A reader asked us a couple of days about taxis in Athens. Here is a small list of details you should know:
Taxis in Athens are a very cheap way of getting round. (It is simply a difficulty of getting one). Most of the routes cannot possibly cost you more than 5 euros, unless you go really far (or you have luggage) so it can reach up to 10-15 euros. A route from the irport to the other end of Athens will not cost you more than 20 euros (so consider this as the absolute maximum price for travelling to and from the airport).
You might have haerd many things about taxi drivers that fool tourists in paying huge amount of money but the situation is much better at this stage as quite a few of those 'professionals' have lost their license. You are very safe in a taxi and apart from the traffick you will not have any more problems.
There will be two types of taxis around Athens. If you want to go to the Olympic stadia with a taxi you will need to pay a higher rate due to the special license that only very few taxi services will get (Those taxis will have to be very new and the driver should speak at least one foreign language).
By the ay bargaining with taxi drivers is not something that is done in Athens. Small tips are also up to you - and whether you feel you got a decent service. (I never tip taxi drivers unless they are exceptionally good and friendly).
Posted by Basileios at April 21, 2004 10:21 AM