After a prolonged hiatus due to the pandemic, I decided to start travelling again as things were getting back to normal. So, this time, it is Azerbaijan, the Land Of Fire. What? You have never heard of this country before? Well, for those who do not know, Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located in Western Asia and Eastern Europe. The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku. Geographically, Azerbaijan has borders with Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and Russia. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea on the east and the Caucasus Mountains to the north. I met a number of solo travellers during my visit to Azerbaijan.

Why Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijan’s history dates back almost 5000 years and was an important trade route of the Silk Road. Azerbaijan is known to be rich in oil and gas and has more than 50 per cent of the mud volcanoes worldwide.  People are very hospitable and the country is full of surprises with diverse cuisine, and excellent architecture both ancient and ultra-modern buildings in the capital city of Baku. Here, you can see the old and the new existing side by side. Cross the gate of the old city and you will be transported to a totally new and contemporary world.

Another interesting fact about Azerbaijan is there are 9 out of 11 climate zones. By travelling just a few kilometres, you can experience a totally different climate in this beautiful country with the landscapes changing from Desert to mountains to snow-capped mountains all within a few hours of travel by road. The majority of the population practices Islam but due to it being part of the ex-Soviet Union, you can see a very liberal approach to the religion. Consumption of alcohol is part of Azeris’ lives. The country is secular and the people have the freedom to practice any religion, unlike some other countries. Above all, it is a very safe country to travel to as a solo traveler.

Finally, I did see a lot of tourists but still not as touristy as other popular places. Before it gets packed with tourists, why not explore this marvellous country and see what it has to offer?

How to reach

Baku has an international airport with connections from many countries in the Middle East and Europe. There is a direct flight from New Delhi, India to Baku with Azal Airlines. Another option for Indians is to travel to either Abu Dhabi or Dubai and take a flight from there. If you are travelling from Georgia, you can take the train from Tbilisi to Baku or there are buses as well.

Is it expensive?

Azerbaijan is definitely not the cheapest country to travel to but that holds true only for Baku city. As you travel further away from Baku, the accommodation becomes more affordable and like every place, you have many options ranging from budget to high-end depending on your travel style.

Currency

Azerbaijan’s currency is Manat. You can exchange dollars after clearing the immigration or can use an ATM to withdraw cash. I used ATM and the charges were nominal. While leaving the country, I exchanged the remaining Manats for US dollars at the airport for a very good rate.

The approx exchange rate is:

1 AZN= 0.60 USD

1 AZN=48 INR

Accommodation

You can expect to spend somewhere between 90- 120 AZN per night in a mid-range Boutique Hotel in Baku and the sky is the limit for luxurious hotels. There are a few hostels for those who prefer a hostel atmosphere and Sahil Hostel is the most popular one.

Food

I spent about 15-30 AZN for a meal in a good restaurant. Small eateries are cheaper. There are plenty of options to choose from. It might be useful to know that a litre of water costs 1 AZN. There is a service charge included in the bill. So, you do not have to tip separately.

Transportation

Transportation within the country is easy. There are buses and Marshrutkas running on a regular basis between major cities. You can take a shared taxi or hire a taxi to reach smaller towns and villages. Using the Bolt app to book a taxi to travel within the city is a convenient and cheaper option. Do not take taxis randomly from unknown companies, drivers can be aggressive and will try to charge you exorbitantly.

Using public transportation is the best option. It is cheap and reliable in major cities. Hiring a taxi to travel to smaller towns is a good option. You can arrange one through your hotel. If you are travelling alone, joining a group tour is better. Intercity buses are cheap. A 6-hour journey would cost you about 9 AZN.

Airport transfer to the city is 30 AZN. I arranged mine through the hotel I was staying at. If you have light luggage, you can take the Aiport Express Bus from the airport and the counter is open 24/7. The ticket can be purchased upon exit. A one-way ride to the city is 1.5 AZN. The only problem is the bus stops at the 28 May bus stop. You will either have to walk from there to your hotel or take a taxi from there. I found the taxi from the airport to be a hassle-free option.

Museum and other entrance fees

Somewhere between 5-15 AZN depending on what you want to see. At some places like Fire Temple, it is better to get a combo ticket for 2 places which will cost you less.

Roughly you will be spending an average of 150-250 AZN per day in Baku city and less in other cities as the price of accommodation will come down. Again, this is just an estimate, it can go up or down depending on where you stay and also the season you will be travelling in.

Visa

Many nationalities can apply for an e-visa that is valid for 1 month by paying USD 26. There is also a visa on arrival for some nationalities. The e-visa portal is pretty straightforward. I received my visa within a few hours of applying. The Immigration Officer asked me to show the return tickets. That’s it, immigration was super smooth though there was a very long queue. I wasn’t asked to show any other documents. Although, I had my travel insurance and the vaccination certificate.

Language

Azerbaijani or Azeri with different dialects is the language spoken here apart from Russian. You can expect the language barrier to be present outside of Baku but can manage with Google Translate App.

SIM card

If you are planning to stay for a longer period and travel to other parts of the country, it is highly advisable to purchase a local SIM card especially to use the internet for google maps and for the Bolt taxi app. I purchased Azeri Cell’s sim card with a 5GB internet pack for 22 Manats. I got it through my hotel. My new number was activated within 30 minutes or so. I think you might get it for a slightly lower price if you do it on your own.

Safety

Azerbaijan is a very safe country to travel to as long as you take the general precautions as in any other country. As a solo traveler, I felt totally safe even in the smaller cities.

Extra tips:

• As a solo female traveller, do not be surprised if you are often asked about your marital status. You can answer as per the circumstances. If you are married, just say that your husband will be joining you shortly otherwise, you can create an imaginary husband. Most of the time, it is just out of curiosity since Azerbaijani women in general tend to marry early( that’s not the case anymore)
• Just in continuation to what I have already mentioned in the Transportation section in this post, do not take Taxis from random taxi drivers even if they agree on a price. You will be halfway to the agreed destination, then the driver will ask for a totally different price. If you do not accept that exorbitant price, you will be dropped off anywhere in the middle. This holds true for Baku city only. My experience with Bolt Taxi has been great.

Read about my experience in Baku and other places in Azerbaijan.