Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a rich history and culture. The capital, Yerevan, is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country, and is a fascinating city with plenty to see and do. Armenians are very good-natured, welcoming, and hospitable, if sometimes short-tempered. They are very fond of music and enjoy humor. Travelers will find that Armenians have a remarkable level of genuineness, honesty, and decency and have a long tradition of hospitality that will make your trip a pleasure.
1. Armenia Quick Facts
Language Armenian
Religion Armenian Orthodox Church
Currency Armenian Dram (AMD)
Visa 180day visa free for evisa
Power Plugs 230 V 50 Hz (C/F Type)
Capital Yerevan
ATM
ATM are easy to find in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor. When withdrawing money from a credit card, you may be charged a fee for using the service.
Use card
Credit cards are ubiquitous in large cities. Popular credit card payment systems are MasterCard, Visa, Maestro, and American Express-based cards.
Card payment terminals are currently only available in Yerevan. However, credit cards are not accepted in all institutions, so you should check their availability in advance.
APP
Google Maps
gg-taxi
Uber
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
The city of Yerevan is well served by public transportation, including buses, trams, and the metro. Buses and trams are available for 1,000 AMD, and the metro is available for 1,500 AMD.
Buses
White minibuses called marshtukas are the most common form of public transportation throughout the city. Larger buses are used for more frequent routes. Minibuses run without stops, and passengers who want to board raise their hands at stops to stop the bus. Large bus number 201 runs from Zvarnots Airport to the center of Yerevan city center, taking about 40 minutes. It runs from 7:30 am to 6 pm. Shuttles 107 and 108 will take you from the airport to Barekamutiun station and the train station, respectively, in 30 minutes. (Airport buses and shuttles cost 300 drams)
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and easy to find in Yerevan. Taxis in Yerevan are particularly affordable. Taxi fares vary depending on the company, but on average, the basic fare is 500 drams, with an additional 100 drams per kilometer. Taxi companies include Yandex.Taxi and Bolt. The Bolt app is also used, but there are only a few taxis signed up, so it’s hard to get a ride. Yandex Taxi has no base fare and adds 100 drams per kilometer. (unless you spend a minimum of Dh300). A smartphone app called gg-taxi makes it easy to hail a taxi throughout Yerevan. A trip from Zvarnots Airport to Yerevan city center in an official taxi will cost 4-6 thousand drams. Unofficial taxis are reported to cost slightly less (up to 3,000 drams). Taxis are somewhat expensive compared to Georgia.
Trains
Railroads are available in nine of Armenia’s ten oblasts. The railway system in Armenia is operated by Russian Railways JSC, which has created a subsidiary, South Caucasian Railway CJSC, to manage it. The main lines are 780 kilometers long. 98% of the trains are direct current electrified. Armenia’s railroads are cut off from the outside world due to the closure of existing border crossings with Turkey and Azerbaijan. The only window for Armenian trains to leave the country is through Georgian territory. From there, you can catch a ferry across the Black Sea. Long-distance trains run through Armenia’s Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn, Shirak, Lori, and Tavush regions. There are two routes for long-distance international trains. Yerevan – Tbilis and Yerevan – Batumi (in summer). Intercity lines connect Yerevan with Gyumri, Araks, and Yeraskh. In daily service, regional trains mostly consist of four passenger coaches. Regional lines have a three-zone ticket pricing system. Depending on the length of the line, it is divided into three zones: a one-zone route costs 300 drams, two zones cost 600 drams, and all three zones cost 1,000 drams.
The subway
The Yerevan metro has 10 stations and is comfortable and easy to use. The subway is clean, safe, and rarely crowded. Operating hours are 7am to 11pm, with trains usually running every 3-8 minutes. In the evening, after rush hour, trains may run longer.
4. Safety
The country with the highest national security.
The people of Armenia are extremely hospitable. It’s not uncommon for people to leave their bags and phones behind in taxis or public transportation, and there are many stories of good Samaritans recovering their belongings. However, don’t let the low crime rate fool you into taking safety precautions. Common sense dictates that it’s always best to be extra cautious in unfamiliar places. Always keep an eye on your personal belongings. In crowded areas, it’s a good idea to keep your bags and other belongings in front of you, not at your side or behind you.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
General emergency numbers: 911, 112
Crime: 102
Fire: 101
Emergency services: 103
5. Climate
The weather in Yerevan has four distinct seasons. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are the best times to travel due to the mild weather. Summer (June through August) is hot and dry, and winter (December through February) is cold.
6. price
Basic necessities may seem cheap, but with a 10-20% tax, they are not cheap compared to Georgia. Market prices and transportation are cheap, while eating out is a bit more expensive.
Gasoline (1 liter): 520 AMD
McDonald’s Combo Meal: 2,700 AMD
Water (1.5 liters): 246 AMD
Milk (1 liter): 559 AMD
7. Travel precautions
Casualties continue to mount in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Intermittent gunfire, artillery activity, including landmines and mortars, have resulted in deaths and injuries each year. We recommend avoiding roads near the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and roads near the disputed border.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
When greeting, Armenians clasp hands tightly and give a long handshake. The distance between people should be closer than usual.
Armenians have a special respect for their elders and often take their opinions into account very much. Respect for elders is easily shown in behavior. For example, when an elderly person enters the house, younger people should stand, not sit, until the elderly person is completely inside the house.
Tipping
There is no tipping culture in Armenia, but it is customary to tip 10% of the bill if you are satisfied with the service. For services such as taxis and hotels, it is a polite gesture of appreciation to pay the bill on the back of the bill.
9. Holidays
The following are the national public holidays for 2024:
1 Jan to 4 Jan Mon to Thu New Year Holiday
6 Jan to 7 Jan Sat to Sun Armenian Christmas Holiday
28 Jan Sun National Army Day
8 Mar Fri International Women’s Day
1 Apr Mon Easter Monday
24 Apr Wed Armenian Remembrance Day
1 May Wed Labour Day
9 May Thu Victory and Peace Day
28 May Tue 1st Republic Day
5 Jul Fri Constitution Day
21 Sep Sat Independence Day
31 Dec Tue New Year’s Eve
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday to Thursday, 1 January to 2 January : New Year Holiday
Monday, 6 January : Armenian Christmas Holiday
Tuesday, 28 January : National Army Day
Saturday, 8 March : International Women’s Day
Monday, 21 April : Easter Monday
Thursday, 24 April : Armenian Remembrance Day
Thursday, 1 May : Labour Day
Friday, 9 May : Victory and Peace Day
Wednesday, 28 May : 1st Republic Day
Saturday, 5 July : Constitution Day
Sunday, 21 September : Independence Day
Wednesday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve