Ground travel guide to Baku Introduction of borders + required documents

A land trip to Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is one of the most attractive choices for experiencing the culture of the Caucasus and viewing the natural and architectural beauty of this region. This route starts from the northern cities of Iran and after crossing the border of Astara or Bileswar and the northern cities of Azerbaijan, it reaches Baku.

Land travel to Baku is possible by private vehicle, bus or land tours. The cost of staying in Baku is lower than many countries in the region, and with areas such as the old city, coastal boulevard and modern towers, it offers travelers a combination of tradition and modernity. It is necessary to know that currently (autumn 1403), Iran’s land borders with Azerbaijan are closed and there is no possibility of movement.

Learn more about overland travel to Baku.

Where is Baku?

• Address: West Azerbaijan, the west coast of the Caspian Sea, Abshuran Peninsula (view on the map)

“Baku” is the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the most populous and largest city of this country. This beautiful city is located next to the Caspian Sea and on the “Abshouran Peninsula” and with its several thousand years old and special geographical location, it plays an important role in the cultural, commercial and economic exchanges of the “Caucasus”. Baku is famous for its rich oil and gas resources and is known as the first place where oil was extracted by mankind. It is interesting to know that this city was a part of Iran before the “Turkmenchai” and “Golestan” agreement, and after this agreement, the city of Baku was handed over to the Russians.

_{Photo source: remotelands.com. Photographer: Unknown}

The city of Baku combines tradition and modernity with its special architecture. The old part of Baku, known as “Icheri Shahr”, with its stone walls and historical monuments such as “Daughter Tower” and “Shirvan Shah Palace” is registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is an ideal place for history and culture lovers. In contrast to these historical buildings, modern skyscrapers and towers have given a special attraction to this tourist destination. In addition to its unique architecture, Baku also has many natural and recreational attractions. “Baku Coastal Boulevard” is a great place to walk and watch the sunset with its wide space and beautiful views to the sea. Also, various artistic festivals and events, including concerts and international exhibitions, have turned Baku into a cultural and exciting destination for tourists.

The land borders of travel to Baku

There are two main borders for land travel to Baku from Iran. To cross both borders, it is necessary to have an Azerbaijan visa and valid car documents, and customs facilities are provided for the passage of passengers and cars.

Astara border

• address: Gilan province, Astara, border of Astarachai river
• Hours of operation: 24 hours

This border is one of the busiest and most popular borders for Iranian travelers to Azerbaijan, which is located near the city of Astara in Gilan province and is open 24 hours a day. This border is often chosen by travelers due to its proximity to Baku city and easy access, and people from all over the country reach Rasht and go to the Astara border from there. Rasht is about 180 kilometers away from Astara border.

_{Photo source: Young Journalists Club. Photographer: Unknown}

If you are leaving from Tehran, you must reach the border of Astara, which is the northernmost point of Gilan province, after passing the Tehran-Qazvin and Qazvin-Rasht roads and traveling a distance of 500 kilometers (approximately seven hours and 10 minutes of driving). By crossing over the Astrachai River and traveling approximately 290 km (about three hours and 30 driving hours) you will reach Baku. Astrachai River is the border between Iran and Azerbaijan, and to enter the neighboring country, you have to cross the river. In general, Tehran to Baku is 790 km from the Astara border and you need to drive for 11 hours to reach Baku.

Balesawar border

• Address: Amirkabir St., Beilesavar City, Mughan Plain, Ardabil Province
• Hours of operation: 24 hours

This border is located in Ardabil province and near the city of Beileswar and is open 24 hours a day. Bilehsawar is a border city, between Iran and Azerbaijan, which is approximately 160 km from Ardabil city, approximately 335 km from Tabriz and approximately 475 km from Urmia.

_{Photo source: irna.ir website. Photographer: Unknown}

After crossing the Bilaye-Swar border, travelers pass through the green and scenic areas of Azerbaijan and move towards Baku. The distance from Bilehsawar border to Baku is about 220 km (two hours and 15 minutes drive), and this route is more suitable for people who travel from the northwest of Iran.

Types of land travel to Baku

Currently (autumn 1403) the land borders of Iran and Azerbaijan are closed

Land travel to Baku from Iran is possible with various options such as private vehicle, train, bus and land tours, and each one provides a different experience for travelers. For driving enthusiasts, traveling by private car is the best option; Traveling by train and bus are also convenient options to reach Baku. International buses depart from different cities in Iran and provide a smooth and worry-free travel experience with amenities such as comfortable seats and scheduled stops. Of course, keep in mind that currently (autumn 1403) the land borders of Iran and Azerbaijan are closed and traffic is not possible.

Land trip to Baku by bus

Traveling by bus to Baku from Iran is one of the most popular options for people who want to travel economically. If the border is open, buses will go to Baku from “Azadi Terminal” in Tehran and several northern cities. On this route, the buses reach the border of Astara after crossing the “Tehran-Qazvin” and “Qazvin-Rasht” highways and traveling a distance of 500 km. They move to Baku for a distance of about 290 km. The bus journey to Baku takes about 14 hours, depending on the origin and border conditions.

_{Photo source: abc.az site. Photographer: Unknown}

Another way to travel by bus to Baku is to depart from the terminal of Tabriz city and cross the “Bilesavar” border in Ardabil province. The city of Tabriz is about 335 kilometers away from the border of Beileswar, and the distance from the border of Beileswar to Baku is about 200 kilometers.

Land trip to Baku by train

Another way to travel by land to Baku is by train; Of course, currently (autumn 1403) there is no direct train from Tehran to Baku. However, if you plan to travel to Baku by train, you can take the train to Rasht and from there take a taxi or bus to the Astara border. If the border is open, in order to cross the Astara border, you must first exit the border and then board the “Astara-Baku” trains. It is interesting to know that Azerbaijan also has a city called Astara. But its area is smaller than the city of Astara in Iran.

_{Photo source: uic.org. Photographer: Unknown}

The train departs from Astara to Baku every night at 20:00 and from Baku to Astara every night at 23:00. This route takes about 9 to 10 hours by train. The trains of this route are all old and without facilities; But in the four-seater cabins they provide, you can relax until you reach your destination.

Baku land tour

Ground tours to Baku include transportation, accommodation, and full planning and are perfect for those who want everything pre-arranged and a local guide for sightseeing in Baku.

_{Photo source: getyourguide.com. Photographer: Unknown}

At the moment (autumn 1403), the land tour of Baku is not carried out due to the closure of the borders; But if the border is open, the passengers will travel to Baku in groups and in tourist buses. The way of movement is as follows: the buses depart from Tehran’s Azadi Terminal and after a few hours stop at the Astara border and check the documents for exiting the country, they enter Azerbaijan and continue on their way to Baku. The price and cost of these tours also depend on various factors such as the quality and type of hotel, travel time and travel season.

Land trip to Baku by private car

A land trip to Baku by private car gives you more freedom to stop at cities and scenic spots along the way, and you can adjust the itinerary based on your opinion and those around you. For this trip, you must first go to the border cities such as Astara or Bilehsavar and from there, if the border is open, after completing the customs procedures and presenting the necessary documents, enter the territory of Azerbaijan. Usually, Astara border is more crowded than Bilehsavar border; Because the residents of the western provinces of the country such as “Ardebil”, “West Azerbaijan” and “East Azerbaijan” cross the border of Bilehsawar.

_{Photo source: holidaymonk.com. Photographer: Unknown}

Note, the route of both borders to Baku is different only in the initial part and then both routes reach the city of Bilehsavar and after Bilehsavar we have a relatively comfortable and standard road. The distance between the two borders of Astara and Bilehsavar is about 160 km (two hours and 15 minutes of driving).

On this land trip to Baku, you can enjoy seeing the cultural attractions and pristine nature of Azerbaijan, such as the “green plains of Qizil”, the beautiful beaches of the Caspian Sea and the “Shirvan National Park” and a route combining coastal nature, green agricultural fields and desert areas behind you. spend

Documents required to travel by private car

To travel to Azerbaijan by car, you must bring the following documents. By carrying these documents and following the rules, you can easily cross the border with your own car and travel in Azerbaijan.

_{Photo source: hellohome.ir website. Photographer: Unknown}

Passport: A valid passport with a minimum validity of seven months is required.

Visa: To travel to Azerbaijan, you must obtain a 30-day tourist visa. You can obtain this visa before traveling in different electronic ways through official, airport and label sites through the Embassy of Azerbaijan. The cost of a normal one-month visa to Azerbaijan for Iranians is 35 dollars, and to get an urgent visa, you need to pay 70 dollars.

International green card: Green card, which is considered as international car insurance, is required to travel in Azerbaijan. This insurance policy covers the possible costs of accidents and damages.

International driving license: To drive in Azerbaijan, you need an international driver’s license valid for three years.

Car ownership document: It is necessary to have the original and official translation of the vehicle document (car card) to cross the border. Also, if the car is in someone else’s name, bring a letter from the car owner.

Transit license plate: An international license plate, also known as a transit license plate, is required to cross the border. Obtain this license plate from customs centers at the borders or before traveling; Of course, if you traveled abroad with the same vehicle, there is no need to get an international license plate.

CD and IR labels: To identify passenger cars abroad, prepare labels called CD and IR and stick it to the car window.

Car hood: The hood of the car is valid for one year, and if you already have a hood, you don’t need to renew it and get an IR sticker and license plate.

Fees for leaving the country: You must pay the exit fees 1403 at the airport or through one of the National Bank branches before traveling. Currently, exit fees for the first foreign trip are 520,000 Tomans per person, the second trip is 780,000 Tomans and the third trip is 1,040,000 Tomans.

Travel insurance: Travel insurance is not required; But due to the possibility of unpleasant things happening during the trip, it is better to buy this insurance according to the duration of your trip.

The best time to travel to Baku

The best time to travel to Baku in terms of weather is usually spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November); Because it is located near the west coast of the Caspian Sea, it has hot and humid summers and relatively cold winters. The winds of this region start blowing suddenly, and on that basis, the name Badkobe was chosen for it in the past.

In spring, Baku’s weather is mild and pleasant, and the beautiful nature of Azerbaijan reaches its peak in this season. Also, at this time, many festivals and cultural events are held in Baku and provide a good opportunity to get acquainted with the culture and art of Azerbaijan. Autumn is another ideal time to visit Baku. The weather in the city is cool and pleasant in this season, and you can enjoy the colorful scenery of nature and local food of Baku; Of course, the summer and winter season of Baku cannot be passed easily. The summer season is the best time for swimming and water sports, and the winters of Baku will be suitable for playing in the snow.

_{Photo source: bucketlistly.blog site. Photographer: Unknown}

If you have the experience of traveling by land to Baku or have acquired special information about this issue; We will be happy if you share your experiences and sweet memories with the Kajaro audience.

_{Photo source: tasteiran.net site. Photographer: Unknown}