Social ConventionsAlmost all entertaining takes place in private homes, and guests may find themselves subjected to overwhelming hospitality and generosity, as well as being expected to eat enormously and participate in endless toasts. Visitors invited to an Armenian’s home should arrive bearing some kind of small gift, such as flowers and alcohol (preferably imported) or chocolates. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Business cards are invariably exchanged at any kind of official meeting and not infrequently on first meeting people socially as well. Conversation tends
to be highly politicized, and guests may be well advised to avoid expressing strong opinions. Homosexuality is now decriminalized but is still an unacceptable lifestyle for many Armenians, and discretion should be exercised when in public. Women tend to be less retiring than in nearby Muslim countries, and can usually dress in normal western-style clothing (especially in the capital), although female visitors may wish to avoid wearing short skirts and shorts.
Photography: Refrain from photographing sites such as military bases equipment and installations. Also be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing churches and other religious sites.
International Travel:Getting There by AirArmenian Airlines (website:
www.armenianairlines.com)
is the national airline. For political reasons, there are no direct international transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan; Georgia is sometimes used as a stopover point.
Departure TaxUS$20 per person (usually payable in local currency). Although this is normally paid at the airport, visitors staying in the large hotels may sometimes pay at their hotel, and present the receipt at the airport check-in desk. Transit passengers and children under 12 years of age are exempt.
Main AirportsZvartnots (EVN) 10km (6 miles) from Yerevan.
To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available to the city center. Buses run regularly (journey time – 30 minutes).
Getting There by RailArmenia’s rail links to Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed indefinitely, but an international service still runs to Georgia (every other day) and to Iran. Passengers traveling to Georgia should be aware of the possibility of theft or robbery. The main station is Sasuntsi Davit on Tigran Mets Avenue.
Getting There by RoadA road link between Armenia and Iran, the Kajaran highway, has become the most important international road link. There are two highways linking Armenia to Georgia; these routes, especially the Yerevan-Tbilisi road, have a bad reputation for highway robbery, although efforts by the Georgian authorities to enforce law and order are reported to be paying off. The Azerbaijan and Turkey borders are both currently closed. It is possible to travel by road to the enclave of Nagorno Karabakh, however, it is essential to obtain a visa from the permanent representative of Nagorno Karabakh in Yerevan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have imposed a blockade against Armenia and closed borders with it.
Bus: Kilikia Central Bus Station is where most buses depart. There is a weekly bus service to Istanbul and a daily (except Fridays) bus service to Tehran. There is also a weekly bus service to Moscow.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Armenia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes; 2l or one bottle of alcoholic beverage;
5kg of perfume (or perfume to the value of US$500);
other goods up to the amount of US$500, for personal use only.
It is advisable to declare valuables on arrival.
Weapons and ammunition, narcotics, pornography, fruit and vegetables (without proper documents).
Weapons, ammunition, narcotics, pornography, fruit and vegetables (without proper documents), works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture). An export tax of approximately US$10 is payable on each item. Contact the Embassy for further information (see
General Info).
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirYerevan has a small domestic airport as well as an international airport, which offers some flights to other destinations in Armenia.
Getting Around by RailThe main railway station is the Sasuntsi Davit Station on Tigran Mets Avenue. There are daily trains to most major towns. The trains are often overcrowded and poorly maintained. Belongings should be secured.
Getting Around by RoadThe road network comprises 7705km (4788 miles). Road surfaces can be very poor, even in the case of major highways, and care should be taken to avoid children and animals on the road. Supplies of petrol, diesel and oil are at present limited. It is common practice to flag down private cars as well as official taxis. Local drivers have a tendency to flout traffic regulations and ignore signals. Visitors should take care when driving or crossing the road.
Bus: There are city minivans available (marshrutni or Marshrutka) which operate on 100 different routes and may be flagged down.
Coach: Coaches run between the major centers of population.
Car hire: There are plenty of care hire companies operating, including
Hertz.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesThere is a small underground system in Yerevan (0630-2300). Buses and trolleybuses run in the city. Taxis are available in the city center or can be ordered by telephone. Chauffeur-driven cars are available but are expensive. It is advisable to obtain them through official channels, such as hotels or travel agencies in Yerevan.
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