Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
Azerbaijan uses 230V / 50Hz with Type C and Type F sockets (European two round pins). Bring a Type C/F adapter; travellers from 100–120V countries need a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage.
- Voltage
- 230V / 50Hz
- Sockets
- Type C and F
- Adapter
- Type C/F needed
- Most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and fine with an adapter
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
The main operators are Azercell, Bakcell and Nar, with good 4G across cities. Prepaid SIMs are easy to buy at the airport and in city shops; bring your passport, which is required to register a SIM. Coverage is strong in Baku and along main routes.
- Operators
- Azercell, Bakcell, Nar
- Where
- Airport and city shops
- Needed
- Passport to register
- 4G coverage is good in cities and main routes
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
eSIM travel plans (such as Airalo) are a convenient option: buy one online before arrival and install it in minutes, with no physical SIM or shop visit. This avoids passport registration and is handy for short stays in Baku.
- Convenience
- Buy online before arrival
- Providers
- Airalo and similar
- Setup
- No physical SIM
- Check your phone is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Free Wi-Fi is widespread in Baku, available in cafés, hotels and restaurants across the city. Quality is generally good in central areas, though it can be patchier outside the capital. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking.
- Availability
- Cafés, hotels, restaurants
- Best in
- Central Baku
- Security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi
- A SIM/eSIM helps for on-the-go essentials outside the city
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
Most everyday apps, maps and social media work normally in Azerbaijan. However, some calling features of messaging apps (for example WhatsApp voice/video calls) can be unreliable or restricted at times. Some travellers use a VPN as a workaround; check current conditions before relying on app calls.
- General
- Most apps work normally
- Note
- Some app calls unreliable
- Workaround
- Some travellers use a VPN
- Check current conditions before relying on app calls
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Handy apps include Bolt and Yango/Yandex Go for ride-hailing (Uber operates in a limited way), BakiKart-related apps and Baku Metro info for transit, and 2GIS or Google Maps for navigation. Add a translation app, as Azerbaijani and Russian are widely used.
- Ride-hailing
- Bolt, Yango/Yandex Go
- Transit
- BakiKart, Baku Metro
- Maps
- 2GIS, Google Maps
- A translation app helps with Azerbaijani and Russian
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
Azerbaijan's country code is +994. Local SIM calls are cheap, but note that app-based voice/video calls (such as WhatsApp) can be unreliable at times. Save numbers in full +994 format so they work from any network.
- Country code
- +994
- Local SIM
- Cheap calls
- App calls
- Sometimes unreliable
- Save numbers in full +994 international format