How to Get to Karabakh by Rental Car
Permit, Toll Road and Everything You Need to Know Before You Drive
The road connecting Ahmadbayli, Fuzuli and Shusha was recognised by the International Road Federation with an award for innovative construction methodology: 7 tunnels, 9 bridges, 81.3 kilometres of new highway built from scratch. Karabakh is open — and you can now drive there independently in a rental car from Baku. But entry to the liberated territories works differently from anywhere else in Azerbaijan. The permit must be obtained online in advance — without it, the checkpoint will not let you through. This is the complete practical guide for anyone planning a self-drive Karabakh itinerary.
Table of Contents
- Permit: step-by-step instructions
- The toll road: what kind of highway this is and what it costs
- The road through a driver’s eyes: what the 81 km actually looks like
- Distances and time: a realistic calculation
- Which vehicle to choose for Karabakh
- Signal, fuel, cash — practical reality on the route
- How many days you actually need
Permit: step-by-step instructions
Entry to the liberated territories requires a prior permit. It is obtained online, before the trip. There is no possibility of registering at the checkpoint or on the way.
Primary resource: yolumuzqarabaga.az — the official state portal. Alternative: mygov.az → section “Transport” → “Permission to travel to the liberated territories”.
What you will need when submitting the application:
- Passport details of every passenger (including children)
- Vehicle information: registration number, make, category
- Planned entry and exit dates (permit valid for up to 5 days)
- Planned destinations within the liberated territories
Passenger limit: 1 driver and up to 8 passengers in one category B passenger vehicle — 9 people maximum including the driver.
The exception that few people know about: if you have booked and paid for a room at an official hotel operating on the liberated territories, portal registration is not required. The hotel registers your entry independently. The current list of accredited hotels is available on the yolumuzqarabaga.az portal.
One practical point: apply at least 24–48 hours before departure. During peak season and public holidays, processing takes longer. Do not leave it for the evening before.
The toll road: what kind of highway this is and what it costs
The Ahmadbayli–Fuzuli–Shusha highway is not just a new road. The project received the International Road Federation (IRF) award for innovative construction methodology. It is a six-lane highway along most of its length, with 7 tunnels and 9 viaduct bridges across 81.3 kilometres.
The new road is approximately 20 kilometres shorter than the alternative route and built for higher speeds. Drivers have a choice: the new toll road or the free Victory Road. For a first visit and comfortable travel — the toll road without question.
| Vehicle type | Rate per km | Full route cost |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars and vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes | 8.6 qepik | ~6.99 AZN |
| Buses | 7.1 qepik | ~5.77 AZN |
| Trucks over 3.5 tonnes and special vehicles | Separate tariff | — |
Payment is made at the toll gate on entry. Cash manats and bank cards accepted. Keep the receipt. Both directions: approximately 14 AZN return.
The road through a driver’s eyes: what the 81 km actually looks like
The highway begins from the M6 motorway near Ahmadbayli. The first kilometres run across the Karabakh plain — steppe, wide horizon, open sky. Not yet the mountains, but already Karabakh.
Roughly halfway through, the terrain changes. The road begins to climb. This is where the tunnels and viaducts are concentrated — engineering structures that impress even drivers accustomed to European motorways. Signal drops in the tunnels for a few seconds — completely normal.
Along the route there are memorials and monuments connected to the events of 2020. International visitors frequently stop at them. Allow time for this — these are not ordinary roadside markers.
The final ascent before Shusha is the most striking section of the drive. The road switchbacks upward. At the exit of the last tunnel, Shusha appears at 1,400 metres. That is the moment people drive here for.
From Karavan Rent A Car in Baku: clients who drove to Karabakh for the first time consistently say the same thing — the road itself is part of the experience. Even those who travel Azerbaijan regularly call the Fuzuli–Shusha section one of the most remarkable drives in the country.
Distances and time: a realistic calculation
From Baku to the start of the toll road: approximately 330 km via the M6 through Horadiz — 3.5 to 4 hours at normal traffic. Then 81.3 km of toll road to Shusha — around one hour. Total: approximately 410 km and 4.5–5 hours from Baku to Shusha.
Most drivers leave between 6:00 and 7:00 am and arrive around midday. This is the right approach: the morning hours in Shusha — walking the city before the afternoon heat — are the best the city offers.
| From — To | Distance | Driving time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baku → Fuzuli (Ahmadbayli) | ~330 km | 3.5–4 h | M6 via Horadiz, good highway |
| Fuzuli → Shusha | 81.3 km | ~1 h | Toll road, 7 tunnels |
| Shusha → Khankendi | ~14 km | ~20–25 min | Mountain switchbacks — take the descent carefully |
| Shusha → Aghdam | ~55 km | ~50 min | Restored road, good surface |
| Shusha → Lachin | ~55 km | ~1 h | Mountain terrain, switchbacks |
| Baku → Lachin (via Jabrayil) | ~450 km | ~5.5 h | Alternative mountain route |
Which vehicle to choose for Karabakh
The Fuzuli–Shusha toll road is a six-lane motorway with pristine surface. Any passenger car handles it without difficulty.
Beyond that — it depends on the route. Shusha to Khankendi is 14 km of switchbacks with significant elevation change. The road through Jabrayil–Zangilan–Gubadly to Lachin involves steep mountain gradients. A sedan manages, but a crossover gives noticeably more comfort and confidence.
- Sedan — suitable for the core route Baku → Fuzuli → Shusha → Aghdam. If you stay on the main roads.
- Crossover (Tucson, RAV4, Tiguan) — the right choice for the full Karabakh circuit including Khankendi and Lachin. Recommended.
- SUV — if you plan to explore beyond restored roads or travel in the shoulder season.
The mileage reality most people miss: the total distance for a 3–4 day Karabakh circuit from Baku and back is 1,000–1,200 km. If a rental contract includes a daily mileage limit, check it before departure. Karavan Rent A Car in Baku operates with unlimited mileage throughout Azerbaijan.
Signal, fuel, cash — practical reality on the route
Mobile signal. Azercell and Bakcell work on the main highway. Signal drops in tunnels for a few seconds — expected, not a problem. In mountain sections between cities there can be weaker zones. Download offline maps of the region before leaving Baku — Google Maps and Yandex Maps cover Karabakh well.
Fuel. Refuel in Fuzuli before joining the toll road. Shusha has petrol stations. Between cities along the route, infrastructure is still developing — do not count on finding a station «along the way». The rule is simple: enter with a full tank.
Cash. Shusha and Khankendi now have cashless payment points, but not everywhere. At markets, small roadside cafés, and throughout the route — cash manats only. Toll road payment accepts cards, but carry cash regardless.
Food on the route. There are roadside cafés on the Baku–Fuzuli section. On the toll road itself, there is almost no infrastructure — plan your meal in Fuzuli or bring food. In Shusha, cafés and restaurants operate, including places on the Jidir Duzu promenade with mountain views.
Weather and clothing. Shusha sits at 1,400 metres. Even in July and August, evenings drop to 15–18°C. A warm layer is essential. In the shoulder season (October–April), mountain sections can bring fog and wet snow.
How many days you actually need
Karabakh is not a day trip. Technically, driving to Shusha and back in a single day is possible. But that is 800+ km of driving and three hours in the city. This is not how Karabakh is experienced.
A realistic breakdown by day:
- Day 1 — drive and Shusha. Depart Baku at 6:00 am. Arrive in Shusha by midday. Jidir Duzu — the plateau on the edge of the Dashalti gorge, the city’s historic racetrack and performance ground with views down into the canyon below. The Govhar Agha mosques — twin-minaret 19th-century architecture by master builder Kerbalayi Safihan Karabagi, now restored. Vagif Mausoleum. The fortress walls of Panakhali Khan. Evening in Shusha — cool, quiet, stars at 1,400 metres.
- Day 2 — Khankendi and Aghdam. Khankendi — the largest city in the region, actively being rebuilt, open to foreign visitors since July 2025. Aghdam — 55 km from Shusha. The Juma Mosque of 1868–1870, built by the same architect as the Shusha mosques — the single structure that survived 27 years of destruction. One day, two completely different cities.
- Day 3 — Fuzuli and Lachin. Fuzuli — the gateway city you drive through on arrival, now with its own history being restored. Lachin — a mountain town in a gorge, open to tourists since April 2024. En route: the Istisuyu mineral springs. Return to Baku via Horadiz.
Minimum meaningful itinerary: 3 days. If time allows — 4 days: one buffer day so nothing feels rushed.
What is currently open to visitors
As of July 2025, foreign nationals can visit: Shusha, Lachin, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Khankendi, Khojavend (Khojaly). All via yolumuzqarabaga.az or mygov.az.
Shusha has been open the longest — since December 2023 — and has the most developed tourist infrastructure: hotels, cafés, museums, viewpoints. Lachin opened in April 2024. The other cities opened more recently and are at earlier stages of tourist development.
Important: the list of accessible territories and entry rules is subject to update. Always verify current conditions on yolumuzqarabaga.az directly before any trip.
The full Karabakh circuit: how to connect the cities
The logical loop for a self-drive visitor entering via Fuzuli:
Baku → Fuzuli → Shusha (toll road, Day 1)
Shusha → Khankendi → Shusha (overnight in Shusha, Day 2 morning)
Shusha → Aghdam → Shusha (55 km each way, Day 2 afternoon)
Shusha → Lachin → Fuzuli → Baku (Day 3, return route)
Detailed guides to each city in our Travelers Club: Shusha, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Lachin, Khankendi.
FAQ
Is a new permit needed for each separate trip?
Yes. Each permit covers a specific vehicle and specific dates. If you return to Karabakh on a later trip, a new permit is required. The process is the same and takes 10 minutes.
Can a Baku rental car be taken into Karabakh?
Yes. Karavan Rent A Car in Baku authorises the use of its rental vehicles on the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. When booking with any rental company, confirm this point explicitly — it should be clear in the contract.
What if the permit has not arrived by the day before departure?
During peak season and public holidays, processing takes longer. Apply at least 24–48 hours in advance. If the permit has not arrived, contact the yolumuzqarabaga.az support team via the contacts on the portal.
Conclusion
Karabakh is a route that changes your understanding of Azerbaijan. Not just new sights — a place where history is physically present: in the new highway cut through the mountains in three years, in the restored mosques, in the cities coming back to life. All of it accessible by car, at your own pace, on your own schedule.
Karavan Rent A Car in Baku — Azerbaijan’s flagship car rental company since 2008. Unlimited mileage throughout the country including Karabakh. 24/7 multilingual support. GYD airport meet-and-greet.
👉 Book a car for your Karabakh trip: karavan.az
More routes across Azerbaijan in our blog and Travelers Club: Shusha, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Lachin, Khankendi.
