Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Azerbaijan

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Hostel dorm beds, budget guesthouses, homestays, and basic hotels with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food, local markets, traditional teahouses, self-catering from grocery stores, and inexpensive local restaurants

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses, metro in Baku, shared taxis (marshrutkas), walking, and occasional budget intercity buses

Activities

$3-12 per day

Free walking tours, public parks, basic museum entries, self-guided exploration, and occasional budget attractions

Eat at local teahouses and traditional restaurants outside tourist areas for typically 40-60% savings compared to international restaurants

Use public transportation and metro systems instead of taxis for approximately 70-80% savings on daily transport costs

Book accommodation in residential neighborhoods rather than city centers for generally 30-50% lower rates

Shop for snacks and drinks at local markets and grocery stores rather than tourist shops for typically 50-70% savings

Visit free attractions like public parks, architectural sites, and local markets before paying for premium experiences

Travel during shoulder seasons (spring and fall) for accommodation discounts of typically 20-40%

Use shared marshrutkas for intercity travel instead of private taxis for usually 60-80% cost reduction

Staying only in Baku's city center where accommodation costs are typically 50-100% higher than nearby neighborhoods

Eating exclusively at hotels and tourist restaurants instead of exploring local dining options that are generally 40-70% cheaper

Taking taxis for all transportation instead of using the efficient and inexpensive public transport system, costing 3-5x more daily