Money is one of the first practical questions Pakistani travellers ask before a Baku trip. Should you carry dollars or rupees? Can you use your Pakistani debit card? Where do you get the best rate? This guide answers those questions using official information from the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan and practical guidance on how travellers usually manage money in the city. It does not quote any exchange-booth rate, because those change daily; always check the rate on the day.
The Azerbaijani manat (AZN)
The currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani manat, code AZN, often written with the ₼ sign. One manat is divided into 100 qəpik. The current manat was introduced on 1 January 2006, when the old manat was redenominated at a rate of 5,000 to 1, according to the Central Bank. You will see banknotes and coins in daily use; small coins are handy for metro top-ups, tea and tips.
In Baku, prices in shops, restaurants, taxis and hotels are shown in manat. Some hotels and tour companies may quote in US dollars or euros, but you will usually pay in manat or by card.
How the official rate is set
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan publishes official exchange rates for the manat against major foreign currencies every business day. On weekends and public holidays, the last published rate stays in effect until the next business day. You can check the official rate at any time on the Central Bank's AZN currencies page.
For reference, the official rate published for 21 October 2026 was 1 US dollar = 1.7000 AZN, and 100 Pakistani rupees = 0.6115 AZN. These are official reference rates, not the rate you will get at a bank counter or exchange booth, which adds its own margin. Treat them as a benchmark to compare offers.
Dollars, euros or rupees: what should Pakistanis carry?
Pakistani rupees are listed by the Central Bank, but in practice they are far less commonly accepted by exchange offices in Baku than US dollars, euros or other major currencies. Most Pakistani travellers find it easiest to:
- Carry US dollars in clean, undamaged, recent notes as their main cash reserve.
- Use an international debit or credit card for hotels, restaurants and larger purchases.
- Exchange a modest amount of dollars into manat on arrival for taxis, metro and small shops.
Remember that Pakistan has its own rules on how much foreign currency a traveller may carry out of the country. Check the current limits with the State Bank of Pakistan or your bank before you fly, and declare cash where required.
Where to exchange money in Baku
At the airport
Heydar Aliyev International Airport has exchange counters and ATMs. Rates at airports are usually less favourable than in the city, so many travellers change only enough for the first day: a taxi or bus, a SIM card and dinner.
Banks
Bank branches across Baku exchange major currencies. Banks are the safest option and give you a receipt. Bring your passport, as some branches ask for identification.
Licensed exchange offices
You will see exchange offices along busy streets, near Fountains Square, Nizami Street and shopping malls. Use offices that clearly display their buy and sell rates and give a receipt. Count your money at the counter before you leave.
Hotels
Some hotels exchange money for guests, usually at a weaker rate. It is convenient for small amounts late at night but rarely the best deal.
What to avoid
Do not exchange money with people approaching you on the street. Apart from the risk of counterfeit notes or short-changing, unofficial exchange is simply unnecessary in a city with so many banks and licensed offices.
Using cards in Baku
Cards are widely accepted in Baku: hotels, restaurants, malls, supermarkets, petrol stations and many cafés take Visa and Mastercard. Contactless payment is common in the city centre. In the Old City's small shops, bazaars and with some taxi drivers, cash is still preferred.
Before you leave Pakistan:
- Activate international use on your debit or credit card. Many Pakistani cards are blocked for foreign transactions by default.
- Ask about fees: foreign transaction charges and ATM withdrawal fees vary between banks.
- Turn on SMS alerts so you see every transaction.
- Carry two cards from different banks, in case one is declined.
The same international card can be used to pay the state fee for your Azerbaijan e-visa, which is paid online by an internationally enabled card at the time of application, according to the official portal.
ATMs in Baku
ATMs are easy to find in central Baku, in malls, metro areas and outside bank branches. Withdrawals are made in manat. Your Pakistani bank will convert the amount and may add a fee; the ATM operator may add another. When an ATM offers to charge you "in your home currency", choosing to be charged in manat usually gives a better rate, because the conversion is then done by your own card network rather than the ATM.
Withdraw larger amounts less often rather than many small amounts, to reduce fixed fees, and keep cash in more than one place.
Typical daily cash needs
We do not publish prices, because they change with season and exchange rates. As a rule of thumb, cash is useful for:
- Metro and bus travel, using a rechargeable BakuCard
- Tea houses, street snacks and bakeries
- Small souvenirs in the Old City and markets
- Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff
- Taxis, if you are not using a ride-hailing app that accepts cards
Larger costs such as hotels, tours and restaurant dinners are usually easier by card.
Tipping in Baku
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, check the bill first: some include a service charge. If not, rounding up or leaving around ten percent is a common gesture of thanks for good service. For hotel porters and drivers, a small tip in manat is welcome.
Safety tips for money in Baku
Baku is generally considered a safe city for visitors, but common sense applies everywhere:
- Keep your passport, cards and most of your cash in the hotel safe.
- Carry only what you need for the day.
- Use ATMs inside banks or malls, especially at night.
- Keep a photo of your cards' emergency numbers on your phone.
- Keep exchange receipts until you leave the country.
Exchanging manat back before you leave
If you have manat left over, exchange it back in Baku before your flight. Azerbaijani manat is not easy to exchange in Pakistan. Spend coins on snacks or souvenirs, and change notes back at a bank or the airport.
Sending money or getting help in an emergency
If you lose a card or run short of cash, a few options help. Most Pakistani banks can block a lost card instantly through their mobile app or helpline, so save those numbers before you travel. International money transfer services operate in Baku through banks and agents, and family in Pakistan can send funds that you collect with your passport. Your hotel reception can usually point you to the nearest bank branch. Travelling with a second card, kept separately from the first, is the simplest insurance of all.
A simple money checklist before you fly
- International use switched on for at least two cards
- Some clean US dollar notes, within Pakistan's travel limits
- Your bank's helpline saved on your phone
- The Central Bank of Azerbaijan rates page bookmarked for comparison
- A small purse for manat coins for the metro and tea houses
Budgeting without guesswork
Because prices change with the season and exchange rates, the safest way to budget is to separate fixed and flexible costs. Fixed costs, such as flights, hotels and tours, can be confirmed in advance and often paid by card. Flexible costs, such as meals, taxis, entry tickets and shopping, are where cash and daily card use come in. Many travellers set a daily spending amount in manat, withdraw or exchange it every two or three days, and track spending in a notes app. Keep a small reserve in US dollars that you do not touch unless something goes wrong.
Plan money and visa together
Your money plan and visa plan go hand in hand: the e-visa fee needs a working international card, and the border may ask how you will cover your stay. Our team checks both as part of your Baku visa preparation. If you are planning a full trip, our Baku tour packages can include hotels and transfers so you need less cash on the ground.
