Airport Services Guide — Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)

About Services at GYD

Heydar Aliyev International Airport (IATA: GYD) is Azerbaijan’s primary gateway, handling more than 6 million passengers annually across two operational terminals. The airport is managed by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and continuously upgrades its passenger facilities to meet growing international demand. Whether you are transiting through Baku, departing on a regional hop, or arriving for the first time, the airport offers a broad range of services designed to make your journey straightforward. This guide covers everything from lounges and Wi-Fi to accessibility support and lost property — all current as of 2026.

Terminal Layout — Terminal 1 International and Terminal 2 Domestic

Terminal 1 (International) is the larger of the two buildings and handles all scheduled international departures and arrivals. It operates across three levels: arrivals and baggage reclaim on the ground floor, check-in and departures on the first floor, and airside retail and food outlets on the upper concourse. Gates are divided into two piers — A Gates (Schengen and CIS routes) and B Gates (long-haul and non-CIS international). A free airside shuttle connects the two piers during peak hours.

Terminal 2 (Domestic) is a compact, single-level building located approximately 400 metres from Terminal 1. It serves domestic routes including Nakhchivan, Ganja, and Lankaran. A covered walkway and a free shuttle bus link the two terminals; the transfer journey takes 5–10 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by shuttle. All domestic check-in desks, security lanes, and boarding gates are contained within one floor, making navigation simple.

Information Desks

Staffed information desks operate in both terminals. In Terminal 1, desks are positioned at the arrivals hall exit (ground floor) and at the departures entrance (first floor, near check-in islands D and E). Terminal 2 has a single information point adjacent to the main entrance. Staff speak Azerbaijani, Russian, English, and Turkish; Turkish and English are the most reliably available languages at all hours. Desks are open from 05:00 to 01:00 daily; outside these hours, a duty officer can be reached via the airport information line displayed at each desk.

Lounges

CIP Lounge (Terminal 1, Airside, B Pier): The flagship lounge at GYD offers hot and cold buffet dining, a business centre, private rest cabins, and shower facilities. Access is available to business-class passengers on AZAL and partner carriers, holders of qualifying frequent-flyer status, and day-pass purchasers. Day-pass fees typically fall in the USD 40–65 range depending on the time of day and occupancy.

AZAL Premium Lounge (Terminal 1, Airside, A Pier): A slightly smaller lounge catering primarily to CIS and regional business travellers. It provides complimentary soft drinks, spirits, snacks, and Wi-Fi. Access mirrors the CIP Lounge criteria; day passes are generally USD 30–50.

Priority Pass: GYD is a recognised Priority Pass network airport. Both the CIP Lounge and the AZAL Premium Lounge accept Priority Pass, DragonPass, and Lounge Key memberships. Confirm your card’s acceptance at the lounge reception before proceeding through security, as partner agreements can update between card cycles.

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

Free airport Wi-Fi (network: GYD_FreeWiFi) is available throughout both terminals, landside and airside. Connect, open a browser, and complete a brief registration with your mobile number or email. Speeds are adequate for messaging and light browsing; expect 5–15 Mbps during off-peak hours and 2–8 Mbps during morning and evening peaks. Session limits of 60 minutes apply but can be renewed immediately.

Premium paid Wi-Fi packages offering faster, uncapped connections are sold at the information desks and via the airport’s captive portal. Packages range from AZN 5 for 2 hours to AZN 15 for 24 hours.

For instant 5G/4G data on landing, a DataMax eSIM saves the airport SIM-kiosk queue.

Banks, ATMs and Currency Exchange

Multiple ATMs accepting Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay are located in the arrivals hall (ground floor, Terminal 1), the departures check-in hall, and airside near the B Pier lounge entrance. Currency exchange counters operated by ABB Bank, Kapital Bank, and licensed bureau de change operators are found in the arrivals hall and on the departures level. Exchange rates at airport counters are typically 2–4% less favourable than city-centre rates; if you need only taxi fare, withdraw a small amount and exchange the bulk in Baku city. The Azerbaijani manat (AZN) is the local currency; USD and EUR are widely accepted at exchange desks.

Pharmacy and Medical

A pharmacy kiosk on the Terminal 1 departures level (near Gate A3) stocks travel essentials, over-the-counter medications, and basic first-aid supplies. Opening hours are approximately 06:00–23:00. A medical first-aid room staffed by a duty paramedic operates 24 hours in Terminal 1; it is signposted from both the arrivals and departures floors. For non-emergency medical queries, airport staff can direct you to the nearest facility; the closest full hospital is approximately 15–20 minutes from the airport by road.

Prayer Rooms

Dedicated prayer rooms are provided in both terminals. In Terminal 1, the prayer room is located on the departures level, landside, near the central information desk; a second airside prayer room is situated between the A and B pier junction. Terminal 2 has one prayer room adjacent to the domestic departures waiting area. Rooms are open 24 hours, are gender-separated, and include ablution (wudu) facilities. Prayer mats and a qibla direction indicator are provided.

Accessibility

GYD complies with ICAO accessibility standards and provides the following services for travellers with reduced mobility, hearing, or visual impairment:

Wheelchair assistance: Request at check-in or pre-arrange through your airline. Dedicated drop-off and pick-up bays are marked at both terminal entrances.
Step-free access: Lifts and ramps connect all levels in Terminal 1; Terminal 2 is single-level throughout.
Hearing loops: Installed at all information desks and selected gate areas in Terminal 1.
Visual impairment: Tactile floor guidance strips run from the main Terminal 1 entrance to check-in and security. Assistance dogs are permitted throughout both terminals.
Priority lanes: Available at security and passport control for passengers requiring additional time or assistance.

Family Services

Baby-changing facilities are available in dedicated family restrooms on every floor of Terminal 1 and in the main restroom block in Terminal 2. A nursing room with privacy screens is located on the Terminal 1 departures level near Gate A5. A supervised children’s play area is situated airside in Terminal 1, between the retail zone and the B Pier entrance; it is open during daylight operating hours and is free to use. Pushchairs and strollers may be taken to the gate; oversized items are checked at a dedicated desk near the family check-in lanes.

Smoking

Azerbaijan permits designated indoor smoking rooms in airports under national tobacco control regulations, distinguishing it from many European hubs. In Terminal 1, enclosed, ventilated smoking cabins are located landside near the departures entrance and airside in the B Pier corridor. Terminal 2 has one outdoor smoking area adjacent to the main entrance, clearly marked. Smoking is strictly prohibited in all other areas of both terminals, including restrooms, lounges (unless the lounge operates its own enclosed smoking room), and all gate waiting areas. Fines for violations are enforced by airport security.

Lost and Found

Items lost within the terminal buildings are handled by the airport’s Lost and Found office, located on the ground floor of Terminal 1 near the arrivals exit. The office is open 08:00–20:00 daily; outside these hours, reports can be lodged with the duty security officer. For items lost on board an aircraft, contact your airline directly, as cabin-found property is held by the carrier. Items left in taxis or at the kerbside should be reported to the taxi operator or ground transport desk. Unclaimed items are held for 30 days before being transferred to a central municipal lost property register.

Baggage Services

Baggage wrapping is available at two stations in Terminal 1 — one landside near check-in island C and one airside near the B Pier entrance. Wrapping fees are typically AZN 8–15 per item depending on bag size. The service operates from 05:00 to the last departure each day.

Left-luggage storage is provided on the ground floor of Terminal 1, near the arrivals hall. Lockers and staffed storage are both available. Locker fees range from AZN 5–10 per hour for small to large sizes, with daily caps of approximately AZN 30–50. Staffed storage accepts oversized items and sports equipment. Storage is available 24 hours; maximum storage duration is 72 hours.

Business and Meeting Rooms

The CIP Business Centre, located within the CIP Lounge airside in Terminal 1, offers private meeting rooms accommodating 4–10 people. Rooms are equipped with video-conferencing screens, high-speed wired internet, a whiteboard, and printing facilities. Bookings can be made through the lounge reception or in advance via the airport’s commercial services team. Hourly rates fall in the USD 50–120 range depending on room size and equipment requirements. Day-office workstations with power and Wi-Fi are also available in the lounge’s open business area on a first-come, first-served basis for lounge members.

Where to Next

Now that you know what services are available at GYD, explore the rest of our airport guides to plan every detail of your journey:

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