Armenia uses the Armenian dram, abbreviated AMD. The Central Bank of Armenia issues banknotes in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 drams. Coins circulate in 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 dram denominations. Exchange offices operate in Yerevan and major cities, with competitive rates typically available along Abovyan Street and near Republic Square. Banks exchange major currencies including US dollars, euros, and Russian rubles. ATMs dispense drams and accept international cards in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor, with decreasing availability in smaller towns. Cash remains necessary in rural areas, monasteries, and roadside vendors. Credit cards work in established Yerevan restaurants and hotels but acceptance drops sharply outside the capital.
The official language is Armenian, written in a unique 39-character alphabet created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD. Russian functions as a widely understood second language among Armenians over 30 due to Soviet-era education. English proficiency exists among younger urban populations in Yerevan, particularly in hospitality and service sectors, but remains limited outside the capital. Gyumri and Vanadzor have minimal English infrastructure. French retains historical presence through Armenian diaspora connections and appears on some signage. Georgian and Persian are understood in respective border regions. Translation apps prove essential for restaurant menus, bus schedules, and monastery inscriptions outside major tourist sites.
Armenia observes Armenia Standard Time, UTC+4, year-round without daylight saving adjustments. This places Armenia four hours ahead of Greenwich, one hour ahead of Moscow, nine hours ahead of New York, and twelve hours ahead of Los Angeles during standard time periods. The country abandoned daylight saving time after 2011. This consistent offset simplifies scheduling for visitors but creates shifting time differentials with countries that observe seasonal changes.
Electrical supply runs on 220 volts at 50 Hz using European Type C and Type F sockets with round pins. Soviet-era buildings may have older Type C sockets exclusively while newer construction includes grounded Type F. North American devices require both voltage converters and plug adapters. British and Australian travelers need plug adapters only, as their devices typically accept 220-240V input. Power outages occur occasionally in Yerevan and more frequently in regional areas during winter months. Hotels typically have backup generators but smaller guesthouses may not.
Zvartnots International Airport, located twelve kilometers west of Yerevan, handles nearly all international passenger traffic. The airport code is EVN. Direct flights connect Yerevan with Moscow, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Athens, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Tehran through carriers including AirArmenia, Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, and Aegean Airlines. Seasonal routes operate to Milan, Munich, and Warsaw. Shirak Airport near Gyumri maintains limited international service, primarily seasonal charter flights. Ground transportation from Zvartnots includes official taxis operating on fixed-rate zones printed on airport displays, with the ride to central Yerevan costing 5,000-6,000 drams depending on destination. Minibuses marked with route numbers operate irregularly and require Armenian language ability to navigate.
Yerevan Metro operates two lines totaling 13.4 kilometers with ten stations, providing limited coverage of the capital. The system opened in 1981 and runs from approximately 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Single rides cost 100 drams purchased via tokens at station windows. The metro serves central areas but does not reach major tourist sites like Cascade Complex or Tsitsernakaberd. Marshrutkas, fixed-route minibuses identified by number cards in windshields, form the primary urban transport network across Armenian cities. These typically charge 100 drams within Yerevan and wait at designated stops until full before departing. Riders indicate stops by verbal request to the driver. Larger buses operate on similar routes at identical fares with more structured stops.
Intercity marshrutkas depart from Yerevan's Kilikia Central Bus Station and various informal terminals near the central market. Routes to Gyumri take approximately two hours and cost 1,500-2,000 drams. Dilijan lies 90-120 minutes northeast with fares around 1,000 drams. Goris in the south requires four to five hours at 3,000-3,500 drams. Departures cluster in morning hours with decreasing frequency after 2:00 PM. Schedules operate on demand rather than fixed timetables, with vehicles leaving when passenger capacity fills. Advance booking does not exist for shared marshrutkas. Private taxi services between cities cost 10,000-15,000 drams for Dilijan, 15,000-20,000 for Gyumri, and 25,000-35,000 for Goris, negotiated before departure.