Getting around Baku is incredibly cheap and efficient, allowing you to maximize your travel budget for sights and food. The city features a highly modern altushotelbaku.com public transit network alongside very affordable taxi options. By mastering a few local transit secrets, you can travel from the airport to the city center, and everywhere in between, for just a few dollars.

To use public transport in Baku, you must purchase a BakiKart. This plastic smart card costs 2 AZN (around $1.18 USD) and can be loaded with cash at touch-screen kiosks located at every metro station and major bus stop.

Each ride on the Baku Metro or standard city buses costs a flat rate of just 0.40 AZN (less than $0.24 USD). The metro system is not only efficient but also beautiful, with several stations featuring intricate Soviet-era architecture and national artwork.

Taxis at Heydar Aliyev International Airport often charge premium rates to tourists. To save money, take the Aero Express Bus, which stops directly outside the terminal exit.

• Cost: 1.50 AZN (under $1.00 USD) using your BakiKart.
• Route: Runs directly to 28 May Metro Station in downtown Baku.
• Frequency: Departs every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day.

If you need a direct door-to-door ride or are traveling late at night when the metro is closed, avoid hailing traditional cabs on the street. Instead, use local ride-hailing applications like Bolt or Yango.

These apps offer upfront pricing, prevent fare inflation, and accept credit cards linked to your account. A standard ride across the city center using these apps rarely exceeds 3 to 5 AZN ($1.75 to $3.00 USD).

To help shape the next piece of this guide, let me know:

• Would you like a breakdown of budget-friendly food and dining options?
• Are you interested in free or low-cost tourist attractions in Baku?
• Do you need help planning cheap day trips outside the city (like Gobustan or Yanar Dag)?