The railways of Azerbaijan are the main mode of transport for transporting people and goods. The railway system accounts for more than 25% of passenger traffic and 40% of freight traffic. The railway has a length of almost 2,200 km. A railway line from Russia to Iran runs through the territory of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan Railways CJSC is the national operator of the country's railways. This enterprise was established in 2009 on the basis of the state railway of Azerbaijan.
Development of the railway sector
The country's railway is the largest in terms of freight traffic and length in the Caucasus. To date, approximately 1278 km of tracks have been electrified. The railways of Azerbaijan represent a well-developed and extensive network. Passenger traffic takes place on all lines. Transit is of great importance for the Azerbaijani railway system. Not only trains of domestic routes run around the country, but also trains transporting goods. They are very important for cargo transportation to Turkey, Iran and the countries of the Middle East.
The railway sector of Azerbaijan is in constant development. There are the main directions of modernization of the country's railways:
- switching to alternating current, which will reduce energy costs and introduce more powerful locomotives;
- use of high-speed communication;
- optimization of speeds, increasing the throughput of highways;
- improving the quality of service.
Passenger trains
Azerbaijan occupies a small territory, therefore, land communication is better developed here than air. The railway is inferior in popularity to buses. However, by train you can get from the capital to any major city in the country.
Trains of international importance regularly run across Azerbaijan. Passenger trains arrive from Georgia, Russia and other states. Such international routes as Baku - Moscow, Baku - Astrakhan, Baku - Makhachkala, etc. are popular. Local trains run to Sumgait, Ganja, Hovsan settlement, etc. Construction of a railway section along the Baku - Tbilisi - Kars line is of paramount importance., the length of which is 100 km. This project provides for the construction of railways between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The train schedule and tariffs can be seen on the official website of the Azerbaijani operator: railway.gov.az/index/az. Train tickets are inexpensive. A seat in a compartment carriage of a train on the Baku-Ganja route costs about $ 7. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance, as trains are often overcrowded. Tickets are sold at ticket offices at railway stations.
