Last checked: November 2026
The easiest way to get around Azerbaijan is to use the metro and ride-hailing apps in Baku, then hire a driver, take a train or join a tour for trips outside the capital. Public transport between regions is limited, and journeys often take longer than the distances suggest.
Quick answer: Use the metro and ride-hailing apps in Baku. For the mountains and Sheki, a hired car with a driver is the simplest option. Trains from Baku suit Ganja and the west, buses cover most towns, and domestic flights are limited and change often.
Safety note: the US State Department rates Azerbaijan Level 3, “Reconsider travel”, and the UK government advises against travel in parts of the country. Read the US advisory and the UK travel advice before you plan routes, and keep every road trip outside the regions they name.
How Long Do Journeys Take Between Main Places?
The table uses distances and times from our other guides and from the operators named. Treat road times as a guide, because traffic and weather change them.
| Route | Distance and time | Best option |
|---|---|---|
| Baku to Gobustan | About 64 km, roughly an hour by car | Taxi, driver or tour |
| Baku to Quba | About 170 km | Car with driver or intercity bus |
| Baku to Gabala | About 212 km, roughly 2 hours 45 minutes by car | Car with driver |
| Baku to Sheki | Four to five hours by car | Car with driver, or bus or train if you have time |
| Baku to Ganja | About 340 km by road, around five hours | Train or car |
| Baku to Gazakh | 5 hours 36 minutes on the ADY high-speed service | Train |
| Ganja to Gabala | About 139 km, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes by ADY train | Train |
For a day-by-day plan that uses these times, see our Azerbaijan itineraries. Our best places to visit in Azerbaijan guide explains what each stop is worth.
Can You Travel Around Azerbaijan by Train?
Yes, on a few routes. Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) runs the national network, and you can buy tickets through the official ADY ticket site. Trains on the Baku to Gazakh line stop at Baku, Bilajari, Ganja, Tovuz and Aghstafa, among other stations, and ADY has extended its high-speed Stadler service along that line.
A newer ADY service links Ganja with Gabala, which makes a mountain trip possible without a car. Suburban electric trains also connect Baku with Sumgayit. Timetables change, so check the ADY site close to your travel date and don’t build a tight connection around one departure.
How Does the Baku Metro Work?
Baku has the only metro in Azerbaijan. It has three lines and 27 stations, and it runs daily from about 6:00 until midnight. Key interchanges are 28 May, Jafar Jabbarly and Memar Ajami.
You pay with a BakiKart, a rechargeable card sold and topped up at machines in stations and at some bus stops. The same card works on city buses. Fares and card prices have changed in recent years, so check the Baku Metro site or BakiKart for current figures.
Are Taxis and Ride-Hailing Apps Reliable?
Bolt and Yango are widely used in Baku, and Uber works through a local app, according to expat guides. The UK government notes that Uber and Bolt are widely available and advises agreeing taxi fares in advance. Apps show the price before you ride, which avoids most arguments.
Payment options vary, so carry some small notes in manat. Street taxis are usually not metered, so agree the fare before you get in. We cover airport pick-ups in our flights to Azerbaijan guide, so this page doesn’t repeat them.
Can You Drive in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan drives on the right. The UK government warns that many vehicles are poorly maintained and that driving is often erratic, so a driver is a sensible choice for first-time visitors.
If you rent a car, confirm the licence and insurance rules with the rental company and an Azerbaijani embassy before you travel. Check mountain roads to Quba, Khinalug and Gabala in winter, when snow can slow journeys. Never plan a drive through the regions named in the safety advice.
What About Buses and Domestic Flights?
Intercity buses run from Baku to most major towns, including Sheki and Ganja, and they cost less than a driver. They are also slower, and schedules differ by route, so check times at the station or with the operator.
Domestic flights serve a small number of airports, such as Ganja, Gabala, Zaqatala and Nakhchivan, and routes change often. The US State Department reports that a drone struck Nakhchivan airport on 5 March 2026, so check the current status of any domestic flight before you book.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Choose a car with a driver if you want the fastest and simplest trip to Quba, Khinalug, Gabala or Sheki.
- Choose a bus or train if you want the lowest cost and can accept a longer journey.
- Choose the Ganja to Gabala train if you want a scenic route without driving.
- Choose the metro if you are moving around central Baku at busy times.
- Choose a ride-hailing app for short trips at night or with luggage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Getting into a street taxi without agreeing the fare.
- Planning several long road trips in one day. Add buffer time for traffic and mountain roads.
- Assuming a train or bus runs every day. Timetables change.
- Routing a trip through a region named in the US or UK advice.
- Relying on a land border crossing. The UK government says entry by air is the only unrestricted way in.
Short Checklist Before You Travel
- Download Bolt, Yango or the local Uber app before you arrive.
- Buy a BakiKart if you plan to use the metro or buses.
- Check the ADY timetable and book train tickets on the official site.
- Confirm driving licence rules if you plan to rent a car.
- Keep your hotel address in Azerbaijani script or on a map for your driver. Our where to stay in Azerbaijan guide helps you pick a base.
Getting Around Azerbaijan: FAQs
Is Uber available in Azerbaijan?
Yes, but ride-hailing in Baku mostly runs through Bolt, Yango and a local Uber app, according to expat guides. Download the app before you arrive, check the price shown before you confirm, and keep some manat in cash in case a driver cannot take cards.
Is the Baku metro easy to use?
The metro has three lines and 27 stations and runs from about 6:00 until midnight. You need a BakiKart to pay, and transfers between lines are free according to local guides. Security staff may check bags, so allow a few extra minutes at busy stations.
How do you get from Baku to Sheki?
The fastest option is a car or private driver, which takes about four to five hours. Buses and an ADY rail service also run to Sheki but take longer, so confirm current timetables with the operators. Plan at least two days in Sheki so the trip is worth the journey.
Can you take a train from Baku to Ganja?
Yes. Azerbaijan Railways runs passenger trains from Baku towards Gazakh with a stop in Ganja, including a high-speed Stadler service that takes 5 hours 36 minutes to reach Gazakh. Book through the official ADY ticket site and check the timetable close to your travel date.
For official visitor information, see azerbaijan.travel. Our Azerbaijan visa guide for tourists covers entry rules.