🛬 Your First Hours in Yerevan

Landed and not sure what to do first? The essentials for getting from the airport, getting cash and a SIM, and not accidentally being rude — in one place.

Fares, fees and rules below can change — this page is a practical starting point, not a substitute for checking current signage or asking locally.

🛬 From Zvartnots Airport

An app-based taxi (Yandex Go or GG) into central Yerevan typically runs 2,500–5,000 AMD depending on destination and traffic. Book through the app rather than a street taxi outside the terminal — those commonly quote several times more.
A cheaper option: route 201 (Elite Bus), a private express bus running roughly every 30 minutes between the terminal and central stops (Republic Square, Yeritasardakan Metro, Mashtots Ave) — paid in cash to the driver, reported at 300–500 AMD, so bring small bills.
You can buy a local SIM right at the airport, but rates are usually better at an operator's own shop in the city — buy a small starter amount at the airport if you need data immediately, top up properly later.

💵 Cash & SIM, first hour

ATMs are everywhere and give the best exchange rates — better than airport counters or hotels. Withdraw what you need in AMD; most everyday spending here is cash or QR/card, not USD/EUR.
Contactless bank cards are widely accepted in central Yerevan cafes, restaurants and shops, but keep some cash for taxis, marshrutkas, small shops and markets.
The three networks are Viva-MTS (best overall coverage), Ucom, and Team (formerly Beeline). Viva-MTS and Ucom both sell tourist-oriented SIM packages (roughly 15 days, unlimited data) for about 2,500 AMD — check current pricing at the counter, as offers change.

🤝 Etiquette & practical basics

Not obligatory, but increasingly common — around 10% at restaurants is typical (check the bill for an already-included service charge first). Rounding up for taxis is appreciated, not expected.
Yerevan's public drinking fountains ("pulpulaks") are a real city institution and generally safe to drink from — you'll see locals filling bottles at them everywhere in the city center.
Since a January 2025 rule change, cash is no longer accepted on city buses, trolleybuses or the metro — pay the flat 150 AMD fare by QR-code paper ticket, a transport card, or a contactless bank card. Intercity marshrutkas are a separate system and are still paid in cash to the driver.