All you need to know about renting a car in Armenia

Although it can be a bit daunting to rent a car in any foreign place, especially if it’s your first time in a new country, it allows you to discover hidden gems and travel according to your own schedule. It was an easy decision whether to rent a car in Armenia or not. We only had 9 days in total and travelled with my mother-in-law, so it was a brainer that a car would allow us to see more and make the trip comfortable for all of us (and much cheaper in the end).

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Should you rent a car in Armenia?

Armenia, with its diverse landscapes and rich history, is a fascinating destination to explore. Renting a car can be a great choice if you want the freedom to discover the country at your own pace. Whether you’re planning to explore ancient monasteries, and picturesque villages, or venture into the stunning Armenian countryside, having a rental car provides you with the flexibility to go off the beaten path. On top of that, buses are not that extended in Armenia. Many incredible places are only accessible by car (or part of a tour) and by public transportation, you won’t be able to see much off the tourist path.

These ladies invited us to watch the preparation of traditional bread- gata. It was just on the road, early in the morning. Thanks to having a car, we could stop and spend as much time as we wanted to observe the whole process. They were not there anymore at the time when most tours passed by.

However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons, considering factors like your travel style, destinations, and comfort level with driving in a foreign country. So keep reading to get an idea of what driving in Armenia is like common car rental scams and anything else worth knowing.

Renting a car and driving in Armenia: all you need to know

Based on our experiences, I have put together a guide with all the things you need to know and consider before renting a car and driving in Armenia (including rental agency scams that seem to be common). I hope this helps you plan better and avoid paying money unnecessarily. If you have any questions that are not answered here, you are more than welcome to drop them under the post.

Car rental insurance in Armenia

In the scenic landscapes of Armenia, navigating the roads is part of the adventure, and choosing the right car insurance is the key to a worry-free journey. I had some bad experiences in the past with renting a car and finding out that the full insurance was totally useless (again: Sicily). Nonetheless, I still believe that rental companies try to scam customers so much, that it is better to have it. Just read the fine print.

Normally, when renting a car in Armenia the basic rates already encompass essential insurance components. This includes CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), TPL (Third Party Liability), TP (Theft Protection), and PA (Personal Accident Insurance), each with its specified excess amount.

Opting for this comprehensive option means you won’t bear any financial responsibility in case of accidents or damages, providing a seamless and secure driving experience throughout your Armenian exploration. However, be very careful with full insurance and do your due diligence by documenting all damages to the car.

Top tip:

Even if you buy full insurance, make sure you take good photos and a video of the car. We had purchased the full protection insurance with a clause that any damage to the car has to be reported immediately to the company for the insurance to work.

Our car had multiple scratches and bumps upon rental pick up and those were addressed in the report written by the car rental employee. However, there were many little ones and, of course, that was simply impossible to take note of. When we returned the car, a different employee, with scrutiny, inspected the car and found a little scratch on the door. On the primary report, there was a scratch drawn but higher than the actual one. Therefore, he said that we needed to pay for it as we did not inform them when it happened. It was impossible to discuss that the scratch was already there. On top of that, he mentioned that it was damage, not a scratch. Seriously, it was nearly invisible. Luckily, I had taken a video of the full car, so we didn’t pay anything in the end.

One more thing to note here: when we picked up the car, it was parked in a very dark place, so the video I made was of bad quality and the scratch was not visible. After changing the lighting of the video by increasing exposure, he agreed that the scratch, in fact, was already there. It seems that it is another trick for car rentals to scam customers.

It was not the case that time, but another trick I fell victim to was missing a missing part from the inside of the car. I had the full insurance, which (as I learned the hard way kater) did not cover the inside of the car. The part was never there, but I had no way to prove it. So as advice to you: document the inside of the car too, like the first aid kit, spare wheel, or even the boot cover.

Do you need a 4×4 car in Armenia?

Armenia offers a mix of well-maintained highways and rougher rural roads. While most tourist destinations are accessible with a standard car, if you plan to explore remote or mountainous areas, a 4×4 car can be advantageous. It provides better traction and stability on unpaved roads, especially in regions like Tavush and Lori. Your choice of vehicle should align with your travel itinerary and the kind of experiences you seek.

Although some roads were in a bad state, we did not do any offroad driving and most places were accessible with a standard car. Besides, the insurance in Armenia does not cover offroad driving at all, as we were told.

Requirements for renting a car in Armenia

To rent a car in Armenia, you typically need to meet the following requirements:

Age: Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Young drivers under 25 may incur additional fees.
To rent a car in Armenia you will need a valid driving license for at least one year and a valid passport. The data on the driving license must be written in Latin letters.
Driver’s License: A valid driver’s license from your home country is usually acceptable. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) can be beneficial, particularly if your license is not in Armenian or Russian. It’s worth checking with the car rental agency through email before you book the car. It’s a practice we usually do to avoid any issues. EU driving license is accepted.

See also:

8 days in Armenia: a perfect road trip itinerary

Georgia 14 days itinerary with tips.

11 restaurants in Georgia worth trying

How to plan a perfect weekend in Istanbul

Best car rentals in Armenia

Searching for a car is often a time-consuming task. Honestly, for me, it is much more difficult than booking hotels. What I usually look for is a seamless booking process, reviews of companies and standards and the state of the cars they have. Surely, you won’t know what the state of the car you get until you pick it up, but you can learn a lot from the reviews of other people.

This was not our case, but having heard from others, who visited Armenia by car, the cheapest option can result in having a car that nearly falls apart and is stressful to drive (this happened to me as well in Sicily, which was a totally tedious experience). So if I had to give you one tip when choosing a rental car agency, would be this: do your research and check the reviews. Don’t fall for the cheapest option just because it is cheap as you can end up paying much more at the end.

We searched for a car using various websites (believe me, it took hours), including Discover Cars and in the end chose a medium-range car (Toyota Highlander) from Enterprise. It was a more expensive option, but the driving was amazing! You need to consider that the roads are not the best, so having a good car made our trip much easier and comfortable.

SEARCH FOR THE BEST CAR OPTIONS HERE

How is driving in Armenia

Driving in Armenia can be challenging. Truck traffic is heavy, which makes driving a bit uncomfortable. The divers go fast, even in the mountains on curvy roads. Generally, driving in Armenia is like Wide Wild West: everyone does what they please. Seeing cars driving against the traffic is not uncommon. You will also very quickly get used to creating 4 lanes of traffic on a two-lane road. We saw a lot of police cars patrolling the roads and often stopping drivers. From what I’ve heard, the police are generally kind to foreigners, but use your common sense- it’s always better to avoid being stopped by the police.

There were many trucks on the roads, and we also saw a few crashes, which I thought was quite a lot considering that we only spent 8 days in Armenia.

Tips for driving in Armenia:

The roads in Armenia are not the best. In some places, they are in good condition, especially between main cities, but quite often they are full of holes and bumps.
Road signs are typically in Armenian and Russian, and English signage may be limited, especially in rural areas. Familiarizing yourself with common road signs and basic Armenian phrases related to driving can be helpful.
Google Maps works in Armenia, but not always very accurately. Cars are not equipped with GPS systems as it is against the law, as we were told. Many cars though, have an option of connecting your own phone to the screen for navigation. The most popular app for navigation and taxi bookings is Yandex.
Armenia’s stunning mountainous terrain means that some roads wind through challenging landscapes. These roads may be narrow and winding, often with steep drops. While they offer breathtaking views, it’s crucial to drive carefully and be mindful of road conditions, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Cost of renting a car in Armenia

The cost of renting a car in Armenia will hugely depend on the size and standard of the car. Typically, the average price of a small car costs around 30€. Ours cost around 70€ per day being bigger and classified as of higher standard.

Be wary of speed cameras

There are many speed cameras across Armenia and although they are usually signaled, sometimes they can be difficult to spot. On top of that, it’s easy to get confused about what speed you should be driving as there are not that many speed signs. Stick to the national rules: 60km/hr in towns, 90 km/hr outside towns and cities, 20 km/hr in residential places, and 110 km/hr on highways.

Favourite travel resources:

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Sky Scanner for comparing and booking flights for best prices.

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Despite varying road conditions, driving in Armenia can be a rewarding way to explore the country’s beautiful landscapes and historical sites. Just be sure to prepare adequately and drive with caution to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. I cannot wait to hear your stories.