Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Azerbaijan: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Airport kiosks offered ~₼1.70 per USD; the ATM gave ~₼1.78 per USD. ATM withdrawals are the smarter choice in Azerbaijan versus airport currency exchange. I withdrew enough to cover a taxi, then used bank ATMs across the city for the rest - no more markup and faster service.
I exchanged just a little at the arrival area - got a terrible rate. Then I withdrew ₼200 from a Pasha Bank ATM - much better value. Bank ATM in Azerbaijan airport offers better rates than exchange booths. I used the cash for taxi to Baku, then used AccessBank branches downtown for bigger withdrawals.
The currency booth at GYD gave about a 5% worse rate than the ATM. I opted to withdraw from an ATM right after customs - and the rate was at interbank minus a small fee. Pulling manat from an ATM beats using airport exchange counters in Azerbaijan every time. It’s worth it for larger sums - just grab urgency cash for taxi, then head in for more.
I arrived at Heydar Aliyev Airport and skipped the exchange window - it offered poor USD to manat rates. Instead, I withdrew ₼100 from the Kapital Bank ATM inside the terminal. Airport ATM withdrawal offers better exchange rates than airport currency exchange counters in Azerbaijan. I used that cash for taxi, then headed into the city to use Rabitabank or AccessBank for larger withdrawals.