Transportation in Yerevan

Yerevan moves on three levels: the metro cuts straight across the center with just one line that's spotless and absurdly cheap. Above ground, marshrutkas (minibuses) and trolleybuses fill every gap but require exact change and nerves of steel. Taxis sit at the splurge end, download the GG or Yandex apps to avoid the airport mafia who quote fantasy fares. First-timers should grab a rechargeable plastic card at any metro station kiosk: it works on the underground and the numbered city buses, sparing you the marshrutka coin scramble. The metro shuts down around midnight, so late-night rides default to app-hailed cars, never flag one on the street near Republic Square after dark. From Zvartnots Airport, the official taxi desk inside baggage claim gives a fixed voucher, moderate, but still triple the metro-plus-bus combo. If you're landing before the metro closes, take the airport express bus to Yeritasardakan station and switch to the underground; it's a fraction of the taxi price and usually faster than gridlocked traffic.