At GNJ, both options get you to the city in about the same time. The difference is in the experience and how much friction you want to deal with after landing.
Taking a taxi
Taxis wait outside the terminal after flights arrive. There is no organized rank — drivers approach you or stand near their cars. You tell them where you want to go, they name a price, and you negotiate.
The challenge at Ganja Airport is language. Most drivers speak Azerbaijani. Some speak Russian. Very few speak English. If you cannot communicate your destination clearly, the process becomes awkward. Having the hotel name and address on your phone screen — ideally in Azerbaijani script — helps enormously.
Vehicles range from new to very old. You do not choose your car so much as accept what is available. Air conditioning may or may not work. For a 15-minute ride, this is tolerable. For a longer journey, it matters more.
The price for a taxi to the city center is typically 10-20 AZN. Payment is cash only, in manat.
Pre-booked private transfer
A transfer means a driver is assigned to you before you land. They know your name, flight number, and destination. They wait at arrivals with a sign. No negotiation, no language barrier at the curb, no wondering if you are being overcharged.
Vehicles are typically newer sedans or SUVs. The price is higher than a taxi — around 15-25 USD — but you pay in advance online. For visitors who do not speak the local language, this convenience is worth the small premium.
If you are heading somewhere beyond Ganja — Goygol, Sheki, or the countryside — a pre-booked transfer is significantly more practical than trying to negotiate a long-distance fare with a taxi driver who may not want to make the trip.
The language factor
This is the biggest differentiator at GNJ. In Baku, many taxi drivers speak some English. In Ganja, that is rare. If you are a Western tourist with no Azerbaijani or Russian, a pre-booked transfer is not just more comfortable — it is substantially easier.
When to choose each
Taxi works if: you speak some Azerbaijani or Russian, you are traveling light, and you arrive during the day when drivers are waiting.
Transfer works if: you want zero hassle, you do not speak the language, you are arriving at an odd hour, or you are heading beyond the city center.
Verdict
The price difference between a taxi and a transfer at GNJ is small — a few dollars. The experience difference, especially for international visitors, is large. In a city where English is not widely spoken and transport infrastructure is basic, paying a little more for certainty is a reasonable choice.