Updated: July 2026

You land at Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) and your hotel is somewhere in Yerevan center (Kentron). The airport is 12 km west of the city. There is NO train from EVN - any guide claiming a train or Metro is lying. Your real options are bus 201, the 24-hour route 100, or a licensed taxi. This guide gives you the decision logic, the exact stop to find, and the fallback when the bus stops running.

Quick answer

Default for most travelers: Airport Express Bus 201 from outside the arrivals zone (AMD 300). It runs every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 22:00 and takes cash AMD.

Take a taxi when: you arrive after 22:00, have heavy luggage, hotel not near Metro line, or traveling with kids.

Skip unmarked drivers: use a licensed taxi and confirm the fare before departure.

Decision grid: the honest tradeoffs

Option Time Cost Best for Worst for
Bus 201 30 min + Metro 300 AMD Daytime, light bags, hotel near Metro After 22:00, heavy bags, non-Metro hotels
Bus 100 25 min 200 AMD Solo, backpack only, know the stop Luggage, kids, first time, no Armenian
GG Taxi app 20 min Live app quote Works with foreign SIM, no local SIM needed Dead battery, no data
Official taxi 20 min Confirmed taxi quote Late night, heavy bags, family, no apps Budget solo daytime

Airport Express Bus 201: the default

Bus 201 is the purpose-built airport link. It runs from Terminal 1 to the Metro network.

  • Where: outside the arrival zone. Follow the public-transport signs after leaving arrivals.
  • Schedule: 07:00-22:00, every 30 minutes (on the hour and half-hour).
  • Route: Airport → Yeritasardakan Metro station (Red Line).
  • Time: 30 minutes to Yeritasardakan in normal traffic.
  • Ticket: 300 AMD. Buy from driver (cash, exact change preferred) or MetroMoney card.
  • Luggage: dedicated rack at rear of bus. Fits 2-3 large suitcases.

Best for: daytime arrivals, solo/couple, bags fit in rack, hotel near any Metro station.

Avoid if: after 22:00, heavy/oversized bags, kids, hotel in Arabkir/Avan/Nork (no Metro).

Watch out: Official airport guidance places routes 100 and 201 outside the arrival zone. Follow the public-transport signs after leaving arrivals.

Bus 100: the overnight safety net

Route 100 is the option the old draft missed. It runs every 30 minutes from 06:50 to 22:00 and hourly from 22:00 to 06:50, so a late landing does not automatically mean a taxi.

  • Fare: AMD 500.
  • Payment: Visa or Mastercard onboard, or a TelCell QR ticket bought in the app or at one of the airport's public-zone terminals.
  • Where: outside the arrival zone.
  • Best for: late arrivals, light-to-normal luggage, and travelers whose hotel is close to the route.

If your final stop still leaves a long dark walk with bags, use a licensed taxi. Saving a small fare and then dragging a suitcase across Kentron at 2 a.m. is not a victory.

Licensed taxi: door-to-door fallback

When the bus math stops working, GG Taxi is the standout because it works with an INTERNATIONAL phone number - no Armenian SIM needed.

  • Ride app: use it only if registration and payment already work; compare the live quote before booking.
  • Licensed taxi: confirm the fare and payment method before departure.
  • Other apps: Yandex Go, Utaxi need Armenian SIM. Skip unless you buy one at airport (VivaCell/Team/Beeline kiosk, 1000 AMD with data).
Common mistake: Unmarked drivers at exit quote "2000 AMD special." They will demand 8000+ at hotel. Official desk receipt or GG app fare is your protection.

Late-night and low-battery fallback

  • Bus 201: every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 22:00
  • Bus 100: every 30 minutes by day, then hourly overnight
  • After 22:00: taxi/GG is the only reliable option

What to do if: you land at 23:30 with 20% battery, no local SIM, hotel near Republic Square. Open GG app on airport Wi-Fi or walk to official taxi desk. Take the taxi and be done with it. The 2000 AMD you save on the bus is not worth 90 minutes of figuring out night transport in the dark with dead electronics.

Low-battery prep: screenshot hotel address in Armenian (Հանրապետության դաշտի հարևանությամբ for Republic Square area). Write "EVN Airport GG Taxi or official desk - 3000 AMD to center" on paper.

Common mistakes

  • Looking for a train or Metro at EVN - does not exist. Any guide claiming otherwise is wrong.
  • Assuming route 201 runs overnight - it ends at 22:00; route 100 is the hourly overnight public option.
  • Assuming Bolt/Yandex work without Armenian SIM - they need local SMS verification. GG is the only major app that works with foreign numbers.
  • Boarding route 201 without AMD cash - route 201 is cash-only. Route 100 accepts supported bank cards or TelCell QR tickets.
  • Hotel in Arabkir/Avan/Nork = "close" on map - no Metro service. Bus 201 + 30 min bus. Taxi door-to-door is faster and not much more.
  • Waiting at the wrong curb - official airport guidance places routes 100 and 201 outside the arrival zone; check the route number before boarding.

What to do if things go sideways

Flight delayed past 22:00: skip bus math. GG app or official taxi. Accept fare. 1 AM is not the time for night buses.

Bus 201 full or broken down: wait 30 min for next, or pivot to GG/taxi. Route 100 or a licensed taxi is the cleaner fallback.

Taxi driver overcharges: show GG app fare or official desk receipt. "Fixed price per zone." If they argue, get out, take next car.

Hotel in "wrong" area: figure this out before booking transfer. Arabkir, Avan, Nork, Erebuni - no Metro. Bus + walk or taxi door-to-door.

No AMD cash: GG takes card. Official desk takes card. Bus 201 driver prefers cash but takes MetroMoney. Keep 1000 AMD for emergencies.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way from Yerevan Airport to city center?

Bus 100 at 200 AMD to Barekamutyun Metro station. But no luggage space, cash only, Armenian stop announcements. Bus 201 at 300 AMD to Yeritasardakan Metro is better for travelers with bags.

Is it safe to take a taxi from Zvartnots Airport at night?

Use a licensed taxi, confirm the fare and payment method before departure, and avoid unsolicited drivers.

How long does the transfer from EVN take?

Bus 201: 30 min to Yeritasardakan Metro. Taxi/GG: 20 min normal traffic. Add 15-20 min for immigration/bags on international flights.

Should I book a private transfer in advance?

Only if arriving very late (after 23:00), 4+ people, or special luggage. For most, GG app or official desk is faster to arrange and costs 30-50% less than pre-booked transfers.

What happens if my flight is delayed past midnight?

After 22:00, route 100 continues hourly. Use a licensed taxi when its route or the final walk does not suit your hotel. Pre-booking a transfer or hotel pickup is smart for late arrivals.

Is there a train from EVN to Yerevan?

NO. There is no train, no Metro, no suburban rail from Zvartnots Airport. Any guide claiming a train is incorrect. Use bus 201, route 100, or a licensed taxi.

Sam's practical verdict

EVN is close to Yerevan and Bus 201 is a genuine airport express - dedicated bus, luggage rack, Metro connection. The traps are small: choosing the wrong bus for your arrival time and underestimating the final walk.

Default for most travelers: Bus 201 in daytime; route 100 for overnight arrivals. Choose a licensed taxi when the final walk is the real problem.

Fallback when default stops working: GG Taxi app (foreign number works) or official taxi desk. Use app/desk fare, accept it, end the airport.

The one mistake to avoid: booking a hotel in Arabkir or Nork thinking "it is close on the map" - no Metro, 30+ min bus ride from center. With bags, taxi door-to-door is cheaper than the hassle.

Sources and further reading

Travel insurance is one of those things you don't need until you desperately do. A cancelled flight, lost luggage, or unexpected medical issue can turn a budget trip into an expensive disaster. Check whether your credit card already includes travel coverage before buying a separate policy.

Carry a pen for filling out immigration forms and customs declarations on the plane. The flight attendants often run out, and buying one at the airport shop costs more than it should. A pen weighs nothing and saves you from awkward borrowing.

Photocopy your passport and save it as a photo on your phone. If your passport is lost or stolen, having a copy speeds up the replacement process at the embassy. Keep the original in the hotel safe and carry the copy during day trips.