New rail route links Azerbaijan’s second city Ganja with mountain reso

Azerbaijan has launched a new train route connecting its second-largest city with a popular tourist destination known for skiing and spectacular nature.

It is only the second regional service operating outside the capital.

National state-owned rail transport operator, Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), has introduced a new passenger rail service which will connect Ganja with the mountain resort city of Gabala, improving access to one of Azerbaijan’s key tourism hotspots.

Trains began operating on 12 January 2026. The launch is part of Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote sustainable transport and regional tourism. Before the train service was launched, passengers mainly relied on buses and cars.

What travellers need to know about Azerbaijan’s new train route

ADY told Euronews Travel that Stadler trains – a well-known Swiss manufacturer – will operate the new route, covering approximately 139 km, with a travel time of about 1 hour 50 minutes each way.

This will make the journey easier for both locals and tourists alike.

The train is split into four classes: Standard, Standard+, Business, and First Class with a basic fare of 4.80 manats (€2.45).

Passengers are able to board or disembark at Goran, Yevlakh, Laki, and Aghdash stations. The service also offers accessibility between Baku and Gabala via a transfer at Laki station, enabling daily travel in both directions.

For those travelling from the capital, a Baku to Gazakh train will take them to Laki station at 10:50am local time and from there they can continue their journey to Gabala at 11:12am on the new service.

For their return trip, passengers will be able to catch the Gabala to Laki service on the new Gabala–Ganja train, arriving at 18:45, and then board the Gazakh–Baku train at 19:02.

Why you should visit Gabala and Ganja

Gabala is known for its ski resorts, nature tourism and international culture events, including the Gabala International Music Festival, known to attract artists and visitors from around the world.

It is also surrounded by forests, lakes, and waterfalls, offering skiing, cable cars, and mountain activities year-round, open to all its visitors.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city Ganja, is famous for being the birthplace of poet Nizami Ganjavi. His legacy is preserved in museums, monuments, and cultural sites around the city, and in particular, at the Nizami Mausoleum.