Provided are stable virus formulations that contain at least three amino acids, at least one protein, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one salt. In certain embodiments, amino acid combinations with either at least three, or four, or more amino acids are included. By virtue of inclusion of the amino acids, a virus in the formulations is physically and biologically stable both in liquid and dry powder state. In further embodiments, by virtue of inclusion of the amino acids, a virus in the formulations is physically and biologically stable during lyophilization process. In further embodiments, by virtue of inclusion of the amino acids, a virus in the formulations is physically and biologically stable during storage in both liquid and lyophilized states.
