Traveling to Armenia is an incredible experience, filled with ancient history, stunning landscapes, and one of the world’s most hospitable cultures. While exploring, having the right digital tools on your phone can make your journey seamless, from hailing a cab in Yerevan to finding the best khorovats (barbecue) or translating a menu.
Yerevan has excellent 4G/5G coverage and widespread free Wi-Fi in cafes, so you’ll have no trouble staying connected. Before you board your flight, make sure your phone is loaded with these 10 essential apps.
Getting Around: Transport & Navigation
Yandex GO (The Super App)
What it is: This is the most dominant and essential app in Armenia. It’s the “Uber” of the region but has evolved into a “super app.”
Why you need it: You will use this app daily. Its primary function is ride-hailing, offering incredibly affordable taxi rides (a standard 10-15 minute ride in Yerevan rarely costs more than 1,000-1,500 AMD). It also includes Yandex Eats, which has absorbed the popular menu.am service, making it your primary tool for restaurant food delivery. You can also get grocery delivery, all in one place.
GG (The Local Champion)
What it is: gg is the proud Armenian-born competitor to Yandex. It’s a very popular and reliable ride-hailing service used by locals and tourists alike.
Why you need it: It’s always smart to have a second ride-hailing app. Sometimes gg may have better availability or pricing, especially during peak hours. The app is simple, works great, and it’s a nice way to support a major local tech company.
Yandex Maps (The Best for Navigation)
What it is: While Google Maps works, Yandex Maps is often superior in Armenia and other post-Soviet countries.
Why you need it: Yandex Maps has more accurate and detailed information for the region. It’s better at identifying specific building entrances (crucial for apartments or hidden restaurants), has more up-to-date business listings, and features excellent, precise public transport schedules. You can also download the map of Yerevan or all of Armenia for offline use.
Food & Delivery
Glovo (The “Get Anything” Delivery)
What it is: Glovo is the king of fast, on-demand delivery. Its bright yellow courier bags are everywhere in Yerevan. Why you need it: This is your go-to app when you want something delivered fast. While it has a huge selection of restaurants, Glovo’s real strength is its diversity. You can order from pharmacies, supermarkets, flower shops, or even use its “Anything” (Courier) feature to have a driver pick something up for you.
buy.am (The “Online Mall” Delivery)
What it is: buy.am is your “online mall” in an app. While other apps focus just on restaurants, buy.am is a massive delivery platform for almost anything. Why you need it: This is the other major delivery player. Use this when you need more than just a meal. It competes with Yandex and Glovo for food but also delivers groceries, medicine from pharmacies, cosmetics, electronics, and more, often from stores that aren’t on the other platforms.
Communication & Information
Google Translate (The Language Lifesaver)
What it is: The essential translation app.
Why you need it: The Armenian alphabet is beautiful and unique, which also means you won’t be able to sound out words. While many young people in Yerevan speak English, you will encounter language barriers. The app’s camera feature is a lifesaver for reading menus, road signs, and museum labels. Be sure to download the Armenian language pack for offline use.
TripAdvisor (The Tourist-Tested Guide)
What it is: The world’s largest travel review platform.
Why you need it: While locals use Yandex Maps for reviews, TripAdvisor is invaluable for seeing what other international travelers recommend. It’s the best place to find reviews in English for restaurants, hotels, and, most importantly, day-tour operators and private guides.
HIKEArmenia (The Must-Have for Nature)
What it is: The definitive, free, and locally-made app for hiking in Armenia.
Why you need it: Armenia’s natural beauty is its greatest asset, and hiking is the best way to see it. It provides detailed, offline-usable maps for marked trails across the country, trail stats (length, difficulty), and helps you find guides or guesthouses. It’s an absolute must-have if you plan to venture outside of Yerevan.
Events & Money
Tomsarkgh (The “What’s On” App)
What it is: Tomsarkgh (meaning “Ticket”) is Armenia’s number one platform for events.
Why you need it: Want to know what’s happening in Yerevan tonight? This is the app. It lists everything: movie showtimes (in English, Russian, and Armenian), concerts, opera, ballet performances at the national theatre, festivals, and club nights. You can check schedules and, in many cases, buy your tickets directly through the app.
XE Currency (The Quick Converter)
What it is: A simple, real-time currency converter.
Why you need it: Armenia’s currency is the Dram (AMD). While you’ll quickly get used to it, having this app makes it easy to do a quick mental check. “Is 15,000 AMD a good price for this souvenir? How much is my 45,000 AMD dinner bill in USD/EUR?” The app works offline using the last saved rates, making it perfect for quick calculations at a market or in a taxi.
Now that your phone is ready, you can also check our blog about Your Ultimate Guide to Armenia for Arab Travelers: Essential Phrases & Insider Tips to complete your preparation.
Conclusion
With these apps on your phone, you’re more than just a tourist; you’re a connected traveler. You’ll be able to navigate Yerevan like a local, order anything you need, discover the best events, and even explore the stunning mountain trails with confidence. They handle the small logistics so you can focus on the big picture: enjoying the incredible beauty, history, and hospitality of Armenia.
