How to Take the Caspian Sea Ferry from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan (Complete Guide)

Crossing the Caspian Sea by ferry from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan sounds exciting and adventurous — and it is. But it can also be unpredictable, confusing, and very different from taking a normal passenger ferry.

There is no official passenger ferry, no fixed timetable, and no guarantee of departure. The ships mainly transport trucks across the Caspian Sea — and accept a small number of “foot passengers” if space allows.

If you’re planning to travel from Baku to Aktau without flying, this guide will show you exactly how the Caspian Sea ferry works, how to buy tickets, how to estimate departures, and what to expect on board — based on my own experience.

Tickets for the Caspian Sea Ferry

There are two main ways to get a ticket:

1. Book Online

You can make a reservation via the official ASCO website.

Important: This is technically a reservation, not a final ticket. Once at the port, you still need to exchange it for the physical ticket before boarding.

Personally, I found this option more convenient as I could pay by credit card and save my USD cash.

2. Buy Directly at the Port

You can also buy a ticket at the Alat Port ticket office.

There is an ATM nearby. Payment is accepted in:

• Azerbaijani Manat
• US Dollars

Preparation: What You Must Know Before Going

Bring Extra Time

There is no ferry schedule. Weather conditions and other uncertainties impact on how the ferries can come and go. You might board the same day — or wait several days. Build buffer days into your itinerary.

Watch Your Visa Expiry Date

This is really important. You only officially exit Azerbaijan once you clear immigration — and that only happens when you are boarding the ship.

If the ferry is delayed, you remain in Azerbaijan. Make sure your visa allows enough extra days.

How to Estimate When a Ferry Is Coming

There’s no official departure list — but there are ways to make educated guesses:

✔ Check MarineTraffic

On the Marine Traffic website you can track ships in real time. Search for vessels traveling between Alat and Kuryk. This gives you an idea of which ships seem to operate on this route and if one of the ferries is on it’s way to the port and how far away it is.

I travelled on a ferry called “Azerbaijan”.

✔ Check the Weather Forecast

Bad weather can delay arrivals or departures. I was observing the ferry “Azerbaijan” on the marine traffic website as it was travelling towards the port of Alat. Then bad weather came up and the ferry stopped at sea for 1.5 days without moving.

✔ Call the Port

Some travelers recommend calling the port daily to ask if a ferry is arriving. In my case, this didn’t work. I tried calling two different numbers without success. However, another traveler told me the hostel receptionist helped him call and that worked. It’s worth trying.

How to Get from Baku to Alat Port

The ferry terminal is located in Alat, around 80 km south of Baku.

Option 1: Taxi (Easiest)

• Around 40 AZN (approx. 20 EUR)
• About 1 hour travel time

This is the simplest and most comfortable option.

Option 2: Local Bus (Cheaper & More Adventurous)

I highly recommend to consider using this very local and budget friendly option.

1. Take Bus 125 from Fəvvarə parkı in Baku
   • You can use your BakıKart
   • Ride takes about 45 minutes
2. Get off at Karvansaray S/C
   • There is a bus interchange station
3. Take Bus 195
   • Small, simple bus (no air conditioning)
   • Ride takes around 75 minutes
   • Pay when you get off (cash only)
4. Get off at Kotal qəsəbəsi 2
   • It looks like a random stop on the highway

From there, cross the highway and walk around 30 minutes to reach the port. First through a small village and then along the road towards the port.

A small adventure before the real adventure begins.

Fun Fact: European Route E119

The road leading toward Alat is part of the European Route E119, which starts in Moscow, passes through Baku, and continues south toward the Iranian border.

Standing there waiting for the bus, it felt surreal to be on a road connecting so many regions.

At Alat Port: What to Expect

Once you arrive at the port:

1. Exchange your reservation for a ticket (or buy one)
2. Go through security
3. Wait

The waiting area is basic but functional:

• Air conditioned
• Plenty of seats
• Tables
• A few lounge chairs to sleep

Within the port vicinity but outside the waiting room there is a small shop for snacks and drinks, a kebab stall and a small bistro that serves food. Vegetarians, options are very limited — expect plain rice or plain noodles.

I arrived in the early afternoon and met two other travelers waiting already for more than a day. One had slept in the nearby Port Hotel. The other had slept in the waiting room. I was very, very lucky. The ferry “Azerbaijan” that I was observing on Marine Traffic was indeed expected to arrive the same evening. We were the only three passengers. But even then, nothing was certain. We waited for hours. At around 2:00 am, someone finally came to collect us. First immigration. Then boarding. Documents checked again. And just like that, we were on board around 3:00 am.

The People On Board

Aside from us, everyone else was a truck driver. Drivers came from Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other parts of the region.

They were incredibly friendly and curious about why we were traveling this way.

Communication wasn’t easy. There was no internet on board. Translation apps didn’t work. But somehow, a few words and gestures were enough. They were proudly showing photos of their wife and children. The second time on my journey (after the Dogu Express) I felt humbled and almost a bit embarrassed. The truck drivers taking this ferry with all its hardships to do their job, which is hard work far away from their families. While I am doing this for the adventure – and of course for exactly these moments and conversations with people around the world about their life.

Arrival at Kuryk Port, Kazakhstan

At 3:30 am, someone banged loudly on our cabin door and shouted: “Kazakhstan!” We got up immediately — only to wait another two hours. But the early wake-up had one reward: A phenomenal sunrise over the port of Kuryk.

Around 6:00 am, we disembarked. A Kazakh border officer escorted us to immigration, where we officially entered Kazakhstan. Kuryk Port is in the middle of nowhere. At 6:00 am, it was completely quiet. No taxis waiting. We asked around, and thankfully someone called a driver for us.

Price: 20,000 Tenge Distance: 90 km to Aktau.

Is the Caspian Sea Ferry Worth It?

Taking the Caspian Sea ferry is unforgettable. Planning the ferry trip, trying to figure out when ships are coming, waiting in uncertainty and of course the ride itself is unique, exciting and raw. It was the most interesting experience on my overland journey from Berlin to Singapore so far.

To take a plane to get from Georgia to Azerbaijan was the hardest decision of my trip. But in the end I did not regret it because experiencing the Caspian Sea Ferry ride was absolutely worth the price of taking a flight.