Last updated: October 23, 2026
What you need to know in one paragraph: Azerbaijan's land borders are closed to most incoming travelers until at least January 2, 2027, so plan to fly into Baku and install your eSIM before you board. Most nationalities need an e-visa, applied for online. WhatsApp, Instagram and Google all work normally, though some news sites are blocked. If you stay more than 15 days, your hotel usually registers you. You can leave by land into Georgia, so Baku first, Georgia second is the easy route. One Caucasus eSIM covers both.
Looking for plans and prices? See Best eSIM for Azerbaijan or the full provider comparison.
Before you fly
- Check if you need a visa. Many nationalities need an e-visa, applied for on the official ASAN Visa portal. A standard e-visa takes up to 3 working days and gives you a 30 day single-entry stay. An urgent option takes a few hours for a higher fee.
- Install your eSIM at home. You'll arrive by air, so set it up on Wi-Fi before you leave. If it's a plan that starts on install, like the OVOSIM Caucasus plan, do it the day before.
- Turn off data roaming on your main line, so your home SIM can't run up charges.
- Download the apps: Bolt and Uber for taxis, Google Maps (plus offline maps for Sheki, Quba and Gabala), and Google Translate with offline Azerbaijani and Russian.
- Bring a card and some cash. Cards work widely in Baku. Villages and small shops are often cash only.
You'll almost certainly fly in
This is the part that catches people out.
Azerbaijan closed its land borders to incoming passengers in 2020 and has extended the closure ever since. The latest extension, in September 2026, runs to January 2, 2027. A visa or e-visa alone doesn't let you enter by road.
- From Georgia: there's no road entry for tourists. The Tbilisi to Baku overnight train has been running again since May 2026, but only for passengers who can enter Azerbaijan visa-free. Everyone else flies. It's under two hours from Tbilisi.
- From Turkey, Iran or Russia: closed to incoming passengers by land.
- From Armenia: there's no open border crossing. Travel goes through Georgia.
Rules here change at short notice, so check with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs close to your trip.
Leaving by land is fine
The closure is for entering only. Foreigners can leave Azerbaijan overland, most often into Georgia at Red Bridge (Tsiteli Khidi) or Lagodekhi.
So the route that works for most people is fly into Baku, travel west to Sheki, then cross into Georgia by road.
For your phone, that means picking a plan that works on both sides. An Azerbaijan-only eSIM stops working at the Georgian border. A Caucasus eSIM switches to a Georgian network on its own after a short gap.
What works online, and what doesn't
Works normally: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Google, Google Maps, YouTube, Telegram, Bolt and Uber.
Blocked: a number of independent and foreign news websites. Azerbaijan routinely blocks news sites that criticise the government.
Do you need a VPN? Not for everyday travel. Only if you need to read specific blocked news sites. If you want one, install it before you travel.
Registration after 15 days
If you stay in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days, you have to be registered with the State Migration Service within 15 days of arriving.
- Hotels and guesthouses do this for you. It's free.
- Renting an apartment? The owner should register you. You're still responsible for making sure it's done, and missing it can mean a fine.
- Moving around? You need to be registered at each new place you stay.
Most short trips under 15 days don't need any of this.
Karabakh and Armenia
- Karabakh region: access is restricted and needs special permission. Check the current rules before planning a trip there.
- If you've visited Karabakh through Armenia in the past without Azerbaijan's permission, you may be refused entry. Check before you book if that applies to you.
- Combining Armenia and Azerbaijan: you can do both on one trip, but you'll go through Georgia between them.
Coverage expectations
- Baku: strong 4G everywhere, with 5G in parts of the city.
- Absheron Peninsula, Gobustan, Yanar Dag: good coverage, patchier out at the mud volcanoes.
- Sheki and Gabala: 4G in town.
- Shahdag: coverage at the ski resort base.
- Quba, Khinalug and the mountains: usable on main roads, limited in villages and on trails. Download offline maps.
How much data to buy
| Trip | Data |
|---|---|
| Long weekend in Baku | 3GB |
| A week, maps and social media | 5GB to 12GB |
| Two weeks, or Azerbaijan plus Georgia | 12GB to 24GB |
| Remote work or lots of video | 20GB or more |
Hotel Wi-Fi in Baku is usually fine, so most people use less than they expect.
The five mistakes that leave people offline
- Planning to cross from Georgia by bus or car. Road entry is closed to tourists. Book a flight.
- Buying a "Europe" eSIM. Most don't include Azerbaijan. Check the country list.
- Installing an install-start plan too early. If you put a plan that starts on install on your phone weeks ahead, it can run out before you arrive.
- Buying an Azerbaijan-only plan for a Baku and Georgia trip. It stops working at the border. Get one that covers both.
- Skipping offline maps for the mountains. Khinalug, Shahdag trails and the higher villages often have no signal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter Azerbaijan by land from Georgia?
Not by road. The land border is closed to incoming travelers until at least January 2, 2027. The Tbilisi to Baku train only takes passengers who can enter visa-free. Most people fly.
Can I leave Azerbaijan by land?
Yes. Foreigners can leave overland, usually into Georgia at Red Bridge or Lagodekhi.
Does WhatsApp work in Azerbaijan?
Yes, along with Instagram, Google and YouTube. Some news websites are blocked.
Do I need a VPN in Azerbaijan?
Not for everyday apps. Only if you need blocked news sites.
How long does the Azerbaijan e-visa take?
Up to 3 working days for the standard version, or a few hours with the urgent option. It allows a 30 day stay.
Do I need to register if I stay longer than 15 days?
Yes, within 15 days of arriving. Hotels do it for you. If you rent privately, the owner should.
Which eSIM works for Baku and Georgia?
One that covers both, like the OVOSIM Caucasus plan. An Azerbaijan-only eSIM stops at the border.
The bottom line
Plan to fly in, install your eSIM before you board, and pick a plan that covers Georgia if you're leaving overland. Everything else in Azerbaijan is easy once you're connected.
See Azerbaijan eSIM plans or the Caucasus plan for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia together.
More on Azerbaijan: Best eSIM for Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan eSIMs compared. Going further? See our Georgia and Caucasus guides.