Travel Basics – 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Start planning your F1 trip to Baku for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Advice about visas, money & language.

• The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is on September 19-21
• Tickets are not expected to go on sale until early 2025. F1 Experiences Ticket Packages are now available
• This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan. Located on the Caspian Sea, the city is divided into three sectors – the ancient city, the soviet-built section, and the newest part – making it a fascinating tourist destination bursting with history and culture. Baku is so much more than an F1 destination, so try and allow a few days for sightseeing to soak it all up. Its recent appearance on the F1 calendar has seen Baku catapulted into the world’s consciousness: a city where Stalin-era architecture is rapidly giving way to skyscrapers and dazzling glass structures reminiscent of Dubai.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Azerbaijan?

The visa application process for Azerbaijan is relatively simple; passport holders from the UK, the USA, Australia and most of Europe can apply for an e-Visa online in advance of their trip with just a copy of their passport. For a tourist stay of up to 30 days you can apply for the simple package for $20 USD (+ $5-6 processing fee). Applications are completed online using a credit or debit card, and can be processed in as little as three working days.

Azerbaijan Travel: Need to Know

• Time zone: Baku is GMT +4
• Tap water in Baku is not considered safe for human consumption; bottled water is readily available and cheap.
• You drive on the right-hand side of the road in Azerbaijan.
• The country telephone code for Azerbaijan is +994.
• In case of a general emergency, call the general emergency line on 112. Be warned that you will need to speak Azeri, Russian or Turkish, so keep a phrase book handy at all times.
• Azerbaijan uses type C and F power sockets, just like the rest of Europe. Bring an adaptor if you are coming from the UK, USA or Australia.
• Learn More: Azerbaijan Travel Official Website

Staying Safe in Baku

Baku is not a dangerous city. Exercise common sense as you would whilst travelling in any foreign city, and you should have a stress-free time in the city. The most significant issue for tourists is probably driving in Baku, since many road users fail to stick to the speed limits – keep your wits about you! Don’t forget that the government in Azerbaijan is known to be repressive and authoritarian, so avoid any form of criticism in public.

Azerbaijan Money

The Azerbaijani currency is the manat (AZN), which is divided into 100 qəpik. The manat lost a third of its value against international currencies when the government removed a peg to the US dollar toward the end of 2015. This is bad news for the average Azerbaijani, but good news for international tourists to the Grand Prix. ATMs can be found all over the city, especially near metro stations. Currently, 1 AZN is equal to around £0.46 GBP, €0.53 EUR and $0.59 USD

Language & Culture

You can get by with English all over Baku, especially in shops, hotels, bars and restaurants. You’ll be equally comfortable talking Russian in Azerbaijan, but we’d strongly advise getting hold of an Azeri phrasebook or app before you arrive here. Turkish is another language that most Azerbaijanis can understand, so if you know a little Turkish, try it out slowly and see how you go.

Baku weather

Typically, Baku enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and wet, windy winters. Dates for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix have moved around a lot in recent years, from early summer in 2022 to spring in 2023 and now autumn in 2024.

In mid-September when the next edition of the race is to be held in Baku, it should still be warm and with a low chance of rainfall. Average daytime temperatures should be around 28˚C (82°F) and minimums around 18˚C (64°F) at night. Don’t forget to pack a few warmer clothes for when the sun goes down.