Baku offers several decent transport options from the airport, but they differ in ways that matter depending on your situation.
Official airport taxis
The official taxi desk in the arrivals hall is the standard choice for most arriving passengers. You tell them your destination, pay a fixed fare (AZN 30-35 to central Baku), and receive a receipt. The vehicles are typically clean and in reasonable condition. Drivers know the city. The process is simple and takes about 5 minutes.
The limitation is that you get whatever vehicle is next in the queue. You cannot choose the car type. For central Baku, this is fine. For longer trips outside the city, the vehicles may not be ideal.
Ride-hailing apps
Bolt and Uber both operate in Baku and are significantly cheaper than official taxis for the airport-to-city trip. A ride to central Baku typically costs AZN 15-25, roughly half the official taxi rate. The tradeoff is reliability: not all drivers want to make the trip to the airport, and wait times can be 10-20 minutes. During peak hours and at night, availability drops further.
If you have working mobile data and patience, this is the cheapest car option. If you are tired and want to leave immediately, the official taxi desk is more dependable.
Pre-booked transfers
A private transfer costs $20-40 USD to central Baku, putting it in a similar range to official taxis. The difference is service: a driver with your name, a specific vehicle type, flight tracking, and a company behind the booking.
Pre-booked transfers make the most sense for late-night arrivals (when app drivers are scarce), trips to destinations outside Baku (Shahdag, Gabala, Sheki), or when you want a specific vehicle size for luggage or group needs.
The unofficial driver problem
Baku airport has a persistent issue with unofficial taxi drivers who approach arriving passengers in the terminal. They are not part of any regulated service. Fares are inflated (AZN 40-60 or more), vehicles are unregulated, and you have no recourse. They can be persuasive, especially with first-time visitors. Simply walk past them to the official taxi desk.
When each option wins
Official taxi: When you want simplicity, you are in a normal situation (daytime, central Baku, standard luggage), and you do not want to wait for an app driver.
Ride-hailing app: When you want to save money, have working data, and can wait a few minutes. Best during daytime hours.
Pre-booked transfer: When you arrive late at night, need a specific vehicle, are traveling with a group or family, or are heading outside Baku.
The honest assessment
For a straightforward trip to central Baku during normal hours, the official taxi desk is perfectly adequate and reasonably priced. The transfer premium is small, and the added convenience may or may not matter to you. For anything more complex, the transfer wins on reliability.