How to Get Around Baku, Azerbaijan: Public Transport Guide

Public transport within Azerbaijan is provided in Baku by the metro and by buses linked to the BakıKart system; payment is made with a plastic card or, on the metro, with a QR ticket. A single fare applies at all metro stations. Since Turkish citizens can travel visa-free, preparation mostly comes down to choosing a card and an app. Below you'll find fares, payment methods, and the airport line.

In brief

• In Baku, payment on the metro and on BakıKart-linked buses is made with the BakıKart; a QR ticket is also valid on the metro.
• The metro fare is 0.60 AZN at all stations; the bus fare varies by line.
• The 0.50 AZN fare applies only on the 20 listed bus lines; the airport line H-1 costs 1.30 AZN.
• A QR ticket is valid for a single ride and becomes invalid if not used within 45 minutes.
• The plastic card's price appears as 2 and 3 AZN on official pages; the amount shown on the vending machine is what counts.

The essence of the rule: metro, bus, and BakıKart

The backbone of public transport in Baku is the metro and city buses. On the metro and on BakıKart-linked city buses, payment is made with a plastic card called the BakıKart. The metro also offers a QR ticket option, letting you pass through with just your phone, without buying a card.

The metro fare is uniform: a ride costs 0.60 AZN at every station. On buses, however, the fare varies by line group; details are in the bus section.

This article covers only Baku; we don't have verified information on transport in Azerbaijan's other cities. The visa situation for Turkish citizens is visa-free; check current entry requirements on the Azerbaijan country page. No separate document is needed to get around the city — a payment method is enough.

Editorial tip: if you're staying only briefly, choose accommodation within walking distance of a metro station. Daily commuting comfort is largely determined by the distance between your hotel and the station.

Metro: physical card and QR ticket

There are two ways to pay on the metro.

Physical BakıKart

The card is bought from vending machines at or right in front of metro station entrances. Simply tap the card on the turnstile reader. The plastic card's sale price appears as 2 AZN on the metro's official Azerbaijani-language page and 3 AZN on the English-language page. Since the pages differ, go by the amount shown on the vending machine's screen.

QR ticket

The QR ticket is for a single ride only. Once generated, it becomes invalid if not used within 45 minutes. So generate the ticket right before entering the station, not earlier. QR tickets can be obtained from the following apps:

• BakıKart
• Birbank
• ABB Mobile
• M10
• Baku Metropolitan APP

Editorial tip: if you'll be staying several days, a physical card is more practical; for a single ride, a QR ticket is enough. Some of these apps are local banking apps. Test from Turkey whether the installation and your payment method work before you set off.

Buses and the airport line

On Baku city buses linked to the BakıKart system, payment is made with the plastic card. Fares vary by line; the verified fares we have are as follows:

• 0.50 AZN: only on city lines 9, 15, 26, 29, 36, 37, 39, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 64, 76, 78, 83, 85, 92, and 96.
• 1.30 AZN: the suburban H-1 line, i.e. the airport line.

Don't generalize this 0.50 AZN fare to all buses. If you're taking a line not on the list, check the amount in the card app or on the vehicle before boarding.

If you're heading into the city from the airport, the H-1 line is the public transport option. We don't have information on departure times. If you'll be arriving late at night, check the line's schedule in advance and keep a taxi as a backup plan. Before getting in a taxi, agree on the destination and the fare beforehand.

Editorial tip: always keep a balance for a few rides on your card. Searching for your card on a crowded bus slows down both you and other passengers.

Differences and common mistakes

Rules differ by mode of transport. Mixing them up is the most common source of mistakes.

Confusing the fares

The metro has a single fare, while the bus fare varies by line. The airport line H-1 has a different fare from the listed city lines. Don't apply the fare you learned for the metro to the bus.

Generating the QR ticket too early

The ticket becomes invalid if not used within 45 minutes. Generating it in the morning and trying to use it later in the day won't work. The ticket is for one ride only; you need a new ticket for each ride.

Overlooking the difference in card prices

Official pages give different amounts for the plastic card: 2 AZN on the Azerbaijani page, 3 AZN on the English page. Accept the amount shown on the vending machine, or don't proceed.

Assuming cash is accepted

Payment on the metro and on BakıKart-linked buses is defined as card-based. We don't have verified information that cash is accepted; make sure you have a card or a QR ticket on hand.

Planning only one way

It's common to think about the balance for the outbound trip and forget the return. When planning your day, calculate both outbound and return rides together.

Step by step: what to do on your first day

1. Get a card. Buy a physical BakıKart from the vending machine at a metro station entrance. If you're staying several days, this is the least troublesome option.
2. Calculate the number of rides. A metro ride costs 0.60 AZN. On the bus, the amount varies by line; only the 20 listed lines cost 0.50 AZN, while the H-1 line costs 1.30 AZN.
3. Install an app. For a QR ticket, download one of BakıKart, Birbank, ABB Mobile, M10, or Baku Metropolitan APP. This becomes a backup if you don't have a card.
4. Plan your airport departure. If you'll use the H-1 line, check the 1.30 AZN fare and the departure schedule; keep a taxi as a backup for late hours.
5. Tap your card at the metro entrance. Hold the card against the turnstile reader. If using a QR ticket, generate it right before entering the station.
6. Verify the bus line. Compare the line number you'll board against the list above; if it's not listed, find out the fare before boarding.

Following this order means everything you need for your first day's transport will be ready. Also try the walk between your hotel and the station on the first day.

If you're on a tour, and a checklist

If you're joining an organized tour, read the tour page to see which transfers are included in the program. For example, the Dolu Dolu Azerbaijan Tour Baku Route lasts 4 days; on days with free time, getting around the city may be your own responsibility. You can compare other Baku-centered options on the Azerbaijan tours page. The tour named Can Şehir Baku Turkish Airlines Tour includes the phrase "travel possible without a visa, without a passport, with a new-type ID card"; this is a phrase carried over from the tour's name. Verify the conditions for entry with an ID card on the tour page and on the country page.

Checklist

• Verify the visa situation on the country page: visa-free for Turkish citizens.
• Install at least one of the QR ticket apps on your phone and test opening it.
• Check the location of the metro station in advance for getting a physical card.
• Remember that the plastic card's price is shown differently on official pages; the amount on the vending machine applies.
• Check the H-1 fare and departure schedule; plan a taxi backup.
• Check your airline's current baggage and arrival time information.
• Review the checklist for traveling abroad for documents, tickets, insurance, and baggage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the metro fare in Baku?

The fare for a ride on the Baku Metro is 0.60 AZN at all stations. The amount doesn't vary by distance. Payment is made with the BakıKart or with a QR ticket.

How do you board a bus in Baku and how do you pay?

On city buses linked to the BakıKart system, payment is made with the plastic BakıKart. The 0.50 AZN fare applies only to lines 9, 15, 26, 29, 36, 37, 39, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 64, 76, 78, 83, 85, 92, and 96. The fare on the airport line H-1 is 1.30 AZN; check the amount before boarding other lines.

How do you get a QR ticket on the Baku metro?

A QR ticket can be obtained from the BakıKart, Birbank, ABB Mobile, M10, and Baku Metropolitan APP apps. The ticket is valid for a single ride. Once generated, it becomes invalid if not used within 45 minutes.

Where can you buy a BakıKart, and how much does it cost?

A physical BakıKart is bought from vending machines at or in front of metro station entrances. The official Azerbaijani-language metro page lists the sale price as 2 AZN, while the English page lists it as 3 AZN. Go by the amount shown on the vending machine.

Can you get from Baku airport to the city by public transport?

Yes, the suburban H-1 line is the airport line, with a fare of 1.30 AZN. We don't have information on departure times; if you'll be arriving late, check in advance. If necessary, consider a taxi as a backup plan.

Can Turkish citizens travel to Azerbaijan without a visa?

Yes, the visa situation for Turkish citizens is visa-free. It's best to check current entry requirements on the country page.

Sources

• BakıKart Bilet və tariflər — bakikart.az
• "Baku Metropoliten" Closed Joint-Stock Company — metro.gov.az
• Purchasing the permanent-use (plastic) "BakıKart" card — metro.gov.az