📰 Yerevan · page 6

Minibuses, locally known as marshrutkas, formerly accounted for a large share of public transport in Yerevan.513 Their use has been substantially reduced as part of the city's transport reform, and the older Russian-made GAZelle minibuses have been withdrawn from service.514 As of 2026, 11 minibus routes remain, using 94 newer GAZelle City vehicles, of which around 81 operate on weekdays.515 These routes are also operated by Yerevan Bus CJSC.516 The municipality plans to replace the remaining minibus services with larger city buses as the new route network is implemented.[182]517

The Yerevan trolleybus system has operated since 1949.518 The fleet underwent a major renewal between 2022 and 2026.519 Thirty new trolleybuses were acquired between 2022 and 2024, followed by 45 additional Yutong trolleybuses which entered service in June 2026.520 With their introduction, all of the remaining older trolleybuses were withdrawn from regular service.[183]521 As of 2026, Yerevan Electric Transport CJSC operates a fleet of 75 trolleybuses, consisting of 60 Yutong and 15 Zhongtong vehicles, on five routes designated T1 to T5.[184]522 The newer trolleybuses are equipped with batteries that allow them to operate on sections without overhead wires.523

The tram network that had operated in Yerevan since 1906 was decommissioned in January 2004.524 Its operation had a cost 2.4 times higher than the generated revenue, which led the municipality to shut down the network,[185] despite a last attempt to preserve it towards the end of 2003.525 Following the closure, the tracks were dismantled.526

A unified electronic ticketing system was introduced for Yerevan's buses, minibuses, trolleybuses and metro and became fully operational on 1 January 2025.[186]527 Direct cash payments to drivers were discontinued in November 2024, and cash payments inside public transport were abolished entirely from January 2025.[187]528 Passengers can pay using contactless bank cards, reusable transport cards or mobile tickets.529 Single-use paper tickets containing QR codes were initially available under the system but were withdrawn from circulation on 1 August 2025.[188]530 The unified system also allows passengers to purchase time-based and period passes valid across buses, trolleybuses and the metro.531

The central bus station in the Nor Kilikia neighbourhood serves as one of the principal terminals for inter-city and international bus transport, with services connecting Yerevan to cities throughout Armenia and destinations abroad, including Tbilisi corpus and Tabriz.532

Underground

Main article: Yerevan Metro

The Yerevan Metro named after Karen Demirchyan, (Կարեն Դեմիրճյանի անվան Երեւանի մետրոպոլիտեն կայարան (Karen Dyemirchyani anvan Yerevani metropoliten kayaran)) is a rapid transit system that serves the capital city since 1981.533 It has a single line of 12.1 km length with 10 active stations and 45 units in service.534 The interiors of the stations resemble that of the former western Soviet nations, with chandeliers hanging from the corridors.535 The metro stations had most of their names changed after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of the Republic of Armenia.536

A northeastern extension of the line with two new stations is currently being developed.537 The construction of the first station (Ajapnyak) and of the 1 km tunnel linking it to the rest of the network will cost US$18 million.[189]538 The time of the end of the project has not yet been defined.539 Another long-term project is the construction of two new lines, but these have been suspended due to lack of finance.540

The system transports more than 60,000 people on a daily basis.541

Railway

Main article: Armenian Railway

Yerevan has a single central railway station (several railway stations of suburbs have not been used since 1990) that is connected to the metro via the Sasuntsi Davit station.542 The railway station is made in Soviet-style architecture with its long point on the building roof, representing the symbols of communism: red star, hammer and sickle.543 Due to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia, there is only one international train that passes by once every two days, with neighbouring Georgia being its destination.544 For a sum of 9 000 to 18 000 dram, it is possible to take the night train to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.[190]545 This train then continues to its destination of Batumi, on the shores of the Black Sea in the summer season.546

The only railway that goes to Iran to the south passes by the closed border of Nakhchivan.547 For this reason, there are no trains that go south from Yerevan.548

During the first decade of the 21st century, the South Caucasus Railway CJSC — which is the current operator of the railway system in Armenia—announced its readiness to put the Yerevan-Gyumri-Kars railway line in service in case the Armenian-Turkish protocols are ratified and the opening of the borders between the two countries is achieved.549

As of July 2017, the following railway trips are scheduled from and to Yerevan:550

• Yerevan-Tbilisi-Batumi-Yerevan, with a daily trip operating since 15 June 2017, in coordination with the Georgian Railways.[191]551
• Yerevan-Gyumri-Yerevan, with 3 daily trips operating since 15 June 2017.[192]552
• Yerevan-Yeraskh-Yerevan, with a daily trip operating since 12 July 2014.[193]553
• Yerevan-Araks-Yerevan, with a daily trip.[194]554
• Yerevan-Shorzha-Yerevan, with weekend trips.555

The Yerevan-Ararat-Yerevan route is temporarily not in operation, while the Yerevan-Tbilisi-Yerevan route will operate starting from 2 October 2017.556

Taxi

Yerevan prides itself on having connections 24/7 as taxis are available at any time of the day or night.[195]557 Taxicab service companies cover the entire city in addition to many online taxi service providers, including GG Taxi, Utaxi and Yandex.Taxi.558

Economy and services

Industry

as of 2013, the share of Yerevan in the annual total industrial product of Armenia is 41%.[196]559 The industry of Yerevan is quite diversified including chemicals, primary metals and steel products, machinery, rubber products, plastics, rugs and carpets, textiles, clothing and footwear, jewellery, wood products and furniture, building materials and stone-processing, alcoholic beverages, mineral water, dairy product and processed food.560 Even though the economic crisis of the '90s ravaged the industry of the country, several factories remain always in service, notably in the petrochemical and the aluminium sectors.561

Armenian beverages, especially Armenian cognac and beer, have a worldwide fame.562 Hence, Yerevan is home to many leading enterprises of Armenia and the Caucasus for the production of alcoholic beverages, such as the Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory, Yerevan Brandy Company, Yerevan Champagne Wines Factory, "Beer of Yerevan" (Kilikia Beer) brewery, Armco Brandy Factory, Proshyan Brandy Factory and Astafian Wine-Brandy Factory.563 The 2 tobacco producers in Yerevan are the "Cigaronne" and "Grand Tabak" companies.564

Carpet industry in Armenia has a deeply rooted history with ancient traditions, therefore, carpet production is rather developed in Yerevan with three major factories that also produce hand-made rugs.[197][198][199]565 The "Megerian Carpet" factory is the leading in this sector.566

Other major plants in the city include the "Nairit" chemical and rubber plant, Rusal Armenal aluminium foil mill, "Grand Candy" Armenian-Canadian confectionery manufacturers, "Arcolad" chocolate factory, "Marianna" factory for dairy products, "Talgrig Group" for wheat and flour products, "Shant" ice cream factory, "Crown Chemicals" for paints, "ATMC" travertine mining company, Yerevan Watch Factory "AWI watches", Yerevan Jewellery Plant, and the mineral water factories of "Arzni", "Sil", and "Dilijan Frolova".567

Food products include processed meat, all types of canneries, wheat and flour, sweets and chocolate, dried fruits, soft drinks and beverages.568 Building materials mainly include travertine, crushed stones, asphalt and asphalt concrete.569

Finance and banking

As an attractive outsourcing location for Western European, Russian and American multinationals, Yerevan headquarters many international companies.570 It is Armenia's financial hub, being home to the Central Bank of Armenia, the Armenian Stock Exchange (NASDAQ OMX Armenia), as well as the majority of the country's largest commercial banks.[200] as of 2013, the city dominates over 85% of the annual total services in Armenia, as well as over 84% of the annual total retail trade.571

Many subsidiaries of Russian service companies and banks operate in Yerevan, including Gazprom, Ingo Armenia, Rosgosstrakh and VTB Bank.572 The ACBA-Credit Agricole is a subsidiary of the French Crédit Agricole, while the HSBC Bank Armenia is also operating in Yerevan.573

Construction

The construction sector has experienced a significant growth during the 1st decade of the 21st century.[201]574 Starting from 2000, Yerevan has witnessed a massive construction boom, funded mostly by Armenian millionaires from Russia and the United States, with an extensive and controversial redevelopment process in which many 18th and 19th-century buildings have been demolished and replaced with new buildings.575 This growth was coupled with a significant increase in real estate prices.[202]576

Many major construction projects has been conducted in Yerevan, such as Northern Avenue and the rehabilitation of Old Yerevan on Aram Street.577 Northern Avenue was completed and opened in 2007, while the Old Yerevan project is still under development.578 In the past few years, the city centre has also witnessed major road reconstruction, as well as the renovation of the Republic square, funded by the American-Armenian billionaire Kirk Kerkorian.579 On the other hand, the Argentina-based Armenian businessman Eduardo Eurnekian took over the airport, while the cascade development project was funded by the US based Armenian millionaire Gerard L. Cafesjian.580

However, the sector has significantly dropped by the end of the 1st decade of the 21st century, as a result of the global real estate crisis in 2007–09.581 In 2013, Yerevan dominated over 58% of the annual total construction sector of Armenia.582

In February 2017, the urban development committee of the government revealed its plans for the upcoming major construction projects in the city.583 With a total cost of US$300 million, a new business district will rise at the centre of the city, to replace the current Firdowsi shopping area.[203]584 The committee has also announced the construction of Noy (Noah) ethnographic residential district at the western vicinity of Kentron District, with an approximate cost of US$100 million.[204]585

Energy

The location of the city on the shores of Hrazdan river has enabled the production of hydroelectricity.586 As part of the Sevan–Hrazdan Cascade, three hydroelectric power plants are established within the administrative territory of Yerevan: Kanaker HPP,[205] Yerevan-1 HPP,[206] and Yerevan-3 HPP.[207]587 The entire plant was privatised in 2003, and is currently owned by RusHydro.[208][209]588

The city is also home to the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant, a unique facility in the region for its quality and high technology, situated in the southern part of the city.589 Originally opened in 1961, a modern plant was built in 2007, furnished with a new gas-steam combined cycled turbine, to generate electric power.[210][211]590 In March 2017, the construction of a new thermal power plant was launched with an initial investment of US$258 million and an envisaged capacity of 250 megawatts.591 The power station will be in service in 2019.[212]592

Tourism and nightlife

Tourism in Armenia is developing year by year and the capital city of Yerevan is one of the major tourist destinations.[213]593 The city has a majority of luxury hotels, modern restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs.594 Zvartnots airport has also conducted renovation projects with the growing number of tourists visiting the country.595 Numerous places in Yerevan are attractive for tourists, such as the dancing fountains of the Republic Square, the State Opera House, the Cascade complex, the ruins of the Urartian city of Erebuni (Arin Berd), the historical site of Karmir Blur (Teishebaini), etc. The largest hotel of the city is the Ani Plaza Hotel.596 The Armenia Marriott Hotel is located at the Republic Square at the centre of Yerevan, while the Radisson Blu Hotel is located near the Victory Park.597 Other major chains operating in central Yerevan include the Grand Hotel Yerevan of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World,[214] the Best Western Congress Hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton, the Hyatt Place, the Ibis Yerevan Center, and The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel of Marriott International.[215]598

The location of Yerevan itself, is an inspiring factor for the foreigners to visit the city in order to enjoy the view of the biblical mount of Ararat, as the city lies on the feet of the mountain forming the shape of a Roman amphitheatre.599

There are many historical sites, churches and citadels in areas and regions surrounding the city of Yerevan, such as Garni Temple, Zvartnots Cathedral, the monasteries of Khor Virap and Geghard, etc.600

Being among the top 10 safest cities in the world, Yerevan has an extensive nightlife scene with a variety of nightclubs,[216] live venues, pedestrian zones, street cafés, jazz cafés, tea houses, casinos, pubs, karaoke clubs and restaurants.601 Casino Shangri La and Pharaon Complex are among the largest leisure and entertainment centres of the city.602

Many world-famous music stars, Russian music celebrities, as well as Armenian singers from diaspora, occasionally perform in concerts in Yerevan.603

The Yerevan Zoo founded in 1940, the Yerevan Circus opened in 1956, and the Yerevan Water World opened in 2001, are among the popular entertaining centres in the city.604

Northern Avenue connects the Opera House with Abovyan street and serves as a popular pedestrian zone in Yerevan with modern residential buildings, business centres, restaurants, bars and cafés.605 Another popular landmarks is the Yerevan Cascade and the "Cafesjian Sculpture Garden" on Tamanyan Street with its pedestrian zone, featuring many coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and pubs at the sidewalks.606 The "Cafesjian Center for the Arts" regularly organises art events throughout the year, including classical music series, traditional folk dance events, and live concerts of jazz, pop and rock music.[217]607

As of 2017, Yerevan has three shopping malls: Dalma Garden Mall opened in October 2012, followed by Yerevan Mall in February 2014, and Rossia Mall in March 2016.608

International study conducted by Mercer and published in 2019 identified Yerevan to offer higher quality of living, than other capital cities of Transcaucasia.[218][219]609