Visiting Ani

First of all, when you arrived there if you would like to see most of the things in Ani it will take at least 2 hours. If you would like to see all things it may take 4 hours. 

Do not forget to bring some water, food, hat and at least factor 30 sun cream with you J 

Going to Ani is little bit complicated because there is no regular public transport. Here i will try to tell you all options.

Minibus/Hitchhiking:  I know that some people tried to go there by hitchhiking, and they did it successfully. If you want to go there by hitchhiking, I recommend you to go to the junction of Ani way at outside the city center. And start to hitchhike from there.

There is one minibus, it starts in the morning from the village (Ocaklı) which is close to Ani and arrives to Kars at around 9 am and goes back to Ani at 1:00 pm. It takes approximately one hour. So if you want, you can take minibus from the city center for going there. You can find the minibus at the center around the ‘Halkbank’. Do not hesitate to ask people where is ‘HALKBANK’ and ‘OCAKLI MINIBUS’ at the center. To turn back, there is no minibus, so you should ask people at the parking lot of Ani to join them to come back to Kars. Please do not start to walk back to Kars and try to hitchhike on the way. Asking people at the parking lot (face to face) will be easier to find someone. Minibus is 7 Turkish Liras per person. Entrance of Ani is 5 Turkish Liras per person. And if you are short of money you can ask for discount at the entrance, officers may agree to give only one ticket for two persons.

Hitchhiking in winter is not recommended because of the cold weather.

Minibus starting point location: I can not give the exact adress, it can change. But if you can find this place it will we around there. Adress: Merkez mah. Bahri dağdaç caddesi.
Adress link: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.608597,43.097959&num=1&gl=tr&t=m&z=18

Taxi: Hiring a taxi will cost approximately 100 Turkish Liras. This price includes the drivers waiting wait you there for 2 hours. You can try to find a taxi in the center.

Touristic tour: There is one guide in the city, who is organizing tours to Ani and around Kars. You can find him in one of the hotels in the center of the city. Everybody knows him. His name is Celil. Prices of the tour depend on the number of people.

Rent a car: Renting a car for one day costs around 100 Turkish Liras. 

 The Holy Virgin Cathedral - The Cathedral of Ani