Practical information Armenia

4434  sq.mi

Armenia is approximately 2,270 miles from London, and the flight takes about 5 hours. A number of carriers, including Czech Airlines, Air France, and British Airways, as well as the national flight company Armavia offer flights.

3259100 hab.

The airport is 6 miles (20 min) from the centre of Erevan. The only way of going into town is by taxi. The price of the drive is around $20 (£13). You will not find reliable car rentals, either at the airport or in town. It is best to book the services of a taxi or individual to move around the country.

Generally, it is strongly recommended not to approach the vicinity of any of the border areas. Avoid the border areas with Azerbaijan. Incidents occur regularly on the north-eastern border (in the Tavoush area). Landmines are a real danger in the east (in the area of Siounik).
The borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan are closed due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the centre of a secessionist entity that is not recognised by any country (including Armenia). The country is on a major fault in the earth's crust, and is not protected from earthquakes.
Useful numbers
Police: 02
Emergency: 03 (ambulance) 01 (firemen)

The official language is Armenian, which is spoken by 97% of the population. About 1% speaks Yezidi, and the remaining 2% speak Russian and various other languages.
However, you will sometimes be able to speak English. Much of the population also speaks Russian fluently.

You need a valid passport for at least six months after the return date. A visa is mandatory. It is issued at the Armenian Embassy or when you get there, upon arrival at the airport: visa 2 days, $20 (£13); 21 days, $30 (£19) (add an extra $3 (£2) for every additional day). The Tourist visa is valid for 21 days, while the Business visa is valid for 3 months. Allow at least a week for delivery. Come with a passport photo, your passport, and the form to fill in. Immigration checks are strict (see headings "taxes").
A visa extension is possible at the OVIR (Armenia's visa department) upon payment of a fee.

94% of Armenians are Orthodox and Apostolic, 4% are Protestant, and 2% are Russian Orthodox.

The currency is the Armenian dram (AMD).Money can be a problem in Armenia, as you won't find any cash machines, and credit cards are only accepted in a few shops and tourist hotspots. Travellers cheques will also be useless, so you will need to bring dollars with you in cash, which you must declare on arrival. Bring large amounts, if possible, so that you are not short of cash once you get there. Banks are open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday.

Road signage is poor, and petrol supply random. Major roads are good, minor roads in a very mediocre state. It is therefore suggested that you travel accompanied by a local guide.
In case of an accident, establish a private statement in the presence of the police, whom you can contact by dialling 102. Insurance is not compulsory. International car hirers are not represented in the country. By way of example, the price of a trip around Erevan in an air-conditioned car is around £16. The more intrepid could try and negotiate the services of a taxi there. Agency costs will not be included, and you must be capable of making yourself understood.
The borders with Georgia and Iran are open, and when passing over them, private vehicles are subject to the current regulations of these countries (read the "security"heading). Note that the bus network is very old. Internal flights are very rare.

No specific vaccine required. (except for particular cases, see below). Be sure your vaccination booklet is up to date against DTP (diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus). For children, check with the vaccine calendar recommended by the Department of Health (vaccines mentioned in the vaccination booklet). It is preferable not to drink tap water, especially during the summer. Housing conditions are basic outside the capital city (weak sanitary installations and irregular water supply). Make sure you know where all the food you eat comes from, because there is no existent regulation on food preservation. Gastroenteritises are common. It is advisable to consult a doctor before leaving. You should take the opportunity to have your doctor prescribe you primary care medicines. Good repatriation insurance is recommended. When you get there, you will be able to make contact with the doctor at the embassy: Mr. Babloyan at the Arabkir medical centre. Tel.: 223 68 83. You can also go to the emergency scientific medical Hospital, located at 10 Gurgian street, Erevan. Tel.: 263 34 21.

Malaria: There are no risks in tourist zones, WHO (World Health Organisation) specified. Armenia is ranked in group 1 for regions at risks on a scale of 0 to 3. This means that you will not need to take preventive treatments no matter how long you stay, but it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately in case of a fever in the months following your return.

Specific cases:
For long stays and if you are on an "adventure" circuit for several weeks, far from the big cities, or where sanitary measures (ability to frequently wash hands with soap, drink filtered water or in bottle, etc) cannot be applied, vaccinations against viral hepatitis A and B, typhoid and even rabies are recommended.
Yellow fever does not exist in the countries of this region. No vaccination certificate required. Meningitis: The anti-meningococcus vaccine is mandatory for pilgrims going to the Mecca.

220 V. It is better to be equipped with an adaptor. Power cuts are frequent.

Jewellery (including wedding rings), currency and merchandise imports are regulated or taxed. The form must be carefully filled in upon arrival to the territory, where it it is kept until your return. Export of any cultural object, even of little value, is subjected to a preliminary authorisation, at the risk of seeing it confiscated or heavily taxed.
Get more information at the Embassy.

To telephone Armenia from England, dial 00 374 + the number you want to call (the regional code and then the 6 figures of the party called). To call a mobile phone, you should dial 9 then wait for a connection before beginning to dial the relevant regional code and number of the party called.
From Armenia to England, dial 374 + 44 + the number without the initial 0.
You will find public telephones in the large cities that work with phone cards, but not all of them will allow you to call Europe. In general, you can call abroad from post offices.
Armenian telecommunications can be laborious. You have to try again several times and use an operator. Be patient, you may have a very long wait.