The short version
A Garni day trip needs very little preparation, but a few basics are worth settling before you land in Yerevan. This page gives a short answer on each, with a link to the fuller guide where we have one.
We are an independent guide, not an official body. Rules and advice change, so read the GOV.UK pages linked below before you travel.
Money
Armenia uses the dram, code AMD, written ֏. It is issued by the Central Bank of Armenia. Notes in frequent use are 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 drams, and coins in frequent use are 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 drams. We have not checked an exchange rate, so we do not give one. Our getting there guide quotes local fares in dram.
GOV.UK advises using ATMs carefully, especially after dark. We have not verified how widely cards are accepted, so carry some cash. The money and currency guide has the detail.
Entry
GOV.UK says you can visit Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days in a year for tourism or business. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Read the entry requirements guide, then check GOV.UK before you travel.
Safety
GOV.UK advises against all travel to two named areas: within 5km of the eastern border with Azerbaijan, and along the M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan. It describes crime levels as low, with occasional pickpocketing and bag-snatching. Our Is Armenia safe? page sets out what the advice says and what it does not say.
Plugs and time zone
Wikivoyage lists Armenian electricity as 220 volt and 50 hertz, with Europlug and Schuko sockets. UK visitors need a plug adaptor.
Armenia is on UTC+4, known as Armenia Time (AMT), according to Wikipedia. The calling code is +374. The page we read did not say whether the clocks change in summer, so check the time on your phone when you arrive.
Emergency numbers
The sources disagree, so we show both. The GOV.UK getting help page gives 911 for emergency services. Wikivoyage lists 112 as well, plus 101 for fire, 102 for police and 103 for an ambulance. GOV.UK is the official source, so save 911 first and read the GOV.UK page before you go.
If you need help for a friend or relative abroad, GOV.UK gives the FCDO London number as 020 7008 5000, open 24 hours.
Arriving at the airport
Zvartnots International Airport (code EVN) is roughly 10 to 15 km west of central Yerevan, because our sources give different distances. The airport’s own page lists two buses into the centre. The N201 costs 300 AMD per person, paid in cash. The N100 costs 500 AMD, payable by QR ticket or by Visa or Mastercard on board. There are also taxi desks in the arrivals hall and car hire desks from Enterprise, GoMotion, Hertz and SIXT. Fares and timetables change, so check the airport page. The airport information line is 1-87, open 24 hours.
For taxis in town, GOV.UK warns that hailing taxis on the street risks high fares and recommends the GG app. Our Is Armenia safe? page has the detail.
Language
Wikipedia lists Armenian as the only official language and Russian as a recognised language. Wikivoyage says Russian is widely spoken as a second language in Armenia and is a compulsory school subject, and that English is less common outside Yerevan. Learning a few words is easy and costs nothing.
A few words of Armenian
These are Eastern Armenian phrases with the transliteration given by Wikivoyage’s phrasebook. Capital letters mark the stressed syllable.
- Hello (formal): Բարև ձեզ, bah-REV DZEZ
- Hello (informal): Բարև, bah-REV
- Goodbye: Ցտեսություն, tse-teh-soo-TYOON
- Please: Խնդրեմ, khen-TREM
- Thank you: Շնորհակալություն, shno-ra-ka-loo-TYOON. Wikivoyage notes that “merci” is often used instead.
- Yes: Հա (informal) or Այո (polite), huh or a-YO
- No: Չէ (informal) or Ոչ (polite), cheh or voch
- Excuse me: Կներե՛ք, ke-neh-REHQ
- How much is this?: Սա ի՞նչ արժե։ suh inch are-ZHEH
- Do you speak English?: Դուք անգլերեն գիտե՞ք, DOOQ an-gle-REN ghee-TEQ
- Water: ջուր, joure
- The bill, please: Հաշիվը, խնդրում եմ, huh-SHE-ve, khend-ROOM ehm
- Where is the toilet?: Որտե՞ղ է զուգարանը, vor-TEGH EH zoo-qah-RAHNE
- I don’t understand: Ես չեմ հասկանում, YES CHEM has-kah-NOOM
- Cheers: Ձեր կենացը, dzere keh-NUTS-e
Before you go
- Read the GOV.UK Armenia entry requirements and warnings pages in the week before you travel.
- Buy travel insurance that covers your itinerary. GOV.UK says cover could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.
- Pack a plug adaptor.
- Carry some drams, because we have not verified card acceptance.
- Save the emergency number and your accommodation details in your phone.
Planning the rest of the trip
- Getting there from Yerevan: tour, taxi, minibus or hire car to Garni and Geghard.
- Best time to visit: when to go.
- Where to stay in Yerevan: choosing a base for the day trip.
