The most convenient way to head out of town for day trips is with a private driver. It sounds fancier than it costs, especially when traveling in groups of three or more, but it's not black cab/limo service either. Many of these drivers work for themselves and use personal cars, ready to take you to any corner of the country at a moment's notice.

 

But how do you find a good one?

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This is where travelers usually get stuck, succumbing to tour agencies that offer similar private services because, well, it's just easier. And at first glance, these agencies' prices seem reasonable to a tourist's eye.

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Take, for example, a day trip to Sevanavank/Lake Sevan from Yerevan in a standard sedan. The ride is about one hour each way, totaling roughly 150 km round-trip. A tour agency would charge ֏26,000 ($54.31) for this trip, not including tip. A standalone driver, on the other hand, would charge just ֏16,000 ($33.42). If a $20 difference doesn't seem significant to you, take into consideration the fact that ֏10,000 would cover lunch or cocktails for three back in Yerevan. This difference in price between tour agencies and standalone drivers only grows the further you travel, adding up to a few hundred dollars that could otherwise be saved and spent elsewhere.

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That said, my recommendation is to stick with standalone drivers and follow word-of-mouth in finding a good one. If you trust mine, take a look at the ones listed below; drivers I myself or close friends have used in the past and highly recommend. They're safe, affordable, experienced, clean & friendly.

                    

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Pick one and give them a call a day or two in advance to set up a trip. Don't bother calling much earlier; plans in Armenia only come together at the last-minute and trust me, they always work. They'll ask where you'd like to go and when, as well as the number of people in your group, before quoting a price.

 

If you're satisfied with your driver, don't hesitate to ask about their availability for other trips you have in mind. They'd be happy to take your business if they can, which is a great opportunity for negotiating discounts in return. If they can't, you shouldn't have a problem finding another driver. In fact, they may recommend a friend of theirs if you're open to that idea.

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Please note that inviting drivers to lunch/dinner on the road is common practice in Armenia. If you're not a picky eater, ask them to recommend a favorite pitstop of theirs. They may decline the offer as well and if they do, share a snack or two! Breaking bread is considered a sign of friendship in Armenia and your driver will definitely appreciate the kind gesture.

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Aragats, 6.2013