Visas, money, language, safety and how to actually travel between the sights. The practical questions every first-time visitor asks, answered.
Armenia is one of the easiest and safest countries in the region to travel — but a little local knowledge goes a long way, especially once you leave Yerevan and the mountain roads begin. Here are the practical answers to the questions we’re asked most.
Do I need a visa?
Most likely not. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter visa-free for stays of up to 180 days. A handful of nationalities can get a simple e-visa online. We confirm the current rules for your passport when you book — but for the majority of our guests, entry is as simple as showing up.
Money and cards
The currency is the Armenian dram (AMD). Cards are widely accepted in Yerevan and at hotels, but carry cash for villages, family wineries, markets and small guesthouses. ATMs are plentiful in towns and scarce in the mountains, so withdraw before a long day out.
Getting between the sights
This is the honest bit: Armenia’s public transport between attractions is limited and slow, and the best places — Tatev, Noravank, the mountain monasteries — are hard to reach without your own wheels. Marshrutka minibuses connect the towns cheaply but keep their own mysterious schedules. For a real trip, you want a private car and driver, which is exactly how our tours run: door to door, at your pace, with a guide who knows which viewpoint is worth the stop.
Language
Armenian has its own beautiful 39-letter alphabet, invented in 405 AD. Russian is widely understood, and English is common among younger people and in tourism. A guide bridges the gap effortlessly — and learning to say shnorhakalutyun (thank you) will earn you delighted smiles everywhere.
Is it safe?
Yes. Armenia has very low levels of crime against visitors, and Armenian hospitality is genuine and warm — you are far more likely to be invited in for coffee than troubled. Standard travel sense applies, as anywhere, and we keep an eye on regional conditions and route around them.
The single best travel tip for Armenia: accept the invitation. The detour is always the trip.
The easy way
Of course, the simplest answer to “how do I get around?” is to let us handle it. Every Aratta tour includes private transport, a licensed local guide and a WhatsApp line to a real person for the whole trip — so the only thing you have to organise is which season to come. And you’ve already read that guide.