Azerbaijan Report Travel.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE AZERBAJGIAN VISA

The rules for obtaining visas often change so first of all it is always better to check the official sites of the embassies and tourism bodies.

Until 2010 you could get it at the airport once you landed, or at the borders if you came by land, today you have to get it before leaving, otherwise they won't let you into the country.

To get it:

1. Go to the embassy, located in Rome;

2. Here are the data of the AZERBAIJAN EMBASSY IN ROME: Address: Viale Regina Margherita 1 - 00198 - Rome, Consular office hours: 9.30-12.30, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Telephone: 06/85305557, 06/85357989 Fax: 06/85831448, Website: www.azembassy.it, E-mail: rome@mission.mfa.gov.az;

3. Keep in mind the website of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Rome for now shows the icon with the words "... is coming soon" and therefore it does not work;

4. Contacting the Embassy by e_mail or telephone is not easy;

5. To obtain the visa, you must deliver to the aforementioned embassy:

- a passport valid for at least 6 months

- a passport photo

- completed application form, which is found online, on the websites of the agencies prepared for obtaining the visa;

- hotel reservation with a number of nights coinciding with those of your stay in the country;

- booking of the round trip flight

- photocopy of the first passport page;

6. The fees to be paid to the Agency by bank transfer are 60 Euros;

7. The duration of the visa will coincide with no. of nights booked even if usually even if hotel bookings are less than 9 nights (for example 1 night), the visa is still issued for 10 days;

8. Cost if you get it on your dates: 60 Euros plus the cost of the transfer in addition to the 2 half mornings lost at the Embassy;

9. Cost if you contact the Agency: consular fees up to 30 days. Single entry Euro 60, commissions for payment of consular fees by bank transfer Euro 3, agency fees for normal procedure in 8/10 Euro 65, (much more if urgent is required), shipping costs of about 12 Euro for a total about 140 Euros

10. Time for obtaining: about 8 days from when the passport is brought to the Embassy, less than half with the urgent procedure;

Report Travel.

Across the border between Iran and Azerbaijan in Astara.

I change money in a shop just over the border.

Private taxi from Frontiera to bus Station in Astara (Azerbaijan), 3 AZN.

Bus Astara - Baku 6 AZN (about 7 hours_)

Urban bus between the Main Bus Station and the 20 January Square Metro Station in Baku: 0,20 AZN (payable when you get off), directly to the driver;

A ride on the Baku Metro costs 0,40 AZN.

The historic center of Baku, enclosed between walls and the Caspian Sea, can be easily explored on foot and is protected by Unesco.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2015/08/viaggio-in-iran-e-nel-caucaso.html