Why Are All Indians Visiting Baku Azerbaijan? Is It Really Worth The Hype?

Baku, Azerbaijan, has surely become an increasingly popular destination for Indian tourists. With almost every travel influencer talking about Azerbaijan and after watching multiple videos on Instagram, it is for sure that Baku has gained internet popularity. 

According to data from the Embassy of India in Baku, nearly 368,900 Indians visited Baku in 2023. Furthermore, it is believed that the number of Indian tourists has almost tripled in the first half of 2024 itself. As per Travel and Tour World, January 2024, saw a 140% increase in tourist arrivals from India with more than 10,000 tourists during that time. Thanks to the seamless connectivity between Mumbai, Delhi and Baku by Azerbaijan Airlines and Indigo. 

One of the main reasons for Baku’s popularity is also its proximity to India and how convenient it is to travel. With direct flights taking just four hours and round-trip tickets priced around ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, Baku has definitely become an attractive destination. 

Moreover, it offers a unique blend of European, medieval Gulf, and Asian vibes, making it a fascinating place to explore on a budget. So why not?

Additionally, obtaining a visa for Baku has become much simpler with the introduction of a quick e-visa process. You can now get an e-visa for Azerbaijan Baku in just four to five business days for around ₹2,800 to ₹2,900 from their official website. Thus, making is easier to plan a short and quick trip and that too not much in advance.

A Fun Fact – When I visited Baku in June 2024, I was amazed to see that 80% to 90% of the tourists were from India. At all popular tourist destinations of Baku, we would at least see 30-40% of Indian tourists. It’s undoubtedly clear that Baku is gaining wide popularity among Indian travellers who looking for an international destination with European-like charm, just a short flight away from home.

But is Baku really worth all the hype? Is it the same as seen through reels and videos? Let me share my experience of travelling in Azerbaijan for 14 days to help you decide. 

After all, who doesn’t want to add one more country to their travel list?

Is Baku Really Worth Visiting? 

Now, the important question remains: Is visiting Baku really worth the hype? 

In my opinion, it definitely is. 

We visited Azerbaijan in June 2024 for a 14-day long trip and covered 6 cities – Baku, Gebele, Sheki, Ganja Shahdag, and Shamakhi. 

Most importantly, Baku’s appeal lies in its unique selling points such as direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi, easy e-visa access, and European-like vibes. In addition to this, Azerbaijan offers a variety of scenic options and tourist attractions.

In Baku, you get to witness the modern skyscrapers, Baku’s F1 Pit Lane, F1 Race Track and well-developed roads. In contrast, places like Gabala, Shahdag, and Sheki offer stunning natural landscapes with green mountains. You can also explore the historical charm of ancient towns such as Gabala, Ganja, and Sheki.

In Ganja, you can spot charming old cars from historic car manufacturers, adding to the city’s ancient countryside appeal.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a destination that combines these scenic views and fits within a budget, Azerbaijan is then truly worth visiting. And of course, once you decide to travel to Baku Azerbaijan, the next step is getting your Azerbaijan visa. Thankfully, the process is straightforward, online and pretty simple. Here’s how you can do it.

How To Apply For an Azerbaijan EVisa from India?

Azerbaijan E Visa for Indians – You can easily apply for Azerbaijan’s E Visa from the official website of the Republic Of Azerbaijan – Official Electronic Visa Portal.

Firstly, you can easily apply for a single-entry e-visa from their website, which is valid for a 30-day stay. If you need it urgently, there’s an option for an urgent e-visa, also valid for 30 days. The difference lies in the processing time. A regular single-entry visa takes about 4-5 business days to process, while an urgent single-entry e-visa is issued within 3 hours, regardless of business days and working hours.

This e-visa facility for Azerbaijan is valid for various purposes of travel like tourism, cultural visits, business, etc. You can find the eligible list of travel purposes here. During the application process, you will need to enter your basic personal details, your intended arrival and departure dates, and upload a scanned copy of your passport. Once you’ve completed these steps, your e-visa will be emailed to you within 4-5 business days, or within 3-4 hours if you opt for the urgent e-visa.

There is absolutely no need to apply for the visa through any third-party travel agency or tour website. That’s it, it’s that simple. Just take a printout of your EVisa and travel worry-free.

Is Baku Cheap? How Much Budget Is Needed While Travelling To Baku Azerbaijan! What Is The Best Time To Visit Baku Azerbaijan?

Personally, I have seen many videos claiming how cheap it is to travel to Baku and how you can manage a trip to Azerbaijan on a very low budget. But is it really true? Let’s break down this myth.

From my experience, Azerbaijan is moderately priced, with some things being cheaper and others more expensive. Adding on, it also depends on the month and season you travel in. For instance, places like Shahdag and Gabala, known for their snow-capped mountains, season-special snow hotels and ski resorts, are pricier during the peak tourist season (September to February). During winter, the prices for accommodations and activities can be higher.

On the other hand, if you plan your visit between April and July, which is the off-peak season, you might find better deals and lower prices.

Honestly, it’s not as cheap as how social media often portrays. So to give you a better idea of how expensive Azerbaijan is, here’s a small breakdown of a few daily items and their prices so you can understand the cost of travelling in Azerbaijan.

As per Xe, the current conversion rate is 1 AZN = 49.169942 Indian Rupees. 

Please note that the above-mentioned prices are an estimate and as per my own travel experience. 

How To Travel In Baku? Public Transport In Baku

Travelling in Baku is very convenient and affordable thanks to the city’s extensive public transport network, which includes buses and the metro. With Baku’s public transport, you can easily visit almost all the tourist spots in and around the city.

However, before you start using public transport in Baku, you need to buy a Baku Transport Card called as the BakKART (Azerbaijani: “BakıKART”). You can purchase this card from the vending machines located in any of the metro stations or at some large bus stations.

The card would cost you 2 AZN, and you can load money onto it to use it as a tap-and-go card for each ride. Please note that the vending machines accept only cash for reloading the card. Keep in mind that the money you load onto the card is non-refundable.

Each ride would cost you a flat fare of 0.4 AZN.

Contrary to this, if you are also planning to visit other cities like Gabala, Sheki, and Shahdag, then you would need to rely mostly on taxis or rental cars. The public transport system in these areas isn’t as well organised as in Baku. Instead, for local sightseeing, you can use the Bolt Taxi app to book a ride.

How To Buy a SIM Card In Baku Azerbaijan?

Moving ahead, now one of the first and most important things you need when you arrive in a new country is a SIM card. In Azerbaijan, there are several SIM card operators, but the most popular and trusted one is Azercell.

I wouldn’t recommend buying a SIM card at the Baku airport because it is more expensive. However, if you need one immediately, you can find SIM cards in the arrivals area. You can find multiple SIM card operator shops. You can choose the one that best suits you.

Instead, I would suggest you to purchase a SIM card from an Azercell Service Centre in Baku city centre. These shops offer more better and cheaper plans compared to the airport. You can choose from various prepaid SIM card packages based on your usage, whether you need more internet or more calling time. There are multiple SIM card shops near the Nizami Street.

We bought our SIM card from an Azercell shop on the Nizami Street, which provided 30 GB of data, 100 minutes of calls per day, and 100 minutes per day for 70 AZN. 

The location of the shop can be found on Google Maps – Azercel Shop In Baku

Scams You Need To Be Aware Of in Baku Azerbaijan

Every tourist destination has its share of tourist traps and scams, and Baku is no exception. I’m sharing these tips because we fell victim to one of these scams at the airport, and I want to help you avoid the same with you.

SIM Card Scam: Always buy SIM cards from the authorised service shops of the respective operators. When you arrive in Baku, from the airport, your taxi driver might offer to take you to a SIM card shop. Avoid these recommendations, as these shops will likely overcharge you. Stick to authorised SIM card shops in the Baku city centre itself.

Taxi Scam: When you land at Baku Airport, use only and only the Bolt Taxi app to book a taxi to your hotel/destination. This will surely be 30-40 times cheaper than taking a roadside taxi. In addition to this, even with the app, some drivers may try to charge you an extra 4 AZN as a “parking fee,” which is a common scam. Only pay the amount shown on your screen and deny paying any extra amount. 

Moreover, make sure your Bolt driver starts the trip on the Bolt app. Check the same from your app as well. Some drivers use a fake meter app to show a higher fare. Always check that the trip has started correctly on the Bolt app.

Try to avoid the cute purple, red, and yellow taxis which are very common in Baku, as their prices are steeply high. These taxis can be considered a one-time experience if you’re interested, but they are not cost-effective for regular use.

In summary, always use the Bolt app for booking taxis and avoid taking normal roadside taxis. Just simply stay alert and cautious to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience.

Currency exchange scam – When exchanging currency, always use reputable currency exchange shops located in Baku city centre, especially around Nizami Street. First, ask for the exact exchange rate before proceeding. Count the number of notes you receive and check their quality multiple times, as sometimes they might give you less money in a rush.

I would either suggest you to withdraw cash directly from an ATM with any of your international debit cards. Try paying mostly with any of the Zero Forex Markup Cards within Baku. This would be more faster. However, do carry local currency with you as smaller cities other than Baku do not accept card payments that widely. 

You Can Rent A Self Drive Car in Baku As Petrol Is only 50 INR / Litre

Moving ahead, renting a self-drive car can be a good and convenient option for your trip to Azerbaijan, especially if you are planning to explore more cities other than Baku. However, if you travelling only within Baku, I wouldn’t recommend a self-drive car. With petrol priced at around 50 INR per litre, renting a car can be an economical way to visit more cities and scenic locations instead of relying on taxis. This can be more time-saving as well. 

Interestingly, renting a self-drive car for outstation travel from Baku is also recommended by the locals. You can often negotiate car rental rates down to 80-90 AZN per day for a normal hatchback automatic car. Alternatively, you can book your car online through rental companies like Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Sixt, or Green Motion. Ensure that you make a reservation in advance because it can be difficult to find a car on the spot.

When you pick up your rental car, thoroughly inspect it and take a video of the interior and exterior of the car for your records. Make sure to follow all traffic rules in Azerbaijan, because they are strictly enforced. There are numerous speed cameras throughout the country roads, city roads, and highways, and police patrols everywhere. Use the Waze Navigation App instead of Google Maps, as Waze provides more accurate information on all road speed limits, police patrol vehicles, and upcoming speed cameras.

As an Indian passport holder, you need your International Driving Permit, Indian passport and Indian driving license (both in physical form) to rent a self-drive car in Baku.

For more details on obtaining an International Driving Permit from India and tips on renting a self-drive car abroad.

Azerbaijan Tour Itinerary – Places You Must Visit In Azerbaijan – What Is The Best Itinerary To Visit Baku Azerbaijan? Best Places To Visit In Azerbaijan

I visited Azerbaijan in June 2024 and explored multiple cities during my trip. I went to Baku, Ganja, Gabala, Sheki, Shamakhi, and Shahdag. If you are also planning to visit all the must-visit places in Azerbaijan, then I would recommend you to allocate at least 10 to 11 days for your trip. However, if you’re only planning to cover Baku and its nearby attractions, then 5 to 7 days should be sufficient.

In my opinion and as per my experience, here are a few lists of places, cities, and tourist attractions that you must visit while in Azerbaijan – 

Top 17 Places You Must Visit In Azerbaijan

1. Baku Highland Park and its Panoramic View Point
2. Flame Towers View Point In Baku
3. Baku Eye
4. Baku F1 Pit Lane and the F1 Race Track
5. Baku Boulevard
6. Old Town Baku
7. Mud Volcanoes Near Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
8. Heydar Aliyev Centre Baku (The iconic white building of Baku)
9. Azerbaijan Carpet Museum Building In Baku
10. Nizami Street
11. Mini Venice
12. Heydar Aliyev Park, Ganja
13. Nohur Lake Gebele
14. Yeddi Gozel Waterfall Gebele
15. Tufandag Cable car from Tufandag Mountain Resort Gebele
16. Sheki Old Town
17. Shahdag Roller Coaster at Shahdag

Do check out a few of my reels on the Must Vist Places in Gebele and my experience in the Shahdag Roller Coaster. 

Mud Volcanoes, Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, and Shahdag Roller Coaster can be covered as day trips from Baku. 

Places That Are Overhyped And Can Be Skipped As Per Personal Discretion –

There are a few tourist places that I feel could be skipped, but this is purely based on my personal experience and opinion. I didn’t find these spots worth their entrance fees, but it all depends on your interests and is subject to the same.

1. Yanar Dag Fire Mountains near Baku: This is just a small area with continuous running fire mountains, and we felt it wasn’t worth the entrance fee of 9 AZN.

2. Candy Cane Mountains: The pictures and videos on Instagram do make these mountains look vibrant red, but in reality, they are just ordinary mountains with very tiny impressions of red and are not that impressive.

3. Sheki Khan Palace Mosque: The Sheki Khan Palace has an entrance fee of 20 AZN per person. While the palace itself is beautiful and has an impressive architecture, but you can only view the interior and learn about its design and architecture from the inside. You are also not allowed to take any pictures of the palace from the inside. Which I didn’t feel was worth the price to me.
   
   Instead, I recommend spending half a day exploring the streets of Sheki Town. You can enjoy the narrow mountain roads and the town’s natural beauty.

Is Vegetarian Food Available in Baku?

You can easily find vegetarian food options available across Azerbaijan. Even though it might be a bit challenging in smaller towns, but almost every place has either an Indian restaurant or vegetarian options available. The only exception is if you’re travelling by car between cities and stopping for lunch at local roadside restaurants; then in that case you might find fewer vegetarian choices available.

Here are some of the restaurants you must try, each offering vegetarian options in their respective cities:

Baku 

1. Dolma Restaurant
2. Masala Junction
3. Biryani house restaurant

Ganja 

1. Ganja Shopping Mall Food Court

Gabala 

1. Restaurants Near The Nohur Lake
2. Tufandag Cable Car Restaurant
3. RaJa Indian & Azerbaijani Cuisine

Sheki

1. Sheki Palace Hotel

Shahdag

1. Shahdag Hotel & Spa 

Some of the local dishes that you must try in Azerbaijan would be – 

1. Pilaf
2. Qutab
3. Kebabs

Apps You Must Use While Visiting Baku Azerbaijan

To make my travel convenient and comfortable, I always use a few country-specific travel apps to help me navigate worry-free. Here are some essential apps that I recommend you must use when travelling in Azerbaijan –

1. Waze navigation App instead of Google Maps
2. Bolt Taxi App for local taxi booking and sightseeing
3. Bolt food app for online food delivery
4. Azercell App to track your SIM card pack spending and validity
5. XE Currency conversion app
6. Google Translate

In conclusion, Azerbaijan is a diverse and fascinating destination that offers something for every traveller. From the vibrant and modern cityscape of Baku to the ancient and natural beauty of its smaller towns, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy. 

With a bit of planning, such as being mindful of scams and using helpful travel apps, you can make the most of your visit. Whether you’re looking out for local vegetarian dishes, taking in the scenic views, or navigating with ease, Azerbaijan does promise a rich and memorable travel experience.

Nishad Kinhikar Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Hi, I am Nishad Kinhikar, an avid theatre enthusiast and a passionate traveller. I decided to create VeryFirstTale with the aim of inspiring my fellow readers, friends, and family to explore the world around you by enjoying every bit of your life. Through my blog, I aim to not only share my personal travel stories but also to spotlight the incredible marvels of the Marathi theatre. My passion for theatre and travel is rooted in the unforgettable moments both can create. Join me on my journey and see where it takes you.

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