Armenia

Armenia is a constitutional republic with a developing economy. Tourist facilities, especially outside the capital city of Yerevan, are not very developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries may be difficult to obtain. Read the Department of State’s Fact sheet on Armenia for more information on U.S. - Armenian relations. 

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Armenia, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Travel in Armenia requires caution. Public transportation, while very inexpensive, may be unreliable and uncomfortable. Minibuses are more dangerous than other forms of public transportation. These vehicles are often overcrowded and poorly maintained, lack common safety features, including seatbelts, and are frequently involved in accidents.

Drivers in Armenia frequently ignore traffic laws, making roadways unsafe for unsuspecting travelers. Those driving in towns at night should be especially cautious. Pedestrians often fail to take safety precautions, and often cross unlighted streets in the middle of the block while wearing dark clothing. “Road rage” is becoming a serious problem on Armenian streets and highways. To reduce your risk of being a victim of aggression, yield to aggressive drivers. Though crime along roadways is rare, the police sometimes seek bribes during traffic stops and sometimes harass drivers using U.S. or international driver’s licenses.

We recommend that U.S. citizens not travel at night due to poor road conditions. Winter travel can also be extremely hazardous, especially in mountain areas and higher elevations. Areas near the line of contact with Azerbaijan remain potentially dangerous. In August 2014, due to increased tension in the security situation along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the Tavush Province, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan advised U.S. citizens to avoid travel to this border area. Villages and their connecting border roads in this area include, but are not limited to: Vazashen, Varagavan, Paravakar, Aygepar, Azatamut, and Barekamavan.

On weekends, the number of intoxicated drivers on Armenian roads increases. Be extra careful on the main highway from Yerevan to the resort areas of Tsaghkadzor and Sevan. Traffic police will attempt to stop individuals driving erratically and dangerously, but the police presence outside of Yerevan is limited.

With the exception of a few major arteries, primary roads are frequently in poor repair with sporadic stretches of missing pavement and large potholes. Some roads shown as primary roads on maps are unpaved and can narrow to one lane in width, while some newer road connections have not yet been marked on recently produced maps. Secondary roads are normally in poor condition and are often unpaved and washed out in certain areas. Signage is poor to nonexistent. Truck traffic is heavy on the main roads linking Yerevan to Iran and Georgia. Police and emergency medical services may take considerable time to reach remote regions.

The quality of gasoline in Armenia ranges from good at some of the more reliable stations in cities to very poor. The gasoline and other fuels sold out of jars, barrels, and trucks by independent roadside merchants should be considered unreliable.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit Armenia’s national tourist office website .

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Armenia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Armenia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Separatists, with Armenia’s support, continue to control most of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other Azerbaijani territories. The final status of Nagorno-Karabakh remains the subject of international mediation by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, co-chaired by Russia, France, and the United States, and a cease-fire has been in effect since 1994. Be extremely cautious near the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian positions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, as intermittent gunfire continues, often resulting in injuries and deaths. Because of the existing state of hostilities, consular services are not available to U.S. citizens in Nagorno-Karabakh or the surrounding territories. Please consult the Country-Specific Information sheet for Azerbaijan for supplemental information.

Armenia has land borders with Turkey, Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.The borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan remain closed and continue to be patrolled by armed troops and/or border guards who stop all people attempting to cross. Although de-mining operations have been largely completed, isolated land mines remain in some areas in and near the conflict zones with Azerbaijan including Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories and the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Traveling to the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories via Armenia without the consent of the Government of Azerbaijan could make you ineligible to travel to Azerbaijan in the future.   

Political rallies in the aftermath of the 2008 presidential elections turned violent, as clashes between government security forces and opposition demonstrators resulted in dozens of casualties and 10 fatalities. In the fall of 2014 and early 2015, increased violence against civic and political activists resulted in detentions and injuries. Visitors should be mindful that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful could turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. Information regarding demonstrations that have been brought to the attention of the U.S. Embassy can be found on the Messages for U.S. Citizens section of the Embassy website.

Armenia is an earthquake- and landslide-prone country. A Soviet-era nuclear power plant is located in Metsamor, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Yerevan.

• To stay connected:
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Armenia on Twitter and visit the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before travel to consider your personal security. Here are some useful tips in our Traveler’s Checklist.

CRIME: Crime against foreigners is rare in Armenia. Break-ins, particularly of vehicles, and theft are the most common crimes.  The overall incidence of violent crime remains lower than in most U.S. cities, however one should still exercise caution. Several U.S. investors have reported involvement in property ownership disputes, and have had to seek legal recourse through long, and often unsuccessful, court proceedings.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport;
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape;
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities and, if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Armenia is also 911. Additionally, one can dial 101 for fire, 102 for police, 103 for medical emergencies, and 104 for gas leaks.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.