Plugs and voltage
Azerbaijan runs on 230V, 50Hz with European-style Type C and Type F sockets (the round two-pin plugs). If you are coming from the UK, US or Australia, bring a universal adapter. Most hotels in Baku have reliable power, but a power bank is handy for long days exploring the Old City (Icherisheher) or day trips to Gobustan.
Language basics
The official language is Azerbaijani, a Turkic language written in the Latin alphabet. Russian is widely understood, and younger people in Baku often speak some English. A few words go a long way:
- Salam - hello
- Sag olun - thank you
- Beli / Yox - yes / no
- Necesiniz? - how are you?
- Baha dir - it's expensive (useful when bargaining)
Packing
- Layers - Baku is mild by the Caspian Sea, but the breeze (the city is nicknamed the "City of Winds") can be sharp.
- Modest clothing for mosques like Bibi-Heybat or Heydar Mosque (cover shoulders; women carry a scarf).
- Comfortable shoes for the cobblestones of the Old City.
- Sunscreen for summer, when temperatures top 35C.
Connectivity
Local SIMs from Azercell, Bakcell or Nar are sold at the airport and city shops, but you need your passport to register. A simpler option is an eSIM you set up before landing, so you have maps and ride-hailing (Bolt and Uber both work in Baku) the moment you arrive.
Quick tips
- The currency is the manat (AZN); carry some cash for bazaars and small cafes.
- Tap water is best avoided; bottled water is cheap.
- The Baku Card simplifies metro and bus travel; tap on entry.
- Try plov, dolma and qutab, and finish with tea served in a pear-shaped armudu glass.
- Tipping around 10% is appreciated in restaurants.
- Friday is the main prayer day; some sites get busier.
- Day-trip to the mud volcanoes and the fiery hillside of Yanar Dag.
- Keep your passport copy handy; police checks at some regional checkpoints are routine.
Stay connected in Azerbaijan
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