GG Taxi: how to use Armenia's ride-hailing app
The taxi situation in Armenia: what to know first
If you land in Yerevan having heard that there is no Uber here, you may wonder how to get around without overpaying. The answer is GG Taxi — a locally-developed ride-hailing app that dominates the Yerevan market and is used daily by residents, expats, and savvy tourists.
Download it before you land. It will be one of the most-used apps on your phone for the entire trip.
What is GG Taxi?
GG Taxi (also written GG or sometimes referred to by locals as “GG-n”) is an Armenian ride-hailing platform similar in function to Uber or Bolt. You open the app, enter your destination, see an upfront price, and a nearby driver accepts and arrives within 3–8 minutes in normal conditions.
The app was developed locally and is the market leader in Armenia. It operates primarily in Yerevan; outside the capital, street taxis are the norm.
Yandex Go (formerly Yandex Taxi) is the main alternative and operates on the same model. Both apps are worth having installed.
How to download and set up GG Taxi
Step 1: Download the app
- iOS: Search “GG Taxi” in the App Store. The developer is GG Group.
- Android: Search “GG Taxi” in Google Play.
The app is free to download.
Step 2: Register
Open the app and enter your phone number. You will receive an SMS verification code. If your home number does not receive Armenian SMS codes, you can register with a local Armenian SIM or use the number of a friend or accommodation who can forward the code.
Workaround if registration is difficult: Some travellers set up GG Taxi while at the airport using the free Zvartnots Wi-Fi and a WhatsApp number for verification. If you have trouble, Yandex Go often registers more easily with international numbers.
Step 3: Enter your destination
The app interface is nominally in Armenian but switches to a workable English version (or Russian, which many visitors in the Caucasus use). The main screen has a search bar for your destination — type in English and the app recognises major Yerevan landmarks, hotel names, and street addresses.
Step 4: See the price and confirm
Before you book, the app shows the estimated fare. This is the price you pay — no surprises, no negotiation. Confirm by pressing the booking button.
Step 5: Track and meet your driver
The app shows the driver’s name, car model, licence plate, and real-time location. When the driver arrives, confirm the plate number before getting in.
Typical fares in Yerevan
At April 2026 rates (~410 AMD per EUR):
| Journey | Approximate fare (AMD) | Approximate fare (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Zvartnots airport → city centre | 4,000–5,000 | ~10–12 |
| Republic Square → Cascade Complex | 500–700 | ~1.20–1.70 |
| Republic Square → Kilikia bus station | 1,200–1,800 | ~3–4.5 |
| Yerevan centre → Matenadaran | 600–800 | ~1.50–2 |
| Yerevan centre → Erebuni museum | 1,000–1,500 | ~2.50–3.70 |
| Yerevan centre → Tsitsernakaberd | 1,500–2,000 | ~3.70–5 |
Prices fluctuate slightly with surge pricing at busy times (Thursday and Friday nights, major events). GG Taxi’s surge pricing is milder than Uber’s.
Comparison with street taxis: An unmetered street taxi from the airport typically quotes 8,000–12,000 AMD to tourists who do not negotiate. GG Taxi for the same journey costs 4,000–5,000 AMD. The app eliminates the need for any price negotiation.
GG Taxi outside Yerevan
GG Taxi’s coverage is concentrated in Yerevan. In cities like Gyumri and Vanadzor, the app has limited driver availability. In smaller towns and village areas, it does not operate.
Outside Yerevan, your options are:
- Negotiate directly with local taxi drivers (they are not metered; agree the price upfront).
- Arrange transport through your hotel or guesthouse.
- Use a marshrutka for intercity routes.
- For day trips from Yerevan to monasteries, a pre-arranged private tour often makes more sense than a GG Taxi — the driver cannot usually wait for you.
GG Taxi for day trips: does it work?
For very short distances from Yerevan (Etchmiadzin, 25 km; Khor Virap, 35 km), GG Taxi drivers will sometimes agree to take you on a “waiting” basis — you pay an hourly or agreed total sum and they wait at the site while you explore. Ask in the app chat or when the driver arrives, and agree the total price before leaving central Yerevan.
This is cheaper than a private tour for a single site but less convenient than having an English-speaking guide with you. For Khor Virap or Etchmiadzin alone, a GG Taxi with a waiting driver works well. For multi-stop day trips (Khor Virap + Noravank + Areni in one day), a private guided tour is more practical.
Yandex Go: the backup option
Yandex Go (formerly Yandex Taxi) operates in Yerevan alongside GG Taxi. Coverage is similar but driver density is slightly lower. The interface is often easier to use in English for some travellers.
Download both apps and use whichever one gets you a car faster in any given moment.
Navigating Yerevan with GG Taxi: practical area guide
Yerevan’s layout is largely concentric — the centre (Kentron) radiates outward from Republic Square and the Cascade Complex. GG Taxi makes this easy because you type a destination and the app handles routing. But knowing the rough cost and time for key journeys helps you budget and plan:
Northern Avenue and Republic Square: The pedestrianised heart of the city, where most tourists spend their evenings. Walking is the best option here — GG Taxi pickups can be slow in this dense area during evening hours.
Cascade Complex: A 10-minute walk uphill from Republic Square or a 3-minute, 500–700 AMD GG Taxi ride. The Cascade is free to enter; the terrace garden at the top gives the best panoramic views of Yerevan with Ararat behind.
Matenadaran (Institute of Ancient Manuscripts): About 1 km north of Republic Square, 600–800 AMD by GG Taxi. The collection of illuminated Armenian manuscripts — some from the 5th century — is extraordinary. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Tsitsernakaberd (Genocide Memorial): About 3 km west of the centre. A 1,500–2,000 AMD GG Taxi ride. Allow 2 hours; the memorial museum is one of the most moving places in the country. See the Tsitsernakaberd guide.
Erebuni Museum and Fortress: About 8 km southeast. 1,000–1,500 AMD. Erebuni was an 8th-century BCE Urartian fortress — the founding settlement that gave Yerevan its name. Compact visit, 1–1.5 hours.
Vernissage flea market: Open weekends, near the Opera House. 700–900 AMD from Republic Square. Excellent for khachkar reproductions, Armenian ceramics, old coins, and Soviet memorabilia. The tourist trap caveat applies to Ararat cognac fakes here — buy cognac at proper retailers instead.
Kilikia bus terminal (for marshrutka connections): About 4 km south of centre. 1,200–1,800 AMD. This is your departure point for all intercity marshrutkas — see the marshrutka guide.
Safety and practical notes
Is it safe to use GG Taxi? Yes. The app records driver details and your ride, which creates accountability. Yerevan is a safe city for visitors, and the ride-hailing model adds an extra layer of security vs. anonymous street taxis.
Payment: GG Taxi accepts both in-app card payment and cash. If you prefer to pay with the card already on file in the app, select card before confirming. Cash is also accepted on arrival.
Language: Drivers generally speak Armenian and Russian; some speak basic English. For short rides in Yerevan, the app does the communicating for you. For longer journeys or special requests, Google Translate is sufficient.
Night travel: GG Taxi operates 24 hours. Late-night availability in Yerevan is good. The airport transfer guide covers late-night airport arrivals in detail.
Tipping: Not expected or common via the app. A small cash tip (200–500 AMD) for good service is appreciated but entirely optional.
Common mistakes with GG Taxi and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Not having the app before landing If you land at Zvartnots and need a taxi but have not downloaded GG Taxi, you are back to negotiating with unmetered drivers outside arrivals — the main tourist-trap scenario at Armenian airports. Download the app before your flight boards, while on your home Wi-Fi. The account creation takes 5 minutes.
Mistake 2: Accepting the first street offer for the airport run Drivers outside Zvartnots arrivals may approach you immediately and quote 10,000–15,000 AMD for a city-centre ride. The correct GG Taxi price for this route is 4,000–5,000 AMD. This is the starkest example of why the app matters at arrival.
Mistake 3: Trying to use GG Taxi for a monastery day trip without discussing it first Drivers accept journeys within Yerevan without question. For a 40-km+ trip to Khor Virap or Etchmiadzin, you need to use the app’s destination field correctly and check whether the driver is willing to wait. Some drivers accept waiting trips; the app’s chat function lets you clarify before confirming.
Mistake 4: Waiting outside in the wrong spot When you request a GG Taxi, the driver’s map pin shows their location — but they may not always come to the exact front door. In busy areas (near Republic Square, Northern Avenue), walk toward the driver’s pin rather than waiting at a single spot. The in-app chat (use Google Translate) is your best communication tool.
Mistake 5: Using GG Taxi outside Yerevan and being surprised by no coverage The app’s coverage falls off quickly outside the capital. In Gyumri, Dilijan, and Goris, availability is thin. For transport in these cities, ask your hotel or guesthouse to call a local taxi, or negotiate directly in the town centre.
Getting around: the full picture
For your Armenia trip, GG Taxi handles Yerevan transport; marshrutkas handle intercity routes; the train handles Gyumri and Tbilisi. Renting a car handles the monasteries you cannot reach any other way. Getting connected — via an eSIM — is what ties it all together.
Pre-book your first Yerevan transfer from the airport
For groups of four or more, a pre-booked airport transfer can cost the same as or less than a GG Taxi and avoids the wait for an available vehicle with luggage space.
Frequently asked questions about GG Taxi and transport in Armenia
Is there Uber in Armenia?
No. Uber does not operate in Armenia. Use GG Taxi or Yandex Go — they operate on the same model and are available throughout Yerevan.
How do I pay for GG Taxi?
You can register a credit or debit card in the app for in-app payment, or pay cash to the driver at the end of the journey. Both options are standard. AMD cash is the default; the app handles currency display in AMD.
Does GG Taxi work at Zvartnots airport?
Yes. Connect to the free airport Wi-Fi in arrivals and open the app. Set your pickup to the airport and your destination to your hotel. The driver will typically arrive within 5–10 minutes and show up in the arrivals drop-off area. Expect 4,000–5,000 AMD to central Yerevan.
What do I do if the GG Taxi app does not work in my country?
Some users report download or registration issues from certain countries. The alternative is Yandex Go, which has fewer geographic restrictions and works with international phone numbers more reliably. Download both before arriving.
Can I use GG Taxi to get to Garni or Khor Virap?
Yes, but confirm a waiting fee with the driver before departing Yerevan. Garni is about 28 km from Yerevan centre (35–45 minutes drive); a waiting trip typically runs 5,000–10,000 AMD total including waiting time, though drivers and prices vary. For more complex day trips, a private tour from GYG is usually more organised.
Are metered taxis available in Armenia?
Very few taxis in Armenia use meters. Most taxis — whether hailed on the street or called by phone — operate on a negotiated flat rate. Always agree the price before getting in. GG Taxi eliminates this negotiation entirely.
How reliable is GG Taxi at night?
Very reliable in central Yerevan. At 02:00 on a Friday night, you may wait 5–8 minutes rather than 3 — but availability is generally good. In more outlying Yerevan neighbourhoods, late-night availability can be thinner.