Taxi cowboys and other Athens, Greece Tourist Trap Tips

Most of the times you will have an honest driver when you hail a taxi in Athens. However, there are some taxi-cowboys that will take advantage of tourists not knowing their way around. They will overcharge you, take on other passengers while driving you or take you to an hotel they get a commission from. You want to play it safe? Ask a few taxi drivers how much your ride is going to cost first so you will know the normal price, then get a taxi that charges that price. You want to pay for your drive, not buy the car....

According to the Greek Legislation, taxi drivers should provide upon request a receipt for the amount paid for transportation services. The receipt should also indicate the taxi registration number and the driver's name.

Leave a Comment

At Least Do This: If you do get overcharged or other passengers are taken on board, don't start a fight but report the taxi number or the licence plate to the Tourist police or to the Tourist information office. They will deal with the cowboy.
Alternative: The excellent Athens metro system or one of the many busses will bring you to or very close to almost any interesting place in town and they are much cheaper than a taxi. On arrival at Athens airport, take bus E95 that will take you straight to Syntagma Square for 2,90 Euro. From there you can get the metro or a bus to bring you close to your hotel. Just send me an e-mail if you want a map of Athens or a metro map. I'll be happy to send it to you be e-mail.

As about every shop in Plaka and Monastiraki sells the same kind of souvenirs, they all will be wanting to make a sale.

Leave a Comment

At Least Do This: When you want to buy something go to several shops and compare prices. Once you have found the lowest price, complain it is too high and you will go and buy somewhere else. Bargain with the shopkeeper!

Tell him this is all the money you have left and you are leaving tomorrow, that you mother is in need of expensive surgery, that you grandfather died when he heard the news, that you have been robed the day before and that your partner is going to hit you over the head if you pay the shop price.

If the shopkeeper doesn’t throw you out, you’ll get a good price!
Alternative: An alternative is to go into town, away from the tourist area, where prices are less.