Alaverdi is about 170 km north of Yerevan by road, a journey of roughly three hours by marshrutka (shared minivan). Marshrutkas depart from Yerevan's Kilikia bus terminal several times a day and go via Vanadzor before descending into the Debed Gorge. The overnight Yerevan–Tbilisi train also stops at Alaverdi, which is the most convenient option if you are arriving from Tbilisi — the Georgian capital is about 100 km north.
From Alaverdi, local taxis and occasional marshrutkas reach the nearby villages and monasteries. For Haghpat, a taxi is the easiest option; for Sanahin Monastery, it is a walkable climb from the Sanahin Bridge.