Knowledge base / Living in Armenia
Public Transport in Armenia: Getting Around Yerevan and Beyond
How to pay for rides in Yerevan
A unified payment system has been running since 2025. Cash is no longer accepted on buses, trolleybuses or the metro. You have four options:
- Bank card
Tap a contactless card on the validator when you board. The easiest option for your first days. - Telcell Wallet app
Buy an electronic ticket with a QR code. Online prices are slightly lower. - Paper QR ticket
Sold at Telcell payment terminals, which you will find all over the city. - Transport card
A plastic card you load with a pass. Worth it if you ride every day.
Validate every time you board. Inspectors do check, and the fine is far higher than the fare.
Fares (per the city and ARKA)
- Single ride: 150 drams.
- 30-day unlimited pass: about 8,800–9,000 drams.
- 90-day unlimited pass: about 23,600–24,000 drams.
- Annual unlimited pass: about 88,000–90,000 drams.
- The lower price applies online, the higher one on a transport card.
- Students, schoolchildren and pensioners get discounts.
The mayor has said fares may rise by up to 10 drams a year. Check current prices at transport.yerevan.am before buying a long pass.
Metro, buses and minibuses
Yerevan has one metro line with a short branch and 10 stations. It runs roughly from 7:00 to midnight and connects the centre with the south-west. Davtashen, Ajapnyak and Nor Nork have no metro, so you rely on buses there.
Buses and trolleybuses carry most passengers. The old Gazelle minibuses were taken off the streets by 2023. A few routes still run on newer minibuses, and they use the same payment system. Yandex Maps and Google Maps show routes and arrival times.
Taxis
In Yerevan a taxi is an everyday way to get around, not a luxury. The main apps are Yandex Go and GG. Both show the price before you book and accept cash or card. Avoid hailing cars on the street without an app, since you will have to agree on the price with the driver.
Getting from Zvartnots airport
- Bus No. 100 to the centre: 500 drams. Every 30 minutes from 6:50 to 22:00, hourly at night. Pay with a Telcell QR ticket (terminals are in the arrivals and departures halls) or a Visa/Mastercard on board.
- Express No. 201: 300 drams, cash in drams only. Every 30 minutes from 7:00 to 22:00.
- Taxi: book through Yandex Go or GG, or use the taxi desks in the arrivals hall.
Travelling between cities
Minibuses and buses to Dilijan, Sevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor and other towns leave from Kilikia central bus station and the Northern bus station. There are several departures a day, so check times the day before.
South Caucasus Railway runs commuter trains from Yerevan to Gyumri and, in summer, to Shorzha on Lake Sevan. There are also trains to Tbilisi and Batumi. Buy domestic tickets at pass.railway.am and international ones at ticket.railway.am.
Planning to drive? Read about driving licenses in Armenia. To choose a district or town with easy connections, see our guide to the best cities for relocation.
Common mistakes
- Boarding a bus with only cash. The driver will not take it.
- Not tapping your card when you change vehicles and getting fined.
- Taking a car at the airport exit without checking the app price first.
- Heading for express No. 201 without drams. Cards are not accepted there.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pay for the bus or metro in Yerevan?
Cash is not accepted. Tap a contactless bank card on the validator, buy a QR ticket in the Telcell Wallet app or at a Telcell terminal, or load a pass onto a transport card. Validate every time you board.
How much is a monthly transport pass in Yerevan?
A single ride is 150 drams. A 30-day unlimited pass is about 8,800–9,000 drams, with the lower price online and the higher one on a transport card.
How do I get from Zvartnots airport to Yerevan city centre?
Bus 100 costs 500 drams and takes a Telcell QR ticket or a Visa/Mastercard. Express 201 costs 300 drams, cash in drams only. You can also book a taxi via Yandex Go or GG.
How do I travel from Yerevan to Gyumri or Lake Sevan?
Minibuses and buses leave from Kilikia central bus station and the Northern bus station. South Caucasus Railway runs commuter trains to Gyumri and, in summer, to Shorzha on Lake Sevan.
Moving your business too?
We register sole proprietors and LLCs, help with a bank account and handle taxes and reporting. We speak English and Russian.
Sources: Zvartnots airport — transport to the city; ARKA — unified ticket fares; PanArmenian — 150-dram ticket; JAMnews — Yerevan transport reform; Wikipedia — Yerevan Public Transportation; South Caucasus Railway — railway.am.