Yerevan, Armenia

• Yerevan sits at 3,300 feet elevation in the Ararat plain. On clear days you can see Mount Ararat from most parts of the city. Armenia has low crime rates and you'll see locals walking around well past midnight. Cafes are everywhere and people regularly sit alone for hours with a book or laptop, so eating alone doesn't stand out at all.
• Young people and tourist areas have decent English, but you'll need basic Armenian phrases outside central areas. The emergency number (911 or 108) handles police, medical, and fire - some operators speak English but don't count on it.
• The metro costs about $0.20 per ride and runs 7am to midnight connecting major areas. Taxi apps like Yandex Taxi and Bolt work well here - you can cross the city for under $2 outside rush hour. Central neighborhoods like Kentron and Cascade have good lighting and stay active late, with regular police presence.
• Locals are generally helpful. People will go out of their way to give directions or help with translations. You might get invited for coffee or meals in residential areas - this is normal hospitality, not unusual. The city has a more relaxed pace than most capital cities.

Armenian is the main language. English is increasingly spoken by young people, in tourist areas, and at hotels. The emergency service (911/108) has some English-speaking operators. Many restaurants and cafes in Kentron and Cascade areas have English-speaking staff.

• Dress casually for daily activities - local women dress like typical Europeans or Americans. For religious sites (monasteries and churches), you need to cover arms, chest, legs, and head. Headscarves are usually at entrances, but bring long sleeves and below-knee skirts or pants to be safe.
• Young people and tourist areas have English, but learn basic phrases for everywhere else: 'barev' (hello), 'shnorhakalutyun' (thank you), 'khndrum em' (please). Keep Google Translate handy outside the center.
• If locals invite you for coffee or a meal, it's genuine hospitality. People here will go out of their way to help - offering directions, calling taxis, translating menus.
• Avoid prolonged eye contact in rural areas or traditional neighborhoods, though in modern Yerevan this matters less. In villages, dress modestly and be respectful of local customs.
• Lunch is typically 1-3pm and dinner after 7pm. Restaurants and cafes stay open late, especially in Kentron and Cascade. Eating alone is normal and you won't get strange looks.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Unified emergency number: 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• The metro has one main line with 10 stations, running 7am to midnight. It costs 100 AMD (about $0.20) per ride. It has electronic ticketing.
• Taxi apps like Yandex Taxi, Bolt, and gg work well. You can cross the city for 600 AMD ($1.50) outside rush hour. Stick to the apps rather than flagging taxis on the street. Uber and Grab don't operate here.
• Buses and trolleybuses run from 7am to 9-11pm depending on the route. A bus ride costs 100 AMD, trolleybuses 50 AMD. Routes are confusing if you're visiting - use apps or ask locals. They now have unified electronic ticketing.
• Walking works well in central areas like Kentron, Northern Avenue, and around the Cascade. Streets are maintained and the city center is fairly compact. The elevation means uphill walks tire you out faster than you'd expect.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Yerevan with local guides and curated experiences.