Baku Airport

Very nice clean, new, unbusy airport with friendly staff. Unlike some western airports there are 2 security checks. First, at the very entrance into terminal building and regular one. But both of them are quite efficient so no problems. The terminal one is newly built and equipped with all necessary facilities. I arrived 2 hours before my flight and quickly checked in and got boarding passes. Fast free wi-fi is available. I'd like to share some info regarding transportation options to and from the airport. There are some old reviews saying that the only option is taxi but it has changed. BakuBus company recently launched Airport express service from city center to the airport. Buses depart every 30 minuest. From center to airport: its stop is just outside 28 MAY metro station (also close to 28 MALL). Turn left towards Samad Vurgun park. Airport Express clearly indicated on the bus. Airport to city: At the airport ask information desk about the shuttle they will guide you. It also stops at KOROGLU metro station. Duration of ride is 30 minutes. Information about Departures and arrivals is available on screens of the bus. Make sure you have Baku card (no cash is accepted). Per ride cost 1.3 manat (less that 1 usd). Very reasonable considering 15+ taxi prices. Buses are very comfortable and new.

A very clean, new and empty airport (when I visited). Fast free Wi-Fi is available.

This airport is really good: no problem at all very clean and new very pleasant staff and walking distances absolutely reasonable. Nice shops and Italian style bar with cappuccino few steps away from the gates. No issues with staff I reached the airport about 1 hour and 50 minutes before my departure time and 45 minutes later I was sitting in front of my gate ready for boarding. Recommended.

Went for an 8am flight which ended up leaving at 5pm - no information no apologies nothing. Had my bag emptied of any loose change which wasn't glued down by some official looking guy "assisting" the passport control guy - only he had no identification badge or anything to suggest that he had a right to be there - just a nice looking suit. Seriously - if you can please avoid Baku airport like the plague.

Baku airport in not too far from the city but in fact can be reached just by taxi which will charge you after negotiation no less than 25 manat which is enormous for local standards. The outlook of the airport in itself is not bad the main problem are the security checks upon departures. As the Russians also the Azeri love to check passports: from entering the terminal to the plane I've been verified 6 times which is quite annoying. Landside there are no facilities and also airside there are not many.

Flew in on Azerbaijan Airlines. Found the airline to be incredibly warm and staff were gracious and went out of their way to assist me. Flew out on Turkish Airlines. Simply make sure to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare if you are not local as customs here are different and there are people who like to cut in line at ticket counters. I found that when I was pleasant so were the staff. Business class lounge in the airport is terrific. There is free wi-fi (I am writing this review from the lounge) and it is stocked with all sorts of alcoholic drinks soft drinks foods nuts fruit etc. TV's and comfortable sofas too.

Flew to Baku for the first time. Arrival OK aircraft had pier and a short walk to Passport Control. Baggage Reclaim was 2 belts just after the Passport Control. Signs of revamp evident. Pass through the Customs Check and into Arrivals Hall. Exit is not clearly marked you have to run the gamut of taxi drivers no signs of a formal taxi rank or other transport links. No open banking facilities in evidence which is poor. Return flight more problematic Check-in is on the first floor and escalator not working so had to carry cases upstairs to check-in area. There is then an initial document check before actual check-in - relatively slow. Passport Control was ok and completed quickly. Once in the Departures Area not much open at 02:00 in the morning. Security Scan is made at the gate before boarding. The airport is clearly of an era and in need of an upgrade some of which is being done for Eurovision Song Contest in May 2012.

Arrival was manageable departure a disaster. Baku check-in counters at farthest end of airport. No carts. Must go up and down several staircases and escalators. Must go through 3 different x-ray/scanning machines. For people with lots of or heavy baggage departure is a true nightmare. Smoking and stench of smokers is pervasive in all sitting areas and lounges. Flew business class on Aerosvit to Kiev and I was the only one paying business class fare. Aircraft was packed full and flight attendant had to kick out economy class passenger out of business class seat. Basically open seating for everyone on board. I was lucky to get my business class seat which I paid for. Baku Airport is a disgrace for a country as rich as Azerbaijan. If you don't have to travel to Baku don't at all costs.

Three return journeys through Baku airport in the last five months and no serious problems. Immigration reasonably quick easiest if you already have a visa; baggage arriving at same time as coming out of immigration; pleasant business lounges. Taxi drivers on arrival are tedious - walk past the first few you see go outside and haggle for a lower fare. Security and passports are checked closely on departure but all good humoured. Well above average for international airports in post-Soviet countries.

I have used Baku airport on a regular basis for 3.5 years. Most of the recent comments I have read here stand (long queues / poor facilities / dirty toilets / appalling baggage services / overcharging taxi drivers). Strangely the Duty Free now charge solely in Euros (no longer the local currency or Dollars)! Did Azerbaijan join the EU and I missed it? Furthermore when asked to pay for a bottle of Vodka in Euros I was given my change in Dollars! Come on chaps stick to 1 currency please! Apart from Duty Free plan to spend as little time in this airport as possible. For a country that proclaims to welcome visitors Azerbaijan should be ashamed of the poor services and facilities offered. It is not worthy of the title "International Airport".