In 2026, foreign travelers must enter Azerbaijan by air. Under Azerbaijan’s repeatedly extended special quarantine regime, all land borders (with Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Türkiye) and Caspian Sea ferry ports remain closed to regular incoming tourist traffic. Your Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa is accepted at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) in Baku and regional international airports.
Are Azerbaijan’s Land and Sea Borders Open to Tourists in 2026?
Travelers planning a classic South Caucasus overland trip between Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan—or an overland Silk Road route across the Caspian Sea—need to know one critical rule before booking transport: Azerbaijan’s land and sea borders remain closed to regular incoming passenger travel.
First introduced in 2020 under the Cabinet of Ministers’ special quarantine regime and extended through consecutive quarterly decrees into 2026, the restriction suspends routine tourist entry across all overland checkpoints with Georgia (such as Red Bridge / Krasny Most and Lagodekhi–Balakan), Russia (Samur), Iran (Astara and Bilasuvar), and Türkiye (Sadarak in Nakhchivan), as well as passenger boarding on Caspian cargo vessels toward Alat / Baku.
Even if you hold a valid, approved Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa or a visa-exempt passport, border guards will not permit regular tourist entry at a land checkpoint. To visit Azerbaijan, you must arrive by air at one of the country’s international airports.
- Air borders: Open to all international travelers holding an ASAN eVisa or visa-exempt passport.
- Georgia–Azerbaijan land borders (Red Bridge, Lagodekhi): Closed to incoming tourist entry (trains and overland buses remain suspended for entry).
- Russia, Iran, and Türkiye land borders: Closed to regular foreign tourist entry.
- Caspian Sea ferries (into Alat / Baku): Closed to incoming foreign tourist entry.
International Airports That Accept the Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa
Over 95% of international visitors fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport (IATA code GYD), located 20 kilometers northeast of central Baku. GYD is fully equipped with eVisa verification lanes and connects nonstop with Istanbul, Tbilisi, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Delhi, Mumbai, Almaty, Tashkent, and dozens of other hubs.
In addition to Baku, your Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa is valid at Azerbaijan’s regional international airports—including Ganja International Airport (GNJ) in the west, Nakhchivan International Airport (NAJ), Gabala International Airport (GBB) near the Caucasus Mountains, Lankaran International Airport (LLK) in the south, and Fuzuli / Zangilan airports where international commercial service operates.
- Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) — Baku (primary international hub, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2).
- Ganja International Airport (GNJ) — western Azerbaijan’s second-largest city.
- Nakhchivan International Airport (NAJ) — Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
- Gabala (GBB) and Lankaran (LLK) International Airports — regional international gateways.
How to Travel Between Tbilisi (Georgia) and Baku (Azerbaijan)
Because the Red Bridge road border and the overnight Tbilisi–Baku sleeper train remain closed to incoming tourists entering Azerbaijan, the standard route between Georgia and Azerbaijan is a 1-hour-and-10-minute nonstop flight from Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) operated multiple times daily by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and partner carriers.
Ensure your Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa is approved and printed (or saved as a PDF on your phone) before checking in at Tbilisi Airport, and verify that your passport is valid for at least 3 months past the expiration date of your 90-day eVisa.
Departure Rules, Previous Travel History, and Region Compliance
When departing Azerbaijan at the end of your trip (within your 30-day eVisa stay limit), flying out of Baku (GYD) or another international airport is the standard and guaranteed exit route. Remember that if your stay inside Azerbaijan exceeds 15 calendar days, your hotel or host must complete free State Migration Service address registration before day 15 so you do not face administrative fines at airport departure control.
Additionally, travelers wishing to visit recently liberated territories in Karabakh (such as Shusha, Fuzuli, or Khankendi) must travel via authorized routes and hold the required official portal permit in compliance with Azerbaijani law. Always carry your printed ASAN eVisa certificate and original passport book during domestic travel between Baku and regional provinces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cross overland from Georgia into Azerbaijan with an ASAN eVisa? — No. Azerbaijan’s land borders—including the Red Bridge and Lagodekhi crossings with Georgia—remain closed to regular incoming tourists under the special quarantine regime. You must fly into Azerbaijan.
Which airport should I fly into with an Azerbaijan eVisa? — Most international travelers fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) in Baku. Your ASAN eVisa is also accepted at Ganja (GNJ), Nakhchivan (NAJ), Gabala (GBB), and Lankaran (LLK) international airports.
Is the Tbilisi to Baku overnight train running in 2026? — While Azerbaijan’s special land-border quarantine regime remains in effect, cross-border passenger rail entry for regular tourists remains suspended. Travelers fly the 70-minute route between Tbilisi (TBS) and Baku (GYD).
Can I take a Caspian Sea ferry from Kazakhstan or Turkmenistan into Baku? — Incoming sea borders into Azerbaijan are subject to the same special quarantine restrictions as land borders. Foreign tourists visiting Azerbaijan should enter via an international flight into Baku (GYD).
Do I need to print my Azerbaijan eVisa when flying into Baku Airport? — Yes. Azerbaijan’s official ASAN Visa instructions advise printing your approved eVisa certificate and keeping it with your passport to present at airline check-in and at Baku Airport border control.
What happens if I stay in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days after flying in? — Any foreign visitor staying in Azerbaijan for more than 15 calendar days must be registered at their place of stay with the State Migration Service within the first 15 days of arrival.
