From Baku to Gabala and Sheki in a Kia Rio: an economical car for a week on the road

From Baku to Gabala and Sheki in a Kia Rio: an economical car for a week on the road

My name is Dmitry Larin, I am from Yekaterinburg, and my wife and I came to Azerbaijan for ten days with a clear plan: three days in Baku and the rest in the regions — Gabala, Sheki and the villages along the way.

For such a route we needed our own transport, so we arranged car rental in Baku from Karavan Rent A Car in Baku and took a Kia Rio. It is not a big car, but for two people with luggage it is exactly right, and the daily rate leaves budget for the trip itself.

The car was handed over at the office. It was in good technical condition, clean, with a spare wheel and all the documents. The manager marked the existing small scratches together with us, which I appreciated — no surprises at the return.

The road from Baku to Gabala took about four hours. The Rio holds the highway confidently and is quiet enough at 100 km/h to talk without raising your voice. The air conditioning coped with the afternoon heat.

From Gabala we drove on to Sheki over the mountain road. That section is more demanding, with climbs and bends, but the car handled it without any drama. In Sheki we spent two days walking around the Khan’s Palace and the caravanserai.

Fuel for the whole ten days cost us less than we had planned for five. For travelling around Azerbaijan this class of car is simply the most sensible option.

On the way back we stopped in Ismayilli and Shamakhi. That is the whole point of having a car: you turn off wherever you find it interesting, not where the tour schedule allows.

If you are planning car rental in Baku for a trip through the regions as a couple, the Kia Rio is an excellent economical choice. Gabala, Sheki, Shamakhi — all of it is easily within reach.