According to the amendments of the Government Decree: № 1514-N of September 11, 2020, which entered into force on May 1, 2022:
The passengers are NO LONGER REQUIRED to present a COVID-19 PCR test or a Certificate of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the Republic of Armenia.
For foreigners, the entry to the Republic of Armenia continues to remain open both via air and land borders.
The quarantine on the territory of the Republic of Armenia due to COVID-19 has been extended till June 20, 2022.
There are two international airports in Armenia: Zvartnots, which is the closest option if you want to land near Yerevan, and Shirak Airport, situated right next to the city of Gyumri.
Yerevan enjoys daily flights from numerous cities worldwide. Currently, Shirak Airport offers flights only from a limited number of Russian cities.
While it is possible to reach Armenia by bus or car, it’s essential to keep in mind that the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Armenia and Turkey, are closed. Therefore, you can only enter Armenia by land from Iran and Georgia. International bus services run from Tbilisi to Yerevan, but it’s important to note that tourists will need a Georgian visa for this route. Alternatively, you can travel from Tbilisi to Yerevan by train.
Armenia experiences distinct calendar seasons, each offering its own unique delights. Throughout the year, you can fully appreciate the beauty of the different seasons.
In spring, you’ll encounter sunny and warm daytime weather, accompanied by a light breeze or occasional rain in the evenings. The orchards and natural landscapes burst into abundant bloom, including rocky mountain meadows.
Summer in Armenia brings hot and sunny days with pleasant, refreshing evenings. This season sees public life moving outdoors, with numerous festivals, concerts, and entertainment events. Summer begins with the ripening of apricots, continues with juicy watermelons, and ends with a bountiful grape harvest.
Autumn in Armenia lasts until the end of November and typically features consistently warm weather. November, there is almost always velvety warm weather with an abundance of fruits, when you can comfortably walk in light clothing and visit many attractions, an ideal time for corporate events.
Winter in Armenia is milder compared to northern countries, and due to global warming it is becoming warmer and warmer, but it is still a mountainous country where there is heavy snowfall and for winter sports lovers can enjoy both the Tsaghkadzor ski resort and explore the various mountain peaks.
In summary, you can enjoy excursion tours in Armenia from March to November, with the most comfortable months being April-June and September-October. If you’re interested in mountain climbing, the best time is during July and August, although hiking trips are available from May through the end of November.
We recommend selecting a flight that allows you to reach your hotel by noon (before 15:00) from where you will join your group. Arriving earlier may necessitate an additional charge for early check-in at the hotel, while a later arrival could cause you to miss the first day’s excursion program.
However, if you are unable to find a flight that lands by noon, there’s no need to worry. We are prepared to greet you upon your arrival, regardless of the flight’s time, as group transfers are already included in the package for arrivals on any day and at any time.
When booking your return flight, please consider the excursion program for the final day, even though, on group tours, it is often a leisure day or a relaxed city exploration with shopping opportunities. The return transfer from your hotel will be scheduled 2.5 hours before your departure time.
Is medical insurance required for tourists in Armenia? No, it is not mandatory. While travel insurance is not a compulsory requirement for participating in our tours, we strongly advise that you obtain it. It is an affordable option that can prove invaluable when needed. If you have a chronic or ongoing medical condition or a disability that may impact your well-being or limit your participation during the tour, it’s important for the organizers to be aware of this in advance so they can provide the necessary attention and accommodations.
Please note that insurance companies in Armenia do not offer coverage for tourists entering the country during the COVID-2019 pandemic. Therefore, we recommend obtaining travel insurance from your place of residence before traveling to Armenia.
You can find numerous international insurance companies that provide travel insurance online. According to expert ratings, the top three options are Travelex, Allianz Travel Insurance, and InsureMyTrip. The cost of standard travel insurance for a trip to Armenia depends on the tourist’s age, with a minimum price of $30 for a one-week stay in the country, the amount of coverage is up to 100,000 USD.
The national currency of Armenia is the dram. In Armenia, both banknotes and coins are referred to as drams. Coins come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 drams. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1 000, 2 000, 5 000, 10 000, 20 000, 50 000, and 100 000 drams. When you shop and conduct transactions in Armenia, you will use the national currency, the dram. Currency exchange is readily available, as you can find exchange offices in banks, shops, and many supermarkets. Some banks even have self-service exchange ATMs. You can exchange currency in exchange offices without presenting your passport for amounts up to 100,000 drams, while banks allow exchanges up to 300,000 drams. Banks typically operate from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays, with a few open on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Exchange offices are often open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM or even until midnight, including weekends and holidays.
To find the best exchange rates for your currency into Armenian drams, we recommend downloading the rate.am application. This app not only displays exchange rates in Yerevan but also helps you locate nearby exchange offices.
As for the currency you should bring to Armenia, we suggest using whatever currency you already have on hand; there’s no need to purchase a specific currency before your trip. If you prefer to have precise information and want to choose the most convenient option, you can use the aforementioned application or visit a website that provides exchange rates for almost all banks and exchange offices in Yerevan.
The current local time in Yerevan, Armenia is AMT (Armenia Time), which is UTC/GMT +4 hours.
Armenia is indeed a safe country. You’ll experience this right from your first day in the country. You can comfortably explore the country independently, at any time of the day, even in the narrowest alleys of Yerevan. However, this doesn’t mean you should let your guard down and trust everyone you encounter. When selecting a travel service provider, the best assurance of quality is their reputation and positive reviews on independent platforms. During your stay in Armenia, you should adhere to the general laws, rules, and cultural norms, which are similar to those in other European countries with a Christian culture.
On our tours, we guarantee safety, a welcoming environment, and the security of your belongings in hotels, restaurants, vehicles, and other public places we visit as part of the itinerary.
Armenians are known for their friendliness and hospitality. However, there are sensitive topics that should be handled with care or, if possible, avoided altogether. Chief among these are Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish relations. It’s advisable to steer clear of discussions related to Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian Genocide, especially if your personal viewpoint differs from the prevailing consensus in Armenia.
There are no specific dress codes for everyday attire, especially in Yerevan and other major cities, where people have the freedom to dress as they like. However, certain restrictions apply when visiting churches and monasteries, where women are expected to wear clothing that covers their knees and a headscarf to cover their hair. During the coronavirus pandemic, there may be requirements to wear a mask in public transportation, some institutions, and public places due to quarantine restrictions.
Special dress code requirements may apply in specific venues and themed events, which your tour guide will inform you about in advance. Such places may include concert halls, theaters, museums, and official receptions, among others.
For participation in sightseeing tours, we recommend to wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun or cold weather, as Armenia’s mountainous terrain can lead to significant temperature variations during the day. Even in summer, it’s a good idea to have lightweight warm clothing with you.
If you are preparing for a hiking trip, the tour page will provide you with a list of necessary special equipment based on your chosen route in advance.
Food – You can find food options everywhere in the city. No matter where you are, you can safely assume that within a 100-meter radius, you’ll find a snack bar, cafe, or restaurant. If you’re in the city center, this radius narrows to just 10 meters. Yerevan offers a wide range of cuisines, including Armenian, European, Mediterranean, Georgian, Arabic, and Chinese. Prices may vary, but in general, dining in Yerevan is much more affordable than in many other major cities around the world.
Water – You can purchase water at any grocery store, and most brands are produced in Armenia. Alternatively, you can simply open the tap anywhere, whether in your hotel or at someone’s home, and drink the water; it’s completely safe and even quite tasty. In Yerevan, you can also find a unique water source in courtyards and on the streets, which Armenians call “pulpulak.” These are small structures about a meter high, from which clean, transparent, and delicious Armenian water flows. Feel free to have a drink from there, and it’s absolutely free.
During our tours, all our participants receive unlimited drinking water in half-liter bottles.
On each tourist route, we provide our guests with delicious, hearty, and diverse lunches or dinners in colorful gastro-courtyards and restaurants. We select dishes that are typical of the region you are visiting.
You can freely import and export currency from the country without restrictions. However, it’s important to note that if you are carrying amounts exceeding $10,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, you must declare them. Tourists are advised to declare amounts starting from $2,000 to avoid potential issues during departure.
In Armenia, you are allowed to import personal items and goods with a total value of up to $500, as well as no more than 2 liters of alcohol and up to 50 packs of tobacco products. If the total value of the imported goods exceeds $500, you will be required to pay an import duty.
Please be aware that you cannot export antiques, precious stones, coins, manuscripts, and art objects without the appropriate permit. If you intend to transport hunting rifles, you must obtain permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. Other types of weapons and ammunition are strictly prohibited from being transported.
You are permitted to bring up to 3 liters of alcohol into the Customs Union territory for each passenger who is 18 years of age or older. However, it’s important to be aware that the total amount of alcohol should not exceed 5 liters per person and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 70% are strictly prohibited. For example, you can safely transfer 3 liters of wine without any concerns.
The train system in Armenia is generally considered a slower mode of transportation compared to buses. Passenger transport primarily operates on the Yerevan-Etchmiadzin-Gyumri-Vanadzor routes. Commuter trains, which are seasonal and operate only during the summer months, run from Yerevan to Sevan and Yeraskh. Unfortunately, the Yerevan-Nakhichevan-Meghri line remains closed due to the unresolved Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, resulting in limited internal connectivity via train.
In contrast, the bus network in Armenia offers a more flexible and extensive transportation option. Buses departing from Yerevan regularly serve all major cities in Armenia, although schedules may not always be well-defined, often depending on the cabin’s capacity. These routes connect nearly all cities and rural areas. Yerevan boasts two bus stations: international and intercity buses depart from the station located on Admiral Isakov Avenue, while suburban buses operate from the Sasuntsi David station.
In recent years, Armenia has made significant improvements in road infrastructure, with extensive asphalt paving efforts. As a result, most tourist destinations are now easily accessible via well-maintained asphalt roads. Furthermore, Yerevan features a single metro line for local transportation needs.
For travelers seeking guided tours in Armenia, Barev Armenia offers a range of comfortable and well-maintained vehicles. We provide Mercedes-Benz Viano minivans for groups of up to 6 people, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses for groups of 7-18 participants, and various brands of tourist buses for groups of 19 or more. All our vehicles are equipped with air conditioning to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable journey for our passengers.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Address: 3 Vazgen Sargsyan street, Government House N 2,
Hot line: +374 (60) 620 111, +374 (55) 620 111 (Whatsapp, Viber)
How to call Armenia from other countries:
To a landline phone: +374 (Armenia code) + locality code + subscriber number
To mobile phone: +374 (Armenia code) + mobile prefix. phone + phone number.
How to call within Armenia:
To a landline phone: 0 + locality code + subscriber number
To a mobile phone: 0 + mobile phone prefix + phone number.
Important phone numbers
Rescue Service – 911
Fire service – 101
Police – 102
Ambulance – 103
Airport – 187
Railway information desk – 184
Information Service – 109
We organize lunches and dinners in the best restaurants, hotels, guest houses and gastro-courtyards of Armenia along the tour route. Unless you have ordered a special menu, our standard travel package includes a variety of appetizers, salads, main course, dessert and soft drinks.
Armenia offers a more affordable travel experience compared to European countries and the USA. For budget-friendly travelers, it’s possible to plan your expenses as follows:
Armenia offers excellent value for travelers looking to explore its culture, cuisine, and attractions without exceeding their budget.
On our tours, tips for service personnel are not included in the bill, but they are not obligatory either, as all guides and drivers are already compensated by the company. If any staff subtly hints at expecting a tip, please consider this a breach of ethical standards, and we would appreciate it if you could report it to our management.
However, adhering to the global tourism tradition, if you are pleased with the efforts of the staff, it is also appropriate to show your appreciation with a small monetary token of gratitude. The exact amount is entirely at the discretion of the group; there are no specific guidelines or limitations in this regard. The same practice applies to hotel staff.
It’s worth noting that while restaurant bills may have a separate line for service charges, these funds do not go to the waitstaff. Therefore, it is fair to leave a tip of around 5-10%, provided, of course, that you are satisfied with the service.
