I've heard some bad stories about the taxi drivers in Athens and my future wife and I are headed there for our honeymoon. Are these stories true? If so, what are some ways to minimize our chances of being ripped off?
2007-12-23 03:27:28 · 7 answers · asked by Rob A 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Greece
Sadly taxi drivers can be awful worldwide.
In airport and other places where there are taxis there is information about taxi rates and the average tariffs. So you can keep track by taking a look at it.
You can also try using radio taxis (in your hotel or wherever you are staying they will provide you information and telephone numbers). Calling a taxi means that they know who the driver is and if he causes any trouble they will know how to track him.
Also remember that from 00:00am to 5:00am the tariff is almost twice as the normal tariff. The meter has a number by it which goes 1 or 2. 2 means that you are being charged the night rate.
Happy honeymoon anyway.
edit to add: radio taxis have an extra fee (I don't remember exactly)
2007-12-23 06:02:01 · answer #1 · answered by fretless 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Taxis drivers in Athens are pretty rude (not all but definitely the majority)
Yes, they do rip people off - given the chance. I've been thrown out of taxis many times as I will not accept being ripped off etc. It's just as easy to get other types of public transport nowadays in Athens.
Where will you be staying? Get the hotel to book you taxis rather than grabbing one yourself. Also be prepared to share the taxi - they tend to squash as many passengers as possible in - If I were you I would tell the hotel to tell the taxi driver that you don't want him to pick up any other passengers on the way. It's not allowed but they all do it.
Have a great honeymoon and congratulations - if you need any further info on Athens - let us know where you'll be staying and I'm sure there are people on here to help.
And don't let taxi drivers put you off - as the other answerers said the big city taxi drivers are rude all over the world.
2007-12-23 16:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by asimenia 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I lived in Athens for a month on a study abroad program, and befriended a Greek citizen. He told me that the taxis will always try to rip off tourists, and all you have to do is say "do I need to call the police?" I tried this when my boyfriend got shortchanged by a taxi and it worked like a charm. Apparently they get in huge trouble with the police if they are ripping off people.
2007-12-23 17:43:03 · answer #3 · answered by Sara H 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well, i am greek (i went there before ^.^)
I didn't really see anything wrong with the taxi drivers. But some where a little rude, and i told him off and got out of the taxi ROFL
Taxi cars are fine to travel around in GREECE
but make sure the taxi drivers are fine also. (p.s. they drive insane!!!!)
2007-12-23 14:47:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taxi's in Greece are extremely independant. But there are plenty. I've never been ripped off. Never. And I've taken plenty. I mean PLENTY.
I Cr 13;8a
2007-12-23 18:48:18 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
count your money carefully. i was ripped off slightly once going to halkidiki. take a bus though...when going around in athens. i took taxis in athens many times and i've never had a problem there. i've lived there once for 3 weeks.
2007-12-23 10:27:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
too fast
2007-12-23 07:10:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋