Crossing the Iran-Azerbaijan Border at Astara: A Complete Land Travel Guide

Publish Date: 2025-11-01

The Azerbaijan-Iran border is an essential route for entering Iran overland, as well as a connection between the Caucasus and the north of Persia through the Caspian Sea. The Astara-Iran-Azerbaijan border is the major crossing point and it links the two towns of Astara that are divided by a small bridge.

It is frequented by tourists, traders, and local people, making it ideal for both backpackers and motorists. Apart from the efficiency, the views are also a bonus. It is located 300 kilometers from the capital city of Baku. This article will provide you with all the information necessary for a smooth and secure crossing of the Azerbaijan Iran border.

Overview of the Azerbaijan-Iran Border

The Astara-Iran-Azerbaijan border is situated at the southeast corner of Azerbaijan, where the Talysh Mountains descend to the Caspian Sea. The Azerbaijan to Iran distance from Baku is approximately 300 km along the M3 highway, but the actual Iran-Azerbaijan border is just 700 m through the bridge over the Astara River. The Azerbaijani side of Astara is a humid coastal town with a population of 35,000, while the Iranian town of Astara is directly connected to Gilan’s green rice fields and tea hills.

The trade at this border exceeds $900 million every year—oil, pomegranates, carpets, and a new €5.8 million rail bridge (opened in 2024) will transfer the volume of goods to 15 million tons per year. The Azerbaijan-Iran border crossing is like finding a golden key to Iran’s north for tourists: to Rasht’s culinary capital status, ancient Hyrcanian jungles and the Caspian beaches. The border is open 24 hours for pedestrians, private cars and motorbikes, with vehicle scanners and pedestrian lanes introduced in 2023.

For travelers planning to cross the Iran-Azerbaijan border by land, our detailed guide on driving in Iran explains everything you need to know about entering the country with your own vehicle, including customs, documents, and border procedures.

Required Documents for Crossing the Border

The crossing over the Astara-Iran Azerbaijan border necessitates accurate documentation:

A passport that is valid for at least 6 months and has 2 blank pages.
Iran e-visa – can be obtained through evisa.mfa.ir (2-5 business days, costs vary between $50 $80 based on nationality).
Tourist insurance – it is obligatory; coverage for Iran must be specified (medical, repatriation, third-party liability).
Vehicle documents (if applicable): original registration, Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD), international green-card insurance.

Tourist insurance is already included in the travel package. The QR code on the insurance policy is scanned by the Iranian customs officers. Standard travel insurance policies usually exclude Iran because of the sanctions.

Providers with a good reputation, like IATI or Allianz, sell Iran-specific plans starting from $30 for 30 days. Companies selling insurance on-site will give you coverage that is basic, but you should buy it online beforehand to get better terms.

Before crossing the Iran-Azerbaijan border at Astara with your own vehicle, make sure you understand the requirements of the carnet de passage to ensure a smooth and legal entry into Iran.

Pro Tips to Prevent Delays

Make 3 color copies + digital backups of all the documents and the originals.
Complete the form of Iranian customs declaration beforehand (can be downloaded from the MFA site).
Refrain from using the truck during peak hours (10 AM-4 PM).
Always have $100 in small denominations of either USD or EUR to pay for fees or top up your insurance coverage.
Download the Persian version of Google Translate and Maps.me for offline use.
Get your AZN exchanged to IRR in the town of Astara (the rates are 10–15% better than at the border).
Do not pack or carry with you any drugs, pork, or politically sensitive items.

If you’re planning to continue your journey after crossing the Iran-Azerbaijan border, using a reliable car rental Iran service can make your road trip across the country more comfortable and flexible

Step-by-Step Crossing Guide at Astara Border

Exit Azerbaijan: Drive or walk to the checkpoint, which is situated 2 km south of Astara, AZ. The immigration officer will stamp the passport out (this will take around 2 minutes). Customs will take a quick look at the bags; the vehicles will also get a quick X-ray.
Cross the bridge: It is a 700 m long steel span over the Astara River—if you are walking, it will take you 10 minutes, if you are in a car, then it will take you 3 minutes. So, while walking, take snaps of the Caspian Sea, but do not stop.
Iran immigration hall: Submit passport, e-visa printout and insurance. The officer will scan, stamp entry (5-10 minutes).
Customs declaration: If your currency exceeds $10k, you have to declare it. Vehicles will have to show a Carnet and registration. The officers will do a match of the VIN and perform a light inspection (15-30 minutes).
Pay & exit: Road tax of $5-20 (cash IRR or USD). Temp plates will be issued to you and you will be shown the exit to Iran.

The total time for the Iran-Azerbaijan border crossing will be from 1 to 2 hours. The best times to cross the border to avoid crowds are from 6-9 AM or after 8 PM. Make sure you bring water, snacks and a power bank because the queues can be very hot in summer.

Crossing the Border by Car or Motorbike

In the case of a personal vehicle, the entrance to Iran via the Astara-Iran Azerbaijan border is possible with:

Carnet de Passage (3 months max., no duty)
International insurance (or buy on-site)
Registration

Cars vs. Motorbike: Cars undergo (20 min) trunk search, mirror check and chassis inspection. On the other hand, motorbikes with less than 500cc are usually subjected to only paperwork (10 min). Both receive Iranian temporary plates (valid with CPD duration).

Iran driving essentials:

Drive on the right side
120 km/h on highways, 50 km/h in towns
Zero alcohol (jail risk)
Helmets + seatbelts are compulsory
International Driving Permit + national license required

Astara–Tehran is 496 km of good asphalt with mountain switchbacks. Fuel is cheap at about $0.50/liter, and if you pay in cash, the only way is by IRR—so make sure to fill your tank every 200 km in villages. Local etiquette includes flashing to overtake and horn for greeting. GPS works offline through Maps.me; Google Maps is inaccessible without a VPN.

If you’re planning an overland journey through the Astara border, make sure to check out our complete road trip Iran guide for essential tips, routes, and border-crossing advice before you start your adventure.

Local Support & Travel Services for Foreign Visitors

The‍‌‍‍‌ Astara-Iran Azerbaijan border is the entry point, but Iran’s Farsi signs, cash-only economy, and SIM-card regulations make it difficult. irun2iran makes everything easy and comfortable:

Visa & Insurance – 48-hour e-visa, Iran-compliant policies with QR codes.
Accommodations – Astara beachside guesthouses ($45), Rasht boutique hotels ($60), Tehran rooftop hostels ($35) or 5-star ($120).
Guides & Rides – An English-speaking guide will wait at the border and will handle paperwork, translate and plan routes.
Transport – 4×4 or a sedan arrangement wherever you want.
Banking & Connectivity – tourist Shetab debit card (is used for ATMs), cash at an exchange 5% over the black market, pay hotels via apps.

A pro guide turns the Azerbaijan-Iran border crossing into a 30-minute formality and unlocks secret tea houses, underground music, and desert camps the guidebooks miss.