Armenia has a network of railway lines with a length of 845 km. The railway infrastructure is neglected, rolling stock is mainly from Soviet-era. Train travel in Armenia is not the best option. Trains run rarely and reach only a few places visited by tourists. Trains are operated by South Caucasus Railway, company owned by Russian Railways.
Last update: 10.02.2024
Train travel in Armenia – current situation
There are year-round domestic trains on following routes:
Yerevan – Gyumri (ordinary trains three times a day)
Yerevan – Gyumri (express train; Friday-Saturday service)
Yerevan to Ararat & Yeraskh (ordinary train)
Timetable and prices on South Caucaus Railway’s website
Train departs Yerevan main station. Ordinary trains are served by Soviet ER2 and modern EP2D trains. Electric multiple units ER2 consist of 3-4 cars. The train has wooden bench seats or old seats and no toilet.
Express trains are served by EPD2 trains. It’s a modern electric multiple unit with air-conditioning and vacuum toilet. Ordinary trains are very cheap, but express service is quite expensive.
There is a summer train from Yerevan to Lake Sevan which runs from mid-June until the end of September. Train starts in the northern suburbs of Yerevan at the station Almast. The station is very difficult to find and better catch the train at Kanaker station. The timetable is announced shortly before the start of the summer season. Part of route along Lake Sevan is very picturesque and definitely worth a ride. Train consists just two wagons with wooden benches and no toilet. Route may be shortened to Shorza.
International trains
Due to political tensions with Turkey and Azerbaijan there is an only international train from Armenia to Georgia.
Train from Yerevan to Tbilisi runs on alternate days in each direction. It’s an overnight train From mid-June to mid-September it runs daily and continues to the Black Sea resort town of Batumi. Check schedule on South Caucaus website, because its change annually.
The train has three different classes typical for former Soviet Union trains:
platzkart – open wagon with bunks
kupe – 4-berth compartment
SV/Lux – 2-berth first class compartment
The summer overnight train from Yerevan to Batumi has refurbished carriages produced by Russian Transmasholding company in 2017. Don’t forget to bring your own food and toilet paper with you.
There were plans to restore the railway link between Georgia and Turkey via Gyumri and Kars but no agreement has been reached.
Children’s railway in Yerevan
Constructed in 1937, the children’s railway in Yerevan runs from mid-April to mid-September in the park along the Hrazdan river bank. This narrow gauge railway it’s an interesting attraction for railway enthusiasts and families with kids, althought it’s neglected. The length of the loop is approximately two kilometers. The ride takes 15 minutes.
The train runs between Hayrenik and Urakhutyun stations, stopping at one stop during his ride. The main station was built in the late 1940s but is in very poor state. Hayrenik station is marked on Google map. Beside the station stands abandoned carriages. Place with a great potential, but very neglected.
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