Car Rental in Yerevan

Why rent a car in Yerevan?

Yerevan is a fascinating place to explore. Still undiscovered by most foreign tourists, this proud city has everything for a traveler to enjoy, including truly ancient sites, wide modern boulevards, interesting museums, and the unmatched Armenian hospitality. Get to know the local culture, traditions, and cuisine, then travel outside the capital to explore the country’s impressive mountains, alpine lakes, and beautiful nature reserves. 

Top ways to enter Yerevan

• Yerevan Airport: Also known as Zvartnots Airport after the town in which it is located, it served 3.6 million travelers in 2022, a 10% increase from the year before. The airport provides to many European destinations like Vienna, Paris, Moscow, and Brussels as well as cities in the Middle East like Beirut, Baghdad, and Tel Aviv. Located just 12km (7.4 miles) southwest of central Yerevan, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Tbilisi Airport: The busiest airport in the Caucasus, Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Airport handled 3 million travelers in 2022. The airport is served by around 40 different airlines with plenty of flights to and from Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and even China. Tbilisi Airport is 280km (174 miles) northeast of Yerevan and can be reached in about five hours. It’s important to keep in mind that most rental car providers don’t permit crossing the border between Georgia and Armenia, but you could travel with public transportation and then pick up a rental car after arriving in Yerevan. It’s also important to check if you need a visa to enter either Georgia or Armenia as each country has its own visa policy. The same applies if you are traveling to or from Kutaisi Airport or Batumi Airport, two other international airports in Georgia.

City facts

• Yerevan has a continental steppe climate. Its summers are very hot, although the heat is somewhat mitigated by the city’s high altitude; its winters, on the other hand, are cold and snowy. The average high temperature is 34 °C  (93°F) in July, the warmest month, and 1°C  (34°F) in January, the coldest. Yerevan is generally very dry, with a small increase in precipitation in April and early May, but almost none of it in August and September.
• Yerevan has a great amount of interesting museums. The National Art Gallery hosts the works of local masters as well as world-famous painters like Marc Chagall and Vassily Kandinsky. The Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art also has some works of Chagall and even Andy Worholl. The History Museum of Armenia covers everything from ancient paleolithic settlements to ancient kingdoms like Urartu and the tragic events of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. There are also many nice smaller museums like the Museum of Woodwork and the Armenian Railways Museum that are worth a visit.
• Although Yerevan is practically a stone’s throw from Turkey, the border between the two is closed. The border with Azerbaijan is also closed and relations between the two countries remain hostile (however, contrary to some reports, you can now visit Armenia fairly easily with an Azerbaijani stamp in your passport). The disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh (or Artsakh) is controlled by Armenia and can be accessed from Armenia, though it’s preferable to hire a local guide and not to travel with a rental car. The border with Iran is open and easy to cross, though citizens of most countries need a visa to visit. 

Top sights and activities

• Erebuni Fortress. Dating back to the ancient Urartian Kingdom, the Erebuni Fortress is more than 2,700 years old. The impressive citadel, along with the rest of Yerevan, was later ruled by Achaemenids and a number of other invaders but has always remained the symbol of the city. If you’re visiting Yerevan, seeing Erebuni is a must.
• Matenadaran. Although Armenian is an Indo-European language and as such is distantly related to languages like French, English, German, it has its own unique alphabet. For centuries, calligraphy was considered one of the highest skills of learned Armenians. This unique museum hosts many impressive Armenian manuscripts and also provides an opportunity to learn about the country, its language, and its literature.
• Saryan Street. Full of bustling cafes, wine bars, the Hovhannes Tumanyan museum, and the Martiros Saryan House Museum (whom the street was named for), there’s always something fun to do in this area. Located just behind this Saryan Street, you can also access the Kond District, the oldest neighborhood of Yerevan known for its winding streets, colorful murals, and St. John the Baptist Church.
• Katoghike Tsiranavar Church of Avan. Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion having done so in the 4th century. There are no churches left in Yerevan that have survived from that time, but the ruins of this small church date back to the 6th century with some of its inscriptions and structures still in place. There are many beautiful churches in Yerevan, another standout being the Katoghike Holy Mother of God Church. The city is also home to the small Blue Mosque, a Shia place of worship. 
• Abovyan Street. Despite its millennia-old history, Yerevan is also home to picturesque buildings in Art Nouveau and Modernist styles. Many of these can be found on Abovyan Street, a planned, centrally located thoroughfare that dates back to the 19th century and remains one of the busiest and most interesting areas of the city.
• Blue Mosque. Armenia is an overwhelmingly Christian country, but its historical proximity to Turkic and Persian-speaking peoples means that it has always had contact with the followers of Islam. A good example of this is Yerevan’s Blue Mosque which was built in the 18th century, secularized during the Soviet period, and now again serves the city’s small but vibrant Shia community. Visitors of all faiths can enter the mosque from 10.00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• See more of the top things to do in Yerevan.

Traffic and parking

• Armenia drives on the right-hand side of the road. 
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 110km/h (68 mph) on highways, 90km/h (55.9 mph) on most other intercity roads, and 40km/h (25 mph) in populated and built-up areas, and 20km/h (12 mph) inside residential areas. 
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. The only exception is the hands-free system.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.00% for both experienced and novice drivers, and the rules are enforced more strictly with every year. Drunk driving can lead to large fines and even deportation or jail time.
• It is only compulsory to use the seat belts for passengers in the front seats. Regardless, for your own safety, you should also use a seat belt if traveling in the back seat.
• While the main highways and roads in Yerevan are generally in good condition, many rural roads are still improving. Some will have potholes; wildlife and cattle crossings can also be an issue in the countryside. It’s important to exercise extra caution, especially when driving after dark. 
• Armenia is a landlocked country with the lowest altitude of 390 m (1,280 ft) and many peaks higher than 3,000 m (9,850 ft); 86% of the country is made up of mountains. Some high altitude roads can be very steep or can lack necessary barriers. If you have no previous experience of driving in the mountains, it is important to be extra careful, especially in the rural and nature areas and after dark. 
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency numbers are 101 for the fire department, 102 for police, and 103 for the ambulance.

Toll roads

As of 2019, there are no toll roads in Armenia. However, plans are in place to introduce tolls for some of the roads that are currently under construction like the North-South corridor.

Ideas for day trips

• Garni. A small village, Garni is famous for its temple. A Greco-Roman construction of classical columns, Garni was built in the 1st century AD to honor Hellenic gods, and as such, it is one of the most important pagan shrines in the Caucasus and the Middle East that have survived to this day. Garni is also home to the Geghard Monastery and Garni gorge. Don’t miss the fascinating natural basalt hexagonal formations in Garni Gorge, called the Symphony of Stones. Located 26km (16 miles) southwest of the capital, it can be reached in about 40 minutes.
• Ashtarak. A small and quiet city, Ashtarak is known as the home of a number of ancient Armenian churches. Some are still fulfilling their original function while others have long fallen into disrepair, but nearly all are really impressive. The most famous of them, St. Hovhannes Cathedral, towers over a deep gorge. Located 21km (13 miles) northwest of Yerevan, Ashtarak takes 30 minutes to reach.
• Khosrov Forest State Reserve. One of the oldest nature reserves on the planet, Khosrov has allegedly been a protected area since the 4th century when it was created under the orders of the Armenian king Khosrov. Historically impressive, the reserve is also very lively today. It is made-up of juniper and oak forests, scrublands, and wetlands and provides hiking opportunities for tourists. It’s also home to animals like the bezoar goat, Caucasian agama, and even the elusive Persian Leopard. One of the most beautiful places in the country, Khosrov Forest State Reserve is just 75km (46 miles) and can be reached in less than two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Yerevan is the Nissan Micra, although many travelers also choose the Nissan Tiida and the Renault Logan. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

• Lake Sevan. A large and beautiful alpine lake, Sevan has been called the Armenian Sea. Surrounded by stunning mountains and ancient monasteries in addition to offering opportunities for swimming and windsurfing, Lake Sevan is one of the highlights of Armenia. Shoghakat (also known as Shorzha), a quaint village on the north coast of the lake, is 107km (66 miles) northeast of Yerevan and can be reached in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• Dilijan. Located in Tavush Province, the town of Dilijan (and the national park of the same name) is the perfect place from which to explore Armenia’s number one attraction - its beautiful mountains. There are many hiking trails, tours which you can join, and serious climbing opportunities for experienced hikers. The city itself shouldn’t be overlooked, either, as there are attractions like the Dilijan Geological Museum and Art Gallery and the Museum of Folk Art. Don’t miss stopping at the nearby Haghartsin Monastery Complex, a gorgeous 13th-century monastery set in the forest. Dilijan is 95km (59 miles) northeast of Yerevan and takes some 90 minutes to reach.
• Georgia. Armenia’s neighbor, Georgia has lately become a favorite holiday destination for countless travelers. The country really has everything including historic sites, the Black Sea coast, delicious cuisine, and, of course, impressive mountains. Tbilisi, the charming capital, is 268km (166 miles) northeast of Yerevan and can be reached in about 5 hours and 30 minutes. Note: Most rental car providers do not permit crossing the border between Armenia and Georgia in a rental car. You can, however, travel by bus, train, or airplane, and then pick up a new car after arriving in Georgia. It’s also important to see if you need a visa to visit either country.
• Alaverdi. Located near the Georgian border, the historic city of Alaverdi and its surroundings is one of the main attractions of northern Armenia. The most visited place is probably the stunning Akhtari Monastery known for its frescoes, but a number of other monasteries and sites can be found in the area. The drive from Yerevan to Alaverdi takes about three hours.

Car rental prices in Yerevan

• Vans - from €109 per day
• Small cars - from €30 per day
• Medium cars - from €35 per day
• SUVs - from €42 per day
• Large cars - from €46 per day
• Premium cars - from €51 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Get a great rental car in Yerevan by following these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Yerevan is the cheapest in September when renting a car is about 37% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 70% cheaper than renting in January. Enjoy the end of summer by coming to Armenia!