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Azerbaijan FAQ

Is tipping customary in Azerbaijan?

In established restaurants, bars, hotels and taxis, a 5-10% service charge is usually added to the bill - though feel free to tip more than this for exceptional service. At restaurants where a service charge isn’t included, 10% is the acceptable gratuity. Although tipping at other places isn't mandatory it will be well received, and setting aside a small amount for porters, guides and drivers is also a good idea.

What is the internet access like in Azerbaijan?

Internet cafes with reliable and fast connections can easily be found in all of Azerbaijan’s major cities and towns.

Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in Azerbaijan?

Mobile coverage is extensive throughout the capital and major cities, but pretty much non-existent in the remote mountainous parts of the country. Roaming agreements are in place with most international cellular companies.

What are the toilets like in Azerbaijan?

Clean and flushable Western-style toilets are generally the go at established tourist attractions across the country, though one should be prepared for some pretty ordinary squat/pit toilets elsewhere. Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper, as these aren’t always at hand.

What will it cost for a...?

1.5 litre bottle of water = .60 AZN
Bottle of local beer = 2.5 AZN
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant = 8 AZN
Meal at a mid-range restaurant = 40 AZN

Can I drink the water in Azerbaijan?

Tap water isn't safe to drink in Azerbaijan. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, bring water purification tablets or ask your leader where filtered water can be found.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Azerbaijan?

Some major credit cards will be accepted at some high-end restaurants and hotels, but it's best not to rely on these.

What is ATM access like in Azerbaijan?

ATMs are prevalent in Baku and other major towns, though won’t necessarily be internationally connected or reliable. Be sure to have other payment methods when visiting the country.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling in Azerbaijan?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

What public holidays are celebrated in Azerbaijan?

Jan 1 New Year's Day
Jan 20 Martyrs' Day
Mar 8 International Women's Day
Mar 21 Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Mar 29 Good Friday
Apr 1 Easter Monday
May 9 Victory Day
May 28 Republic Day
Jun 15 National Salvation Day
Jun 26 Army and Navy Day
Aug 8 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Oct 15 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
Oct 18 Independence Day
Nov 12 Constitution Day
Nov 17 National Revival Day
Dec 31 Day of Azeri Solidarity

Please note these dates are for 2013. For a current list of public holidays go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/azerbaijan/public-holidays

Do I need a visa to travel to Azerbaijan?

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay.

We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.

  • AZERBAIJAN (DRAGOMAN OVERLAND):

    LETTERS OF INVITATION (LOI):
    Most nationalities require a visa to visit Azerbaijan. Most also require a LOI in order to apply although this can depend on where your application is made. Visa rules for Azerbaijan are constantly changing and embassy staff often find it hard to keep up with or know how to interpret them. We recommend checking the following websites for reports and up to date information: http://azerbaijan24.com & http://caravanistan.com.

    The following information was current at the time of writing. You will need to check with the embassy where you will apply for specific information and costs.

    VISA ON ARRIVAL:
    It is no longer possible to get a visa on arrival at Baku Airport or at any land border into Azerbaijan. All travellers must apply for their Single Entry Tourist Visa to Azerbaijan in advance.

    APPLYING FOR AN E-VISA:
    From March 2013 Azerbaijan has introduced an e-visa system. This is an online process, with the visa emailed to you as a PDF attachment that you will need to print out. This visa enables entry to Azerbaijan at any border point, land or air and is issued strictly for the dates your documents show only. The e-visa costs US$100 and takes up to 15 days to be processed and requires submitting the following documents:

    *Clear, colour copy of passport in JPEG format
    *Clear, colour copy of applicant’s photo size 3x4 cm in JPEG format
    *Flight reservation details if arriving or departing by air
    *Confirmation of hotel booking – This can be requested from Dragoman by emailing centralasiavisas@dragoman.co.uk
    *Completed e-visa application form in WORD format

    Please note that as this is a very new service, application via an embassy is still the advised method of obtaining your Azerbaijan visa.

    OTHER:
    Most embassies require a Letter of Invitation (LOI), however every Azerbaijan embassy interprets visa regulations differently. It is important that you nominate where you will be applying for your Azerbaijan visa when filling out The Visa Machine form so that we can provide you with the correct documentation. If the embassy has very strict regulations that require additional documents we are usually able to provide these for an additional fee of approx. US$190.

    Recent reports indicate that the following embassies do not require any additional official documents beyond the standard LOI, although they may request original documents on occasion: Brussels, Berlin, Paris, Hague, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bern, London, Washington. There is no Azerbaijan representation in Australia or New Zealand so nationals of those countries are advised to apply to the embassy in Kuala Lumpur: http://azembassy.com.my/visit/visa.htm. We recommend checking the following websites for recent reports and up to date visa information: http://azerbaijan24.com & http://caravanistan.com.

    INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR VISA APPLICATION:
    Organisation, juridical or physical person inviting you to Azerbaijan:
    Mirvari Travel Ltd.
    Istiqlaliyyet str. 23
    Baku
    +994 12 492 09 45

    Address of the place of your stay in Azerbaijan:
    Azeri Hotel
    Icheri Sheher
    Asif Zeynally street 39
    AZ1000, Baku
    (unless otherwise indicated on your LOI)

    DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VISA APPLICATION:
    * Letter of Invitation (LOI), additional official documents depending on the embassy
    * Photocopy of your passport
    * Passport size photos (up to 4)
    * Please check with the embassy for any other specific requirements

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Azerbaijan at a glance

  • 14
  • Baku (population 2.1 million)
  • 9.3 million
  • Azerbaijani
  • AZN
  • (GMT+04:00) Baku
  • Type C (European 2-pin)
  • +994

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