Azerbaijan Grand Prix™ Travel Guide
Your guide on how to get to Baku City Circuit, where to explore & other important information to know before you go.
Practical Information
- Visas: Citizens of most countries are required to obtain an e-visa in advance of travelling to Azerbaijan. The cost is $20 USD + processing fee and visas are issued within 3 working days. Apply for an e-visa here.
- Currency: Azerbaijan uses the Manat (AZN), which is divided into 100 qəpik. Tipping is not necessary, especially when restaurants add a service charge to your bill, though you can reward good service by rounding up the bill. ATMs and money changers are easy to find all over the city.
- Language: The locals speak Azerbaijani, which is related to the Turkish language. English, Russian and Turkish are also widely spoken and understood in the city, but getting an Azerbaijani phrasebook is still recommended.
- Time Zone: UTC +4 hours
- In an Emergency: Dial 112. Get a local to call if you don’t speak Azeri, Turkish or Russian.
- Power Sockets: Azerbaijan uses the same Type C and F power sockets as mainland Europe. Bring an adaptor if you are travelling from another part of the world.
- Weather: For the Azerbaijan Grand Prix™, temperatures should range from around 26°C (79°F) during the day to 18°C (64°F) at night. The weather is expected to be mild and dry, throughout the weekend.
Arrival & Getting Around
Flights to Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is approximately 20.0 km (12.4 mi) from the centre of Baku. It’s the home base of the national flag carrier Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), which flies direct to several European hubs (including Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Milan, and Paris) and further destinations (Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, and New York). Hungarian discount airline Wizz Air also has cheap direct flights from Budapest. Other airlines with long-haul connections to Baku include flydubai via Dubai, Etihad via Abu Dhabi, Qatar Airways via Doha, and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.
The quickest way to get from the airport to the centre is to use an official taxi but Uber also operates in Baku and a cheap bus service is also available.
Where to stay
As the name suggests, Baku City Circuit is located in the centre of the Azerbaijani capital. There are several options, within multiple budgets, in or near Baku’s city centre.
F1® Experiences offers a selection of the best hotels in Baku. If you are still looking for accommodation, contact your Sales Representative for more information about available hotel options.
How to get to Baku City Circuit
Public Transportation
If you do decide to stay in the suburbs, taking the metro is the best way to get to the circuit. Due to road closures in and around Baku City Circuit, it can be easier to take the metro to get from one part of the circuit to another. For example, the quickest way to get from the old town to the F1® Fanzone/Bulvar area would be to take the metro one stop from Icheri Sheher to Sahil.
Public transport services are normally extended during the race weekend, operating up to 20 hours per day, with buses running as frequently as every three minutes to certain points on the circuit. Metro stations 28th May, Sahil, and Icheri Sheher are all within walking distance of the track.
Hire a Car
There is no spectator parking at the circuit (except for limited parking for Paddock Club™ ticketholders), so we do not recommend driving yourself to the circuit.
Walking
To get the most out of your trip to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix™, we recommend staying within walking distance of the circuit for the most convenient commute during the race weekend.
F1® Experiences
Booked accommodation along with your Official Ticket Package from F1® Experiences? Daily transfers to and from the circuit can be added to your Official Ticket Package for an additional cost.
What to see & do in Baku
Walk the Bulvar
Take a walk along the boulevard fronting onto the Caspian Sea that runs through the centre of Baku, close to the circuit. Landmarks along the way include the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Caspian Waterfront Mall, Baku Eye, National Flag Square, and Baku Crystal Hall, where the F1® concerts are held.
Take the Funicular
Get some of the best panoramic views in Baku by taking the funicular from the Bulvar to the top of the nearby hill, where you can walk around Upland Park and check out the Martyr’s Lane cemetery and Shahidlar Monument. The Flame Towers, one of Baku’s most recognizable modern landmarks, are also nearby.
Get lost in the Old Town
The western section of the Baku City Circuit skirts around the walled Old Town of Baku, which dates back almost 1000 years and is a must-visit. The narrow medieval streets lead to some of the city’s most important historic landmarks, including the Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs, both of which house museums.
Check out some modern architecture
Baku boasts some of the most ground-breaking modern architecture in the world, including the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. Designed by Iraq-British architect Zaha Hadid and completed in 2012, it holds cultural exhibitions, as well as a classic car exhibition. The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, another modern building that resembles a giant rolled carpet, is also worth checking out.
