Baku is a destination that gives you real budget flexibility - a trip can be a simple economy getaway or a full luxury experience, and the gap between the two is much smaller than in many European capitals. The local currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN), and it's best to exchange money at banks in the city center rather than at the airport for a better rate.

Accommodation

Budget hostels and economy hotels start around 19 to 30 AZN per night. Mid-range hotels that typically include breakfast run between 80 and 150 AZN per night. Luxury 4- and 5-star hotels usually range between 150 and 400 AZN, averaging around 200 AZN a night at the luxury tier.

Food

A full meal at a good local restaurant including drinks typically costs between 15 and 30 AZN per person. Street food and bakery items are much cheaper, ranging from 1 to 5 AZN. A cup of coffee at a good café costs between 3 and 6 AZN. Fine dining at Baku's best restaurants ranges from 50 to 100 AZN per person.

Getting around

A single public transport ticket costs about 0.40 AZN. A metro ride costs just 0.30 AZN using the BakiKart smart card, which costs 2 AZN to purchase. Taxis start around 2.50 AZN, plus roughly 1 AZN per additional kilometer - most commonly booked via the Bolt app, the most widely used in the city. For those planning to visit several landmarks and museums, the BakuCard tourist card (available in 24-hour, 72-hour, and 7-day versions) combines free transport with discounted museum entry, starting at around 2 AZN.

Three levels of daily budget

  • Budget (around 85 AZN/day): hostel stay at 10-20 AZN, meals from street food and bakeries at 5-10 AZN per meal, public transport via BakiKart.
  • Mid-range (around 150-200 AZN/day): a mid-range hotel, two meals at good local restaurants, mixed transport between metro and taxi.
  • High-end (300 AZN and up per day): a luxury or 5-star hotel, at least one fine-dining experience, a private taxi for the whole day or organized tours.

Money-saving tips

  • Shop and eat at Teze Bazar and neighborhood markets rather than tourist-only restaurants.
  • Use the metro or BakiKart instead of taxis for longer distances within the city.
  • Exchange currency at city-center banks, not the airport, to avoid unfavorable exchange rate gaps.
  • Avoid the European peak season of July-August if you're after lower hotel rates.

Overall, Baku is noticeably cheaper than most Western European capitals, making it a good choice for travelers who want an "exotic" destination on a reasonably manageable budget without a major sacrifice in quality.