6 Tourist Scams in Yerevan

You walk out of Zvartnots Airport baggage claim and a driver in a leather jacket waves you toward ...

You walk out of Zvartnots Airport baggage claim and a driver in a leather jacket waves you toward his car, quoting 8,000-15,000 AMD for a ride that should cost 3,000 AMD on the GG app. He insists there's no Wi-Fi here, no rideshare coverage, or that 'the app doesn't work at night.' Redditors on r/armenia warn that these unlicensed drivers swarm new arrivals — one poster reported being charged 10x the fair rate before learning about GG Taxi. Walk five minutes past the airport parking zone, connect to data, and book through the app to save yourself the grief.

You hail a taxi near Republic Square after dinner and the driver cheerfully agrees to take you to your hotel.

But there's no meter running and he hasn't quoted a price. When you arrive, he demands 3,000-5,000 AMD for a ride that costs 600 AMD on the meter. If you argue, he insists that's the 'tourist rate' and blocks you from leaving. Travelers on r/solotravel describe this happening repeatedly on Northern Avenue and near the Cascade steps. The trick works because Yerevan taxis are cheap — tourists don't realize just how cheap, and drivers exploit the ignorance.

You're browsing the sprawling Vernissage flea market on a sunny weekend, admiring intricate ...

You're browsing the sprawling Vernissage flea market on a sunny weekend, admiring intricate Armenian carpets and khachkar carvings. A vendor swears on his grandmother that this rug was hand-woven by artisans in Gyumri. The price? $200. Redditors on r/travel warn that many of these 'handmade Armenian crafts' are factory-produced imports from China or Turkey, marked up 4-5x for tourists. One poster noted the same 'hand-painted' ceramics available on AliExpress. Without a local friend, you're paying a premium for mass-produced goods.

You're withdrawing cash from a standalone ATM on Northern Avenue when a friendly man approaches ...

You're withdrawing cash from a standalone ATM on Northern Avenue when a friendly man approaches offering to 'help you avoid the service fee.' While he walks you through the menus, he's watching your PIN and carrying a pocket skimmer that clones your card in seconds. Travelers on r/travel have reported unauthorized withdrawals days later. The scam targets ATMs outside banks — the standalone machines near tourist sites that lack security cameras. One Redditor lost $800 before their bank flagged the activity.

You enjoy a lovely meal at a restaurant terrace near Republic Square.

The food was great, the wine flowed freely. Then the bill arrives and it's 30-40% higher than expected. Hidden in the total are a 'service charge,' bread you didn't order, and two glasses of brandy that appeared as 'complimentary' but are now priced at 3,000 AMD each. Redditors on r/travel warn that restaurants on the main tourist strip add phantom items to foreign-looking customers' bills, knowing most won't scrutinize a bill written in Armenian script.

You order a Yandex or GG taxi at Republic Square.

The app shows a driver nearby. You see a car matching the description pull up. But as you walk toward it, the driver starts moving slowly forward, eventually driving off — leaving you at the pickup point while the meter runs. Then the app cancels and charges a fee. Meanwhile, an unofficial taxi driver who has been watching offers to take you for a flat cash rate. Reddit users on r/armenia described this: 'Taxi drivers wait until you are near enough to start the ride (with GG/Yandex taxi) then they drive off without you.' The tactic either generates cancellation fees or funnels passengers to more expensive unofficial taxis.