17 Tips for traveling to Armenia

Updated: July 14, 2024

Everything you need to know to travel to Armenia: visas, security, transportation, flights, vaccines, time to travel and more.

This small country on the border between Europe and Asia is surprising for everyone who visits it for its landscapes and the incomparable friendliness of the locals who always welcome you with a big smile.

A country that receives very little tourism and allows it to maintain all its authenticity with the advantages and disadvantages that this entails.

In this article I tell you everything you need to know to visit this country in the South Caucasus and if I have left any topic untouched, leave me a comment below and I will gladly expand this guide.

1. Is it safe to travel to Armenia?

Yes, Armenia is safe. In fact, it is one of the safest countries in the Caucasus area, with one of the lowest crime rates in all of Europe.

Pickpocketing and robbery are not common in this country.

If you are a woman traveling alone in Armenia, you will have no problems moving around or going out at night because it is safe, just be careful as when you travel anywhere alone.

The times I have traveled to Armenia I have done so alone and I have always felt very safe.

Some topics you should keep in mind:

• Outfit: The country is quite conservative, but you will be able to wear whatever you want on your trip to Armenia, except when visiting churches and monasteries where you will need to cover up, especially if you are a woman.
• Taxi: Armenian taxi drivers often try to charge tourists more, to avoid this problem I recommend you order cars through Yandex This way you can see the price in advance and avoid the language barrier.
• Inflated prices: In Armenia it is common that in many places they want to go overboard with the prices when they see that you are a tourist. The most common thing is that it happens with taxis, street vendors, street stalls and any place where prices are not marked and they can ask you up to 20 times more than what the product costs in other places.
• Hiking and trekking: The country is safe for hiking and trekking alone, but if you are not used to it or do not know the country, it is better to go with a group, either on an excursion or with other travelers. If you are a woman traveling alone, it is better that you go with more people, in remote areas it may be strange for a woman to go through the mountains alone.
• Azerbaijan: The borders with Azerbaijan and in particular in the Nagorno Karabakh area, it is not recommended to visit due to the conflicts that have recently increased between the two countries. Do your homework before venturing into that area.
• Iran: Relations between Armenia and Iran are good and land borders remain open; However, due to recent internal conflicts in Iran, travel to that country is not recommended.

2. Visa to go to Armenia

Spanish citizens and other countries of the European Union

If you have a passport from Spain you do not need a visa for Armenia, this is the same for the rest of the countries in the European Union, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days. Before, they gave 180 days but they changed it recently.

Latin American Citizens

On the other hand, if your passport is Latin American, you will need to apply for a visa beforehand.

You can apply for the visa at e-visa website which belongs to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You can request a visa of up to 21 days for 8 USD or up to 120 days for 38 USD, the process takes 3 business days.

Do I need an invitation letter to travel to Armenia?

No, they only ask for an invitation letter from 57 countries in Africa and Asia to apply for a visa for Armenia.

Check out my official Web From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia you can consult the complete list.

Visa extension

In case you travel to Armenia and want to stay longer, you can make a visa extension request by completing This formulary, where you will have to explain the reason.

You must apply for an Armenian visa extension at the Passport and Visa Department of the Police of the Republic of Armenia. These are your contact details:

• E-mail:  visa@mfa.am
• Phones: (+37460) 620516, 620553, 620549

3. Armenian Immigration: questions and what they ask for to pass

Entry into Armenia is a fairly simple process with the routine questions you might be asked at any other border, such as the reason for travel and duration.

Although the story may be a little different if you have traveled to Azerbaijan before, a country with which they have a conflict, which has recently been revived.

I have not heard from anyone that they were not allowed to enter Armenia because they had an entry stamp to Azerbaijan. But be prepared to answer more questions and be a little more inquisitive.

The Armenian immigration office usually only asks for the passport and visa (if it is required for your country).

It is not common for them to ask for proof of bank funds, hotel reservations or return flight, and even less so if you are traveling with a Spanish passport or from another strong country, but they are within their rights to do so.

Therefore, I recommend that you always have a copy of those documents saved on your mobile.

4. Vaccines to go to Armenia

There is no mandatory vaccination to travel to Armenia.

If you consult the international vaccination center in your city, they will recommend some vaccines such as tetanus, hepatitis A + B and triple viral, but these are the normal vaccines that they recommend for any trip.

In this link of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology you can see the details of the vaccines.

In case you want to get the vaccines, in this link you can see the list of centers in Spain and here ask for an appointment.

Rage

In Armenia there are many stray dogs, rabies is common and it is recommended that you get vaccinated if you are going to have a lot of contact with dogs. That is, if you are going to do some volunteering or work with these animals, if not it is not necessary.

Mosquitoes

In the area of Lake Seván in the summer months there are many mosquitoes and it is advisable that you take some good repellent with you, I usually use the Relec Extra Forte from the link that works wonderfully.

5. Do I need the Covid vaccine or PCR test to travel to Armenia?

No, since May 1, 2022, they do not require the COVID vaccine or PCR tests to enter Armenia.

On this official website of the Government of Armenia you can see the updated information.

6. Do I need travel insurance to go to Armenia?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for traveling to Armenia, but it is recommended.

If anything happens to you during your vacation, the insurance will cover you, otherwise paying for some medical treatments out of pocket will cost you dearly. 😖

I always use and recommend Heymondo, it is an international insurer specialized in travel insurance, with excellent coverage and 24-hour assistance, even if you take out the basic insurance and here you can get a 5% discount.

If you’re looking for an affordable option, IATI is perfect. It’s the insurance backpackers prefer, and you also get a 5% discount.

If you're planning to travel for several months, both insurance companies have long-term coverage options.

7. How to go to Armenia?

Flights to Armenia from Spain

To travel to Armenia from Spain you have flights from several Spanish cities and with a stopover usually within the European Union.

You can get flights from Spain starting at around 160 euros depending on the season.

Until recently, there were no flights from Spain to Armenia with Turkish airlines (Turkish Airlines and Pegasus) due to the bad relations between Turkey and Armenia.

But recently I have seen flights again between Spanish cities and Yerevan with a stopover in Istanbul, at least with Pegasus.

Another alternative is to combine the trip to Armenia with a trip to Georgia.

Because there are cheap flights to Georgia from Barcelona and Madrid with the Hungarian airline WizzAir that flies to Kutaisi in Georgia. You can get flights from 100 euros.

To find cheap flights to Armenia or Georgia I recommend this search engine and try different dates, as sometimes there is a big difference from one day to the next.

Flights to Armenia from Latin America

If not from Latin America to Armenia you also have flights with at least one stopover in the European Union.

Travel to Armenia by land

Armenia has borders with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Iran.

• Georgia: The land route between Georgia and Armenia is very popular among travelers to take advantage of seeing both countries. You can do it by car, train or bus, which is faster, cheaper and more comfortable.
• Azerbaijan: The borders with Azerbaijan are closed due to conflicts and there is no direct transport with that country.
• Türkiye (Turkey): The land borders are closed, although flights between these countries have recently resumed operating, at least with the Turkish airline Pegasus.
• Iran: Relations between Armenia and Iran are good and the land borders are open, but due to Iran's internal conflicts, crossing the land borders is not recommended.

I will update this article when I can, I also recommend that you inform yourself well when traveling if you are going to cross borders in this area of the world, especially between countries in conflict.

⭐ In this article I tell you about all the alternatives of How to get from Tbilisi to Yerevan with prices, immigration clearance and useful information.

8. How to get from the airport to the center of Yerevan?

Yerevan Zvarnots Airport is close to the center, it is only 12 km and you have several cheap alternatives to get to the city center.

The cheapest way is to go with the bus, which will cost you 300 drams (0.72 euros), takes 40 minutes and has several stops in the center. But it is an impractical option if you go with large suitcases.

As in every airport, you will find taxis outside that you will have to ask them to turn on the meter if you don't run the risk of being charged up to 5 times more than the usual price.

A good alternative is the Yandex application to order a car, it is an Uber-type application.

The most convenient alternative is to hire a private transfer like this one from the shuttle that is well priced and the driver waits for you at the airport.

⭐ In this article you can read in detail about each transportation alternative from the airport to Yerevan and how to get around Yerevan and Armenia.

9. Driving in Armenia

In Armenia they drive “crazily”, that is, fast and somewhat reckless.

Additionally, the roads are not in optimal condition and since Armenia has mountainous terrain, it has many curves.

Therefore, I only recommend driving if you have a lot of experience.

Although, driving in Armenia will give you flexibility in your visits and you will be able to reach places where there is no public transportation.

If you travel with your car to Armenia, keep in mind that insurance is mandatory and the one you already have is not useful. You will have to hire one when entering the country, there are several insurers when crossing the border.

To rent a car in Armenia I recommend this search engine that works only with serious and cheap Armenian companies.

It's a good way to get competitive prices and help local companies instead of international ones.

To drive in Armenia you can do so with your driver's license, if you have a permit from Spain or another country that is in the Vienna Convention.

Otherwise, you will need an international driving permit, here you can see details.

10. When should you visit Armenia?

The best time to visit Armenia will depend a little on what you want to do because the climate varies greatly from the city to the mountains and between the different seasons that are well marked.

Below you can see the average maximum and minimum temperatures of Yerevan:

Each season has a different attraction if you travel to Armenia, this is what you will find:

• Summer: It is the best time to enjoy the hiking and trekking routes in the north of the country, where temperatures will be pleasant. It is also a good time to swim in the waters of Lake Seván, which are usually cool. On the other hand, in Yerevan, during the day, temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees.
• Autumn: It is the best time to enjoy the entire country with pleasant temperatures, although they can drop quite a bit at night in mountain areas. If you go on excursions you can enjoy the autumn color of the leaves, which is very beautiful.
• Winter: Winter in Armenia is cold, reaching temperatures of -10 degrees, it even snows in Yerevan and you can find roads cut off by ice and heavy snowfall. Although it is the best time if you want to enjoy skiing in Armenia or other winter sports with cheaper accommodation prices and good ski resorts a few kilometers from Yerevan.
• Spring: It is another of the best times to visit Armenia due to the good temperatures. Although the beginning of this season can be rainy, later the fields are filled with beautiful flowers.

11. Coins, use of cards, change

Local currency

The Armenian currency is the dram, which you can also see written as AMD, which means Armenian Dram, i.e. Armenian Dram.

In some places they may accept you to pay with euros or US dollars, but the exchange rate they will give you will not be very good.

For that reason, it is best to always pay in the local currency.

Cards

You can use your international cards to withdraw money from ATMs in the cities and you can also pay in many places with a card.

However, in rural areas you will have to carry cash.

The commission you pay when withdrawing money and paying by card will depend on your bank.

👍 Friend's advice: For traveling, I recommend opening a Wise account, which allows you to withdraw up to 200 euros / 100 USD per month without a commission using the debit card. Beyond that, the commission is minimal, and they provide the most favorable exchange rates between currencies. If you use the link above to sign up, your initial transfer will be fee-free.

Change money

If you are going to bring cash to exchange, the most accepted currencies at exchange offices are euros and US dollars.

The best exchange rate is usually found in banks that are open from Monday to Saturday, Saturday mornings only.

You can also exchange money at the airport.

But if you cross the land border from Georgia, you won't find anywhere to change there.

If you are traveling from Georgia you can try to change some money in Tbilisi.

I got drams at an exchange office in front of the Square Station subway stop, but it is not easy to get drams. In Georgia, banks do not usually have drams.

12. Language in Armenia

In Armenia, the language is Armenian, but due to its Soviet past, older people still speak Russian.

On the other hand, young people do not speak Russian, but English is quite widespread among them, mainly in Yerevan.

But you can always use a translator on your mobile when you don't understand the local people, plus, Armenians are very friendly people who will try their best to help you.

13. Buy SIM card in Armenia

The use of WiFi is widespread in Armenia and you will have it free in accommodations, bars and restaurants.

But if you want to have mobile data to have a connection all day, it is best to buy a local SIM card or an eSIM, either option is cheaper than roaming.

Physical SIM card

The most important operators in the country are Vivacell, BeeLine, UCOM – Orange, they all have a similar service.

Perhaps BeeLine is the one with a little more coverage and better service in relation to quality and price.

The price of the plans depends on the amount of data and the type of package you choose.

To give you an idea of the prices, I tell you that I bought the Vivacell SIM card, I paid 2,000 drams (5.15 euros) for the Z rate (the cheapest) which included: the SIM, 3 Gb of data, 200 minutes of calls and 200 SMS for 30 days.

Note that there are no plans for fewer days, the minimum is 30 days, although they are very cheap.

👉 Places to buy a SIM in Yerevan:

• Airport: There is a BeeLine office at the airport (I'm sure there are other companies too) but the plans they have there are usually more expensive, so if you can, wait to buy in the center of Yerevan.
• Border with Georgia: If you travel by car, just across the border, where the insurance companies are, there is a Vivacell office where you can buy a SIM. But if you go by bus, you will have nowhere to shop, because the supermarket where you usually stop on the Armenian side no longer sells SIM.
• Kilikia: If you arrive by bus in front of the Kilikia bus station in Yerevan, there is a Vivacell store just across the street, if you can't buy in the center you will find many official stores of the different companies.

To buy the SIM card you will only need your passport and mobile phone.

I recommend that you buy the card in official stores because They don't always work when you put them on your mobile and in the official store they can help you with the configuration.

👍 My two cents: when you buy the SIM, make sure your internet worksIf not, you'll have to come back, like it happened to me.

eSIM card

If not, the most practical alternative is to buy one eSIM card for Armenia with unlimited data like this, with that link you have a 5% discount.

The advantages of this eSIM are that it is easily configured, you have internet when you arrive without having to look for a telephone office and You don't need to remove the SIM from your country.

Of course, check first that it works for your mobile, because it does not work with older ones.

14. Useful apps in Armenia

• Yandex: It is the most popular application to order a car, it is cheaper than hailing a taxi on the street and you avoid the language barrier.
• GG taxi: It used to be the most used car ordering application, but in comparison they have fewer cars. What I like is that it is a local company, instead of an international one.
• A2B transport: It is very practical for getting around by public transport with the marshrutkas, buses and trolleybus routes.
• Yerevan Events: If you want to socialize and go to a concert or hangout, this is your application.
• Hike Armenia: the best application in the country with hiking and trekking routes.
• Maps: It is very practical for moving around the city and the country because it works even if you do not have data or you are momentarily without connection, because you can download the map of the area beforehand.
• Menu.am: They have a website and an app, it is the most popular way to order food at home.
• Balloon: other of the most used websites and applications in Armenia to order food.
• Pulpulak: The name of this application is the name of the water sources in the city, designed so that people do not spend money on something as basic as drinking water and an ecological way to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. The application helps you find them. These fountains are very famous and popular among local people, to the point that nasdaily He made a video about it that you can see below.

⭐ In this other article you can read more about What to do in Yerevan: 14 best plans including the pulpulak.

15. Can tap water be drunk?

Yes, both tap water is drinkable and you can drink it without problems, as well as water from fountains (pulpulak) that you will find in Yerevan and other areas of the country.

16. What type of plugs do they have in Armenia?

In Armenia, the plugs have round pins type C and F and the current has a voltage of 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

If you travel from Spain you will have no problems, just as if you travel from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Paraguay or Uruguay.

But, if you want to carry an electronic device with a different plug, you will need an adapter and if the current is different in your country, you will need a power converter.

As they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, here you can see the different types of plugs:

17. What to bring to Armenia?

Although I would like to tell you that you can find everything in Armenia, that is not the case, unless they are basic and very common things.

Therefore, I recommend that you bring everything you will need.

Furthermore, in the Caucasus countries everything that is not produced is imported and depending on the product, it can cost you between 3 and 7 times more expensive.

Some of the things I recommend you bring:

• Sunglasses
• Cap or hat
• Sunscreen: especially if you travel in summer, winter or go hiking or trekking.
• Comfortable shoes
• Thermal clothing: If you are going to travel to Armenia in winter, I advise you to bring thermal clothing because it is quite cold.
• Travel fanny pack: This is an essential for me because it is very practical to put valuable things like passport, cards and money because it goes under your clothes.
• Small backpack: to visit the city and nearby visits.
• Kindle- A lightweight way to carry entertainment books and travel guides.
• Travel Guide: I recommend this one from Lonely Planet that has Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in printed format or the electronic version.
• Photo camera: to take with you the best of memories of the beautiful Armenian landscapes.
• Drone: If you are going hiking I recommend taking a drone, the mountain landscapes of Armenia are fantastic for flying a drone, if you want good quality, something light and not very expensive, the best is the DJI Mini 2. If you prefer something more professional, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, it is the best in terms of quality and price.
• hiking sticks: Even if you plan to do short hiking routes, I recommend taking some walking sticks, especially if you have knee problems.

🔝 If you want to know the best of the Caucasus without worrying about anything, book this All-inclusive trip to Georgia and Armenia, which costs less than 150 euros a day.

Final Thoughts

If you are thinking of traveling to Armenia, these tips will help you prepare your trip to this fabulous country.

In case you are preparing your trip on your own, this Armenia guide It may help you, where you will find all the articles I wrote.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘

More about Armenia and the Caucasus countries

• Route through Armenia: 1 week itinerary
• What to do in Yerevan: 14 best plans
• What to see in Armenia: 25 essentials from Yerevan
• Visit to the Cascade Complex in Yerevan
• How to Get from Tbilisi to Yerevan: Fast, Cheap, and Comfortable
• What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places.