Leaving Baku

If you are leaving Baku, chances are you will be leaving by flying. You will have to go to the Heydar Aliev Airport. Almost everything in this country is named after him, so do not assume that if you tell the cab driver “Heydar Aliev,” that he will automatically know you mean the airport. He might take you the Heydar Aliev Park, the street, one of the various monuments, etc.

There are two areas of the airport. When you enter it, to your left will be the international terminal and almost straight ahead is the domestic terminal. When you get to the international terminal, there are actually two different entrances, which lead to different sections within the international terminal. If you are in one section, there is no way as a passenger to get to the other section. It is important you ask before entering.

No matter what entrance you go through, you must get you bags x-rayed as soon as you enter the building along with walking through the metal detector. When you get to area to check in your bags, you will have to get your bags x-rayed again and go through another metal detector. Once you get you bags checked in and have your boarding passes, you will have to go through passport control. After that, it is time to find your gate, as the Baku Airport is small, there are not that many gates. You will have to get your carry-on bags x-rayed again and go through another metal detector. You can expect your urine to glow in the dark the next day. Chances are you will have to board a shuttle bus and be carted off to your plane.

The waiting area inside of the international terminal is not that great. There are only a few shops and one diner/cafeteria in a given section. There have been more smaller shops opening up there, but they are still far and few between. Then again, chances are you will not have a holdover in Baku as it is not a major travel hub.