Travel advice for Wales fans travelling to Baku for the Azerbaijan v Wales UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier match on Saturday 16 November 2019.
Date: Saturday 16 November 2019
Venue: Bakcell Arena Stadium (8km Stadionu), Baku, Azerbaijan
Kick-off time: 9pm (local time)
As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Azerbaijan.
Passports and visas
- you’ll need to get a visa before you travel. You can get an official e-visa online or apply for a visa through the Azerbaijan Embassy-affiliated Visa Service Centre in the UK. Some specific exemptions may apply. See the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for further details
- your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months on the date you enter Azerbaijan
- take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance – your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) won’t be valid in Azerbaijan, so travel and medical insurance is essential even if you’re only staying for 1 night
- if you’re visiting Azerbaijan for longer than 15 days, you must register within 15 working days of arrival. Hotels may provide this service for their guests, but visitors staying in apartments or private residences will have to register by themselves. Guidance on the process can be found on the State Migration Service’s website.
- police sometimes carry out checks of identity documents. You should carry your passport at all times. Keep it secure and leave a photocopy of the details page separately in a safe place
- for more guidance, see our travel advice for Azerbaijan.
Getting to/from the airport
By taxi
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it takes 25 to 30 minutes to get from the airport to city centre. There are a variety of taxi options available in Baku including private hire, app-based and metered cabs
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some visitors have reported being over-charged by local taxis – with private hire it’s best to negotiate a price before leaving – for a journey to one of the major hotels in central Baku expect to pay 20-30 Manats (AZN) and make sure any taxi you take has a yellow taxi sign or clear taxi branding on it
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if you take a metered cab, make sure the taxi meter is switched on
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check that the taxi has working seatbelts
By bus
Baku Bus runs a 24/7 service from the airport to the centrally located 28 May metro station. Details on departure times and route can be found on the Aero Express website.
Getting to the Stadium: Bakcell Arena (8km Stadium)
Address for Bakcell Arena Stadium: Nizami district, 8 km, B.Nuiyev street 2397, Baku, Azerbaijan.
Metro
The Bakcell Arena is located a 15 minute walk from both Khalgar Dostlugu and Neftcilar metro stations. The Both stations are on the Qirmizi (red) and Yasil (green) metro lines – see the Baku metro official website. Metro signs are displayed in both Azerbaijani and English.
Taxi
A taxi from central Baku to the Bakcell Arena is likely to cost 15 to 20 AZN in a purple coloured London taxi and slightly more for a private taxi. When taking a purple London taxi always make sure that the meter is used. For non-metered taxis it’s best to negotiate a price before departure. Taxis are considered the easiest and most convenient way to get to the stadium, although the traffic can be very busy on match days so allow plenty of time.
Bus
Bus numbers 81, 15, 186, 22, 185 all stop at Bakcell Arena or nearby stop.
At the match
Entry to the stadium
The main entrance will be open to welcome all fans. Wales supporters will be seated in sector 2B – see stadium plan. In order to enter section 2B of the stadium, you should go through the Gate 2B. The stewards will guide you to your seats.
Access to the stadium can be slow. Expect to be searched at least twice. To avoid last minute delays get to the stadium early. The stadium opens 2 hours before the kick-off.
Restrictions
In addition to items which would usually be prohibited in the UK, the following items will also not be allowed to be taken into the stadium: flares, fireworks, alcohol, cans, glass, plastic bottles or containers, coins, lighters and e-cigarettes. If you do bring any of these items they will be confiscated by the Azerbaijani authorities.
Alcohol and smoking
Alcohol is not sold in the stadium and cannot be brought in from outside. Smoking will not be allowed.
Food and drink
Food and drink outlets are available in the stadium. Items can be paid for by cash in local currency.
Disabled supporters
- there are designated area for wheelchair users referred as VIP Lounge, which can be reached via lifts from the ground floor
- the rest of Baku has limited facilities for the disabled traveller – the pavements, even on the main roads, can be difficult to negotiate for those with disabilities.
Local information
Climate and time
The average temperature in November is around 7-15ºC during the day. You can find information on the BBC weather website. The time in Baku is GMT+4.
Language
The main language is Azerbaijani. Russian is also widely spoken.
Crime
- crime levels in Baku are generally low
- don’t get involved with drugs – the penalties are severe
Personal security
- look after your personal belongings, in particular your passport and your money
- keep a photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport and keep it in a safe place separate from your passport
- take sensible precautions: be vigilant, avoid carrying large sums of money and be aware of your personal security
Road safety
- pedestrians should be vigilant at all times when crossing roads; red traffic lights and zebra crossings don’t necessarily mean a car will stop, use the underpasses where available
- when using a taxi make sure it has working seatbelts; many cars are poorly maintained and the standard of driving is erratic
- accidents are common, mainly due to poor or reckless driving and inconsistent enforcement of traffic rules
- if you’re in a vehicle that’s travelling at an unsafe speed you should instruct the driver to slow down
Religion
- most of the population of Azerbaijan is Muslim; Azerbaijan is a largely secular society and religion is usually considered a private matter
- respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs
Telephones
- the international dialling code for Azerbaijan in +994; before travelling check with your mobile phone provider that it will work in Baku
- local sim cards are easily available with Azercell, Nar Mobile and Bakcell being the leading mobile operators; you can buy credit for Azerbaijani mobile numbers from many shops or top up online.
Currency
- all goods and services are paid in local currency (Manats – AZN)
- pounds sterling, US dollars and euros are easily exchanged; major hotels and international supermarkets and restaurants accept credit and debit cards
- ATMs in Baku will almost always accept UK credit and debit cards; before leaving the UK, let your bank know you’re travelling to Azerbaijan.
Consular assistance
If you need urgent help from the British Embassy during your visit to Baku (e.g. one involving accident, injury or loss/theft of your passport), call +994 12 4377878 and follow the instructions to be put through to a consular officer.
Lost or stolen passports
If your passport is lost or stolen you can’t travel back to the UK without a valid travel document. You’ll need to apply to the Consular Section of the British Embassy Baku for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). The fee for an Emergency Travel Document is £100.
Lost or stolen credit/debit cards
If you lose your wallet or purse try to cancel your credit/debit cards as soon as possible. British consular officials can’t give you money to help you return home. You can transfer money from the UK using many of the commercial money transfer agencies in Baku, including Western Union. You can also use most major credit and debit cards to obtain money from ATMs.
For more information visit the British Embassy Baku web page.
Contact the British Embassy, Baku
Our address is:
Khagani Street 45 A
Baku
Azerbaijan
Tel: +99412 4377878 (24 hrs)
You can also reach us via our contact form.
The consular section of the British Embassy in Baku is open to the public from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays
You can also check our travel advice for Azerbaijan.
Emergency services numbers
- Fire – 101
- Police – 102
- Ambulance – 103
We hope you enjoy the game and your visit to Baku
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