Armenia's train network: routes & schedules

· Last updated 2026-04-27

Armenia by rail: limited but underrated

Armenia’s railway network is not the Swiss Federal Railways. The country has roughly 700 km of operational track — a fraction of what existed in the Soviet era — and services are sparse. But for the routes that do operate, trains offer something that marshrutkas cannot: a seat you booked in advance, a predictable departure time, and in the case of the Yerevan–Tbilisi night train, the civilised option of sleeping your way between two capitals.

If you are planning to visit Gyumri, go by train. If you are crossing to Tbilisi by land, consider the night train before booking a shared marshrutka. These are the two strongest cases for Armenian rail travel.

The railway operator

Armenian trains are operated by South Caucasus Railway (SCR, subsidiary of Russian Railways / RZhD). The headquarters and main ticketing office are at Yerevan’s central station on Admiral Isakov Avenue.

Booking tickets:

• In person at Yerevan Central Station (Admiral Isakov Avenue), open daily.
• Online via the SCR website (southcaucasus-railway.am) — interface available in Russian and Armenian; English is limited but manageable with a browser translator.
• For the Tbilisi night train, book well in advance in summer (July–August seats sell out).

Tickets are issued in AMD for domestic routes and in both AMD and USD/EUR for the international Tbilisi train. Have your passport for ticket purchase.

Route 1: Yerevan to Gyumri (the recommended route)

Distance: 120 km
Journey time: approximately 3 hours
Frequency: 2–3 trains daily
Approximate fare: 1,500–2,500 AMD (second class)
Departure point: Yerevan Central Station

This is the most useful domestic train route in Armenia and is genuinely recommended over the marshrutka for visiting Gyumri. The train is slower than a car (2 hours by road), but it is comfortable, arrives at a central station in Gyumri close to the historic quarter, and does not require you to navigate marshrutka terminals at both ends.

Gyumri, Armenia’s second city and cultural capital, deserves a full day visit. The Gyumri day trip guide covers what to see and how to structure the day around train times.

Why prefer the train to the marshrutka on this route?

• Gyumri’s marshrutka station is outside the centre; the train station is walkable to the main sights.
• Departure is on a fixed schedule — you know exactly when you will leave.
• Carriages are more spacious than a minibus for a 3-hour journey.
• The scenery through the Ararat Valley and then up through the Shirak plateau is genuinely attractive.

Route 2: Yerevan to Tbilisi — the night train

Distance: approximately 500 km (rail route via Gyumri and north)
Journey time: approximately 10 hours
Frequency: alternate days (check current schedule — runs 3–4 times per week in summer, less in winter)
Departure: Yerevan approximately 21:30
Arrival Tbilisi: approximately 07:30
Approximate fare: 10,000–20,000 AMD depending on class (economy seat or sleeping berth)
Departure point: Yerevan Central Station

The Yerevan–Tbilisi night train is one of the great small adventures of Caucasus travel. You board in Yerevan in the evening, wake up as the train rolls into Tbilisi in the morning, and skip both the 6-hour road journey and a night’s accommodation. In sleeping berths (kupe class), the compartments hold four berths and are clean if not plush.

Practical notes:

• Bring food and water — the dining car is rudimentary at best.
• The border crossing at Bagratashen/Sadakhlo happens in the early hours; border guards board the train and stamp passports while you are barely awake.
• Book well in advance in summer — this train is popular with travellers who have discovered the Caucasus.
• The route via Gyumri adds interest: you pass through the Shirak plateau at night, crossing into Georgia through the Debed Valley.

The Yerevan to Tbilisi overland guide compares the night train against marshrutka and private transfer in detail, including costs for 2026.

Route 3: Yerevan to Lake Sevan — summer commuter

Distance: 65 km
Journey time: approximately 1h 30min
Frequency: summer only (approximately June–September), weekends primarily
Approximate fare: 500–700 AMD
Departure point: Yerevan Central Station

A summer-only commuter service runs from Yerevan towards Lake Sevan, popular with local families heading to the lake for weekend swimming. It is slower and less frequent than the marshrutka (which takes about 1h 15min and departs more frequently from Kilikia), but it has its charm as a leisurely lake excursion.

For independent travellers, the Lake Sevan complete guide recommends the marshrutka for most visitors due to frequency and flexibility.

Yerevan Central Station

Yerevan’s main railway station sits on Admiral Isakov Avenue, about 3 km south of Republic Square. It is a grand Soviet-era building worth seeing in its own right — the marble halls and high ceilings are impressive, though the services have quietened significantly since the 1980s.

Getting to the station: GG Taxi from the centre costs 1,500–2,000 AMD. The Zoravar Andranik metro station is a 15-minute walk away.

Routes that no longer operate

Several former routes are currently suspended or only partially operational:

• Yerevan to Yeraskh (Ararat region) — suspended.
• The Iranian border line — not operational for passengers.
• Yerevan to Sevan via Abovyan — frequency has been reduced to summer weekends only.

The once-active routes to Kapan in Syunik and to the Lake Sevan northern shore are not currently operational for passengers. This means that for destinations like Goris, Tatev, Jermuk, and Dilijan, marshrutkas or private transport remain the only options.

Train vs other transport: quick comparison

Booking tips and what to bring

Buying tickets at Yerevan Central Station

The ticketing hall at Yerevan Central Station is open daily from early morning. Staff speak Russian and Armenian; English is limited but point-and-show communication with a printed destination name works. Bring your passport. Tickets for the Yerevan–Gyumri domestic route are inexpensive and rarely sell out — you can buy them the same day. For the Tbilisi night train in summer, book at least one to two weeks ahead.

The station also has a small information booth and a left-luggage office (useful if you have a later train and want to explore Yerevan without your bags).

What to bring on the train

Yerevan–Gyumri: A window seat on the right side (departing from Yerevan) gives the best views toward Mount Ararat in clear weather. Bring a snack and water; the onboard refreshment cart is basic. The journey is pleasant and does not require any special preparation.

Yerevan–Tbilisi night train:

• Bedding is usually provided in kupe class (a thin blanket and pillow).
• Bring food — vendors at Yerevan station sell fresh fruit, cheese bread, and drinks.
• Earplugs and a light sleep mask help in the open platzkart carriages.
• Keep your passport accessible — border guards board the train in the early morning for document checks.
• Download offline maps of Tbilisi before boarding; you will arrive early morning in an unfamiliar city.
• Charge devices before boarding; charging sockets exist in some compartments but are not always functional.

History of Armenian railways

Armenia’s railway was built during the Soviet era as part of the Transcaucasian network, connecting Yerevan to Tbilisi, Baku, and further into the Soviet Union. At its peak, the network carried passengers across the entire South Caucasus region.

Since 1991, several factors have fragmented the network: the closure of the Armenian–Azerbaijani border removed the route to Baku, conflict disrupted the Abkhazia line connecting to Russia via Georgia, and the Meghri line to Iran remains non-operational for passengers. What remains is a useful core — and South Caucasus Railway has made modest investments in rolling stock in recent years.

The Yerevan–Gyumri route retains its viability partly because the road journey is not dramatically faster, and the train deposits you in a convenient central location. The Tbilisi night train survives because the alternative — a 6-hour marshrutka — is less comfortable.

Combining rail and other transport for the best itinerary

The most effective approach to Armenian transport combines modes:

• Train for Gyumri and Tbilisi.
• Marshrutka for Dilijan, Lake Sevan, Goris, and other intercity routes without a train.
• GG Taxi for Yerevan city trips and airport connections.
• Rental car or private tour for monasteries off the marshrutka network (Tatev, Haghpat, Geghard).

This combined approach is covered in the getting around Armenia by marshrutka guide, GG Taxi guide, and car rental guide.

Frequently asked questions about Armenian trains

How do I buy a ticket for the Tbilisi night train?

Tickets are sold at Yerevan Central Station in person or online via southcaucasus-railway.am. For summer travel, book 2–4 weeks ahead. Bring your passport — it is required for international ticket purchase. Tickets can be bought in AMD or sometimes USD.

Is there a dining car on the Tbilisi night train?

Technically yes; in practice, the dining car on this route is minimally stocked. Bring your own food and drinks. There are vendors at Yerevan station before departure.

What class should I book on the Tbilisi night train?

Kupe (second-class sleeping compartment with 4 berths) is the most popular choice — enclosed, reasonably private, comfortable for an overnight. Platzkart (open carriage with 54 berths) is cheaper but noisier. First-class (single or double compartment) exists on some services but is not always available.

Is the Yerevan–Gyumri train scenic?

Yes, particularly the second half as you climb onto the Shirak plateau. The Ararat Valley section in good weather offers views toward Mount Ararat. Autumn and spring are the most beautiful times for this route.

Does the Gyumri train run on weekends?

There are usually 2–3 departures per day on weekdays and weekends. Check current schedules at the station or via the SCR website as timings change seasonally.

Can I travel by train from Yerevan to Dilijan or Tatev?

No — there are no passenger rail services to Dilijan, Tatev, or Syunik currently. Marshrutkas or private transport are required for these destinations.

Is the train station in Gyumri convenient for sightseeing?

Yes. Gyumri train station is in the city centre, within comfortable walking distance of the main cultural sights including the Black Fortress, Kumayri historic district, and main market. The Gyumri guide has a walking map.