Planning a journey to Armenia promises rich cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. But before you embark on your adventure to this mountainous country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it’s important to be informed about transportation, customs, currency, and other travel essentials. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for your trip to Armenia.
By Air
The most convenient and popular way to reach Armenia is by air. The country’s main international gateway is Zvartnots International Airport (IATA code: EVN), located about 12 kilometers from the capital city, Yerevan. A wide network of airlines connects Armenia to major cities in Russia, the CIS, Europe, and the Middle East.
From Russia, regular flights are available with Aeroflot, Air Armenia, S7 Airlines (Siberia), Transavia, Vim Avia, and others.
From CIS countries, you can fly with Belavia, SCAT Airlines, and Ukraine International Airlines.
From other destinations, international airlines such as Air Arabia, Air France, Alitalia, Arkia (seasonal), Austrian Airlines, Czech Airlines, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, and Iran Aseman Airlines operate flights to Yerevan.
By Train
Armenia has a single international railway connection with Georgia. Train travel between Yerevan and Tbilisi is a scenic and budget-friendly option.
Train №372 runs on even-numbered dates from Yerevan to Tbilisi, taking approximately 10 hours and 20 minutes.
The return trip, train №371, runs on odd-numbered dates and takes around 10 hours and 35 minutes.
By Road
You can also travel to Armenia by car or bus from Georgia or Iran. However, note that the borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey remain closed due to political reasons. When entering Armenia by car, be prepared to pay a road tax of 1,000 Armenian dram, and purchase an OSAGO insurance policy (mandatory liability insurance for vehicle owners) for the full duration of your stay. Both the road tax and insurance can be arranged at the border.
Travelers bringing foreign currency into Armenia are allowed to do so without a limit, but it must be declared upon entry, especially if the amount is large. Be sure to keep the declaration form to avoid complications upon departure. Import and export of the local currency, the Armenian dram (AMD), is prohibited, and you are not allowed to bring in or take out more than $10,000 USD (or equivalent) in cash. For larger amounts, a bank transfer is advised.
As for personal items:
Up to 2 liters of alcohol and 50 packs of tobacco products are allowed.
Personal goods valued at up to $500 USD may be brought in duty-free. Any excess amount may be subject to customs duties.
Strictly Prohibited: Import or export of antiquities, manuscripts, precious stones, coins, artwork, and other culturally significant items without permission from Armenian authorities. Likewise, narcotics, explosives, weapons, and ammunition are banned, with the exception of hunting rifles approved by Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The official currency of Armenia is the dram (AMD). While the luma is technically the subunit (1 dram = 100 luma), it is rarely used in practice. When traveling to Armenia, it’s best to bring US dollars or Euros, as they are the most commonly accepted foreign currencies for exchange.
Currency exchange is widely available in Yerevan and other major cities:
You can exchange money at banks, currency exchange offices, and in large hotels.
Many hotels, restaurants, and shops in urban areas also accept USD and Euro, but you should still carry local currency for convenience.
In rural areas, banks may be the only place to exchange money and usually operate Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00.
There are bank representatives and exchange points at Zvartnots Airport, but don’t rely on finding them at land border crossings.
Credit and debit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are widely accepted in Armenia, particularly in cities and tourist zones. However, it’s advisable to carry some cash when traveling to smaller towns or villages.