Baku (Azerbaijan) — H1 Airport Express
Heydar Aliyev International (GYD) to Baku — Updated 2026
Heydar Aliyev International (GYD) sits 20km east of central Baku, connected by the H1 Airport Express bus — the cheapest and most reliable public option at AZN 1.30 (about USD 0.75). H1 runs 24 hours a day, every 20-30 minutes, from the arrivals level directly to 28 May metro station in central Baku. Journey time is 40-50 minutes depending on traffic. You must have a BakıKart contactless card, available at a vending machine in the airport arrivals hall (AZN 2 deposit + AZN 1.30 fare loaded on top). Cash is not accepted on the bus. At 28 May you can transfer to metro line 1 or 2 to reach Sahil, İçəri Şəhər (Old City), or Nizami stations — all for an extra AZN 0.40. For overnight arrivals, H1 is often preferable to taxis since the bus is fixed-price and Baku airport taxis have a reputation for overcharging without a meter. Yandex Go and Bolt operate at GYD; both are cheaper than official taxis (AZN 15-25 vs AZN 30-45 flat).
H1 Airport Express stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GYD International Arrivals | 0 min | H1 stop directly outside arrivals, well signposted |
| Yeni Yasamal | ~20 min | North Baku residential |
| Nərimanov | ~35 min | Metro line 1 transfer point |
| 28 May Metro Station | 40-50 min | Terminus; metro lines 1 + 2, central Baku |
| İçəri Şəhər (via metro) | + 5 min | UNESCO Old City, main tourist area |
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H1 Airport Express vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 Airport Express | AZN 1.30 | 40-50 min | Best value. 24/7 service, BakıKart needed. |
| Metro (via H1 + 28 May) | AZN 1.70 | 50-55 min | H1 + line 1/2 to any central station. |
| Yandex Go / Bolt (app) | AZN 15-25 | 25-40 min | Reliable app-based; card payment. |
| Official airport taxi | AZN 30-45 | 25-40 min | Fixed fare, kiosk in arrivals. |
| Aeroexpress train | Discontinued | — | The GYD-Baku Central train stopped in 2020. |
| Private transfer | AZN 40-60 | 25-40 min | Pre-booked; sign in arrivals hall. |
FAQ
How much is the H1 airport bus in Baku?+
AZN 1.30 per journey (about USD 0.75), paid via BakıKart contactless card. The card itself costs AZN 2 as a deposit + your fare loaded on top. Buy it at the BakıKart vending machine in the arrivals hall — English interface, accepts cash + card.
Does the metro go to Baku airport?+
No. The Baku metro network stops at 28 May in central Baku, 20km west of the airport. The H1 Airport Express bus is the direct connection; total metro-to-airport journey (Sahil → 28 May → H1) is about 60 minutes for AZN 1.70. There is no proposed metro extension to GYD as of 2026.
Is Yandex Go cheaper than airport taxi in Baku?+
Yes — significantly. Yandex Go and Bolt run AZN 15-25 from GYD to central Baku vs AZN 30-45 for the official airport taxi. Both apps work in Baku with a foreign phone (roaming or eSIM). Confirm the driver + car match the app before getting in.
Is the H1 bus safe for late-night arrivals at GYD?+
Yes. H1 runs 24 hours a day with staffed BakıKart kiosks in the arrivals hall throughout the night. The bus is well-lit, air-conditioned, and connects directly to 28 May metro (also 24/7 on weekends). This is one of the few Central Asian / Caucasus airports with genuine 24/7 public transport.
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