#Rent a car Yerevan

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Why Choose Yerevan Car Rental?

Yerevan, nestled amidst the lofty mountains of Armenia, presents an enticing blend of tourism and business opportunities. Exploring its fusion of ancient and modern architecture promises a trove of delightful memories. Hence, opting for car rental Yerevan ensures ample time to traverse all the famed destinations highlighted in your guidebook.

With its delectable cuisine, rich historical landmarks, ancient edifices, and an array of options for active pursuits, Yerevan guarantees a worthwhile investment of your time and resources.

Embark on your adventure without delay by availing of Yerevan airport car rentals today. Secure your booking now to unlock the best deals on the market.

What Car Rentals are Available in Yerevan?

While the Armenian vehicle market remains relatively insular, limiting the presence of international companies, selecting a suitable rental car in Yerevan isn't without its challenges. However, you can anticipate a diverse range of options based on your preferred body type:

Convertible: Breathe in the crisp mountain air and soak in the panoramic vistas with a convertible roof.

SUV: Conquer off-road terrain effortlessly and chart your course with boundless freedom.

Sedan: Blend practicality and comfort at a reasonable price point.

Economy: Opt for nimble, cost-effective wheels ideal for extended Yerevan car rentals.

Identify your preferred body type and effortlessly find a model that aligns with your travel itinerary.

Yerevan Car Rental Prices

Prepare yourself for the nuances of Yerevan car rental prices. While resort cities in Spain or Italy might have seemed steep, Armenia may catch you off guard. Anticipate rates as high as $100 per day for a modest sedan, even one a decade old.

While the cultural allure of the region is undeniable, the value proposition is subjective. Nevertheless, consider these prudent saving strategies:

Opt for reputable rental companies exclusively.

Secure bookings well in advance.

Compact and mid-size cars offer the best value.

Long-term rentals trump single-day arrangements.

Exercise caution when browsing online options to avoid troublesome local agencies. Explore our offerings for a seamless journey.

Yerevan Car Rental Options

Despite limited model choices and elevated prices, Yerevan boasts an array of supplemental options to enhance your rental experience. Trustworthy rental company personnel are on hand to guide your selection and recommend practical add-ons tailored to your itinerary:

Child seats

Additional drivers

Mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity

Satellite navigation systems

Comprehensive insurance packages.

While Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) isn't mandatory, it alleviates financial liabilities amidst unpredictable road conditions. Benefit from hassle-free transactions sans deposits, with free cancellations (1-2 days prior), and flexible payment options via card or cash.

Which Rental Companies Operate in Yerevan?

While lesser-known rental entities abound, prominent brands like Localiza, Rent Motors, Naniko, Europcar, Localrent, and Alamo dominate the Armenian market. Opting for a reputable, established company ensures a seamless Yerevan car rental experience.

Price doesn't necessarily correlate with quality. Local agencies may offer competitive rates, yet be prepared for potential vehicle unavailability or price adjustments upon arrival. Exercise diligence in your selection process. Refer to the "Rent a car Yerevan reviews" section for comprehensive insights.

Simplify your decision-making process by opting for a renowned international brand. Set forth on your Armenian journey with confidence.

Yerevan Car Rental Reviews

Peer experiences play a pivotal role in shaping one's travel narrative. Ideally, Yerevan car hire should elicit favorable reviews, given its myriad attractions. Or does it?

Key Takeaways from Online Reviews: Top 5 Insights

Cheap car rentals in Yerevan are elusive, with prices often soaring to several hundred dollars for standard sedans.

Some local agencies may attempt to hold renters liable for pre-existing damages, emphasizing the importance of meticulous vehicle inspections upon pickup.

A sojourn to the mountains promises unparalleled splendor, warranting the expenditure.

Exercise prudence when selecting optional add-ons, as certain amenities may inflate overall costs significantly.

Opting for a reputable brand mitigates risks associated with dubious entities. Avoid impromptu transactions and prioritize reputable establishments.

Secure your booking with us today and bid adieu to the dilemma of selecting a reliable vehicle.

What Documents are Required for Car Rental in Yerevan?

Unlike some destinations, an International Driving License isn't compulsory for renting a car in Yerevan. Essential documents include:

Passport

Driver's license

Discount certificates or reservations may yield attractive savings, while credit card payments alleviate concerns regarding local service expenses. Wishing you a memorable journey amidst the Armenian mountains.

[imatravelholic]

Armenia: A beautiful country, even in (freakish late March) winter

Also significant in that Armenia is the 50th country that I've visited! 🎉 Only ~150 left to go! 😉

[This blog will cover Yerevan and the first half of our week-long roadtrip through Armenia/Nagorno-Karabakh.]

After Azerbaijan, we took an overnight train to Tbilisi, Georgia and spent a few days there before taking a bus south to Armenia. (We plan on finishing our trip in Georgia so this first time was basically just a layover due to the fact that there are no diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia - I will discuss the primary reason for this in my next blog - and consequently, it's impossible to cross the border from one to the other. This is also true of Armenia and Turkey. Thankfully, Georgia gets along fine with these neighbourhing countries - though its relationship with its northern neighbour, Russia, is another story - so we are able to cross the borders to/from Georgia. Basically, lots of bad blood in this part of the world.)

We spent the first four days in Armenia's captial city, Yerevan, where we took a free walking tour, checked out a couple of museums, walked around a lot, ate excellently and drank phenomenal wine (everyone talks about how great Georgian wine is - and it is! - but no one seems to know how amazing Armenian wine is!). We had a nice time in Yerevan but I'm sure it's a lot prettier at other times of the year - March was pretty grey.

From Yerevan, we rented a car for a week in order to explore the rest of the country. To summarize this roadtrip: we saw A LOT of medieval Orthodox Christian monasteries, drove through two pretty sketchy snowstorms, nearly popped our tires on at least 50 different occasions due to the abhorrent conditions of Armenian "roads," and we saw some pretty breathtaking landscapes. I'll let the photo captions fill in the rest of the first half of our roadtrip:

Get ready for lots of monastery photos! This one is Khor Virab monastery (the second monastery that we visited out of approx a dozen). You can see Mount Ararat in the background, which is now in Turkey but even after the borders being drawn this way, it remains a significant symbol of Armenia.

Noravank Monastery

Noravank again (this one was particularly photogenic so we took a lot of photos...)

Andre posing pretty in front of Noravank

This was the first, but certainly not the last, time we saw snow in Armenia. We hiked up to this monastery in the mountains (called Tsakhats Kar) and the views were well-worth the wet feet.

After our hike, we returned to our car where we parked in a small village and the neighbours came out to greet us and invited us to their home for coffee and homemade preserved peaches. They spoke no English and Andre quickly exhausted his basic Russian (which, to his credit, is far more extensive than the 5 words I know!) but thanks to Google Translate, we were still able to somewhat communicate. And at the end of the day, kindness is pretty universal!

View from the cable car (sorry, the "longest reverse aerial tramway in the world"), which we took to the Tatev monastery. The ride took 12 minutes, whereas the drive would have taken 40 (look at the road in the photo and you can see why).

Tatev Monastery

Also Tatev Monastery 😎

After Tatev, we drove to a village called Khndzoresk to check out an old cave village built into the mountainside. This involved crossing this (somewhat sketchy) suspension bridge over a gorge. Believe it or not, the cave village had residents up until the 1950s!

[Mar 31, 2019]

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Rent A Car In Yerevan(Armenia)

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Where the SLH Team are dreaming of going

For a team that talks travel on a daily basis, months spent in lockdown has given us all an extra dose of wanderlust. From dream destinations to old favourites, travel has very much been on our minds. In need of some inspiration? When it’s safe for us to see the world again, here is where we’ll be heading…

EMEA Team

Richard Hyde – Chief Operating Officer

Venice (for my short haul city fix) Jersey ( for my staycation ) Tulum (for my resort chillax)

Jessica Sparkes – Head of Digital Performance

Barcelona, Spain: I want lots of delicious tapas, sunshine and beautiful city strolls – finishing the day with rooftop cocktails at The Wittmore.

Cotswolds, UK: I want to take my pooch on a Cotswold staycation at The Fish. We will enjoy country walks, pub grub and escape the London hustle.

Koh Samui, Thailand: Last time I was in Koh Samui I was 21, years later I want to go back in style and relax on the beach at Cape Fahn – the most beautiful island and ocean view villas!

Chloe Frost-Smith – Digital Image & Content Executive

What better way to while away summer days than with rosé in hand on the French Riviera? I am dreaming of lavender season in Provence with a splash in the pool at Hôtel Crillon le Brave, riding horses on the beach in Camargue, and living out my Brigitte Bardot fantasies by eating Tarte tropézienne for breakfast at Hôtel Lou Pinet in Saint Tropez. I would also love to read a good book under the lemon trees at Casa Angelina on the Amalfi Coast, or try an alfresco pizza-making class on the rustic estate of Castello di Reschio in Tuscany.

Closer to home, my firm favourite for a staycation is the Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds – I’m a country girl at heart. Looking further ahead to September, I have a trip planned to Sardinia – and would love to go into Hygge hibernation at Storfjord in Norway this winter for some Scandi skiing.

Abi Tottenham-Smith – Head of Social Media

Surrounded by the vineyards and beautiful countryside in Piedmont and Villa La Madonna…

A road trip up to Scotland in a camper-van, mixed with a couple of nights of luxury at Greywalls Hotel…

A beach retreat in Greece – can’t decide where yet but somewhere to switch off and relax for a week in the sunshine…

Maddy Morgan – Director of PR Worldwide

I can’t wait to get back to … Portugal, it’s my home from home but I’ve never been to Porto so Hotel Infante Sagres and Carmo’s Boutique Hotel beckon.

I dream of being in … Bali, it’s where I honeymooned and I’d love to take my children there and stay overlooking the jungle at Viceroy Bali.

I am going to … Provence, I’m looking forward to enjoying the space and freedom of a dispersed hotel at Hôtel Crillon le Brave.

I’m bringing back my bucket list wish to go to … New Zealand, to find adventure, taste wine and discover amazing hotels like Bay of Many Coves.

Daniel Luddington – Vice President of Development

I miss Wimbledon this year – but am playing tennis three times a week at the moment to make up for it, and indulging in strawberries and cream (with Pimms!) – so a tennis getaway at Cromlix Hotel in Scotland, (owned by Andy Murray) would be the ultimate tennis fix right now.

For a family holiday, I fancy the Greek islands – Porto Zante have the most amazing private villas but also would love to experience Canaves Oia Epitome, a family friendly space unique in Santorini.

For a bit of laid back, low-key luxury, 3 places would hit the spot…Sikelia Pantelleria, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay or any of our Tulum properties.

Gabor Toth – Senior Revenue Account Manager

Le Grand Bellevue in Gstaad for hiking in summer and fondue.

Boutique Hotel Alhambra and D-Resort Šibenik in Croatia for my beach/water sports in Europe.

Patrick Pieters – Senior Revenue Account Manager

Loire/Valleys, Oslo, Mexico or Bali.

Chloe Musumeci – Senior Revenue Account Manager

Galleria VIK Milano to get ready for the Autumn/Winter shopping season…

Susafa for a taste of the best organic products of my land – Sicily…

Viceroy Bali – paradise on earth and an oasis of relaxation…

Christopher Grime – Head of Product Integration

Staycation – The Nare – for Cornish beaches that rival any in the world, amazing fresh fish and delicious cream teas.

A bit of culture and relaxation – my beloved Sri Lanka – amazing history, beautiful beaches, delightful people, tasty hoppers (Sri Lanka’s answer to the pancake) and the best relish in the world, Pol Sambol made with coconut.

Short hop – Hotel Ranga in Iceland for stunning waterfalls and the incredible Northern Lights, which I have yet to experience.

Mirko Della Mora – Senior GDS & Distribution Manager

For a weekend/short haul I’d love to go to one of our castles in Scotland (whisky tasting included) or in Normandy (a region that I know quite well but can’t help falling more in love each time).

For a longer trip (min 5 days, I’d say) I would love to visit:

Portugal, rent a car and go around cities and places.

Baltic cities and Norwegian Fjords (including a cruise).

As major dream trips in my bucket list:

Japan (both sides of it, the ultra-technological country and the Kabuki/cherry blossoms/tea rituals experience).

Coast to coast USA trip in a convertible car (ending in Napa Valley, for wine tours).

Argentina and Uruguay food and wine tour.

Rafael Pirassinunga – Operations Manager – World of Hyatt Partnership

I am all for the off-the-beaten-track destinations, so I’m currently dreaming of:

Lakeside cocktails and relax at Esperanza Resort & SPA

City break and fine dining at Saint Ten Hotel

Exploring ancient culture and great food at Grand Hotel Yerevan

Reconnecting with nature and social distancing from the world at Terelj Hotel

Practicing my Norwegian at Storfjord Hotel

Katrin Holtkott – Barter Room Co-ordinator

Villa Eyrie Resort, Canada (breathing in mountain air and spectacular views – reconnecting with nature)

La Sultana Marrakech (the colors, spices, architecture, people, culture – not in that order!)

Japan – I want to stay in every one of the SLH hotels in Japan – it has been on my bucket list destination for years – if not after the lockdown lifts, when then?

Justyn Herbert – Finance Director

I’m looking forward to going back to The Oval to watch the England Cricket team win the next test series, I would love to see Springsteen play the US, either Chicago or New Jersey, and in the winter go on the England Cricket tour, preferably in the West Indies, all without the social distancing.

AMERICAS Team

Anna-Lisa Hafgren-Willis – Regional Manager – Americas & Travel Trade Relations Manager

Dreaming of:

Autumn colors in Vermont at The Reluctant Panther Inn

Delayed honeymoon in Mexico City at Stara Hamburgo and Stara San Angel Inn

A nostalgic visit back to my father’s family city Gothenburg, Sweden staying with the Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant

Dana O’Malley – PR Director Americas

Small city break exploring Hotel Amparo in San Miguel.

Relaxing poolside at Canaves Oia Epitome.

Staycation in the mountains upstate New York.

Vanessa Johnson – Sales Manager, Central Region

Charleston, South Carolina: weekend city getaway at Wentworth Mansion (I’ve never been and have heard too many amazing things about the charming shops and food).

Scotland: exploring all things the highlands have to offer and stay at our dreamy castle hotels.

Canada: rest and relaxation in natures finest! Either coast, Nova Scotia and Trout Point Lodge or British Columbia and Villa Eyrie Resort.

Mexico: beach getaway to Tulum, Rivera Maya or Playa del Carmen…so many options, you can’t go wrong!

APAC Team

Jill Liu – Sales Manager, China

My dream destinations are: Tahiti, South Africa, and Santorini.

Khim Yeo – Revenue Account Manager – Asia Pacific

The Maldives (resort chilling and snorkelling)

Singapore (staycation)

Mongolia for some adventures

Crystal Davies – Senior Revenue Account Manager

Montenegro for relaxation, enjoy the beautiful mountain and coastline views, and go scuba diving if possible.

Switzerland (Cordée des Alpes Hotel) for snowboarding.

Bhutan (Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary and Gangtey Lodge) for some Zen moments, mountain biking, hiking and meditation. Our suggested itinerary which you can read here is my perfect trip.

My type of holiday always involves full-on activities, so I often feel more exhausted after vacations…!

  The post Where the SLH Team are dreaming of going appeared first on Small Luxury Hotels.

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TravelCar Team is always pleased to welcome you at the cheapest car rental in Yerevan, Armenia. When arriving in Armenia you will desire to discover beautiful places of the country traveling by car. Rent a car in Yerevan is becoming more and more demanded in these days. Our Car rental is here to welcome our visitors and help them to enjoy their stay.

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19 Easy Ways to Save Money in Armenia

Posted: 12/16/19 | December 16th, 2019

I never got to Armenia when I was in the Caucasus. I was bummed because there so much history there. Next trip, right? Well, Carine and Doug love Armenia so much, they’ve visited four times over the past few years. So, in this guest post, they are going to give us their best tips for saving money when you visit Armenia!

Armenia is one of the oldest nations on earth. Its roots date back to 860 BCE, and its capital, Yerevan, just celebrated its 2,800th anniversary, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The nation has a very rich culture, a ton of beautiful places to explore, amazing food, and some of the most hospitable people you’ve ever met. Having been to Armenia four times, we’ve found it to be one of our favorite places on earth.

The crowds have not made it yet to this beautiful part of the world, which is why we often hesitate to share our love for Armenia with others (we want to keep it our little secret as a budget-friendly destination).

But Matt convinced us otherwise, so here we are, sharing our 19 best tips for saving money in the country:

1. Walking around the cities The cities in Armenia are very walkable. They’re easy to navigate and well marked. You can even get from one end of the capital Yerevan to the other in 30-40 minutes. Walking is also the cheapest and healthiest way to get around. So bring comfy shoes — they will come in handy!

And if you get lost, just ask the locals. They’re so helpful and love showing their city off. Don’t be surprised if they end up walking with you to your destination and inviting you over for coffee and cake as well!

2. Take a free walking tour in Yerevan. There is so much to see and do in Yerevan. The best way to get a taste of it is to join a walking tour with Yerevan Free Walking Tours. The tour lasts about three hours, covering almost 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) and about 25 points of interest. To join, just meet at 5 pm (17:00) by the entrance to the History Museum on Republic Square.

3. Use the GG or Yandex apps instead of taxis. Although there are taxis, the fastest way to get around is to use the GG or Yandex apps. Like Uber, they call on drivers in your area to pick you up. GG only works in larger cities at the moment.

Rides within Yerevan will cost you about $3-4 USD, depending on how far you’re going. Rides to the airport will set you back about $6.

If you want to call on a regular taxi, make sure you agree on the price before getting in, especially at the airport. This is where regular taxis will most often try to charge you double what you’ll pay on GG or Yandex. Sure, it’s convenient not having to wait for your ride to get there, but is it really worth the extra money? Probably not. Offer to pay them the same thing GG would charge, plus an extra 100 AMD (or dram) ($0.21 USD) to avoid the wait.

A little note about cars in Armenia: Although they surely had seat belts at one point in time, they are not frequently used. Don’t be surprised if there is no buckle or seat belt at all. Especially, don’t be surprised if the driver just shrugs off your comment about it!

4. Hop on a marshrutka to get around Yerevan. One of the cheapest ways to get around the larger cities is by taking marshrutkas (minibuses). Cities are working on putting together a map of the various routes, but for now, you can use the A2B Transport app on Android, or if you know Armenian, check out Marshrut.info (although your browser may offer to translate the page into English, too).

Riding a marshrutka costs 100 AMD ($0.21 USD), which you pay before getting off, or when the driver asks you. To get off at your stop, just say kangnek (kang-nek), which means ‘Stop here’. The bus will pull over at the next stop to let you off.

Also, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the ride: Sit in the front when you can; you’ll be more comfortable. If you take one of the minivan marshrutkas, you open and close your door. Just make sure you don’t slam the door too hard, or you’ll hear it from the driver. Sometimes seating will get tight, so you may need to stand. Also, don’t be surprised if women ask you to hold on to their purses, groceries, or babies if you do have a seat — although the nice thing to do is to offer them yours!

5. Take a bus between cities. Although tourism infrastructure is slowly being built, it’s still quite easy to get around the country, even if most people don’t speak English.

There are larger buses that go from city to city, though most are to and from Yerevan. These are also called marshrutkas. Costs vary between $0.50 to $5.00 USD depending on where you’re going. Your money will be collected before the marshrutka leaves.

Just know that there’s no actual bus schedule: they usually head out to larger cities (Gyumri, Vanadzor, Dilijan) when they’re full. If not, they leave on the hour — just don’t expect them to be very timely! You can grab one at any of the three bus stations in Yerevan.

On your ride, it may happen that they may need to refill the marshrutka with gas. Many vehicles in Armenia run on compressed natural gas and propane, so during the fill-up, you will be asked to get out of the vehicle as a safety precaution.

6. If you’re in a rush to get to a new city, take a shared taxi. You can also take a shared taxi, which usually leaves from Yerevan’s main bus station. You’ll split the fare between 3-4 people. There is no schedule for departures. Again, they wait until the taxi is full before they head out.

Costs vary between $5 and $10 USD per person, depending on where you’re going. You can negotiate with the driver, though. If each person pays a little more for their fare, they won’t wait to fill up to go.

Our tip here would be to find friends at your hostel that want to go to that same city. They’ll help you fill that taxi up faster.

7. Just hitchhike to get around (and make friends). This is definitely the cheapest and most fun way to go! Even locals recommend it to get around. They call it avtostop, which comes from the Russian word for hitchhiking. When traveling outside of Yerevan, it can often be easier to hitchhike between villages than to wait for a marshrutka. However, it’s not the most time-conscious way to do it.

You’ll notice that Armenians are very friendly, generous, and hospitable, so they’re very willing to pick up strangers looking for a ride on the side of the road. However, if you end up making friends with the driver, they will insist you come over for drinks and food before they drop you off at your desired destination. If you want, you can try and tip the driver, but chances are, they’ll kindly refuse.

A few tips here to ensure safe and easy travel: We recommend you look clean, travel in groups of two or three people, and to have a mixed-sex group. Also, women shouldn’t be offended if the driver (likely a male) only speaks to the men of the group! Armenia is still a very traditional country.

8. In Yerevan, take the metro. Yerevan’s metro system is little known to visitors, but it is displayed on Google Maps and is one of the best ways to get around the city. It’s also one of the things residents of Yerevan are very proud of. The Karen Demirchyan Yerevan Metro covers 2 miles (13 kilometers) and has about 10 stops. Tickets cost 100 AMD (or $0.21 USD), so it’s really cheap to get from one end of the city to the other. In the summer months, it’s also the coolest mode of transportation.

There is no metro card to speak of. Simply go to the counter and exchange your money for a token to get you through the gate. Also note that for some odd reason, you’re not allowed to take pictures in the metro, even though most stations are beautifully built.

9. Hostels and homestays are your best bet for cheap short-term stays. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind sleeping in large, 20+-bed dorms, there are spots available in Yerevan for as little as $3 USD, slightly out of the center of Yerevan. If you want a smaller dorm, around four to six people, expect to pay about $15 USD per bed. These types of dorms are closer to the city center. At that price, certain hostels even have private rooms available.

Armenia is also a great place to do a homestay. If you want to connect with residents on a different level, we highly recommend doing this. It’s one of our favorite ways to get to know the culture and to experience how locals live. The family you choose will treat you like one of their own, hence feeding you like crazy. We would especially recommend this in smaller towns, where you can actually learn a lot about life outside of Yerevan.

10. Airbnb is a great option for longer stays. Airbnb is quickly growing in Armenia, especially among expats who rent out their places during the months they’re not around. You can find great options in the center of Yerevan for $40 USD or less. This will give you access to an entire apartment with a kitchen, which is a great way to save money as well. You may even be able to negotiate the price if you’re staying for longer periods of time.

11. Couchsurfing is great for if you’re on a super tight budget. With such hospitable people, it’s not surprising to see tons of great options for Couchsurfing, mainly in Yerevan. If you like staying with a local, this is one of the best options. Just don’t be surprised if your host ends up adopting you at the end of your visit!

12. Visit Armenia in the shoulder seasons for the best pricing. The busiest time to visit Armenia is during the summer. June to September are when you can expect to see crowds and high prices. However, if you go to Armenia in April or May or the end of September through mid-November, the crowds will have subsided, and prices will drop. This is when you can find cheaper accommodations, and even negotiate prices for longer stays.

13. For cheap eats, look for typical Armenian meals. You’ll find a lot of cheap and delicious options typical of Middle Eastern cuisine and influenced by the Caucasus region. You can eat local treats like lahmajoun (Armenian pizza) for as little as $2 USD per plate. Another great cheap option is getting shish taouk or wraps from hole-in-the-wall restaurants. These bad boys will also only set you back $3-4, depending on what you put in them. Another delicious and cheap option is khatchapuri (cheese-filled bread), a typical Georgian meal that is served all over Armenia.

Some of the best homemade meals are sold on the side of the road. You’ll see plenty of people selling their fresh produce, homemade wine, vodka, sweets, and other treats all over the country, mainly on large “highways.” You’ll also find these stalls set up near some of the more popular tourist destinations, like Garni, Geghart, and Noravank. These will only be a fraction of the cost of what is sold in grocery stores, and they’ll be much more delicious, that we promise! If you buy a few things from the same stall, you can negotiate the price. Also, don’t be shy to ask for a sample!

14. If you have a kitchen, cooking in is always the cheapest option. If you plan on cooking in, expect to spend $20-30 USD for weekly groceries, split between two people. You can either get your goods at grocery stores like Sas, Vas, or Parma, or head to a market to get them straight from the source. In Yerevan, the Gum Market (pronounced “Goom”), or Gumi Shuka, is a great place to shop and observe residents in their daily routine.

15. Avoid the produce at the supermarkets. The best place to get fresh produce is not in grocery stores. It is often imported from far-off countries and packaged in a lot of plastic. For the best produce, be sure to check out the fruit stalls that are on every street corner or behind a group of large buildings. They have local goods that are in season, and often you can negotiate a good price, especially if you’re buying a larger volume.

16. Drink the tap water. The water in Armenia is perfectly safe to drink straight from the tap. Even while you’re out exploring, you’ll find public water fountains, called pulpulaks, everywhere, from public parks to street corners, all over Yerevan and in larger cities. These fountains are almost always running, providing fresh drinking water to those in need.

You can get a sip of water straight from a pulpulak or fill up your own water bottle. To redirect the flow of water at an angle for the bottle, simply place your finger on the spout, and voilà! (As an eco-friendly tip that helps you save money and the environment, make sure you have a reusable water bottle.)

17. Get the best souvenirs at Vernissage in Yerevan. You will notice a ton of handicrafts and other goods being sold all over the country. If you find something special in one of the villages you visit, get it there. But if you’re looking to get souvenirs for friends and family back home, be sure to check out the Vernissage in Yerevan. Although Sunday is the big day when all the merchants are present, you can still score great finds any day of the week.

Your best bet is to walk around once to see what’s available and compare prices. Then go back to the stalls with the best prices and try to negotiate a little more. Try to wait until the end of the day to get the best prices, as most merchants will want to go home.

18. Don’t be afraid to bargain on prices. We mentioned it before, and we’ll say it again: don’t be afraid to bargain on goods. Although tourist prices aren’t as exaggerated as in other parts of Asia, you can still knock off a good percentage by negotiating with the seller. Just be fair with your final price. It may seem like a few dollars for you, but it may mean the difference between having a meal that night or not for the seller.

19. Visit Armenia’s top sites for free. One of the best things about Armenia — as if we haven’t listed off enough of them — is that most of the popular sites of interest are free. Noravank, Geghart, Khor Virap, the Areni winery (including a wine tasting) — all these amazing sites are free to enter and visit.

***

We loved our time in Armenia and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get away from the crowds and travel on a budget. Your dollars go so much further here than in most other countries. Yet you’ll never be lacking in delicious food or comfortable amenities. And too add to all of this, you’ll have a ton of beautiful sights to visit and kind people to share your journey with!

Carine and Derek spend half the year traveling the world and the other half exploring their home province of Quebec. Their goal is to inspire everyone to chase their wildest dreams and to leave a positive impact on Earth. Their blog, We Did it Our Way, focuses on eco-friendly travel guides to both popular destinations, as well as off-the-beaten-path locations, on how to live and travel sustainably, and on tips for content creation. Carine and Derek are also on Instagram (@wediditourway) where they share their pictures and eco-tips.

Book Your Trip to Armenia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation To find the best budget accommodation, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory. Some of my recommended places to stay in Armenia:

Envoy Hostel Yerevan – This is a cozy little hostel where the staff goes above and beyond to help you make the most of your time in the city.

Kantar – Kantar is incredibly clean with lots of common area space, and one of the best breakfasts in Yerevan!

Hostel Tsaghkadzor – There are no frills to this place in Tsaghkadzor, but it’s comfortable and close to all the town’s main attractions.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Want More Information on Armenia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Armenia for even more planning tips!

The post 19 Easy Ways to Save Money in Armenia appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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Whenever we can, we like to travel overland.  One of our first ventures on this retirement trip involved traveling Zurich, Lugano, Trieste, Ljubljana, Zagreb and the rest of the Balkans all the way to Istanbul.  Then after a short flight to Izmir, overland through the center of Turkey including Konya, Cappadocia, and Trabzon on to Batumi and Tbilisi in Georgia.  Finally, taking a Marshrutka (shared van) to Yerevan, Armenia to catch a flight to Dubai and India. These two sculptures by Botero provide nice bookends for our trip of the last four years.

Yerevan Armenia 3 March 2015

Santiago, Chile 3 March 2019

In New Zealand, we flew from Auckland to Christchurch and then worked our way back up to Auckland.  In Christchurch, we rented a car for four days to simplify seeing some of the East Coast and the Southern Alps.  Then by train and ferry from Christchurch to Wellington.  After three days exploring Wellington especially around Victoria University, we sat in the front seats of a double decker to Rotorua.  Rotorua is a hotbed of volcanic activity as evidenced by the sulfur smell around the city and bubbling mud springs.  After another three days, we continued on by bus to Auckland for a night before flying off to Chile.

Canterbury Plains on the way to Oamaru

Oamaru Bay, our furthest south

Everything about Lyttleton near Christchurch

Wellington, NZ

On the way to Rotorua

Exciting thermal activity in Rotorua parks

Hiking in the Redwood Forest of Rotorua

  We've left New Zealand, but carry many memories. Whenever we can, we like to travel overland.  One of our first ventures on this retirement trip involved traveling Zurich, Lugano, Trieste, Ljubljana, Zagreb and the rest of the Balkans all the way to Istanbul.