Provided are stable virus formulations that contain three amino acids, a protein, a carbohydrate and a salt. In certain embodiments, the amino acids are proline, threonine and glutamic acid, each at a concentration of 0.5 - 1% w/w. The protein can be albumin at 2% w/w and the salt can be 100 mM sodium chloride. By virtue of inclusion of the amino acids, an enveloped virus or lipid enveloped non-viral vector 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, an enveloped virus or lipid enveloped non-viral vector in the formulations is physically and biologically stable during lyophilization process. In further embodiments, by virtue of inclusion of the amino acids, an enveloped virus or lipid enveloped non-viral vector in the formulations is physically and biologically stable during storage in both liquid and lyophilized states.