Yerevan Adventure | Amirhossein Mahmoudi

In May 2024, I traveled to Yerevan, Armenia, primarily for a US embassy appointment. Here’s a detailed account of my journey, which could be particularly helpful for students heading to Yerevan for visa purposes.

Travel Dates and Accommodation

Travel Dates: I departed from Tehran on May 5th and returned on May 9th.
Accommodation: I booked a guest house on Noragyugh Street via Booking.com. The host, a kind old woman, made our stay very comfortable. Communication was a bit challenging as most locals do not speak English, but we managed with gestures and the help of local teenagers who acted as our translators.

Arrival and Local Setup

SIM Cards and Currency Exchange: Upon arrival at Yerevan airport, we bought SIM cards from Team and exchanged some dollars for Armenian Drams (AMD). after getting simcard you can see your number by using the code *525#.
Transportation: We installed the Yandex Go app for rides to our guest house and for local transportation. While Yandex rides were convenient, they were expensive, so we often used public buses and the metro. Public transport cost 100 AMD per ride, payable in cash to the driver.

Daily Essentials and Food

Local Shops: Near our guest house, there were essential shops including grocery stores, hypermarkets, and printing facilities.
Restaurants: We enjoyed meals at various places, with highlights being the delicious burgers at Burgery Angus & More, albeit a bit pricey, and the delightful dishes at Lavash Restaurant. Additionally, the local bread called Lavash, which cost around 110 AMD each, was a tasty and affordable treat.

Sightseeing and Attractions

During our stay, we explored several notable places:

Opera House
Mother Armenia Monument
Armenian Genocide Memorial
Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex (host of UEFA futsal games)
Vernissage Market: A vibrant handicrafts bazaar, perfect for buying souvenirs.
Victory Bridge: Offers a beautiful view, especially near the Ararat Hotel.
Mount Ararat View: The view from the Genocide Complex to Mount Ararat was breathtaking.

Costs and Budgeting

Here is a summary of some of our travel expenses for three people, converted to USD:

Item	Cost (USD)
Handmade Earring (Vernissage Market)	10.42
Handmade Backpack (Vernissage Market)	13.02
Burger with Soda and Fries (Angus Burgery)	9.90
Yandex Ride (Airport to Guest House)	3.91
1 Liter Coca Cola	1.46
Guest House per Night	34.00
SIM Card Plan (Unlimited Internet)	10.42
SIM Card Plan (Limited Internet)	7.81
1 Lavash Bread	0.29
Two Kilikia Beer and a KitKat	1.28
Special Ice Cream (Angus Burgery)	1.82
Photo Printing for Embassy	2.60

Total Cost for One Person: Approximately 200 million IRR (about $340 USD)

Tips for Future Travelers

Accommodation: Booking through platforms like Booking.com can help you find reliable stays.
Communication: Learn a few basic Armenian phrases or rely on translation apps and local teenagers who often know some English.
Transportation: Public transport is much more economical compared to ride-hailing services like Yandex Go.
Cash: Always keep some AMD in cash for public transport and smaller shops.

Yerevan is a beautiful city with kind-hearted people, and despite the language barrier, we had a pleasant experience. I hope this guide helps future travelers, especially those visiting for visa purposes.

I hope you find this post useful for planning your trip to Yerevan!