Armenia - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

Recommended lengths of stay in Armenia from 3-5 day extensions to Georgia and Azerbaijan to 2 weeks on its own.

Modes of transport

Roads

Unfortunately, roads are potholed, and, to make matters worse, the holes are often dug out long before any repairs get done, making the bumps more treacherous. Speed limit signs are rare, but the limit is 70km/hour on major roads outside of Yerevan and 90km/hour on the Sevan highway. Watch out for speed traps going into the Dilijan Tunnel.

Public transport

Buses

Most moderately sized towns are accessible from Yerevan’s Kilikya and Hyusisayin bus stations or mashrutky (minibus) stands around the city.

Car
For travellers not with a guide, hiring a car is the best way to visit if hopping from town to town or visiting entire regions.

Train
Armenia’s train system is old and very difficult to navigate without speaking Armenian or Russian.

Air Domestic flights
Armenia has no domestic flights.

Health Precautions

Armenia is one of the safest countries in the region. Health precautions are minimal; exercise the same caution if travelling in Europe.

Food and Drink

The restaurant scene in Yerevan is fierce, and a delicious home-cooked meal is never far away. Accept if invited in for dinner; it could be the best memory from your trip.

Money

Armenia’s currency is the dram (AMD). The best cash currencies are US dollars, euros and Russian rubles, roughly in that order. Georgian lari can also be changed in Yerevan and border towns. Other currencies are hard to change except at a handful of major banks in Yerevan.

Every city and most towns have ATMs; some dispense American dollars and dram.

Time Zone

Time zone in Armenia (GMT+4)

Visas

You don’t need a visa for Armenia if you’re staying for up to 180 days or less.

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts for Armenia

Australia doesn’t have an embassy or consulate in Armenia. This would normally be handled by the Embassy in Moscow,

Contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre at +61 2 6261 3305 for consular assistance.

Electricity

For Armenia, there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug that has two round pins, and plug type F is the plug that has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Armenia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Getting there (stopovers)

All Middle Eastern-based airlines fly to Yerevan via Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Tipping

Restaurants The usual tipping rule is 10% on top of the 10% service fee that may be charged on some bills, especially in Yerevan. Taxis Giving your driver an extra 10% is acceptable but unnecessary.