Where to Stay in Baku with a Car: Neighbourhoods and Hotels with Parking

In short. If you’re renting a car, don’t book a hotel in Icherisheher: for non-residents, driving into the Old City costs 3 manats for the first 15 minutes and 5 manats for every following hour, cashless payment only — by card or via AzParking, and the number of cars inside the walls is limited. City parking in Baku costs between 30 qapiks and 1 manat per hour and is free from 22:00 to 07:00 and on Sundays. The best choice is a hotel outside the Old City with its own free parking — then you don’t have to think about parking at all.

Many people choose their Baku hotel from beautiful photos of the Old City and only think about the car later. While you’re on foot, that’s fine. But once you’ve rented a car, the hotel’s address decides a lot: how much you pay for parking, how much time you lose in traffic on the way out of town, and whether you’ll be hunting for a place to leave the car every evening.

At Karavan Rent A Car in Baku we’ve been handing cars to the city’s guests since 2008 — at hotels, at the airport, at any address — and we know well where staying with a car is easy and where it becomes a headache. Here is our honest advice.

The golden rule: the Old City and a car don’t mix

Icherisheher is Baku’s historic centre inside the fortress walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a pedestrian zone. Staying here is atmospheric, but with a rental car it’s inconvenient and expensive.

• Entry is paid. For non-residents — 3 manats for the first 15 minutes and 5 manats for every following hour. Cashless payment only — by card or via AzParking.
• The number of cars is limited. Only a limited number of vehicles can be inside the walls at the same time — there may simply be no space.
• Strict sanctions. Breaking the entry rules doesn’t lead to a fine but to an entry ban: first for a week, then for a month and for a year.
• Narrow, steep lanes. Turning and parking here is hard even for an experienced driver.

For comparison

Entering the Old City costs 3 manats, then 5 manats for every hour. In a city car park in the centre an hour costs 1 manat, and at night from 22:00 to 07:00 parking is free. The difference is several times over — so it’s better to leave the car outside the walls overnight.

Some hotels inside the walls may have their own arrangements for guests — check this before booking.

If you really want to stay in the Old City

Icherisheher is worth it: evening lanes, the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs five minutes from your room. In that case we advise not keeping the car for the whole trip, but renting it only for your out-of-town days:

1. Get around Baku on foot, by metro and by taxi. Icherisheher metro station is right by the Old City walls.
2. On the day of your trip, order car delivery to a convenient spot outside the walls — the manager will agree on the place and time.
3. In the evening, return the car at the same spot or leave it overnight in a city car park outside the walls — parking there is free at night.

At Karavan Rent A Car in Baku you can rent a car for just one day — see our article on car rental for 1 day. You can collect and return it at any time of day or night — more in our article on 24/7 car rental.

How much parking costs in Baku

Paid city parking in Baku is divided into four zones. The rates are set by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers:

The central zone is the very heart of the city: roughly from Neftchilar Avenue in the south to Fuzuli Street in the north, between Azerbaijan Avenue and the Javanshir Bridge.

When parking is free

• the first 15 minutes at any paid space;
• at night, from 22:00 to 07:00;
• all day on Sunday.

How to pay and avoid a fine

Payment is cashless only. Send an SMS to the short number 1181 with your car number and the parking number shown on the sign, and before you leave send an SMS with the word SON. The money is taken from your phone balance, so you’ll need a local SIM card. You can also pay in the AzParking mobile app.

The most common mistake is the wrong parking number. In one known case a driver paid for parking but entered the code of a different zone and got an 18-manat fine. Check the number against the sign where your car is parked. If you’re not sure how to pay, message our manager — they’ll help.

The best choice: a hotel with free parking

The simplest solution is a hotel with its own free parking. You arrive, leave the car and stop thinking about rates, zones or seven o’clock in the morning.

What to ask the hotel before booking

• Is parking free or paid — and if paid, how much per day?
• Is it the hotel’s own car park or spaces on the public street nearby?
• Do you need to reserve a space in advance?
• If the car park is underground, what is the entrance height? This matters for minivans and large SUVs.
• Can you drive in and out at night or early in the morning?
• Is there security or video surveillance?

How to find such a hotel

On booking sites, turn on the “Free parking” filter and read the “Parking” section of the description carefully: “private parking on site” and “public parking nearby” are very different things. Check the reviews too: guests usually say honestly whether there are enough spaces in the evening.

Which area to choose

The best area depends on your route. If you’re planning trips out of town, choose a hotel close to the road you’ll take — that way you won’t have to cross the centre at rush hour every time.

For a seaside break, see our Sea Breeze guide.

Tips from Karavan Rent A Car in Baku

1. Don’t pay for a car on “city” days. Central Baku, the Old City and the Carpet Museum are easier on foot and by taxi; rent the car for your trips to Sheki, Gabala or Guba. We explain where you need a car and where you don’t in our guide to the 5 top places in Baku and Sheki.
2. Order delivery straight to your hotel. The car will be brought to your hotel at any time of day or night — no need to go anywhere to collect it.
3. Flying in? Collect the car at the airport. Our representative will meet you in the arrivals area, and you can return the car there before your flight.
4. Don’t park under no-parking signs. Parking violations are recorded by cameras, and a fine will spoil the trip.
5. Remember 07:00. Free overnight parking on city streets ends at 7 a.m. If your car is on the street and you plan to sleep in, pay for parking from the morning.
6. Driving a minivan? Check the car park height. If you’re travelling as a big family in a minivan, ask the hotel in advance about the entrance height of its underground car park.
7. During major events, stay outside the centre. During Formula 1 and big holidays, central streets are closed, and getting to your hotel can be difficult.

FAQ

Can I stay in Icherisheher if I’ve rented a car?

You can, but it’s inconvenient and expensive: entry for non-residents is paid and limited. It’s better to rent the car only for your out-of-town days.

How much does it cost to drive into Icherisheher?

3 manats for the first 15 minutes and 5 manats for every following hour, cashless payment only — by card or via AzParking.

How much is parking in central Baku?

In the central zone — 1 manat per hour; in the other zones — from 30 to 70 qapiks.

When is parking in Baku free?

The first 15 minutes, at night from 22:00 to 07:00 and all day on Sunday.

How do I pay for city parking?

Cashless only: by SMS to 1181 or in the AzParking app. Enter the parking number from the sign carefully.

Can I get my rental car delivered to my hotel?

Yes, Karavan Rent A Car in Baku delivers cars to your hotel or any address at any time of day or night.

Conclusion

If you’re travelling by car, choose a hotel outside the Old City, with its own free parking and in an area that suits your route. And if you really want to stay in Icherisheher, rent the car only for your out-of-town days. Message a Karavan Rent A Car in Baku manager on WhatsApp or Telegram at +994-55-455-22-45 — they’ll find the right car and deliver it straight to your hotel.

Read also

• All car rental terms in Baku: read the article
• Car rental at Baku Airport (GYD): read the article