Baku is a modern metropolis where ancient architecture meets the Caspian breeze and well-developed city infrastructure. To get around the city, a visitor only needs to know four things: the metro, BakuBus buses, taxis and the ways to pay for transport. Below we explain how to use each, what they cost and how to get from the airport.

Baku Metro

The metro is the fastest way to cross the city. It opened on 6 November 1967 and was the fifth metro system in the Soviet Union. Today it has three lines (red, green and purple) and 27 stations. The metro runs daily from about 6:00 a.m. to midnight.

A ride costs 0.60 AZN regardless of distance (the fare has been in effect since 1 October 2025).

Metro repairs: what to know in 2026–2027

Since 15 August 2026, train service between 28 May and Nizami stations has been temporarily suspended. This is part of a project to separate the Red and Green lines, which involves building two new tunnels between Jafar Jabbarli and Nizami stations. According to the metro operator, the work will take about 10–11 months.

During the repairs, trains run as follows:

  • the Red Line runs from Icherisheher to Ahmadli at an interval of about 2.5 minutes;
  • the Green Line runs between Darnagul and Nizami;
  • 28 May station continues to operate as usual.

Express buses have been launched to cover the suspended section, linking 28 May with Nizami and other stations. The terminal stops of some regular routes that used to enter the 28 May transport hub have been moved to the area around Samad Vurgun Garden. Before you travel, check current routes and timetables at metro.gov.az or in the metro app.

How to pay

On the metro and BakuBus buses you can pay in several ways:

  • By NFC bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Turnstiles at all metro stations and validators on all BakuBus routes accept contactless payment. Simply tap your card, phone or watch on the reader.
  • With a BakıKart. This is the single transport card for the metro and buses. A plastic card costs 2 AZN (a non-refundable deposit), and you top up the balance at machines in metro stations and at some bus stops.

City buses

BakuBus buses run across the city and to nearby suburbs such as Absheron and Sumgait. On modern routes with cashless payment, the minimum fare is 0.60 AZN.

From the airport to the city

The H1 bus connects Heydar Aliyev International Airport with the 28 May hub (metro and railway station) and runs 24 hours a day. Because of changes around the hub, check the current stop before you travel. Alternatively, take a taxi or order a ride through an app.

Taxis in Baku

You can hail a taxi on the street, order one by phone or use an app. The most popular app is Bolt, and Yango also operates; according to some guidebooks, Uber is available too. The advantage of apps is that the fare is shown in advance.

Official metered taxis are London TX cabs, introduced in Baku in 2011. Locals nicknamed the purple cars "eggplants". They have a ramp for wheelchairs.

If you are approached at the airport exit or near hotels in the Old City, always agree on the price in manats: sometimes the fare is quoted in dollars or euros at an unfavorable rate.

Tips for tourists

  • Before you travel, check whether your route passes through the suspended 28 May–Nizami section, and allow extra time to transfer to an express bus.
  • Make sure your card supports contactless payment. Take a BakıKart as a backup.
  • If you need to travel near the closed section, a taxi through an app may be more convenient.
  • Fares, payment methods and routes change, so check current information at metro.gov.az and bakikart.az.

FAQ

A note for tourists: payment with local bank cards is officially supported, so a foreign card may not work. To avoid being stuck without a fare, keep a backup, such as a BakıKart or the app. Also, if you pay with the same card at the same turnstile, a repeat entry is possible only after about 10 minutes, so groups should use different cards or a single BakıKart.

Is the Baku metro running? Yes, but since 15 August 2026, train service between 28 May and Nizami stations has been temporarily suspended for repairs, expected to last about 10–11 months.

How do I travel between 28 May and Nizami? By the express buses launched for the duration of the repairs, or by taxi.

How much is a metro ride in Baku?  0.60 AZN per trip, regardless of distance.

Can I pay for the metro with a bank card? Yes, with an NFC card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, but local cards are the ones that primarily work, and foreign cards may not.

Do I need a BakıKart? Not necessarily, but it is the most reliable backup option for tourists.

How many stations does the Baku metro have? 27 stations on three lines.

How do I get from the airport to the city center? Take the H1 bus to the 28 May hub, a taxi or a ride from an app.


Information current as of October 2026.

Categories: Travel Tips