How to Get from Yerevan (Zvartnots) Airport to the City Center
I live in Yerevan, and though my relatives always pick me up from Zvartnots Airport no matter what time I land, I’ve tested every transportation option to ensure I can give you accurate, up-to-date information. The 12-kilometer journey from the airport to the city center is straightforward once you know your options, and none of them involve the tourist tax you might fear. Whether you’re catching a Yerevan airport bus or negotiating a taxi from Yerevan airport to the city center, here’s everything you need to know—the actual costs, which options work at different times of day, and the most convenient choices for budget travelers.
Bonus tip before you leave: Grab a coffee from Coffee House in the airport terminal. Good quality, reasonable prices, and the perfect way to start the day before navigating the city.
Transportation Options Overview
There are four main options for getting from Zvartnots Airport to Yerevan’s city center: rideshare apps (Yandex and GG Taxi), official registered taxis, public buses, and marshrutkas (minibuses). Costs range from 100 AMD for the bus to 5,000 AMD for taxis—a span of €0.25 to €12. Your best choice depends on your arrival time, luggage situation, and comfort with technology. Rideshare apps offer the sweet spot of convenience and value, especially for late-night arrivals, while public buses provide the most budget-friendly option during daytime hours.
Payment methods by transport type:
- Public buses: Contactless credit cards only—tap and go
- Rideshare apps: Credit cards or cash
- Official taxis: Cash preferred (some accept cards)
- Minibuses: Cash only, small bills essential
Rideshare Apps: Yandex & GG Taxi
Yandex and GG Taxi are the most convenient ways to get from Yerevan Airport to the city center, especially late at night. These apps eliminate price, language, and navigation barriers with English interfaces, GPS tracking, and transparent pricing.
How it works:
- Download Yandex Taxi or GG Taxi before your flight (or connect to free airport WiFi upon arrival)
- Create an account and add your payment method
- Enter your destination address (your hotel name is usually sufficient)
- Request a ride and follow the app’s directions to the pickup point
- Average wait time: 5-10 minutes
Cost and payment:
The fare typically runs 1,500-2,500 AMD (€3.50-6) from the airport to central Yerevan. This is significantly less than the taxi fare from Yerevan Airport to the city center at official taxi ranks. You can pay by credit card through the app or with cash to the driver. There’s rarely surge pricing, even during peak hours.
When to choose this option:
Rideshare apps make the most sense for late-night arrivals, solo travelers, anyone wanting predictable pricing, or those who prefer cashless transactions with tracking for added safety. The combination of low cost and high convenience makes this the best all-around choice for most visitors.
Official Registered Taxis
Registered taxis from official ranks are legitimate and safe—don’t worry about scams if you take a taxi from the designated stands outside the terminal. The key is to skip the taxi drivers who approach you in the arrival hall and head directly to the official taxi rank.
How to use official taxis:
- Exit the arrivals hall completely
- Look for the official taxi rank with clear company signage
- Tell the driver your destination
- Confirm the price before departing (fixed rates typically apply)
Yerevan airport to city center taxi fare:
The fixed airport rate runs 3,000-5,000 AMD (€7-12) to reach central Yerevan. This is higher than rideshare apps but remains reasonable by international standards. Payment is usually in cash (AMD preferred, though some drivers accept USD or EUR). If you choose to tip, rounding up or adding 10% is appreciated but not expected.
Important reminder: Ignore any taxi drivers soliciting business inside the terminal building. Walk outside to the designated official taxi rank where legitimate registered taxis wait.
Yerevan Airport Bus 100
Public buses provide the most budget-friendly option for getting from Yerevan airport to the city center, with two main routes serving different parts of the city.
The Yerevan Airport Bus 100 operates between Zvartnots Airport and the city center, making multiple stops along the way before terminating near French Square. This is the most helpful route for tourists staying in downtown Yerevan.
Operating schedule: The bus 100 Yerevan airport timetable typically runs from early morning (around 7:00 AM) until late evening (approximately 11:00 PM), with buses departing every 20-30 minutes during peak hours and less frequently during early morning and late evening. Always verify the current schedule, as times can change seasonally.
Cost and payment: The ticket costs 500 AMD (€1.25). Here’s the important part: you can tap and go with your contactless credit card. There’s no need to buy a transport card or fumble with exact change. Simply tap your card on the reader when boarding. Cash is not accepted on city buses.
Yerevan Airport Minibus 201
The Yerevan airport bus 201 follows a different route, serving other neighborhoods and districts. Check the route map to confirm it stops near your accommodation before boarding.
Operating schedule: The Yerevan Airport Minibus 201 typically runs from early morning (around 7:00 AM) until late evening (approximately 11:00 PM), with buses departing every 30 mins.
Cost and payment: Bus fare is only 300 AMD (€0.80)—remarkably cheap, even by budget-travel standards. You need to have cash, though; credit cards are not accepted.
Private Transfer and Prebooked Options
Private transfers offer maximum convenience at premium prices—a driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, handles your luggage, and drives directly to your accommodation, with no navigation required on your part.
Private transfers cost €15-25 per vehicle (not per person), making them 3-4 times more expensive than rideshare apps but competitive when shared among 2-3 travelers. The price is fixed regardless of traffic or time spent on the journey.
Book through GetYourGuide, Viator, or directly through your hotel. These platforms offer instant confirmation, flexible cancellation policies, and English-language customer support.
My Recommendation
For most travelers, Yandex or GG Taxi is the optimal choice—affordable at €4-6, convenient, operating 24/7, and eliminating language barriers or concerns about how to get from Yerevan airport to the city center without complications. Download the app before you land, connect to airport WiFi, and request your ride. You’ll typically wait less than 10 minutes and pay less than half the official fare from Yerevan Airport to the city center.
If budget is your absolute priority, take the Yerevan Airport Bus 100 during the day. At just 500 AMD (€1.5) and accepting contactless cards, it’s an unbeatable value. Check the bus 100 Yerevan airport timetable to confirm service hours match your arrival time.
Groups of 3 or more: Private transfers become cost-effective when the €20-25 total is split among multiple travelers, offering convenience without excessive per-person cost.
Transportation from Yerevan airport is straightforward and safe—the city is just 12 kilometers away, options are affordable, and registered services are reliable. Choose based on your arrival time, budget, and comfort with technology rather than safety concerns. Whether you’re checking Yerevan airport departures for your return journey or just arriving, getting between the airport and city is one of the easier logistics in Armenia.
