Is Baku Safe in January 2026?

Drivers outside the airport and near tourist sites quote flat rates that are 5–10x the metered fare, then demand the agreed price in euros rather than manat.

How to avoid: Use the Bolt app or agree on a manat price before entering. Ignore drivers who approach you first.

Independent drivers and self-described tour guides around Fountain Square in central Baku offer day trips to the Gobustan mud volcanoes and petroglyphs site, quoting one price verbally then presenting a significantly higher bill at the end of the tour. The upcharge is typically framed as extra fees for waiting time, a second passenger who 'unexpectedly' joined, or an unannounced stop at a roadside souvenir stall. Tourists who agreed to a verbal price of 30–40 AZN often end up paying 80–120 AZN.

How to avoid: Agree on the full fare in writing before departing — photograph the agreed price on a piece of paper with the driver. Use a reputable Baku tour agency for Gobustan day trips rather than street-level fixers. Official taxis via the UBER or Bolt app eliminate fare ambiguity for the Baku–Gobustan leg.

At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, drivers accepting Bolt or Uber bookings wait for the passenger to enter the vehicle before claiming the app fare is incorrect or that a "surcharge" applies for luggage, night hours, or motorway tolls not reflected in the app price. When passengers refuse, drivers cancel the trip mid-journey or at a deserted roadside and demand the passenger exit, effectively holding luggage in the boot as leverage. Alternatively, drivers accept the booking, drive a few hundred metres from the terminal, then cancel and immediately offer to complete the trip as a private cash fare at two to three times the app price.

How to avoid: Screenshot the booking confirmation and driver details before entering the vehicle. Confirm the in-app fare covers the full journey before departure. If a driver demands extra cash, remain in the car, call Bolt/Uber support in-app, and do not hand over cash. Have the airport taxi desk number saved as a backup.

Street exchangers and some bureau counters offer attractive rates but shortchange customers by sleight of hand or give outdated low-denomination notes that are hard to spend.

How to avoid: Exchange only at bank branches or official Kapital Bank ATMs. Count your money at the counter before leaving.

In the Old City, friendly locals invite tourists to bars where drinks cost $50–$100 each. Bouncers block the exit when the bill arrives.

How to avoid: Avoid accepting invitations from strangers to bars you haven't chosen yourself. Check menu prices before ordering.