Cant heklp you much with the ferry from Aktau 0 Hope you experience of the border going out is better than mine coming into Kaz..
a mess of paperwork, stamps, signatures, official officials, young military guys goofing around with a ready smile until the commandant was present. Mongolian faces. Stern faces. Red tape and more rubber stamping on reams of duplicated paper forms that needed counter signatures and recording in a ledger before seemingly being entered into a computer.
You get the picture!
All part of the experience lol
My boat departed from Alat 70km south west of baku.. Not sure where others are arriving/departing
Baku is a modern city and can be a bit expensive
guest house inn came recommended to me and I can do the same
The northern border of Azerbaijan is a great scenic route and I had zero police interference there. That crosses into Georgia at Lagodekhi and if you're looking for a place to stay if you cross late in the day there is a great little place called
Bio Yard
Tbilisi is great - plenty of accommodation near the independence square (East of the city - look for the gold St George and the dragon statue) Great old street and cafes just in the corner of that square heading down to the river.
For anyone else in Baku the ticket office in my original reply wasnt used while I was there. Vika (ticket lady) was located in a small white building inside some building works compound.. Either go to the old port office and carry on away from the town through some fenced off sections where a new high rise glass building is going up. entrance is on your right...
or go to the Baku Port shoppin mall, cross the road to the park and marine restaurant. Round the back of there to the sea and follow the same path to where to the entrance is on your left