Plugs and voltage
Azerbaijan dey run on 230V, 50Hz with European-style Type C and Type F sockets (di round two-pin plugs). If you dey come from UK, US or Australia, carry universal adapter. Most hotels for Baku get reliable power, but power bank go dey handy for long days wey you dey explore di Old City (Icherisheher) or day trip go Gobustan.
Language basics
Di official language na Azerbaijani, na Turkic language wey dem dey write with Latin alphabet. Russian dey widely understood, and young pipo for Baku often sabi small English. Small words go carry you far:
- Salam - hello
- Sag olun - thank you
- Beli / Yox - yes / no
- Necesiniz? - how you dey?
- Baha dir - e cost too much (useful wen you dey bargain)
Packing
- Layers - Baku dey mild near di Caspian Sea, but di breeze (dem dey nickname di city "City of Winds") fit sharp.
- Modest clothes for mosques like Bibi-Heybat or Heydar Mosque (cover shoulder; women carry scarf).
- Comfortable shoes for di cobblestones of Old City.
- Sunscreen for summer, wen temperature dey pass 35C.
Connectivity
Local SIMs from Azercell, Bakcell or Nar dem dey sell for airport and city shops, but you need your passport to register. Simpler option na eSIM wey you set up before you land, so you go get maps and ride-hailing (Bolt and Uber both dey work for Baku) di moment you arrive.
Quick tips
- Di currency na manat (AZN); carry small cash for bazaars and small cafes.
- Better avoid tap water; bottled water cheap.
- Baku Card dey simplify metro and bus travel; tap wen you enter.
- Try plov, dolma and qutab, and finish am with tea wey dem serve for pear-shape armudu glass.
- Tipping around 10% dem go appreciate for restaurants.
- Friday na di main prayer day; some sites go busy small.
- Day-trip go di mud volcanoes and di fiery hillside of Yanar Dag.
- Keep your passport copy handy; police check for some regional checkpoints na routine.
Stay connected for Azerbaijan
HelloSIM eSIM go keep you online for maps, translation and booking di moment you land, no roaming bill or SIM-swapping for airport.
Get your Azerbaijan eSIM for 30 seconds
Sharp-sharp delivery, 4G/5G speed, no roaming bill.