Costs & Budgeting
Costs of traveling in Armenia vary greatly, depending on where you stay, how you travel and what you do.
In addition, the volatile exchange of the dram against hard currencies has made it difficult to predict costs with great certainty. A trend that seems likely, though, is that hard currencies will continue to lose their strength in 2008, though Armenia is still cheaper than many western countries.
If you are traveling with a group, then your overnight costs and at least some meals are built into the package, and you will only need to supplement costs with extra meals, souvenirs and items.
These costs are not a guarantee of what you will be charged and subject to change without notice. It is always wise to check with your travel agent before you leave.
Overnight Staying in the regions is one way to cut costs. While hotel rooms in Yerevan tend to start around 25,000-30,000 AMD and cost upwards of 150,000 AMD and more, rooms at motels and hotels outside of Yerevan can be as low as 7000-10,000 AMD.
Even in Yerevan, hostels, B&B’s and guest houses are another way to economize, with overnight in a B&B averaging 7000-15,000 AMD.
Resorts like Jermuk, Tsaghkadzor and Sevan will charge about the same rates as Yerevan hotels, though they still have a range of cheaper options.
Backpackers and budget-minded tourists will find rooms cheaper at restaurants/hotels, which cater to locals on tête-à-têtes and parties but welcome tourists. They offer many of the same amenities as higher-priced hotels, but at a fraction of the costs, with double rooms around 10,000 AMD in the Yerevan area and 5000-10,000 AMD outside.
Camping is still available for free in wilderness areas and near villages. Always ask, and offer something if you are staying in a private spot. Summer camps, which include tents and a canteen, can charge 5000 AMD per day.
See our Overnight Database for a list of venues.
Eating Out costs also vary depending on the venue and what you eat. It is still possible to choose carefully and come out of most restaurants having spent less than 5000 AMD but that is becoming increasingly rare. Most meals with salads, main course with side dishes, dessert and wine will run between 5000-7000 AMD per person, with the high-end restaurants charging 20,000 AMD more per person.
At the same time, sandwiches, sharma, and khinkali (Georgian meat dumplings) average 150-500 AMD, while a skewer of Khorovats (enough for two) costs 1700-2000 AMD.
Cafes and bistros are also cheaper, with sandwiches, fries and a soft drink costing between 500-1500 AMD, and meals average 200-2500 AMD. Buying food at a roadside stand or at the shuka is another way to economize.
Transportation Airfare is the most expensive part of any trip to Armenia. From North and South America, standard coach fare can cost $1500-2000 R/T, with some bargain fares at around $800-$1100. From Europe the average price is approximately €300-550, with some bargain fares at €250-350.
Interstate and Regional buses and minivans are quite reasonable if compared to Europe and the USA. See bus and minivan schedules for prices.
Train travel is also quite reasonable, with a coupe/SV from Yerevan to Tbilisi costing between 4500-10,000 AMD, and 10,000-15,000 to Batumi.
Taxis are 100 AMD per km with a basic start rate (that includes 3 km of travel) of 500-600 AMD. City buses and minivans are 100 AMD. The metro is 50 AMD.
Car Rentals are 20,000-40,000 AMD per day. Car & Drivers cost around 10,000-30,000 AMD per day, plus fuel.
Souvenirs are well priced for the craftsmanship, and since all prices given in Vernissage based on “first price” / “last price” basis, some bargaining is allowed. As a rule of thumb, the lowest price a vendor will take is around 20% less than the first, unless it is seems outrageously high, in which case it probably is.
BUDGETING
Staying in high end hotels and eating out all meals can run around 70,000-150,000 AMD and more per day.
Staying in budget lodging and eating out all meals can run around 15,000-35,000 AMD and more per day.
Staying at hostels/B&Bs and buying food or eating at cafes/bistros can run around 10,000-20,000 AMD and more per day.
Backpacking and camping and buying food with occasional eating out can run around 5000-20,000 AMD per day.
