Yerevan to Sevan (Shorzha) by Train: Schedule, Price and Route Highlights

There was something magical about taking the Yerevan-to-Sevan train as a kid. The excitement of watching the landscapes change through the window, sharing snacks, counting tunnels, and knowing the lake was getting closer with every stop.

Years later, it still feels the same. Slower than driving, but somehow much more memorable. Some journeys aren’t just about the destination. They’re about reliving the little moments that made childhood feel endless.

If you’re looking for the fastest way to Lake Sevan, this isn’t it. A taxi or marshrutka gets you there in about an hour. But if you want three hours of changing scenery, mountain views, abandoned Soviet-era stations, and a slow build-up to your first sight of the lake, the Shorzha train is worth the extra time. Here’s everything I know about it, including a full day I spent in Shorzha and on the Peninsula, once I got there.

Yerevan Railway Station and the Sevan Train/Elektrichka

Yerevan’s main railway station sits on David of Sasun Square, a short taxi or metro ride from the city center. The current building dates back to the mid-1950s and still handles all of Armenia’s domestic and international rail traffic, so it’s worth arriving a little early just to look around before you board.

The Sevan train, which continues on to Shorzha, isn’t a year-round service. It runs only in the warmer months, Friday through Sunday, from June to September, as a single round trip per day. Outside of that window, you won’t find it running, so this is very much a summer plan. Seating isn’t assigned on this line. You take whatever’s free when you board, and during peak weekends in July and August, that can mean standing for part of the ride if you arrive late.

The train itself is an ER2 electric unit, with four carriages, two fitted with old wooden benches and two with softer, more cushioned seats. There’s a toilet on board, but it’s old and gets dirty fast, so only use it if you really need to. The train is old overall, but it’s clearly well-maintained and stays clean throughout the ride. 

Personal recommendation: Sit on the left side heading out, at least until the “Varser” stop, for a nice view of the big cities and mountains. After that, move to the right side window if you can. That’s your best shot at Lake Sevan opening up in full view.

Yerevan to Sevan Train Schedule (Friday to Sunday, June to September)

Here’s the full timetable in both directions. The total ride from Yerevan to Shorzha takes just over three hours.

A few practical notes: this is a seasonal route, so double-check the schedule on https://www.railway.am/en/route#shorzha before you plan around it, since South Caucasus Railway (SCR) – the main railway company of Armenia, can adjust it year to year. Travel is free for children under 5. Hand luggage up to 36 kg is allowed, so you can bring a full beach bag without worrying about it.

How to Buy Tickets for the Yerevan to Sevan Train

The ticket price is 1,100 AMD each way, and it’s the same for everyone, locals and foreign visitors alike. There’s no tourist markup here.

You can technically buy tickets online through the South Caucasus Railway website, but you’ll need an Armenian phone number to create an account, which rules it out for most visitors. Don’t worry about this, though. You can just buy your ticket at the station ticket office before boarding, or directly on the train once you’re on it. Both cards and cash are accepted, so there’s no need to have exact change or worry about carrying enough AMD. 

Also, the conductors are super friendly, and they will help you if you have any questions.

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Yerevan Sevan train eticket

What You’ll See Along the Way (Route Highlights)

This is the part that makes the trip worth it. The train moves slowly enough that you can actually take in the landscape instead of blurring past it. Here’s what to look for at each stage, roughly in the order you’ll pass it.

Mount Ararat, Near Noragavit

Early in the ride, before the first proper stop, look back toward Yerevan for a clear view of Mount Ararat. On a clear day, it’s one of the best unplanned views of the whole trip, and it’s easy to miss if you’re not already looking for it.

Mount Ara, Near the Yeghvard Highway

A bit further along, keep an eye out for Mount Ara rising in the distance as the train moves north. It’s less famous than Ararat, but it’s a striking shape on the horizon and gives you a sense of just how much the landscape is opening up.

Nor Hachen Bridge Over the Hrazdan River

The train crosses this bridge before reaching the first proper stops, giving you a good look at the river running below. It’s a short moment, so keep your camera ready rather than waiting until you see it.

Nurnus

Nurnus is the first official stop on the line, a small village halt with little more than a platform. It’s not a destination in itself, but it marks the point where the ride properly begins.

Charentsavan

Charentsavan is a proper town, and this is where you’ll spot the Hrazdan reservoir, often with locals out kayaking on it. It’s a nice contrast to the quieter villages before and after it, and a good reminder that this line runs through real, lived-in places, not just scenery.

Solak and Kahsi

These two stops come one after another and are brief, with little to see beyond the platforms themselves. They’re worth noting mainly because they pass quickly, so don’t expect much of a pause here.

Hrazdan

Hrazdan is one of the larger towns on the route, and it’s worth a glance out the window even if the train doesn’t linger. It gives you a sense of scale compared to the smaller breaks surrounding it.

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Hrazdan – Jrarat highway

Gagarin Village and the Holy Cross Chapel (Surb Khach)

Around Varser station, look out for the Holy Cross Chapel in Gagarin village. It’s a small, unassuming structure, but it’s one of the few historic landmarks visible directly from the train on this stretch. You can also spot the “Gagarin” road sign, so be attentive. 

Sevan Station

Sevan station is home to one of the trip’s strangest landmarks, an abandoned grain elevator that towers over the platform. It’s industrial and a little “spooky” against the surrounding landscape, making it one of the most striking photos of the whole ride.

Island Stop

This is where Sevan Monastery (Sevanavank) first comes into view, sitting up on its peninsula above the lake. It’s a brief stop, but it’s the moment the trip starts feeling like you’ve actually arrived at the lake.

Tsovagyugh

The lake really opens up here as the train hugs the shoreline. This is one of the best stretches for photos, since you get an uninterrupted view of the water for several minutes.

Shoger, Arevik, and Tsitsernak

These three stops come in quick succession along the shoreline, some with barely more than a platform sign. They blur together a bit, but they’re part of what makes this stretch feel remote and unpolished.

Drakhtik

Drakhtik is one of the most atmospheric stops on the line. The station here looks like an abandoned ruin, quiet and overgrown, and it’s worth a photo even if you’re not getting off.

Shorzha

Shorzha is the end of the line, and your gateway to the quieter, less touristy stretch of Lake Sevan’s shore. Compared to the busier Sevanavank side, this is where the trip slows down again, in a good way.

A Day in Shorzha: An Old Lada, a Storm, and a Boat Tour Scam

Here’s the quick rundown of how the day went:

• Beach first, riding with an older local man in a Lada 07 instead of ordering a Yandex
• A stop at Sion resort, where the staff were genuinely kind
• A sudden rainstorm, followed by a Yandex to the peninsula for lunch at At Semo’s (Semoyi mot), with the storm clearing by the time we finished eating
• The drive to Sevanavank along the highway, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the Akhtamar statue, visible only from the road
• Coffee with a view at the Writers’ House
• A boat tour out for 15-20 minutes (skip anyone at the dock offering a “private” tour for the same price, and just wait for the shared boat to fill up instead)
• The walk back to catch the return train from the Island stop
• A stop by the abandoned Ishkan restaurant nearby

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Sevanavank and Writer’s House in Sevan

What I Spent (Budget Breakdown)

Here’s a real accounting of the day, so you know what to expect.

None of this is expensive by international standards, and honestly, the most costly parts were the two Yandex rides caused by the sudden rain. On a dry day, you could easily cut that part of the budget in half by walking or waiting it out.

Tips for Riding This Train

A few things I wish I’d known before doing this trip:

• Google Maps doesn’t show this route. Not all stops are marked, so don’t rely on it to plan your day. Use the timetable above instead, and take a screenshot before you go in case you lose signal.
• Grab a window seat as early as you can. Since seating isn’t assigned, boarding early at Yerevan gives you first pick, and the views shift from side to side throughout the ride, so either side has something worth seeing.
• Watch for the boat tour scam at Sevanavank. If someone offers you a “private” tour for the same price as the regular one, walk away and wait for the shared boat to fill up naturally.
• Bring a light rain layer even in summer. The weather on the peninsula can turn fast, as I found out firsthand.
• Have cash with you, around 20,000 AMD. Not everywhere on this route takes cards, especially the smaller spots like the Lada driver or beach stalls.
• Wear sunscreen, even if it’s grey out. I mean it. The altitude and reflection off the lake will burn you regardless of how sunny it looks.
• If you’d rather not coordinate all these connections yourself, a guided day tour to Lake Sevan on GetYourGuide or Viator handles the transport and timing for you, though you’ll trade some spontaneity for convenience.

Final Thoughts

Taking this train again as an adult, slower and full of the same little stops I remember from childhood, I kept thinking about how some trips aren’t really about getting somewhere fast. They’re about the version of yourself that used to press their face against a train window, counting tunnels, watching the mountains shift, and waiting for that first glimpse of the lake. The Shorzha line still delivers that, three hours at a time.