Athens Taxi Tips

Athens Greece Taxi Tips

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Taxi Legal Rates & Extras

TAXI FARES (ATHENS AREA)
These prices have since increased

Meter Starts At
• 0,75€
• Minimum Charge
• 1,60€
• Rate Per Km Within City Limits (Simple Rate)
• 0,28€
• Rate Per Km Outside City Limits (Double Rate)
• 0,53€
• Waiting Time Per Hour
• 7,10€
• To & From Eleftherios Venizelos A.I.A. Surchage
• 3,00€
• From Bus Terminals, Ports, Railway Stations Surchage
• 0,80€
• Night Rate (From Midnight To 05.00 A.M.)
• 0,53€
• Each item of Luggage Over 10 Kg
• 0,29 €
• Radio-Taxi - Simple Call
• 1,50 €
• Radio-Taxi - Appointment
• 2,50 €

Tipping

Tipping is not a town in the Peloponnese. They expect foreigners to tip (5%-10%) but if you feel like you got taken for a ride then don't. A lot of times the traffic jams are not the drivers fault although I have had drivers steer right for them on a slow day, they know where they are from experience.

Airport to Constitution/Syntagma Square

Cost: From the airport a taxi should cost you about 25€ depending on traffic. Taxis are a good deal in Athens, especially when you consider the cost of gasoline (over 3 bucks/gal).

Variation in Fares

The driver should turn his meter to position #1 unless its between midnight and 5 am in which case the price is double and he'll click it to position #2.

Position 2 is also legal when leaving the posted environs of the city.

There are legally imposed extra fees for each bag placed in the trunk and for airport service. Each item of baggage over 10 kilos placed in the trunk is an extra .15€

You'll see signs telling you about the fees as you stand in the endless taxi line outside the airport. Make sure he turns on his meter before he starts to drive. Say:" TO METRO PARAKALO" ('the meter please')

The Police Station or "sto Pteme-ma'

If you think the driver is overcharging you or he wont turn on his meter, demand to be taken to the police station or you can call the Tourist Police, Tel: 171 in Athens. The word for police is" ASTINOMEA". Remember his taxi Number or license plate.

I really wouldn't worry too much about getting ripped off the minute you get off the plane. Greeks are, for the most part, honest and friendly but just like everywhere else, once in a while you can run into a bad "milo" (apple).

To endear yourself to Greek taxi drivers go easy when closing the doors of the car. They have little stickers in red at eye level that say in Greek "Sigha Tees Portess" or "Slowly the Doors".

Of course, if you're angry with the driver... stiff him for the tip...By the way the word taxi comes from the Greek for voyage or journey" Taxidi" so" kalo taxidi" means "bon voyage".

Strangers Sharing Taxis

As some deranged individual screamed at me once as I cut him off in traffic back in Brookline Mass.: Its all about Sharing!! He was weaving!

Anyway in Athens, when you are in a taxi, the driver may stop to pick up someone else going to the same general area as you. If you are a solo male it is considerate to get in the front seat so he can pick up others. You don't have to though by law. In fact you don't have to let him pick up another person if you don't want to. Often drivers will troll the side of the road looking for more fares and slowing you down. There are 50,000 taxis in Athens but often you cant find one or the drivers ignore you when they go to change shifts. They make you feel like they are doing you a favor by picking you up.

Residents stand by the side of the road and as trolling drivers slow down, shout their general destination.

This is particularly true during busy hours.

People sit in the front too and you won't see any of those partitions so common in the US.

That's because its safer here!

Athens 2 Rush Hours

Just to make life interesting, the Greeks decided a long time ago to double their rush hours. Actually, it stems from the old tradition of siestas. Due to the summers heat, businesses close down in the afternoon and re-open around 5:30 p.m. when its not so hot. Charming, but it adds to pollution and confusion. They do it in the winter too.

Radio Taxi Appointments

If you have an early morning flight you can ask your hotel, the night before, to have a radio- taxi waiting for you at the proper time. This will cost a little extra but beats the heck out missing your plane.

But if you want a gauranteed pick up and to pay less for your hotel in the first place use Paul and our hotels.

The local tourist police can give you the radio taxi companies numbers if you're not in a hotel.

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