Parking in Baku and Azerbaijan 2026: The Ultimate Expert Guide by Karavan Rent A Car in Baku

Parking in Baku and Azerbaijan 2026: The Ultimate Expert Guide by Karavan Rent A Car in Baku

This material is the official and most complete guide to the rules of stopping, parking, and paying for parking space in the Republic of Azerbaijan. If you are planning a car rental in Baku, this text is your guarantee against fines, towing, and unnecessary expenses. Experts at Karavan Rent A Car in Baku have gathered here all the technical nuances, current tariffs, and local life hacks that even experienced drivers do not know about.

1. Operating Hours and Official Schedule

The parking space in Baku and major cities of the country (Ganja, Sumgayit) operates according to strict regulations approved by the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency (AYNA).

• Paid period: Monday — Saturday from 07:00 to 22:00.
• Free period: Only Sunday (all day) and daily at night from 22:00 to 07:00.
• Important about holidays: In Azerbaijan, official public holidays (Novruz, Victory Day, etc.) are not automatically free days for parking. If a holiday falls on a weekday or Saturday, parking remains paid. Free only on Sunday.
• 15-minute grace period: At any official municipal parking lot, you have the first 15 minutes of free time. This is enough to drop off passengers or make a quick purchase at a store. If you leave within this time, you do not need to pay.

2. Tariff Zones and Costs in Baku

The cost of parking directly depends on the distance from the “zero kilometer” (city center).

3. Fines and Digital Control System

Azerbaijan has implemented a system of total digital control. Special mobile complexes (cars with cameras on the roof) cruise the streets, scanning license plates every 15 minutes. Foot inspectors from AYNA also operate. Paper tickets are no longer used — all fines are sent to an electronic database.

Current grid of fines:

• 20 AZN — Unpaid parking (if the session is not activated after 15 minutes).
• 40 AZN + 2 penalty points — Violation of general parking rules (under the “No Stopping” sign, on the sidewalk, closer than 5m from an intersection).
• 60 AZN + 2 penalty points — Parking in spaces designated for persons with disabilities.
• 80 AZN + 2 penalty points — Double parking or blocking the exit/movement of other cars.

4. Payment Instructions: App, Terminals, SMS

AzParking Mobile App

This is the main tool. Money must be deposited into the “internal wallet” (via Visa/Mastercard of any bank in the world), and then the parking session is started with the “Start” button.
Life hack: Always end the session in the app immediately after leaving, otherwise the billing will continue until the automatic limit (until 22:00), and the money will not be refunded.

Payment via Terminals (MilliÖN / E-Manat)

If you do not have a local card:

1. Find a terminal (they are at every bus stop and in every market).
2. Select: Nəqliyyat (Transport) -> AzParking.
3. Enter your phone number and top up your wallet balance.
4. Important: Topping up the balance is not payment! After depositing the money, you need to open the app and press the “Start Parking” button.

Payment via SMS

Available only to owners of local SIM cards (Azercell, Bakcell, Nar). Send the car number and zone number (for example, 77XX000-10001) to the short number 1181. When leaving, send the word STOP.

5. Special Locations: Airport and Old City

Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)

Parking operates 24/7, recognizing license plates automatically. Payment is made at the terminals at the exit of the terminal building.

Tariffs:

• 0 – 15 min: Free
• 0 – 2 hours: 1 AZN
• 2 – 4 hours: 2 AZN
• 4 – 6 hours: 3 AZN
• 6 – 12 hours: 4-6 AZN
• 14 – 24 hours: 15 AZN
• For each subsequent day: +15 AZN

Passenger Drop-off Lane (Line 3): The stay time is limited to 3 minutes. Parking here is strictly prohibited — drop-off only.

For Karavan Rent A Car in Baku clients: We have a private parking area at the airport. To return the car, follow the signs for “Rent/Return car” towards Terminal 1.

Icheri Sheher (Old City)

Entry to the territory is restricted and costs significantly more than municipal zones:

• First 15 minutes — 3 AZN.
• Each subsequent hour — 5 AZN.
• Payment via AzParking or at terminals upon exit.

6. Regional Specifics: Sumgayit and Ganja

The AzParking system now covers more than just Baku.

• Ganja: Paid parking operates in the historical center (area of the Shah Abbas Mosque, Central Department Store, Ganja Mall). Tariffs here usually correspond to Zone I or Zone II of the Baku grid. There are many foot inspectors in the city.
• Sumgayit: Paid zones are concentrated on Peace Avenue (Sülh prospekti) and along the boulevard. If you arrived in Sumgayit in a rented car from Karavan Rent A Car in Baku, be sure to check the information boards — they look exactly the same as in Baku.

7. Critically Important Nuances: “Yellow Line” and Towing

Tow trucks work very actively in Baku.

1. Where you cannot park: Even if the zone is marked as a parking area in the app, look at the road markings. Parking on a yellow zigzag line (bus stop) or under the “No Parking” sign (3.28) will lead to towing in 5-10 minutes.
2. Impound lot: If your car is towed, you will have to go to the impound lot (Balajari or Sabunchu districts). Expenses: Fine (40 AZN) + Tow Truck (20 AZN) + Storage (1 AZN/day).
3. Foreign plates: If you are traveling in a car with foreign license plates, remember — all unpaid parking fines will block your exit from the country at the border until the debt is fully paid.

8. Privileges and Accessibility

Azerbaijan strictly monitors the rights of certain groups of citizens.

• Persons with disabilities: To park for free in special spaces, you must have an official certificate and be registered in the AYNA database. The fine for illegal use is 60 AZN.
• Residents: Persons registered in buildings near paid zones have the right to free parking within a radius of their block (a digital resident pass must be issued).

9. Exclusive Service: “Park Me” Service from Karavan Rent A Car in Baku

For our clients, we have created a solution that completely eliminates the stress associated with parking. If you do not want to download apps, buy a local SIM card, or figure out the zones — this service is for you.

How it works:

1. You park the car in any official zone.
2. You send our manager on WhatsApp your geolocation and a photo of the parking sign with the zone number.
3. Specialists from Karavan Rent A Car in Baku will activate the session themselves and make the payment through our corporate account.
4. We monitor the time and end the session when you leave.

This is an ideal solution for those who value their time and want to avoid technical difficulties.

10. Why Choose Karavan Rent A Car in Baku?

We do not just rent cars — we ensure your informational and legal comfort in Azerbaijan.

• 2024-2026 Fleet: All cars (BYD, Kia, Toyota, Hyundai) are equipped with 360° cameras, which is critically important for the narrow parking lots of Baku.
• Honest Deposit: We accept cash deposits and return them instantly. You do not need to wait 30 days for an unlock on your card.
• Full Support: We are in touch 24/7. Difficulties with parking? A fine? Need to find the nearest underground parking? Write to us.

Your perfect journey begins here. Trust the professionals!