How to get from Baku airport to the center: bus, taxi, transfer

You step out of the terminal in Baku and don't know where to go.

The city starts far from the airport, and the difference between ways to get there is huge. The bus is the cheapest option, a private transfer waits for you right at the exit, and taxis and the Bolt app operate around the clock.

A quick answer for those in a hurry. During the day with light luggage, take the Aero Express bus to the central railway station. At night, with suitcases, or in a group, a pre-booked transfer is the more relaxed choice. Official taxis and Bolt work well if you're traveling light.

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Heydar Aliyev Airport: what you need to know

💡 In short:

• Baku city center is 24 km away, the Aero Express bus runs around the clock
• The bus costs 1.30 AZN with a Baku Kart card, the card itself is 2 AZN and works for a group
• With suitcases, at night, or in a larger group, take a transfer or an official taxi
• Schedule and fare: 09/2026, verified on the Aero Express schedule

Heydar Aliyev International Airport is located 24 km from Baku city center (as of 09/2026, official airport website). After Terminal 1 and the new expressway opened, the trip to the city became faster than before.

© Anar Aliyev (PR at Azerbaijan Airlines) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Anar Aliyev (PR at Azerbaijan Airlines), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

As soon as you clear passport control, the duty-free shops begin. They operate in both the arrivals and departures areas, so you can put off a purchase until your return flight. A bank and ATMs are located on both sides of the exit from the hall.

Currency exchange accepts US dollars, euros, Turkish lira, and British pounds. Free Wi-Fi is available in both terminals, so you can download a taxi app right on the spot.

The new Terminal 1 handles almost all international flights, while the second one is used less often. From the arrivals hall you walk straight out to the transport area: the bus stop, taxi stand, and parking are all nearby.

Transfer from Baku airport to the city center

A private transfer is booked in advance, and the driver waits for you at the arrivals exit with a sign. You won't need to find a car or haggle on the spot: the ride is already paid for, and you don't hand over any money at the airport.

A car for four people with three suitcases costs from $26 per vehicle, not per passenger (as of 09/2026, Kiwitaxi rates). For a family or small group, this works out cheaper than a taxi.

The driver arrives for your flight, even if the plane is delayed. You don't stand in line at the taxi stand and don't have to explain your address to the driver in a rush.

Luxury transfer in a Mercedes S-Class for a group

For a group of three or four people, there's a more comfortable transfer option. A Mercedes S-Class transfer takes up to four passengers and starts at $75 (as of 09/2026, luxury transfer on GetYourGuide).

The cabin and trunk are built for long trips, so this option suits families with large suitcases. The driver meets you in the arrivals area and takes you straight to your hotel address.

Official taxi at Baku airport

At the arrivals exit, unofficial drivers may approach you offering a "taxi." We recommend walking past them: the price will end up higher, and the car isn't licensed. Follow the Official Taxi signs to the official stand, where a staff member will assign you to a car.

You can pay for the ride in cash or by card. London Cab vehicles park near the stand, known in Baku as White Cabs. Only get in after the meter is turned on, and keep an eye on it from the first minute.

There's no fixed fare, so the total depends on the area and traffic. The official taxi stand operates around the clock along with the airport, so a late-night arrival isn't a problem.

Bolt: the ride-hailing app

Getting around Baku is easy with the Bolt app, an Estonian ride-hailing service. You see the price before ordering, pay by card, and barely need to talk to the driver.

The app requires internet access. If you arrive without a local SIM card, set up an eSIM in advance and activate it before boarding the plane, so you have a connection as soon as you land.

Bolt operates at Baku airport and picks up passengers from the official zone near the terminals. The driver sends the exact meeting point in the app chat, so you won't have to search for them around the parking lot.

Aero Express bus for 1.30 AZN

The cheapest way to reach the center, the Aero Express bus, runs from both terminals to Baku Central Railway Station near the 28 May metro station (as of 09/2026, official airport website). You don't need to buy a ticket from the driver: payment is only by Baku Kart card.

During the day, buses depart every 20 minutes, from 06:00 to 23:15. At night, the interval increases to 45 minutes, from 23:15 to 06:00. The trip takes about 30 minutes, but the time depends on traffic and weather (as of 09/2026, airport transport page).

Along the way, the bus stops at Surakhany Bridge and Koroghlu metro station. You can get off before the railway station if your hotel is closer to these stops.

The Baku Kart card costs 2 AZN, is sold in vending machines at the terminal exits, and never expires (as of 09/2026, official airport website). A single bus ride costs 1.30 AZN, and a metro ride is noticeably cheaper (as of 09/2026, airport fares).

One card works for your entire group, so the purchase pays for itself on the first bus ride. The 28 May station is where the metro starts, and long-distance trains across the country also depart from here.

If you arrive at night and don't want to deal with transport, book a car in advance.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Baku airport to the city center?

The cheapest option is the Aero Express bus for 1.30 AZN with a Baku Kart card. A transfer costs from $26 per vehicle, while taxis and Bolt charge by distance.

Does airport transport run at night?

Yes, the Aero Express bus runs around the clock, with an interval of about 45 minutes at night. Taxis and Bolt also operate at any time of day.

Where can I buy a Baku Kart card?

In vending machines at the terminal exits. Drivers don't sell tickets, so buy the card right away.

Is it safe to take a taxi at the airport exit?

Yes, if you go to the official taxi stand. It's best to avoid unofficial drivers at the exit.

Is Bolt a good option for getting from the airport?

Yes, Bolt picks up passengers from the official zone near the terminals. You need internet access to order a ride.

In short: what to book

A quick summary of what to choose for your trip. Arriving during the day with light luggage, take the Aero Express bus. Night flight, suitcases, and kids, book a private transfer: book a transfer from Baku airport. For a group of four, there's also a luxury option in a Mercedes S-Class.

If you're staying in Baku for several days, a hotel in the center will save you travel time: browse Baku hotels on Trip.com. Book in advance, especially in high season.