Most visits to Azerbaijan centre on Baku, with its walled Old City and Flame Towers on the Caspian shore, plus day trips to the rock art of Gobustan and the mud volcanoes, and a few days in the green foothills around Sheki or Quba. Coverage is strong in Baku and good on the main roads. Azerbaijan is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so expect a daily roaming charge on most European plans.
Key facts for Azerbaijan
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Azercell, Bakcell (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112; police 102; ambulance 103
- Embassies: in Baku
Arriving: by air only
Azerbaijan's land borders, including those with Georgia and Iran, remain closed to most travellers, so plan to arrive by air. Many visitors need an e-visa, issued online by the official ASAN Visa service: check the rules for your nationality and apply at least three days before you travel. Stays of more than 15 days must be registered with the State Migration Service, and hotels usually do this for you.
Baku
Coverage is strong across the city, from the Old City to the seafront boulevard. The metro and city buses run on the BakuKart transport card, and Bolt and Uber both work for taxis.
Sheki, Quba and the mountains
The signal is good in Sheki and Quba, but it fades on mountain roads such as the one up to the village of Khinalug, so download maps before you set off and tell your guesthouse when you expect to arrive.
Areas to avoid and refused entry
The UK and other governments advise against all travel within 5 kilometres of the closed border with Armenia, and against all but essential travel to the south-western districts affected by the conflicts of 2020 and 2023, such as Lachin, Kelbajar and Shusha, where mines remain. Visitors who previously travelled to some of those areas without Azerbaijani permission, including the town of Khankendi, can be refused entry.
Paying
Cards are widely accepted in Baku; outside the capital, carry manat in cash for small shops, guesthouses and taxis.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM, installed at home, connects as soon as your plane lands in Baku, so you can book a car from the airport straight away; keep your own SIM switched on for texts and bank codes. Flying on to Georgia? A Europe Extended plan covers both countries.
Local prepaid SIMs from Azercell, Bakcell or Nar are on sale at Heydar Aliyev airport and in operator shops, and registration requires your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Azerbaijan
- For any emergency, call 112. You can also reach the police directly on 102 and the ambulance service on 103.
- Embassies are in Baku. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in Azerbaijan, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
Azerbaijan travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about Azerbaijan
Does my EU plan work in Azerbaijan?
No. Azerbaijan is outside Roam Like at Home, so check your operator's daily rate.
Can I cross by land from Georgia?
Not at the moment: the land borders are closed to most travellers, so fly instead.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Azerbaijan?
Azercell and Bakcell, with 4G and 5G where available.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Call 112, which handles every emergency service; the police also answer on 102 and the ambulance service on 103.
The short version
Check whether you need an e-visa, plan to fly in, install the eSIM before departure, stay away from the Armenian border area, and save 112.
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