Armenia (A) - general

[pineapple stu]

Post any general chat and comments on the away trip to Armenia here.

Other threads -

Accommodation (hotels to campsites) (http://foot.ie/threads/131557-Armenia-(A)-accommodation)
Flights (or other means of getting there) (http://foot.ie/threads/131650-Armenia-(A)-flights)
Charter travel (incl tour operator bookings, charter buses, taxis, etc) (http://foot.ie/threads/131651-Armenia-(A)-charter-travel)
The game (match tickets, kick off time, directions to the ground, etc) (http://foot.ie/threads/131652-Armenia-(A)-the-game)
Places (towns, internal travel, reccies, etc) (http://foot.ie/threads/131653-Armenia-(A)-places)
Pubs (things to do, other chat) (http://foot.ie/threads/131654-Armenia-(A)-pubs)

[finbarrk]

Is a visa required?

[OneRedArmy]

Is a visa required?Yes, e-visa can be bought over the interweb, or you can take your chances in the queue in Arrivals.

[newrynyuk]

Looking forward to this trip already.

Any internet cafes around Yerevan centre, RodgenotPodge?

[RodgenotPodge]

I've seen a few of them around town in the central area. Shouldn't be a problem. I've not used them as I bring a laptop. All the hotels I use have free internet and there's lots of cafes etc. with free Wi Fi

[Paulie]

I'm in Yerevan now. I'm staying at the GoldenTulip which is certainly more grand and a bit more central than the Congress. However from the prices quoted above, the Congress is the better deal and would still be my choice. 10 minutes walk to the Stadium and 10 minutes in the other direction to the area around the Opera which is is where it all happens - lovely bars and cafes in the park. All have big screens for the World Cup and should have them for your visit too.) The weather is glorious and should be in September too so its a good scene..

As far as I can see there isn't an ATM in the Arrivals Hall but there are 2 money exchanges and it is quick and easy. You need to get your cash, then fill in the visa form and go to the visa windows, Cost is 3,000 AMD which is about 6 Euro at the moment. It just takes a few minutes. There is a sign for the Bus outside but its only 10 minutes to the city and taxi are cheap.

If anyone has any questions, let me know. I'm here for the next week

As far as I remember, our flight arrives in to Yerevan at about 5 or 6am. Are the airport money exchanges open at this time?

[OneRedArmy]

As far as I remember, our flight arrives in to Yerevan at about 5 or 6am. Are the airport money exchanges open at this time?Yes. Thats the busiest time for arrivals as most of the Western European flights fly overnight.

The arrivals hall will be jammers, have your wits about you as you will be pestered by many random punters trying to get you to take an unofficial taxi into town. Some hilarious stories involving two door Ladas having to be pushed to the nearest petrol station from our trip there.

[RodgenotPodge]

I've never seen the Arrivals Hall jammers but most flights I take seem to be 90% Armenians (who obviously don't need visas). It may be different in September. Ufortunately none of the airlines seem to issue the visa forms on board so it all has to be done in the Hall. But everything works fine at 5 or 6 a.m.

Official i.e. "normal" taxi are clearly identifiable so it should be no harder to avoid the chancers with the clapped out Ladaa in Yerevan than anywhere else.

Its a brilliant city at this time of year and the "season" continues well into October so all the outdoor places should still be open for our match. Only downside is that the sevice in some bars and restaurants is unbelievably slow - everyone seems to be sleepwalking. It doesn't usually matter as the locals are rarely in a hurry, so the speed of service is designed to match speed of cosumption - e.g. an hour for a cup of coffee. They won't know what's hit them when the Irish descend on them. If you want a few beers before the game, my advice is order 3 at a time - and pay on the spot because the bill can be another half hour.

Not evewhere is hopeless. There's a place called Astral (beside the Opera and the Lake) that is quite good and has nice staff. Nice food too. However what should be the best place (Santa Fe, just in front of the big steps called Cascades) is all geared up for the World Cup but is a disaster for service. They have about 20 screens but only about 4 waiters serving 200 customers; the waiters are wearing football jerseys (Ronaldo,Totti etc.) The one they shoud be wearing is Mick McCarthy.

I'll make note of a few others to avoid or look out for.

[RodgenotPodge]

One other tip; Even in hot weather, men wearing shorts is almost unheard of in Yerevan (even proper tailored ones.) You will get funny looks and some places won't let you in. You will probably be OK in the outdoor bars etc. but some restaurants and I think all the night spots would be no-go. I wouldn't chance football/sports shorts anywhere.

[Paulie]

One other tip; Even in hot weather, men wearing shorts is almost unheard of in Yerevan (even proper tailored ones.) You will get funny looks and some places won't let you in. You will probably be OK in the outdoor bars etc. but some restaurants and I think all the night spots would be no-go. I wouldn't chance football/sports shorts anywhere.

I take it that football jersies are ok? I, like a lot of others that will be going, probably won't wear anything else except Ireland tops.

[RodgenotPodge]

Yeah, jerseys should be fine. Its a very relaxed place - it just that shorts don't seem to have made it this far east.

The slow service may have a bit of communist hangover but its also that some places are just badly run. The tossers who act as waiters in Santa Fe were hardly born when the USSR collapsed. They know how to make money though; for the bigger World Cup games they stick "Reserved" signs on all the prime tables and booths but if you "tip" them enough, they wlll let you sit. Just a scam - a place to avoid.

[Paulie]

Just sorted out my e-visa for Armenia. The process is pretty straightforward (you'll need to have your passport with you in order to complete the form). It came to $15 which is fine. I know it's cheaper if you get it in the airport upon arrival, but I don't fancy queuing and messing around at 6:30am for the sake of a few quid.

Here's the link: http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/eVisa/

[Paulie]

Further to my post stating that I had applied for my visa, anyone who is planning on doing so, DON'T!

After I submitted my application, I emailed them a brief enquiry. They didn't answer the query that I had but they did say, "You should apply before 10 days of your arrival, we don't charge for the rejected application". I did not see anything during the application process about this. So anyway, it looks like we can't applt until the last week of August.

[OneRedArmy]

Further to my post stating that I had applied for my visa, anyone who is planning on doing so, DON'T!

After I submitted my application, I emailed them a brief enquiry. They didn't answer the query that I had but they did say, "You should apply before 10 days of your arrival, we don't charge for the rejected application". I did not see anything during the application process about this. So anyway, it looks like we can't applt until the last week of August.Errr......that means that you must apply more than 10 days in advance (to ensure sufficient time to process it).

I'd advise going the e-visa route. Much handier than getting in a queue when you get off the plane. Then having to queue for immigration and again for customs.

One thing to note is that emigration (passport check leaving the country) was the most rigorous I've ever gone through. 10mins of checking every stamp on my passport, checking spelling of name vs ticket, comparing picture (8 year old passport so looked very unlike me). I couldn't work out if it was Soviet thoroughness or an opportunity to speed up the process with a payment.

[gspain]

One friend of mine who went to the Derry game got an e-visa but still had to queue and was charged again. They said they'd refund the evisa but never did. Did that happen to many Derry City fans or was he just unlucky?

[OneRedArmy]

One friend of mine who went to the Derry game got an e-visa but still had to queue and was charged again. They said they'd refund the evisa but never did. Did that happen to many Derry City fans or was he just unlucky?Well there were only 30 fans there and I didn't know that!

As I said the immigration guys are very officious, and if anything didn't match between passport and visa (e.g. exact spelling of name etc.) then I could see them rejecting it. I don't think the queue was that big to get the visa on arrival so its no real odds either way, might save you half an hour-ish.

[Junior]

To be honest at 05:30am I wont be in any hurry to get somewhere fast. Sounds like RodgenPodge had no real issues getting one on arrival and its a bit cheaper also.

Think Ill just go with the flow.......

[Paulie]

Errr......that means that you must apply more than 10 days in advance (to ensure sufficient time to process it).

What I took it to mean is that you can only apply within 10 days of your departure date. They state that the processing time is 2 days.

[OneRedArmy]

What I took it to mean is that you can only apply within 10 days of your departure date. They state that the processing time is 2 days.From the FAQs on the Armenian Foreign ministry EVisa site.

How long are eVisas valid?

eVisas are valid for travel for up to 180 days from date of issue. They are good for a single entry, and a stay of up to up to 120 days.
Duration of stay is included in the validity.

http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/eVisa/faq.htm

[Paulie]

I don't know how current that information is. The visa I applied for was for 21 days and needed to be used within 90 days of the purchase date. Hence my confusion!

[RodgenotPodge]

I've never used the e-visa route and given the scope for confusion, I don't think I would bother. I've been in and out 4 times in the last year and always found the process quick and easy. I've also gone in via the land border from Georgia and that was easy too. At the airport they have 3-4 people working on issuing the visas so that only takes a few minutes. They have about 10 lines for passport control; and that is well regulated - another few minutes.

I've never had any problems leaving either. Security checks are normal; they do an electronic fingerprint check before you do passports and they check that again when boarding to match them up. Otherwise its 30 seconds at passport control.

The check-in area is part of the old airport and a bit scruffy and crowded but once you go into the Departures area it is modern and bright. Main problem is that in typical East Europe fashion, all members of the extended family come to see every local passenger off.