Yes! Azerbaijan is one of the safest countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Terrorism, civil unrest, violent crimes and even pretty theft are exceedingly rare, with virtually no danger to tourists, even those traveling alone late at night. As with any travel, staying aware of your surroundings is advised, however as a Western traveler you may find Azerbaijan to be the safest place you have ever visited.

Regarding the war with Armenia: at present, the war is in a ceasefire state with both sides engaging in border delineation and peace negotiations. Any ceasefire violations occur in restricted areas that are far from Baku and any of Az Travel Co.’s recommended destinations.

Yes, most Western travelers, including US citizens, need an e-visa which can easily be obtained online in as little as three hours. Azerbaijan Travel Co. will handle your visa application to ensure a hassle-free entry to the country.

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are ideal, with pleasant weather for exploring Baku, the mountains, and cultural sites. Summers can be hot in the lowland areas, but air conditioning is universally available in all indoor spaces. Baku is known as the ‘City of Wind’ and there is frequently a strong breeze that makes outdoor activities in the summer heat tolerable, while summer nights are the best times to enjoy a cup of tea or a cold beer on an outdoor patio. Winters can be windy, wet, and cold, but heaters and blankets are usually provided for outdoor dining/lounging on chilly days.

The currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN), which is at a fixed exchange rate to the US Dollar. Most businesses accept card and contact-less payments, but cash can always come in handy, especially in rural areas. Fee-free ATMs are widely available across the country (just check your bank’s policies on foreign transaction fees).

Western travelers will find Azerbaijan to be very budget friendly. Often, the flight is the most expensive part of your trip. Depending on your desired level of service and activities, a daily budget of $100 per person (not including lodging) for food/drink, activities, and souvenirs would make the most of your trip, or book an all-inclusive itinerary and let us handle the details.

English is not widely spoken, especially in rural areas. Azerbaijani is the official language, while many people also speak Russian. Most tourist-oriented businesses will speak English, but learning a few phrases could be helpful. The language is a dialect of Turkish that uses familiar Latin based characters/pronunciations, while some English words translate directly. Azerbaijan Travel Co. employs English-speaking guides and staff, with our on-call support staff and facilitators available to ensure nothing is lost in translation.

For a comprehensive Azerbaijan trip, we recommend at least 5 days, with 3 of those days for exploring Baku and the surrounding regions and 1-2 days reserved for a trip to the mountain regions; however, you could easily spend a week eating, drinking, and exploring your way through Baku alone. Azerbaijan Travel Co. can create an itinerary for any length trip, whether you are just laying-over for a day or planning to spend 2 weeks exploring. Here are just some of our must-see Azerbaijani destinations:

• Baku – Old City, Flame Towers, Heydar Aliyev Center, and Central Park
• Gobustan – Pre-historic rock carvings and mud volcanoes in a UNESCO world heritage site, just an hour away from Baku
• Yanar Dag – Fire Mountain, just outside of Baku, it is one of few places in the world where you can naturally experience fire burning straight from the ground
• Sheki – Historic palaces and mountain scenery
• Gabala – Outdoor adventure, winter sports, and glamping
• Khinaliq – Go back in time in one of the highest and oldest mountain villages in the world

Azerbaijan is a moderate Muslim country that leans heavily towards modern fashion. In Baku, nearly all fashion choices are acceptable and you will fit in with Western-style clothing, but modest attire (full length pants/skirts and sleeves) is recommended when visiting religious sites and rural areas.

Absolutely, alcohol is widely available and commonly consumed. Locally produced wine and vodka are popular choices, while Azerbaijan is home to several mass and craft breweries, and you will find the delicious local beer selection (as well as Georgian, Russian, and European imports) broadly available. Don’t forget to grab a bottle (or 3!) of pomegranate wine to take home.

Azerbaijan takes its cuisine very seriously. There is a large emphasis on fresh ingredients and farm-to-table dining, with familiar overlap across Mediterranean and Eastern-European influences. Produce and vegetables are normally harvested within a day or two of consumption, while poultry, beef and lamb are frequently free-range, grass-fed, and slaughtered the same day they are served. International cuisine is widely available for those seeking something more familiar, while foodies visiting Baku will find excellent examples of Italian, Indian, and Georgian cuisine.

Some of our favorite Azerbaijani dishes include:

• Plov – Saffron-infused rice with meat and vegetables
• Dolma – Grape or cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice
• Kebabs – Various grilled meats and vegetables
• Dushbara – Small meat filled dumplings in a fragrant broth
• Pakhlava – Azerbaijani baklava, a sweet, flaky dessert pastry

Of course, our favorite is the Azerbaijani breakfast. Prepare to feast with a spread of over a dozen different sampling dishes to complement fresh breads, pastries, and hot egg, sausage, and potato plates.

Az Travel Co. will arrange for private driver services in a modern and luxurious vehicle, available either 24/7 or just as needed for airport transfers, tours, and regional excursions.

Additional options for those wishing to travel at their own pace include:

Taxis/Ride Hailing Services – Easy to download and call your first ride, ride hailing services such as Uber, Bolt, and Yango offer safe and affordable options to take cars of various sizes and classes all over the country. Pre-pay for your ride in-app and then enjoy the trip without any hassles. Enjoy the view with a group in a London bubble cab, or bask in the luxury of German engineering, it’s all at your fingertips.

Baku Metro – Efficient and cheap public transit, including an underground metro and buses, however it can be crowded during rush hour, while bus routes outside of Baku can be difficult to navigate for non-Azerbaijani speakers.

Scooters/Bicycles – In much of Baku, electric scooters and bicycles (pedal and electric assist) are widely available for rent by the minute with apps. The city has a well-developed network of scooter/bike lanes and riding can be the best way to beat traffic and explore the city at your own pace.

Rental Cars – You can opt to drive yourself through Baku and Azerbaijan in a wide variety of economy, luxury and off-road vehicles (or something in-between). Generally, however, we do not recommend first-time visitors self-drive due to the frenzied nature of driving in Azerbaijan, heavy traffic, and limited parking. But if you are an experienced international driver or just a thrill seeker, we are happy to show you the rules of the road.

Trains – Modern and comfortable high-speed trains are available for transfer between cities in Azerbaijan, however international rail services are currently unavailable. For those continuing onward into the Caucuses, you may ride to the northern border and cross into Georgia on foot, however currently, you may only enter the country by air at Heydar-Aliyev airport (GYD).

We accept all major credit and debit cards, paypal, and direct wire/bank transfer. Non-refundable airfare/hotel bookings must be paid upfront, with a 50% deposit required for other services at the time of booking. The remaining services balance must be paid within 10 business days of your arrival in Baku.

Azerbaijan Travel Co. understands stuff happens. With the exception of non-refundable airfare and hotel bookings, all ground transportation and tour services are 80% refundable if requested at least 10 business days before the start of the trip, and 50% refundable if requested less than 10 days before the trip begins. Fully refundable/reschedulable airfare and hotel bookings are available (typically with a surcharge which is calculated and assessed directly by the airline/hotel/service provider).

We are committed to offering the greatest value for your money and will always do our best to work with any schedule changes or cancellation requests to recoup or reschedule as much as possible with minimal price adjustments. We strive to provide transparency with our pricing and provide a breakdown of each service provided and its refundability, so you are always in the know.