Planning a trip to Baku and wondering how much money to bring? Good news: Baku is an affordable city compared to many European capitals. You can have a comfortable vacation here without spending a fortune. In this article, we'll tell you about real prices in Baku in 2026 and give you practical tips on how to save money.
Accommodation: Hotels and Apartments
Baku offers excellent value for money when it comes to accommodation. You can find comfortable hotels and apartments at affordable prices.
Hotels
Average hotel prices in Baku start from $30-35 per night. For this price, you'll get a clean room with basic amenities. More comfortable options cost $50-80, while luxury hotels start from $100 and up.
Important tip: For detailed information about the best hotels in Baku, neighborhoods to stay in, and tips on choosing accommodation, check out our page about hotels in Baku. We've gathered all recommendations and useful tips for a comfortable stay.
Apartments
Renting an apartment in Baku is also affordable. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs from $25-30 per night, and options further from the center are even cheaper.
Seasonal Pricing
It's important to consider seasonality when planning your trip to Baku:
- Winter is the off-season with the cheapest prices for accommodation and services. This is an excellent time for budget travel.
- Summer prices are significantly higher. For example, a villa with a pool that currently costs around 1,500 manat (about $880), will cost 2,500-3,000 manat (about $1,470-1,760) in summer.
If you want to save money, plan your trip for the winter months. If comfortable weather and beach time are more important, summer is the ideal choice, but be prepared for higher prices.
Transport: Taxi and Public Transport
Taxi
A taxi ride in Baku costs on average 3-5 manat (approximately $2-3 at the exchange rate on January 19, 2026 — check the current exchange rate on our converter). This is a very affordable price for getting around the city.
Critical: Only order taxis through official online services! If you order a taxi online through an app, you won't be overcharged, and the price will be fixed. If you hail a taxi on the street or negotiate directly with drivers, they may quote prices several times higher. Always use official apps to order taxis.
Public Transport
Public transport in Baku is very cheap. A bus ride costs 60 kopecks (about $0.35). However, you need to purchase a BakiKart card in advance to pay for public transport.
BakiKart costs 2 manat and can be purchased at a terminal. These terminals are usually located near metro entrances.
Our recommendation: We recommend using taxis — they're already inexpensive (3-5 manat), plus public transport is usually crowded, especially during rush hour. Taxis will be a more comfortable and faster way to get around the city.
Food and Restaurants
Food in Baku is cheap, especially compared to European cities. Here are approximate prices per person:
Restaurants
- Shashlik: 15 manat (about $9)
- Lunch at a mid-range café: 10-20 manat (about $6-12)
- Dinner at a good restaurant: 30-50 manat (about $18-30)
Street Food and Fast Food
- Döner/shawarma: 3-5 manat (about $2-3)
- Pizza: 8-12 manat (about $5-7)
- Coffee: 4-6 manat (about $2.4-3.5)
Alcohol
Alcohol is available everywhere in Baku — in restaurants, bars, and shops. Vodka in Azerbaijan is not of very good quality, so if you like strong drinks, it's better to choose imported options.
Good news: Azerbaijan has many local winemakers, and wine here is of excellent quality. Local wines cost from 15-25 manat (about $9-15) per bottle in restaurants. Prices in shops are lower — from 8-15 manat (about $5-9).
Cash: Important Recommendation
We recommend always having cash on hand, as many places in Baku may not accept bank cards. This especially applies to:
- Street cafés and small restaurants
- Taxis (if not ordered through an app)
- Markets and souvenir shops
- Some museums and attractions
It's best to have a mix of cash and cards. Large shopping centers, hotels, and high-end restaurants usually accept cards, but cash is essential for small purchases.
Entertainment and Museums
Museum and attraction tickets in Baku cost on average up to $10 per entry. Many museums offer discounts for students and seniors, and some attractions can be visited for free.
Shopping
Baku offers excellent shopping opportunities — from modern shopping malls to traditional markets and souvenir shops. For detailed information about the best shopping malls in Baku, their locations, and features, check out our article about shopping in Baku.
Tipping
Unlike some countries (for example, China, where tipping is not recommended), in Baku you can give tips, and staff will be happy. It's not mandatory, but it's a nice gesture that is appreciated.
Usually, tips are 5-10% of the bill in restaurants and cafés. In taxis, you can round up the amount or leave a small tip. In hotels, it's customary to tip housekeeping and porters.
Exchange Rate and Converter
All dollar prices in this article are based on the exchange rate on January 19, 2026 (1 dollar ≈ 1.7 manat). If you're reading this article later, the exchange rate may have changed.
To find out the current exchange rate and convert prices to your currency, use our currency converter. There you can quickly convert manat to dollars, euros, rubles, or any other currency.
Final Recommendations
- Check out our guide to hotels in Baku — you'll find all recommendations for choosing accommodation
- Order taxis through official apps — this way you'll avoid inflated prices
- Have cash on hand — many places don't accept cards
- Check the current exchange rate on our converter
Baku is a city where you can have a great vacation without spending a lot of money. With proper planning and following our advice, your vacation will be comfortable, safe, and economical. Have a great trip!
