Qizilagach Air Base

Common Complaints

• Predatory Taxi Services on Arrival: A significant and frequent complaint involves overpriced taxi rides from the airport to the city center, with drivers aggressively soliciting passengers. Travelers report being charged many times the normal rate, with no formal taxi rank or clear signage for alternatives in some experiences.
• Lack of Essential Arrival Services: Several recent reviews highlight the absence of ATMs and SIM card shops in the arrivals area, forcing travelers to rely on unscrupulous taxi drivers or arrive with local currency.
• Non-functional Sanitizer Dispensers: Some visitors have noted a lack of working hands-free sanitizer dispensers throughout the airport.
• Issues with International Credit Card Payments: Travelers have reported difficulties paying excess baggage fees with international VISA, MasterCard, or Discover cards, with facilities only accepting local Azerbaijan credit cards.

In summary, Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport offers a visually impressive and generally efficient experience, particularly within Terminal 1, with strengths in its modern design and streamlined security/immigration. However, new arrivals should be acutely aware of and prepared for the challenges related to ground transportation and the limited financial services immediately available, as these are consistent points of dissatisfaction among travelers.