Armenia

Brief History

The history of the Armenian Railway began at the end of the 19th century when Armenia was part of the Russian Empire. The first section of the railway was opened in 1899, connecting the cities of Batumi (now in Georgia) and Alexandrapol (now Gyumri in Armenia).
In the 1920s, Armenia became part of the Soviet Union and the development of the railway infrastructure continued. New sections were built connecting Armenia with other regions of the USSR.
Currently, Armenian Railways (AR) is a branch of Russian Railways (RZhD). In 2008, an agreement was signed between Russia and Armenia granting Russian Railways the right to manage and operate the railway infrastructure in Armenia for a period of 30 years.

General Information and Statistics

The total length of railway lines in Armenia is 1252.5 km, of which 759.8 km are main lines. The operational length of the South Caucasus Railway is 693.7 km. The capacity of SCR is 5.5 million passengers per year. "South Caucasus Railway has 74 stations, 55 of them are in operation.
Line electrification - 100%.

What are the connections with other countries?

Currently, the South Caucasus Railway has only international connections with neighboring Georgia. There used to be connections with Turkey and Azerbaijan, but now the border crossings are closed.

Are trains generally fast in Armenia? How long does it take to cross the country?

In general, trains in Armenia are not known for their high speed. The railway infrastructure in Armenia is relatively limited and trains usually run at moderate speeds compared to high-speed trains in other countries.
The travel time to cross the country of Armenia by train can vary depending on the specific route and distance. However, due to the geographical size of Armenia, it is possible to travel from one end of the country to the other within a few hours by train.
For example, it takes about 3-4 hours to travel by train from Yerevan (the capital of Armenia) to Gyumri (the second largest city). The distance between Yerevan and the southern city of Goris can be covered by train in about 6-7 hours.

What are the available railway companies?

South Caucasus Railway (SCR): South Caucasus Railway is a subsidiary of Russian Railways (RZD) and is responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of the Armenian railway network. SCR has a concession agreement with the Armenian government to manage the country's railway infrastructure for a period of 30 years.

What types of trains are available in Armenia?

Passenger trains: South Caucasus Railway operates passenger trains that connect major cities and towns within Armenia. These trains provide transportation for both short and long distances. Passenger trains in Armenia generally offer comfortable seating, amenities such as dining cars or snack bars, and varying classes of service.

Local trains: Local trains are short-distance trains that serve commuters and travelers within specific regions or between neighboring cities. They are typically used for shorter trips and make frequent stops along the route.

Overnight trains: The South Caucasus Railway also operates overnight trains, which allow passengers to travel longer distances while sleeping on board. These trains are equipped with sleeping compartments or berths to provide overnight accommodation during the journey.

Are there high speed trains?

The fastest train in Armenia is the Yerevan-Gyumri Express. It covers a distance of 154 kilometers in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Main train stations/hubs

The main railway stations in Armenia are listed below: Yerevan Railway Station, Gyumri Railway Station, Vanadzor Railway Station, Alaverdi Railway Station, Ararat Railway Station.

Websites to buy train tickets in Armenia

Tickets can be purchased online only for international routes and the Yerevan-Gyumri express train.

railway.am or ticket.ukzhd.am

Mobile applications to buy train tickets in Armenia

South Caucasus Railway does not have a mobile app at the moment.

Is it possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Armenia?

The easiest and fastest way to buy a ticket is to buy it at the station ticket office.

Can I buy my ticket by phone?

There is no possibility to buy tickets by phone.

Returning the ticket

The traveler can cancel the ticket up to 2 hours before departure. You will have to pay an additional fee. It is best to return the ticket at least 120 hours before departure to avoid penalties.

Train ticket prices

The South Caucasus Railway has fixed ticket prices. It is better to buy them in advance as daily tickets may not be available at the ticket office.

Cheapest train to the nearest country?

Ticket prices from Armenia to Georgia start at €31.70 for "open carriage".

Where to find timetables

Yerevan - Tbilisi (https://www.railway.am/infodocs/yerevan-tbilisi_rasp.pdf )
Yerevan - Batumi (https://www.railway.am/infodocs/yerevan-batumi_rasp.pdf )
Yerevan - Gyumri (express https://www.railway.am/infodocs/yerevan_gyumri_skor.pdf , regular https://www.railway.am/infodocs/yerevan_gyumri.pdf)
Yerevan - Araks (https://www.railway.am/infodocs/yerevan_araks.pdf )
Yerevan - Yeraskh 1 (https://www.railway.am/infodocs/yerevan_erasx.pdf )
Yerevan-Shorja (https://www.railway.am/infodocs/almast_shorja.pdf )

Buying tickets in advance or right before the train

You can buy tickets in advance or just before your trip and the price will not change. However, there may be no tickets available just before departure.

Types of tickets

The traveler has the option of buying a one-way ticket or a round-trip ticket.

Interrail/Eurail Passes in Armenia

There are no Interrail/Eurail passes available in Armenia.

Saver price

Ticket prices are fixed, there are no passes or discounts.

Is it cheaper to buy round-trip tickets?

The price does not change whether you buy a one-way or a round-trip ticket.

Flexible tickets

Flexible tickets are not available.

Boarding rules

You must show your ticket and identification when boarding an international train.

Group travel discounts

Deutsche Bahn offers group tickets for groups of 6 or more people. Saver tickets for groups start at EUR 8.90 per person. Other rail companies may have different rules.

Age groups and discounts

There are no discounts for group travel.

Age restrictions for minors

Children under five travel free (without a separate seat). Children between the ages of five and ten must purchase a child's ticket. Children over the age of 10 must purchase a full fare ticket.

Disabled passengers

The Yerevan railway station building has facilities for the disabled.

Seat reservation on Armenian trains

On international trains, seat reservations are included in the ticket price; you can choose your seat when you buy your ticket. On local trains there is no seat reservation system, you will sit in an empty seat or stand if there are no seats available.

Comfort classes on the trains

The international Armenia-Georgia train has 4 classes of cars: Standard, Coupe, Superior Coupe, SV.

Food and drinks on Armenian Trains / Train Restaurant

There is a restaurant car on the Armenia-Georgia international train.

Night trains in Armenia

There is no overnight train, but on the Armenia-Georgia route all carriages offer the possibility to sleep in your own seat.

Are there trains that transport cars?

There is no possibility to transport your car by train.

Main railway routes in Armenia

Yerevan - Arax / 1:06 hours / 1,70 EUR / 1 train per day
Yerevan - Gyumri / from 2:10 hours / from 2,86 EUR / 4 trains per day
Yerevan to Yeraskh / 1:32 hours / 1,70 EUR / 1 train a day
Yerevan - Shorja / 6:00 hours / from 3,60 EUR / 1 train a day (the train runs only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Yerevan - Tbilisi / 10:05 hours / from 26,40 EUR / train runs every other day
Yerevan - Batumi / 17:25 hours / from 31,70 EUR / the train runs once every two days

International train routes

There are direct international trains from Armenia to Georgia.

Tourist / Scenic routes in Armenia

Here are some tourist destinations in Armenia that can be reached by train:

Gyumri: The second largest city in Armenia, known for its architecture and historical landmarks, including the central square of Shirak, the Gyumri Drama Theater and the Avetik Isahakyan Museum.

Lake Sevan: Located in the northern part of Armenia, Lake Sevan is a major tourist attraction. Trains can take you to the city of Sevan where you can enjoy the beauty of the lake and visit the Sevanavank Monastery.

Dilijan: The city of Dilijan, often referred to as "Armenian Switzerland", is located in the mountains of Armenia. Trains can take you to the town of Haghartsin, from where you can explore the beautiful natural landscapes, visit the Dilijan National Park and enjoy the mountain air.

Ararat region: Trains can take you to the city of Ararat and its surroundings, where you can visit the famous Khor Virap Monastery located at the foot of Mount Ararat and enjoy stunning views of the mountain and surrounding landscapes.

Baggage Information

International Trains
Passengers are allowed to carry one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 36 kg and measuring up to 200 cm free of charge. Carry-on baggage should fit into the designated storage areas in the passenger compartments.

Local trains
Passengers are allowed to carry personal items up to 36 kg in weight and not exceeding 180 cm in three dimensions as hand luggage free of charge.

Bicycles on the train

No information on the official website.

Ski or snowboard on the train

No information on the official website.

Luggage lockers at stations in Armenia

There is a baggage room at Yerevan railway station, but it is currently not operational (as of 01.07.2023)

Lost and found

There is no reliable information

Pets on the trains

Passengers are allowed to transport small pets in a special container on international trains, provided they have the necessary veterinary documents. The passenger must purchase all seats in a closed compartment and keep the pet in the container for the entire journey. If the railway cannot provide all the seats in a closed compartment, the animal is not allowed to be transported.
Transportation of large animals is prohibited on international trains from Yerevan to Tbilisi and Batumi.
To transport an animal across the international border, a valid passport for the animal and a health certificate are required.