We'll be landing in Baku at around 00:45 and staying near Fountain Square. There will be two of us, each with one suitcase. I've seen people recommending the Airport Express Bus, Bolt and the official airport taxis, but I'm still not sure which makes the most sense after a late-night arrival. Is Bolt easy to get from the airport? Or is it better just to take one of the official taxis and avoid any hassle?
If I arrive late at night, I normally don't overthink it. Before leaving the terminal I check the Bolt fare, then compare it with the fixed price at the official Airport Taxi counter. Sometimes Bolt is noticeably cheaper, but on one of my trips the difference was only a few manats, so I simply took the airport taxi and was at my hotel twenty minutes later.
We've used the Airport Express Bus twice and honestly couldn't fault it. The coaches are modern, air-conditioned and have proper luggage racks, so travelling with cabin bags was no problem at all. We got off at 28 May and ordered a short Bolt ride to the hotel. Even with the extra taxi, it still worked out cheaper than going directly from the airport.
Just don't walk outside and get into the first taxi that approaches you. We made that mistake on our first visit and were quoted almost 60 AZN (approximately US$35) to the city centre. Since then we've always compared prices first.
I actually think the official Airport Taxi is underrated. People automatically assume it's expensive, but if you're travelling as a family or carrying several suitcases, the convenience can easily outweigh the small difference in price. After a long overnight flight, that's worth something.
Does Bolt work reliably at the airport? I've heard drivers sometimes cancel airport pickups
It happens occasionally, but that's true in almost every country. I've arrived in Baku four times over the last two years and never had to wait more than ten minutes for a Bolt driver. Usually there are plenty of cars nearby.
If you're travelling alone and staying somewhere close to the Airport Express route, I'd definitely recommend the bus. We actually enjoyed watching the city wake up through the window after landing just before sunrise.
One small tip that often gets overlooked: if you're planning to use public transport during your stay, buy a BakiKart as soon as you need it. You'll need one for the metro and city buses anyway, so it's easier to sort it out at the beginning rather than searching for one later.
Besides, if you're travelling with nothing more than a backpack, I'd definitely take the Airport Express Bus. It's inexpensive, easy to find, and you avoid city traffic for part of the journey. We reached the centre surprisingly quickly.
Are taxis at the airport easy to pay for with a foreign bank card, or should I exchange some money before leaving the terminal?
@isakova We paid for our airport taxi by card without any problems. Still, I usually withdraw a small amount of cash from an ATM after arriving. It's useful for small purchases during the first day, although we found that cards were accepted almost everywhere in Baku.
One thing I really appreciated was how clearly everything is signposted inside the airport. Even though it was our first visit to Azerbaijan, we had no trouble finding the Airport Express Bus or the official taxi desk. The terminal isn't confusing at all.
Has anyone arrived very early in the morning, around five or six? Were there still enough taxis available?