route into town and runs to the central 28 May metro area. It requires a rechargeable transport card, bought and topped up at the airport bus stop — you cannot pay the driver in cash, and this is the single detail that catches most arrivals.
Official airport taxis queue outside arrivals with fixed rates. Ride-hailing apps also work in Baku and are usually cheaper, though pickup points at the airport can be a short walk from the terminal door. A pre-booked private transfer costs more than the app but removes the negotiation entirely, which matters on a late arrival.
Arrival practicalities
Get some local currency before you leave the terminal. Baku takes cards widely, but the bus card machine and small purchases do not, and the exchange desks at the airport are convenient even if the rate is not the best you will find.
A local SIM or eSIM is worth sorting at the airport too — the counters are in arrivals and the process takes a passport and a few minutes. If you have a tour booked for the next morning with hotel pickup, confirm the pickup point in writing before you land rather than after.
Tours covering this route
Baku City Tour | 30 Highlights
In just four hours, walk through Baku's 30 most memorable sights on a single route where panoramic viewpoints, UNESCO heritage, modern architecture and the quiet corners of the old town all come together. The journey opens at Highland Park, where the bay and the famous Flame Towers lie right at your feet. From there you'll stroll the seaside Boulevard, slip inside the medieval walls of Icherisheher, pause before the enigmatic Maiden Tower and finish the day on lively Fountain Square and Nizami Street. A professional local guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and a ticket for the Baku funicular are all included. It's the ideal route for travellers who want to feel the heart of the city in a short time, yet truly deeply.
- Panoramic views of the bay and the Flame Towers from Highland Park
- A ride on the Baku funicular, plus Martyrs' Lane and the Eternal Flame
- Seafront landmarks: the Carpet Museum, Little Venice and Baku Boulevard
Sheki Tour (2 Days)
Azerbaijan's cultural gem — a 2-day tour in Sheki with historic palaces and traditional cuisine.
- Sheki Khan's Palace — 18th-century architectural masterpiece
- Historic Caravanserai — one of the best preserved examples
- Visit Sheki silk factory