Distance from Tbilisi to Yerevan
The shortest road distance from Tbilisi to Yerevan is 272 kilometres. You can cover it:
- by minibus
- by train
- by plane
- by taxi or private transfer
- by car
Tbilisi to Yerevan by bus and minibus
The cheapest way is a marshrutka (minibus) or a small coach. The trip takes 5–6 hours including the border, and there are plenty of departures during the day.
They leave from Ortachala bus station, Station Square and Avlabari metro; some operators also pick up at Isani Mall and the House of Justice. In Yerevan they usually arrive at Kilikia bus station.
A ticket costs 40–60 lari depending on the operator. You can book a seat in advance on the Georgian site tkt.ge (in English) or buy it right at the bus station.
Good to know: occasionally drivers speed, and luggage may end up in the aisle. Drivers also sometimes carry parcels, which adds time at the border, and some may decide to drop off parcels before taking you to your stop.
In short:
Travel time: 5–6 hours, longer if the driver carries parcels.
Price: 40–60 lari.
Departure: Ortachala bus station, Station Square, Avlabari metro.
Tbilisi to Yerevan by train
The train is the slowest option, but it beats a minibus: you leave in the evening and wake up in Yerevan. It is safe and quiet, you can sleep, and border control happens on board.
The train runs every second day. From October to mid-June it leaves Tbilisi at 20:00 and arrives in Yerevan at 6:35, taking 10 hours 35 minutes. The return train leaves Yerevan at 21:00 and reaches Tbilisi around 7 am. In summer the timetable changes: the train starts in Batumi and leaves Tbilisi late in the evening. Check the exact timetable for your date when buying a ticket.
Departure: Tbilisi Central railway station (Station Square metro).
There are 3 classes: SV (2 people per compartment), coupe (4 per compartment) and platzkart (open carriage). Seats sell out, so buy in advance.
Train prices keep rising. In 2023 a ticket cost 75 to 160 lari; for winter 2026/27 it is about 113–115 lari in platzkart, around 147 lari in coupe and around 218 lari in SV. Children aged 5–10 get a discount, under-5s travel free without their own berth. Prices can change at any time, so check the booking site.
Buy tickets on the Armenian Railway website ticket.railway.am (in English) or at the ticket office on the 3rd floor of Tbilisi Central station. Avoid resellers — they sell the same berths for much more.
In short:
Travel time: about 10–10.5 hours.
Price: from about 113–115 lari in platzkart to around 218 lari in SV (winter 2026/27).
Departure: Tbilisi Central railway station.
Tbilisi to Yerevan by plane
If you want to get to Yerevan as fast as possible, fly. The flight itself takes about 40 minutes, but add the time to get to Tbilisi airport and from Yerevan airport to your hotel.
Direct flights are operated by Georgian Airways and the Armenian airline FlyOne Armenia several times a week. Prices vary a lot: on sale a one-way ticket can be around 45–80 euros, but it is usually more. Check fares directly on the airlines’ websites — Georgian Airways and FlyOne Armenia.
The only downside is the price, which is usually higher than any other option, plus taxis to and from the airports.
In short:
Travel time: about 40 minutes in the air plus getting to Tbilisi airport and from Yerevan airport to your hotel.
Price: depends heavily on the date; on sale from 45–80 euros.
Departure: Tbilisi International Airport.
Taxi or private transfer
Another convenient but pricier way is a taxi or private transfer. If you travel alone, look for travel companions to split the cost. It is a good choice with kids or if you want to get there quickly, comfortably and safely. The ride takes 5–6 hours.
You can’t just order a regular app taxi for this route — you need to arrange it in advance. The easiest way is to ask your hotel — many in Tbilisi arrange such trips, and you can ask the driver to stop at the monasteries on the way.
In short:
Travel time: 5–6 hours.
Price: per car, so you can split it with fellow travellers.
Departure: any address you choose.
From Tbilisi to Yerevan by car
Finally, the most interesting option is to rent a car. You drive at your own pace, stop whenever you like and, if you have time, plan a route past the sights.
Renting a car is easy on localrent.com. But keep in mind that not every rental company allows trips to Armenia. Mention it when booking — there is usually an extra fee for crossing the border, plus a one-way fee if you leave the car in Yerevan. Book early: in high season the choice is smaller.
At the border you need to buy Armenian car insurance — it is sold right at the checkpoint. You will need it in your own car too.
Note: you need a passport, a driving licence and driving experience (1 year for some cars, 3 years for others).
The road to the Armenian border is good, but in Armenia it gets noticeably worse. The main checkpoint is Sadakhlo – Bagratashen; the border can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. There are many sights on the way — you can’t see them all in one go, but a couple are definitely worth a stop.
What to see on the way to Yerevan
There are two routes: western (310 km) and eastern (272 km). I recommend the eastern one — it is more scenic and, most importantly, it passes the “Pearl of Armenia”, Lake Sevan.
On the eastern route you can see:
- Haghpat Monastery near the town of Alaverdi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 1990s. Founded in the 10th century, it is beautifully preserved and hides a whole complex behind its walls: a bell tower, separate churches, a book depository, tombs and other historic buildings. You can wander there for a long time and soak up Armenia’s ancient culture.
- The arched Sanahin bridge and the monastery of the same name. The medieval (12th-century) bridge has survived in its original form and is decorated with lions, symbols of protection. The monastery was Armenia’s main centre of learning, with a library, an academy, scholarly work and book copying. It is a masterpiece of ancient architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Dilijan — a picturesque town with beautiful nature and clear water. A great place for a break on the way to Yerevan and for great photos. In winter people come here for the ski resort.
- Lake Sevan — one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world. The “Pearl of Armenia” was formed by a volcanic eruption more than 250,000 years ago. The endangered Sevan trout lives in the lake, and nearby farms raise it for restaurants. You can swim here, but avoid spots where the water blooms (they are full of cyanobacteria).
- Tbilisi → Haghpat (3 hours)
- Haghpat → Sanahin (1.5 hours)
- Sanahin → Dilijan (2.5 hours)
- Dilijan → Sevan (1 hour)
- Sevan → Yerevan (1 hour)
Total time for the day: 9 hours (driving plus sightseeing).
In short:
Travel time: 5–6 hours without stops; about 9 hours on my sightseeing route.
Price: the rental plus fuel (more if you detour to the sights), a fee for driving into Armenia and, if you leave the car in Yerevan, a one-way fee. Armenian car insurance is bought at the border.
Read more:
- Best hotels in the mountains of Georgia
- Best restaurants in Tbilisi with live music and folk dances
- Best hotels in the center of Tbilisi
- How to get from Tbilisi to Batumi
Hello!
I am Victor, the founder of this site and its main, but not the only author.
Traveler and photographer. Visited more than 60 countries.
Born and raised in Batumi. I love to travel in Georgia.
More about me here.