At the end of June 2019, I finally bought train tickets Tbilisi - Baku for early August 2019. I have plans to spend my 34th birthday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The train is departing Tbilisi daily at 20:35 and arriving in Baku at 08:50, In total it takes about 12 hours and 30 minutes to get from Tbilisi to Baku by train
It seems there is no option buying tickets online yet for Tbilisi - Baku line (although I found there are some tour agencies selling tickets online, see: International Tbilisi-Baku Train, though the price might be double when using travel agency).
The option we used was visiting Tbilisi Railway station and buying a ticket over the counter and what's even more interesting when buying over the counter it's asked to pay for tickets in cash, despite they have a VISA terminal. On my question why don't we pay by card, the kind cashier replied that the Tbilisi - Baku line is operated by Azerbaijani Railways side and they accept only cash. The cashier was able to speak very good English.
For purchasing tickets, we had to show our passports (baby passport wasn't asked) and as noted - cash.
Tbilisi-Baku trains are operated by Azerbaijan Railways
Luckily we had enough cash to buy 2 adult tickets in a separate sleeping car. The price we paid GEL 194 (USD 68) for 2 adult tickets (about GEL 97 per person) in a sleeping car. Our baby girl was allowed to travel free (by the planned travel time she will be 1 year old).
Ticket from Tbilisi to Baku
Ticket information is provided in Russian.
It's said that the cars are equipped with a climate control system and areas are non-smoking. Carriages are standardized too: SV (Spalniy Vagon) - comfortable sleeping car with 2-bed-compartments, Kupe - regular sleeping car with 4-bed-compartments, Platscart - economy class open "dormitory-style" couchette.
I was able to learn that a price for a person for a kupe is about GEL 54 (~USD 20) - in case you are traveling in a group more than 2 persons, that might be a great option to have a Kupe.
Here is some additional information I was able to find about Tbilisi - Baku train
Speed: up to 90 km/h
The international train consists of:
- 1 SV sleeping car with 18 places
- 1 kupe-compartment carriages with 36 places
- 1 platskart carriage with 54 place
Unfortunately, it is only available to buy tickets in one direction from Tbilisi, if you are planning to return Baku - Tbilisi the tickets should be acquired in Baku (again it's the latest information at the end of June 2019)
Electronic Visa for Azerbaijan
Before entering Azerbaijan you should acquire a VISA for Azerbaijan, luckily you can do it online applying for a visa via Evisa.com.az. The price for Visa ist 25 USD per person (3-5 business days) or USD 51 (3-5 business hours) if urgent
Standard processing takes 1-3 business days. Urgent processing may take up to 3-5 business hours.
- e-Visa applications can be created for an individual or for a group.
- Citizens of most of the countries just need passport copy in order to apply for e-Visa.
- Your passport has to be valid for, at least, 6 (six) months after arrival date in Azerbaijan.
- You can make payment directly from www.evisa.com.az website by Credit/Debit Card.
- The e-Visa will be sent directly to your e-mail address OR you can download it from our website. You need just print it out and bring it with you when you travel to Azerbaijan.
If you are the citizen of one of the 95 countries who are eligible to apply for "easy e-visa", you need to provide just Passport copy. You can check your country's eligibility by clicking this link - "Countries eligible for easy e-visa".
If you are a citizen of other countries, it is recommended to approach a consulate or an embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.