If you are traveling to Baku for the first time, one of the first things you will need to figure out is where to exchange your money.
The official currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN), and although cards are increasingly convenient in Baku, having some local cash can still be useful especially immediately after arriving at the airport.
I have visited Azerbaijan many times, and my most recent visit from Lahore to Baku was on August 3, 2026. During my trips to Azerbaijan, I have used different ways to exchange and spend money. On my recent visit, I exchanged cash at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Nizami Street, and 28 May, and I also used my Wise card for payments.
The difference between these options was noticeable.
Based on my experience, I would not recommend exchanging all your money at Baku Airport. Exchange only what you need initially and look for a better rate in the city. If you have a reliable multi-currency card such as Wise, using your card can be even more convenient.
Here is exactly what happened during my trip.
What Currency Is Used in Baku?
The currency used in Baku and throughout Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani Manat, abbreviated as AZN.
You will see prices displayed in manat, and the currency is commonly written as ₼.
For tourists, it is useful to have some Azerbaijani manat available for smaller expenses such as:
- Local transportation
- Taxis
- SIM cards
- Small shops
- Markets
- Snacks and drinks
- Places where card payments may not be available
However, you don’t necessarily need to convert a large amount of cash immediately after landing.
My Currency Exchange Experience at Baku Airport
I arrived at Heydar Aliyev International Airport on August 3, 2026.
After completing the airport formalities and leaving the arrival area, I noticed a currency exchange counter displaying Premium Bank and its exchange rates.
Since I had just arrived and needed Azerbaijani manat for my immediate expenses, I decided to exchange some money there.
I Exchanged €50 at the Airport
I deliberately exchanged only €50 rather than converting all of my travel money.
The reason was simple: I needed some cash immediately for essential expenses such as:
- Buying a local SIM card
- Paying for transportation/taxi
- Other small expenses after arriving in Baku
My exchange receipt from Premium Bank shows:
- Date: August 3, 2026
- Time: 05:37
- Location: Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Terminal 2
- Currency: EUR → AZN
- Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1.8400 AZN
- Amount exchanged: €50
- Amount received: 92 AZN
I have kept the original receipt from this transaction because it provides a real record of the rate I received.
Why I Didn’t Exchange More at the Airport
The airport is convenient, but convenience does not necessarily mean you are getting the best exchange rate.
My strategy was to exchange enough money to get myself into the city and cover the first few expenses. Once I reached central Baku, I could compare exchange rates and exchange more money if necessary.
My advice: If you need cash immediately after landing, exchanging around €50 or another small amount can be a sensible starting point. You can then look for a better rate in the city.
Currency Exchange on Nizami Street
The next day, I went to Nizami Street, one of the busiest areas in central Baku.
I checked the exchange rates there and found them better than the rate I had received at the airport.
One of the exchange-rate boards I photographed on Nizami Street showed the following EUR rates:
- EUR Buy: 1.8500 AZN
- EUR Sell: 2.0000 AZN
The important thing to understand here is that exchange offices normally display two rates.
What Do “Buy” and “Sell” Mean?
This can be confusing for tourists.
If you are carrying euros and want to receive Azerbaijani manat, the exchange office is buying your euros from you.
Therefore, you need to look at the BUY rate, not simply the larger number displayed under SELL.
For example, if the board says:
EUR Buy: 1.8500
EUR Sell: 2.0000
and you are selling euros to the exchange office, the relevant rate for you is 1.8500 AZN per EUR.
Always check this before handing over your money.
I Got a Better Rate at 28 May
The best physical cash exchange rate I received during my trip was at 28 May in Baku.
I exchanged currency there and received a rate of approximately 1 EUR = 1.90 AZN.
I also kept the exchange receipt from the transaction.
The exchange office I used displayed multiple currencies on its rate board, including EUR, USD, GBP, RUB, TRY and AED.
This was particularly useful because I could compare the displayed rate before deciding to exchange my money.
My 28 May Exchange Receipt
The receipt is important because the rate displayed on a board and the rate you actually receive are not always something you should assume without checking.
My own transaction showed a rate of around 1.90 AZN for €1, which was significantly better than the 1.84 AZN I received at the airport.
That experience is one of the main reasons I recommend not exchanging your entire travel budget at the airport.
Wise Gave Me the Best Rate
There was another interesting comparison during my trip.
On August 13, 2026, I used my Wise card to make a payment in Baku.
The transaction was:
31.60 AZN = €16.27
That works out to approximately 1.94 AZN per EUR.
This was better than the physical cash exchange rates I had received.
For comparison:
| Method | Approx. EUR → AZN rate |
|---|---|
| Baku Airport – Premium Bank | 1.8400 |
| Nizami Street | 1.8500 |
| 28 May | 1.9000 |
| Wise card payment | ~1.94 |
These are the rates I personally experienced during my August 2026 trip, not a claim that these rates are permanently available. Exchange rates can change, and individual exchange offices can offer different rates.
Should You Exchange Money at Baku Airport?
If you have just landed in Baku and need some local currency, yes, you can exchange money at the airport—but I would keep the amount small.
In my case, €50 was enough to give me some Azerbaijani manat for my initial expenses.
I would not recommend exchanging your entire travel budget immediately after landing unless you have checked the rate and are satisfied with it.
My approach was:
Airport → exchange a small amount → reach the city → compare rates → exchange more if necessary.
This gave me more flexibility.
Where Should You Exchange Money in Baku?
Based on my own experience, I would rank the options like this:
1. Multi-Currency Card – My Preferred Option
If you already have a good multi-currency card such as Wise, I would use it wherever card payments are accepted.
During my trip, my Wise payment gave me approximately 1.94 AZN per EUR, which was better than the physical exchange rates I personally received.
The other advantage is convenience. You don’t need to carry large amounts of foreign currency or Azerbaijani manat with you.
2. 28 May – Best Cash Rate I Personally Received
For physical cash exchange, 28 May was the best rate I personally received, at around 1.90 AZN per EUR.
3. Nizami Street
Nizami Street also offered a better rate than the airport in my experience. One exchange board I photographed showed a EUR buy rate of 1.8500 AZN.
4. Baku Airport
The airport was the most convenient immediately after arrival, but my receipt shows that I received 1.8400 AZN per EUR.
That’s why I would use the airport mainly for initial cash, rather than exchanging everything there.
How Much Money Should You Exchange at Baku Airport?
You don’t need to exchange your entire travel budget immediately.
I personally exchanged €50, receiving 92 AZN, because I wanted enough local currency for my initial needs.
For a newly arrived tourist, those first expenses might include:
- SIM card
- Airport transportation
- Taxi
- Food or drinks
- Small purchases
Once you reach central Baku, you can compare exchange rates and decide whether you need more cash.
My recommendation: Exchange enough at the airport to comfortably reach your accommodation and handle your first few expenses. Then exchange more in the city if you need it.
Cash or Card: Which Is Better in Baku?
After testing both options myself, I would not rely entirely on cash.
A card is more convenient when the merchant accepts card payments, while some cash is useful for smaller purchases and situations where cards aren’t accepted.
For me, the ideal combination would be:
Multi-currency card + small amount of Azerbaijani manat in cash.
This gives you flexibility without forcing you to carry a large amount of cash.
Tips for Currency Exchange in Baku
Here are the lessons I learned from actually exchanging money at different locations.
1. Don’t Exchange All Your Money at the Airport
The airport is convenient, but compare the rate before making a large transaction.
2. Exchange a Small Amount First
Get enough manat for your immediate needs, then look for a better rate in the city.
3. Always Check the Buy Rate
If you are selling EUR, USD or another foreign currency to the exchange office, make sure you understand which rate applies to your transaction.
4. Compare Exchange Offices
Don’t automatically exchange money at the first shop you see. If you’re already in central Baku, check the displayed rates at several nearby exchange offices.
5. Keep Your Receipt
I kept my receipts from my transactions, and they made it possible to compare exactly what rate I actually received.
6. Consider Using a Multi-Currency Card
If you have a card with competitive exchange rates and low fees, it may be more convenient—and potentially cheaper—than exchanging large amounts of physical cash.
My Final Verdict: What’s the Best Way to Exchange Money in Baku?
After trying several options myself, my conclusion is straightforward.
If you have a good multi-currency card such as Wise, use it whenever card payments are accepted. My Wise transaction during the trip gave me approximately 1.94 AZN per EUR, which was better than the physical exchange rates I personally received.
If you prefer carrying cash, don’t exchange all your money at Baku Airport. I exchanged only €50 there at 1.8400 AZN per EUR and then found better rates in the city.
During my trip:
- Baku Airport: 1 EUR = 1.8400 AZN
- Nizami Street: around 1 EUR = 1.8500 AZN
- 28 May: around 1 EUR = 1.9000 AZN
- Wise card payment: approximately 1 EUR = 1.94 AZN
So, for a cash traveler, 28 May gave me the best physical exchange rate among the locations I personally used. For me, however, using Wise was the most convenient and gave me the best rate of these options.
The most practical strategy for a tourist is therefore:
Exchange a small amount at the airport, use a multi-currency card where possible, and exchange additional cash in central Baku if you need it.
That way, you don’t have to worry about carrying too much cash, and you have a backup option if a particular shop or service doesn’t accept cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency is used in Baku?
The official currency of Baku and Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN).
Where is the best place to exchange money in Baku?
Based on my personal experience, 28 May gave me the best physical cash exchange rate, at approximately 1.90 AZN per EUR. Rates change, so always check the current rate before exchanging.
Should I exchange money at Baku Airport?
You can exchange a small amount at the airport for immediate expenses, but based on my experience, I would avoid exchanging your entire travel budget there.
Can I use a card in Baku?
Yes, cards are useful in Baku, particularly at many hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses. However, I recommend keeping some Azerbaijani manat as backup cash.
Is Wise useful in Azerbaijan?
Based on my own experience, yes. I used my Wise card in Baku, and one payment on August 13, 2026 converted at approximately 1.94 AZN per EUR, which was better than the physical cash rates I personally received.
Should I bring euros or US dollars to Baku?
Both EUR and USD are commonly displayed by exchange offices, but the best choice depends on the currency you already have and the rate available when you travel. Check the exchange rate before converting a large amount.