Baku Metro

Baku Metro Information

Opened during the Soviet era, the Baku metro system serves the capital city of Azerbaijan, Baku. In operation for almost 48 years, it is a rapid transit system serving 25 stations on bi-directional tracks, consisting of 3 lines with a total length of 36.66 km. The only metro in Azerbaijan and only the 5th metro in the Soviet Union, the Baku Metro boasts an annual ridership of 215.5 million (2014). Operated by the Baki Metropoliteni, the future looks bright for this metro system. With expansion plans already underway, there are plans to add around 76 new stations by 2030.

The map of the Baku Metro is an important guide for the nearly 482,000 passengers who rely on this mode of transport every day. To access the metro, passengers use an RFID card system to pay for their journeys. Despite its usefulness, Baku’s metro system doesn’t operate 24 hours a day. It’s only available from 6am to midnight.

Baku Metro Map

Map of Baku Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Baku Metro map in PDF format.

The Azerbaijan Subway System: Baku

Situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea on the Absheron Peninsula, Baku is the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This country, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, shares the Caucasus region with Georgia and Armenia. Despite its geographical location in Asia, Baku, with a population of over two million, has historical ties to Europe.

Baku is divided into eleven districts and 48 municipalities, with a significant separation between the Old City and the city centre, the former being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with landmarks such as the Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshah Palace.

During the Soviet era, Baku played an important role as an oil hub for the USSR. Today, however, it is better known for its scientific and research endeavours. Its economy is heavily reliant on its port, as it is home to the International Maritime Trade Port of Baku, located off the Baku Archipelago.

Baku has a semi-arid climate, with average temperatures of 26°C in summer and 4°C in winter.

The Baku Metro, also known as BakiMetropolitani in Azerbaijani, is a major rail transport system in the region and the first in an Islamic country. Inaugurated in 1967, the network consists of 25 stations on three lines with a total length of 36.63 kilometres.

In the past, the Russian company Metrowagonmash supplied trains for the metro. In 2005, it provided 43 trains of five cars each, but these were ageing models. To modernise the fleet, these trains were replaced in 2014 with new 81-760/761 models, developed in partnership between Metrowagonmash and the French firm Alstom.

In 2015, the Baku metro served 222 million passengers, with an average of 608.2 passengers per day. The system is managed by a public-private partnership, the Baku Metro Closed Joint-Stock Company.

Here are some key facts about Baku Metro:

• Official name: BakiMetropolitani
• Total length: 36.63 kilometers
• Track width: 1435 mm
• Number of lines: 3
• Number of stations: 25
• Official website: official website
• Operator: Baku Metro Closed Joint-Stock Company
• Average daily passengers: Approximately 608,200
• Date of establishment: November 6, 1967

Historical Overview

The Baku metro is significant for the Caucasus region. With the advent of industrialisation in the Soviet Union, there was significant urban growth, leading to the construction of several metro systems, including those in Moscow and Leningrad.

The genesis of the Baku metro project dates back to the 1930s, but was halted due to the outbreak of World War II. Construction resumed in 1953, only to be halted again shortly afterwards. The project was revived in 1960, resulting in the development of the first 12.4km section of the system. The inauguration of the first five stations of the Red Line of the Baku metro took place on 6 November 1967.

Since then, the system has continued to expand. The Red Line was completed in three stages, alongside the construction of the Green Line near the river. Political instability due to Azerbaijan’s independence from the USSR and subsequent conflict with Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh War delayed the opening of further stations until the late 1990s and early 2000s. Construction of the northern section of the Green Line was finally completed, and the two stations of the Purple Line were inaugurated in 2016.

Lines and Stations

The BakuMetropolitani consists of three lines with 25 stations, covering a considerable distance. The complex geology of Baku made it necessary to explore different construction methods. As a result, four stations are above ground, while the majority are underground. Of the underground stations, many are very deep and a smaller number are shallower. Eighteen stations have escalators, while only two have lifts.

The Baku metro system consists of the following lines:

• Red Line: This first line of the Baku Metro was opened on 6 November 1957 with five stations. It currently has 13 stations and a total length of 18.80 kilometres, making it the longest metro line. The line terminates at Icherisheher and Hazi-Aslanov stations, one of which is located in the old city of Baku.
• Green Line: The first two stations of the second line of the Baku Metro, marked with a green colour, were inaugurated in 1968. Initially it was only 2.2 kilometres long with two stations, but has since been extended to 15.54 kilometres with ten stations. The line terminates at Khatai and Darnagul stations.
• Purple Line: Inaugurated on 19 April 2016, this line marked a significant milestone in the history of the Baku Metro, having taken many years to construct. Originally, the line was 2.07 kilometres long and included two stations, Avtovagzal and MemarAjami. Three more stations are currently under construction.

Interconnections with Other Systems

Although the metro is the main mode of transport in Baku, other public transport systems are necessary to meet the needs of the city. While the Baku Metro is very popular, buses also serve a significant part of the city. Although not fully integrated with the Baku Metro, there is a card system that is compatible with both modes of transport. The fare for both the metro and the bus within the city is 0.20 qapik ($0.12), but can rise to 30 qapik ($0.17) or 50 qapik ($0.29) for trips to suburban and outlying areas. The city’s largest bus station, Avtovaghzal, offers services to Georgia and Russia.

The city also has the Baku Funicular, an urban transport system established in 1960. It connects the Bahram Gur and Martyrs’ Lane stations. The funicular has been modernised since its inception, and the nearest metro station is Icherishehe on the Red Line.

Azerbaijan has another important railway system known as AzərbaycanDəmirYolları in Azeri or Azerbaijan Railways in English. The system is a legacy of the Soviet railways. Baku has a major central railway station, the largest in the country, which provides links to the hinterland. A railway is currently under construction to link it with Georgia and Turkey. To get to this central station, you need to get off at May 28 station on the Red Line.

Long-distance travel is by sea, as Baku is a port city on the Caspian Sea. There are regular ferry services to other countries, particularly Turkmenistan, from nearby ports.

Airport Connections

Baku is served by Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the most important airport in Azerbaijan and the entire Caucasus region, and the country’s sixth international airport. Located about 20 kilometres northwest of the city, it is not yet connected to the Baku metro. However, plans to expand the metro system include the construction of a new station to serve the airport.

To get from Heydar Aliyev Airport to the Baku Metro, you have to take a bus. The Airport Express Bus Line 16 runs every 30 minutes from Terminal 1 to the city. The nearest metro station is Samad-Vurgun Garden, near May 28 station on the Red Line. Koroğlu station on the Red Line is also on the route, with a ticket costing 0.30 Azeri manat ($0.17 USD).

Operating Hours and Frequency

The Baku Metro operates on a fixed schedule, opening at 6am and closing at midnight every day. However, the frequency of trains varies depending on the line.

Trains on the Red Line depart from Bakmil Central Station, which is located at a line junction, with a transfer to the Green Line at 6:06 on weekdays. The last train leaves this station at 12:05. On weekends and public holidays, the first train leaves at 6:01 and the last at 23:09. Frequency varies, with trains running every three to six minutes at peak times and up to ten minutes at off-peak times. Around 10am, you may have to wait up to an hour. Frequency increases in the late afternoon.

The first train on the Green Line leaves Darnagul, its terminus, at 6.32am and the last at 11.53pm on weekdays. On weekends and public holidays, the first train leaves at 7:06 and the last at 23:00.

Fares, Tickets, and Cards

On 8 August 2015, the Baku metro unified its ticket prices, replacing the old cards with the modern BakiKart card. The cost of a single trip is 0.20 Azeri manat ($0.12 USD), regardless of the distance travelled. These cards also combine metro and bus fares as they can be used on BakuBus buses.

There are two ways to purchase the BakiKart. One option is for users who wish to purchase a BakiKart for unlimited travel for 45 days, which can be purchased from ticket machines at metro stations for 2 manat ($1.16 USD). The second option is a limited-use BakiKart, which is good for up to four trips and costs the same as a single trip, 0.20 manat ($0.12 USD).

Topping up the card is a simple process, as indicated on the machines where the card was originally purchased. The card must be scanned before passing through the turnstile and you must first check your balance. Children under the age of seven travel free.

System Rules

Any public transport system requires a set of rules for its proper functioning and the coexistence of its users. Some of the rules implemented by Baku Metro are

• Hand luggage or any item with a total size between 121 and 200 cm is subject to an additional charge. Children’s luggage is exempt.
• A passenger may not carry more than two pieces of hand luggage.
• Any person or object falling into the tunnel must be reported. Passengers are expected to keep their distance from the tunnel when on the platform and not to obstruct entry or exit.
• Priority is given to the disabled, elderly, pregnant women and children.
• Small pets and birds are allowed on the metro.

Future Expansions

The success of the Baku metro depends on its future expansion plans. Taghi Ahmadov, head of the Baku metro, said that more than 76 stations will be built by 2030. Eight stations are currently under construction, with more to come.

The Red Line will extend its boundaries, adding two more stations after Hazi-Aslanov and four more from Icherisheher to Badamdar, for a total length of 28.5 kilometres. The Green Line will be completely transformed into a circular line, adding thirteen stations. This line will connect all stations of the metro system and have a total length of 41.8 kilometres.

Two more stations have recently been inaugurated on the Purple Line, with ten more stations planned. This line will connect Qaracukur with the green line extension, which is 18.5 kilometres long.

Later, two new lines will be inaugurated: the Blue Line and the Yellow Line. The blue line will follow an almost horizontal route, crossing all the other lines over a length of 16.3 kilometres. In contrast, the yellow line will cross the system from north to south, intersecting all previous lines over a distance of 14.7 kilometres.

Advice

Before using the metro, make sure you have enough money on your card to avoid unnecessary delays when buying a new one. Always keep an eye on your luggage to prevent theft and pay for baggage charges if necessary. Do not try to force your way into the metro, especially after the warning “Be careful! Doors are closing”.

Intriguing Facts

The Baku Metro is the largest urban transport system in the Caucasus region. It has experienced two terrorist attacks in its history, which occurred during the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict on 19 March and 3 July 1994, resulting in the loss of 28 lives. On 28 October 1995, the Baku metro suffered one of the worst disasters in metro history when a train caught fire, killing 289 people and injuring 265 others. Koroğlu station was the first to offer WiFi, and several telecom operators have already introduced 3G signals to the network.

Sights Accessible via the Baku Metro

Baku has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination. In 2012, the city hosted the Eurovision Song Contest following the victory of Azerbaijani singers Ell and Nikki. More recently, in 2017, Baku hosted the Islamic Solidarity Games, which brought together Muslim-majority countries from all continents. These events have allowed visitors to explore Baku’s main attractions, including

• Maiden’s Tower: An ancient fortress located in Baku’s Old City and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower’s construction is believed to date back to the 12th century or earlier. The nearest metro station is Sahi on the Red Line.
• Shirvanshah Palace Complex: Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this complex includes a mosque, tomb, mausoleum and minaret. Construction began in 1411 and it’s accessible from Icherisheher station on the Red Line.
• Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre: A centre with Russian and Soviet style influences, it stands out for its stunning architectural design by Zaha Hadid. The curved white shape of the centre can be reached from Ganjlik station on the Red Line.
• Yanar Dag: A naturally occurring gas keeps a constant flame burning on a mountain near the Caspian Sea coast. This eternal flame attracts many tourists, who can reach it via the Khazi-Aslanov station on the Red Line.