What a trip to Azerbaijan costs
Azerbaijan is one of the better-value destinations on the Caspian. The currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN), roughly 1.70 AZN to the US dollar. Baku is the priciest part of the country, while regions like Sheki, Ganja, and Lankaran cost noticeably less.
Daily budgets
- Budget traveler: 50-80 AZN per day (hostel dorm, street food, public transport, free sights)
- Mid-range: 130-220 AZN per day (3-star hotel, restaurant meals, a paid tour or two)
- Comfort/luxury: 400 AZN and up (4-5 star hotels in central Baku, taxis, fine dining)
Sample prices
- Metro ride in Baku: 0.50 AZN with a BakiKart
- Bus across the city: 0.50 AZN
- Plov or a hearty lunch at a local cafe: 8-15 AZN
- Dinner for two with drinks mid-range: 50-80 AZN
- Cup of tea in a traditional chaykhana: 1-3 AZN
- Hostel bed: 20-35 AZN; 3-star double: 90-150 AZN
- Entry to Gobustan or Old City museums: 6-15 AZN
- Intercity bus Baku to Sheki: about 12-15 AZN
Money and cards
Cash is still king outside Baku, so carry manat. ATMs (Kapital Bank, Bank of Baku) are widespread in cities and dispense AZN. Visa and Mastercard work in hotels, malls, and bigger restaurants, but small cafes, markets, and rural guesthouses are cash-only. Notify your bank before travel, and keep small notes for taxis and tea houses.
Ways to save
- Buy a BakiKart for cheap metro and bus rides instead of taxis
- Eat where locals eat: a dollar buys you tea, a few manat buys a full plov
- Travel by intercity bus or shared taxi instead of private transfers
- Visit free sights: the Highland Park, Baku Boulevard, Old City lanes
- Shop for spices, tea, and souvenirs at Teze Bazaar rather than tourist shops
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