Armenia is small enough to visit most of the country from a single base in Yerevan, though spending a night or two in the north or south makes the trip much more relaxed.
Marshrutkas and shared taxis
Minibuses (marshrutkas) connect Yerevan with most towns and cities. They depart when full rather than on a fixed schedule, and fares are cheap — a cross-country trip rarely costs more than 2,000–3,000 AMD. Different routes depart from different stations in Yerevan; the main ones are near Kilikia and Sasuntsi David metro stations. Luggage space is limited. Bring cash — drivers don't accept cards.
For smaller villages and off-the-beaten-track sites, you'll often need to negotiate a local taxi from the nearest town, or hire a car.
Car hire
Renting a car is the most flexible way to see Armenia, and is genuinely worthwhile if you want to explore beyond the main day-trip circuit. Rental starts from around $25–35 USD per day. Roads are generally serviceable on main routes, but secondary roads in rural areas — particularly in Syunik and Gegharkunik — can be rough. A regular car is usually fine for paved roads; a 4WD helps for places like the Ughtasar petroglyphs.
You must have a driving licence from a country party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Traffic drives on the right. Fuel is widely available in towns.
Taxi apps
In Yerevan, use GG Taxi or Yandex Go — both work well and are cheaper than flagging down a random cab. GG Taxi is the local app and is generally preferred. Outside Yerevan, taxi apps don't always work, but local drivers can usually be hired by the hour or day at reasonable rates. Anything over 1,000–1,500 AMD for a short city trip is worth questioning.
Tours
Day tours from Yerevan are plentiful and useful for sites that are hard to reach independently — Garni and Geghard together, or the Debed canyon monasteries, are popular options. Many guesthouses in Yerevan can help arrange a driver-guide.
Train
Armenia's train network is limited but scenic. There are services from Yerevan north to Vanadzor and on to the Georgian border. The overnight train to Tbilisi is the main international service. Trains are slower than marshrutkas but more comfortable for longer journeys.