Getting around Armenia
Armenia is small and dramatic, so you can reach mountain monasteries, Lake Sevan and the wine country in day trips from Yerevan. Public transport is cheap and the ride apps are excellent, so most visitors never need to rent a car.
Yerevan metro
The Karen Demirchyan Metro has one line and ten stations running through central Yerevan, including Republic Square (Hanrapetutyan Hraparak) and Yeritasardakan. A single ride costs 100 AMD (about 0.25 USD), paid with a token or contactless card. Trains run roughly every 5 minutes from around 6:30 to 23:00. It is clean, fast and useful, though the network is limited.
Buses and marshrutkas
Within Yerevan, modern red and yellow buses and the older marshrutka minibuses cover everywhere the metro doesn't. A city ride is a flat 100 AMD, paid in cash to the driver or by card on newer buses.
For intercity travel, marshrutkas leave from set stations as they fill up:
- Kilikia (central) bus station for Gyumri, Vanadzor and the north
- Sasuntsi Davit station (by the train station) for Sevan, Dilijan and Ijevan
- The southern terminal for Goris and Tatev
A seat to Gyumri runs around 1,500-2,000 AMD; Sevan is about 600-800 AMD.
Ride apps and taxis
Uber does not operate in Armenia. Download GG (the local favorite) and Yandex Go. Both are cheap and reliable in Yerevan — a cross-town trip is usually 700-1,500 AMD. They also do longer hires to monasteries like Geghard or Khor Virap, which is often cheaper than a tour.
Trains
The South Caucasus Railway runs scenic but slow services. The most useful is the Yerevan-Gyumri line (about 3 hours) and a summer-only express to Lake Sevan. Trains are atmospheric rather than fast — marshrutkas are quicker for most routes.
Car rental and driving
Renting from Yerevan (Zvartnots airport or downtown) costs from around 30-45 USD a day. Roads to major sights are paved, but mountain routes can be rough and winter snow is serious. Driving is assertive; an SUV helps for Tatev or the Vayots Dzor backroads.
Intercity tips
- Carry small cash; many drivers don't take cards
- Confirm the destination on the windshield sign in Armenian or ask the driver
- Marshrutkas leave when full, so arrive early for popular routes
- For Tatev, take the Wings of Tatev cable car, the world's longest reversible ropeway
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