The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Yerevan, Armenia
When you go on a trip to a new place, it might be a good idea to rent a car. This will give you the freedom to travel throughout the country as you please without having to worry about the availability of transportation. Armenia is no exception to this rule, and there are plenty of companies that will allow you to rent cars during your stay in Armenia.
In order to rent a car, remember that you need to have a valid driver’s license, a valid ID (passports are the main form of ID in Armenia), and a credit card. The general age that you are allowed to start renting cars in Armenia is around 21 or 22 depending on the company.
In this article, we will go through everything you need to know about renting a car in Armenia, as well as some of the companies we recommend and some rules about driving that are important to know.
Price of Rental Cars in Armenia | Car Rental Rates
The prices of rental cars will greatly vary depending on the company, brand, and what kind of car you choose. It is important that you check out this information directly on the site you plan on renting a car from. However, here we will give you some general rates to keep in mind.
Generally, the newer and larger the car, the more it will cost to rent it per day. Also, if you intend on renting the car for more than a few days, you will get a discount. You can also ask many car companies about their packages if you’re going to be in Armenia for more than a month.
These are some of the average rates for renting a car for one day.
Small cars: $20/day
Medium cars: $25/day
Large cars: $30/day
SUVs: $40/day
Vans: $45/day
Luxury cars: $80/day
This does not include the price of gas.
List of Car Rentals in Armenia
Sixt Rent a Car
Sixt was brought to Armenia in 2007 and quickly became one of the main rental companies in the country. The company offers a wide range of vehicles that are up-to-date and perfect for any adventures you want to go on. There is an office located right at the airport for your convenience, as well as an office on Northern Avenue. The company also offers extras such as GPS, child seats, and more packages.
Hertz Car Rental
Hertz is a global leader in car rentals and has been operating in Armenia since 2000. Since it has a good reputation in over 147 countries around the world, it’s safe to say that you will be getting a great deal and service with a rented car. The company claims to have the largest selection of rented cars in Armenia, as well as competitive prices, 24/7 roadside assistance, an easy-to-book system, and more options to enhance your experience.
Europcar
You may also choose to rent a car through Europcar, which was founded in 1949. It operates in many countries across the world, including in Armenia. The company has also introduced many deals for people travelling to Armenia, such as cross border, hiring a driver, travel in the winter, and you will be able to find some of the brand’s partners on their site.
Caravan
Caravan offers a large range of different vehicles that you can choose from to rent during your stay in Armenia. You will be able to use them in Armenia, Georgia, and Artsakh. The brand is currently running a promotion for any cars rented until April 24th. The company also offers more services that will give you a more enjoyable stay in Armenia.
Naniko Rent a Car
Naniko had many branches in Georgia and has finally opened its branch in Armenia. It claims to provide rental cars for the cheapest prices in Armenia. It was founded in 2007 for people travelling or living in Armenia and Georgia. You can also travel to Georgia using the car you rented. The company will provide you with an easy booking system, as well as plenty of deals to provide you with nice experience.
FreeWay
This company claims to offer a huge variety of cars in Armenia at affordable prices. You will be able to choose the exact times and dates for your car rental right on the home page. The site offers 24/7 customer support and you can have the car delivered right to the Yerevan or Tbilisi airports. You can also get your car during non-working hours or holidays.
Rent Motors
Rent Motors is another great option for you to choose from. It mainly operates in Russia and the surrounding countries, and it also has an office in Armenia. You will be able to have the car delivered right at the airport when you arrive for your convenience. The company makes it easy to rent a car and you will be able to choose from additional features, such as car seats and a GPS.
Enterprise
We end our list with perhaps one of the most popular car rental companies in the world. Enterprise is known for its wide range of cars and excellent customer service. The company offers unlimited mileage, car seats for children, insurance, WiFi, GPS, and more as additional services. You will be able to travel to Artsakh for free and to Georgia for an additional cost.
Good to Know Before Renting a Car in Armenia
Watch out for sheep and cows! Something unique about villages in Armenia is that you are most likely going to run into herds of sheep or cows coming to or from their pasture. It’s important to stop and wait until they all have passed.
Avoid speed traps. On many streets in Armenia, you will find speed traps in the form of cameras hanging on poles. There are generally signs indicating that a speed camera is nearby. However, the best way to avoid these traps is to follow the speed limit, regardless of what those driving around you are doing. You might also come across speed bumps.
Think ahead about fueling up. Some companies offer pre-paid fuel plans that you might want to look into. However, it might be difficult for you to come across gas stations in Armenia, especially if you plan on travelling to remote villages. So, you’ll always want to fuel up in the city and make sure that you have cash with you because many Armenian gas stations won’t accept credit cards.
Before renting a car, check if you have mileage limits. Some companies impose mileage limits on their vehicles, so it’s important to talk to the company about this before you plan to go on long road trips. But a good thing about most Armenian rental companies is that they offer you unlimited mileage.
It’s better to hire an SUV for the Armenian roads. If you aren’t prepared for the unpaved roads that many rural areas in Armenia have, you might find driving to be a bit of a challenge. In addition, many roads in the cities have potholes, so it’s important to be aware of those. So, most Armenians choose SUVs- often referred to colloquially as Nivas- to tackle these roads.
If you are in an accident, DON’T move your car! If you’re unfortunately involved in an accident, the first thing to do is not panic. Then, you should not move your car and contact the rental company state away. It seems that if you move the car before the police arrive, the accident is automatically deemed to be your fault. We hope that you never are in this situation, but your rental company will give you emergency phone numbers ahead of time.
Driving in Armenia | Armenian Driving Etiquette
Police and speed limits: Armenia has rather standard speed limits, which are 60 km/hr in the cities and villages, 90 km/hr outside of the cities, 110 km/hr on the highways, and 20 km/hr in residential areas. Police are generally everywhere monitoring the roads, so it’s important that you always make sure to follow the speed limits and other road rules as best as possible. It can be scary if you get pulled over by the police, especially if you’re in a country that’s unfamiliar for you, but it’s important to remember to stay calm.
Alcohol and mobile phone: It is strictly forbidden to drive while drunk or with a mobile phone in your hand. The admissible blood alcohol level in Armenia is 0.0%. You do not want to be caught driving drunk, especially due to the hefty fine. And do not drive with your phone in your hand, either.
Crossing borders with a rental car: Many car companies in Armenia have made deals with Georgia and Artsakh for their rental cars, so you may be able to travel to either place in your rented car. You will want to double-check with the company to see their rules about this.
Parking in Yerevan: Some rental companies will include the price of parking in their agreements. There are some places where you will be able to park for free, but there are signs on the sides of the roads indicating how much needs to be paid; it’s generally around 200 AMD. If you want to park in a tourist location, you might have to pay a little more. Another thing is that parallel parking is quite common in Armenia.
Side of the road: Armenians drive on the right side of the road.
Watch out: People generally see that Armenians like to drive recklessly. You’ll often find that people aren’t entirely staying in their lanes or that they’re whizzing by you at speeds over 120 km/hr. You should always keep an eye out for such drivers and make sure to follow the rules of the road.