If you’re looking to visit Armenia‘s gorgeous second city, the easiest way is to travel from Yerevan to Gyumri as there are several options including train, minibus and taxi. Gyumri is just 125 km (75 miles) from Yerevan so it’s an incredibly easy trip to make.
Quick Takeaway: There are five ways to get from Yerevan to Gyumri; train, marshrutka (bus), taxi, tour or rent a car. The journey time is two to three hours and the cheapest option is to take the train which costs just 1200 drams ($3.00).
I took the train to Gyumri earlier this year and returned by shared taxi. Both journeys were hassle-free and the scenery along the route was fantastic (it was winter so lots of snowy, mountainous landscapes).
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Take the Yerevan to Gyumri Train
The cheapest way to get from Yerevan to Gyumri is to take the train. There are three daily trains and the journey takes just over three hours. On weekends there is a special fast train that takes just 2 hours.
I took the Yerevan Gyumri train when I visited earlier this year and the train was basic, but not too uncomfortable. The views were impressive, but the train is very slow as it takes over three hours to cover a distance of just 125 km (75 miles).
Yerevan Gyumri Train Timetable
| Train Number | Departs Yerevan | Arrives Gyumri | Duration | Cost |
| 684 | 07:55 | 11:03 | 3h8m | 1400 ($3.50) |
| 686 | 14:25 | 17:30 | 3h5m | 1400 ($3.50) |
| 682 | 18:25 | 21:46 | 3h21m | 1200 ($3.00) |
| 100* | 09:15 | 11:25 | 2h10m | 2500 ($6.25) |
Times and prices from the Armenian Railways website November 2023
Buying Tickets
You can only buy tickets at the station in Yerevan as currently there is no option to do this online. I booked my tickets on the same day of travel, however if you can, it’s always best to buy a day or two in advance, especially in summer.
Getting to Yerevan Railway Station
Address: Central Railway Station, Sasuntsi Davit Square, Yerevan
Yerevan Railway Station is 3 km (1.86 miles) south of the city center. A taxi from the center will cost 2,000 drams ($5) if flagged down in the street, and around 1,500 if using the GG or Yandex app.
There is a ticket office where you can buy your ticket and a few cafes and kiosks selling drinks and snacks at the station, as well as a nearby supermarket.
Getting from Gyumri Railway Station to the City Center
Address: Central Railway Station, Tigran Mets Avenue, Gyumri
Gyumri Railway Station is just over a kilometer to the east of the city center and is easily walkable. Keep an eye out for the murals on the way into town which honor fallen soldiers who perished in the conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh.
It took me less than 30 minutes to walk from the station into town, and a taxi will take 5 minutes and cost under 1,000 drams ($2.50).
Yerevan to Gyumri Bus (Marshrutka)
There are daily marshrutkas (minibusses) that leave from both Yerevan Central Railway Station and Kilikia Bus Station. The journey time is around 2 to 2.5 hours and tickets cost 1,500 drams ($3.75).
You can only buy tickets directly from the driver (usually you pay at the end) and the vans leave when full, so it’s best to set off early to ensure a place.
Taking the bus is quicker than the train but costs about the same (save for the special Express train on weekends). It’s a relatively short journey (Yerevan to Tbilisi is 6 hours and I’ve done that many times by marshrutka), so a perfectly good way to travel.
Taxi from Yerevan to Gyumri
I’ve just checked on the GG app, and a taxi from my apartment in the center of Yerevan to Gyumri is showing up at 13,000 drams ($32.50) which is pretty reasonable. The journey by car takes around two hours, so it’s quicker than the train.
If you take a taxi from the street it’s going to cost more, but you can also try and find a shared taxi to split the cost if you are traveling alone. The best place to do this would be at the railway station or Kilikia Bus Station.
When I returned from Gyumri to Yerevan, I took a shared taxi back (three people were already waiting and looking for one more passenger) and I paid 3,000 drams ($7.50). The journey took about two hours and twenty minutes.
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Take a Tour from Yerevan to Gyumri
One of the most hassle-free ways to get from Yerevan to Gyumri is to take a day trip in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Below is one of the best options to choose from:
Gyumri City and Harichavank Day Trip
This 11-hour day trip departs from central Yerevan and includes visits to the Black Fortress (one of my favorite places in Gyumri), the Museum of National Architecture, and the impressive Harichavank Monastery. Click here to check availability.
Driving from Yerevan to Gyumri
If you want the ultimate freedom to explore Gyumri and the surrounding area at your leisure, then renting a car and driving from Yerevan is an excellent option.
The drive should take around two hours and you’ll pass through some spectacular mountain scenery along the way. Simply take the Ashtarak Highway (M1) all the way from Yerevan to Gyumri.
If you need to rent a vehicle while in Armenia, our partners at Discover Cars have options available from the airport and downtown. Click here to get the details.
Where to Stay in Gyumri
Budget: The Loft Hostel is an excellent option for backpackers and offers dorms and private rooms in the center of town. Each room has its own bathroom, there’s a shared kitchen, and WiFi throughout. Click here to find out more.
Mi-range: I stayed at the 4-star Parvana Hotel next to Gyumri’s Shirak International Airport. The hotel was comfortable enough, with an onsite restaurant, and Wi-Fi, though it was 4km from the city center. click here for more info.
Luxury: Grand Hotel Gyumri by Apricot offers 5-star accommodation in the heart of the city. There’s a terrace and bar, and all rooms come with an en-suite bathroom, cable TV, and staff speak Russian and English. Click here to find out more.
Things to do in Gyumri
- See the Black Fortress
- Visit Gyumri Cathedral
- Stroll through the bazaar
- See the Mother Armenia statue
- Enjoy a coffee in a streetside cafe
FAQS
There are three daily train services from Yerevan to Gyumri that take three hours, and an extra express service on weekends that takes two hours.
It takes just over three hours to get from Yerevan to Gyumri by regular train, and two hours by the fast train that runs on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets for the Yerevan to Gyumri train start at 1200 drams ($3,00) for the slow train and 2500 drams ($6.25) for the fat train.
Driving or taking a (shared) taxi is the quickest way to get from Yerevan to Gyumri, with a journey time of around two hours.
The train is the cheapest way to get from Yerevan to Gyumri with prices starting at just 1200 drams ($3.00).
Conclusion
Now you know the best ways to get from Yerevan to Gyumri using a variety of transport methods. I made this trip by both train and shared taxi and found getting there and back a piece of cake.
Whether you want to adventure off on your own using local transport or opt for something easier like a taxi or tour, Gyumri is very easy to get to from Yerevan and is definitely worth checking out on your trip to Armenia.
Check out my other guides to Armenia:
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲