Lois Larson
Athens Airport offers a wide range of transportation options for travellers, including taxis, limousines, buses, and trains. The taxi rank is located outside the terminal on the arrivals level, close to Exit 3, with official airport taxis being yellow with a 'Taxi' sign on the roof. Rides are available 24/7 and offer fixed fares for routes to and from the city centre. The flat rate for a taxi from the airport to the city centre is typically €40 during the day and €55 at night, with the price depending on the time of travel and destination. Pre-booking a taxi is recommended to avoid waiting times and potential overcharging. Athens has a range of private taxi hire companies that offer online bookings and transfers to and from the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taxi availability | 24/7 |
| Taxi rank location | Outside the terminal on the arrivals level, close to Exit 3 |
| Official airport taxi colour | Yellow with a 'Taxi' sign on the roof |
| Pre-booking | Recommended to avoid waiting time and overcharging |
| Taxi capacity | Standard taxi vehicles fit four passengers, vans fit up to 8, and minibusses fit groups of up to 14 |
| Taxi fare to city centre | €40 during the day (5 am-midnight) and €55 at night (midnight-5 am) |
| Taxi fare to Piraeus Port | €60 during the day and €68 at night for a sedan; €85 during the day and €102 at night for a minivan; €130 during the day and €148 at night for a minibus |
| Taxi companies | Welcome Pickups, City Cab, George's Taxi, Free Now, Uber, and more |
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What You'll Learn
Taxi scams at Athens Airport
Athens Airport has a reputation for taxi scams, with drivers attempting to overcharge tourists. To avoid being scammed, it is recommended that you only use licensed, metered taxis from the official taxi rank, where a policeman dispatches them. You can identify licensed taxis by their yellow colour, taxi lights on the roof, and working meters. Pre-booking a taxi is another way to avoid scams, as you will know the price in advance.
One common scam involves the driver claiming that you gave them a smaller note than you did and that you still owe them money. To avoid this, it is recommended to pay in small notes and to say the denomination of each note aloud as you hand it over. Another scam involves the driver attempting to divert you to a different hotel or restaurant where they receive a commission.
Other scams to watch out for include:
- Not starting the meter or setting the wrong tariff
- Choosing a longer route through traffic when a shorter one is available
- Demanding an upfront payment that is higher than the actual fare
- Pressing the Tariff button on the meter to charge a higher rate
- "Limousine" drivers at the airport convincing you to use their cars instead of a taxi
If you encounter any of these scams, it is important to remain vigilant and not be afraid to question the driver. It is also a good idea to use a GPS app to check that the route being taken is reasonable.
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Pre-booking a taxi
Athens Airport's taxi rank is located just outside the terminal on the arrivals level, close to Exit 3. Official airport taxis are yellow with a 'Taxi' sign on the roof. While you can get a taxi from the airport without pre-booking, there are several benefits to booking in advance.
Firstly, you can secure a meet and greet service, skipping the crowds and stepping straight into a waiting taxi. This is particularly useful during the hot summer months, when you might want to avoid navigating crowded public transport. Pre-booking also guarantees a quick transfer straight to your hotel, and you can avoid waiting times of up to 40 minutes during peak season.
Secondly, pre-booking means you can secure a competitive fixed fare with no hidden fees. The fare from Athens airport to the city centre is a flat rate of €40 from 5 am to midnight, and €55 from midnight to 5 am. This includes all applicable surcharges such as luggage fees and toll costs. By pre-booking, you can be sure of what you will pay and avoid unpleasant surprises or the potential for drivers to try and scam you out of more money.
Thirdly, pre-booking is essential if you require a wheelchair-accessible taxi, to ensure you secure a properly equipped vehicle. It is also useful if you don't speak Greek, as some drivers may not speak fluent English. You can write down the address of your accommodation to avoid miscommunication.
Finally, pre-booking means your flight will be monitored, so your driver will know if your flight is delayed and will be there at the right time.
You can pre-book your taxi with a trusted global provider like Welcome Pickups, or with one of these trusted pickup service providers at Athens airport: Amphitrion, Limotours, Keytours, Taxi2Airport, Taxiplon, The Greek Taxi, Tumlare - JTB Greece, or Sunny Greece.
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Finding the taxi rank
Athens Airport's taxi rank is conveniently located just outside the terminal on the arrivals level, close to Exit 3. Official airport taxis are easily identifiable, as they are yellow with a 'Taxi' sign on their roof. You will find them lined up in front of you as you exit the building.
The taxi rank at Athens Airport offers a 24/7 service, with standard taxi vehicles that can accommodate up to four passengers, as well as larger vans and minibusses for groups of up to 14 people. These taxis provide quick and comfortable door-to-door transportation to your desired destination.
While it is possible to simply show up and queue for a taxi, it is recommended to pre-book your taxi, especially if you want to avoid potential overcharging and waiting times of up to 30-40 minutes. By booking in advance, you can secure a competitive fixed fare with no hidden fees and ensure a seamless transfer to your hotel or accommodation.
Athens Airport taxi services allow advance bookings, but be sure to make your reservation at least 16 hours before your landing time. Additionally, keep in mind that waiting times can be significantly longer during the peak season. Several companies offer pre-booking options, including Welcome Pickups, which has a good reputation for reliability and efficiency.
If you prefer ride-hailing apps, Uber also operates in partnership with local licensed taxi drivers in Athens. However, be aware that Uber fares are typically calculated based on the taximeter, except for flat fares to and from the city centre.
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Taxi alternatives
Athens International Airport is about 30 km from the city centre. While taxis are available at the airport, there are several alternative ways to get to and from the airport.
Bus
Taking the bus is an affordable option, although it will take longer than a taxi.
Metro
The Athens metro system is fairly modern, having been built for the 2004 Olympics. The subway runs from the airport to the centre of Athens. However, it can be unreliable due to strikes and poor maintenance.
Private Transfer Services
There are several private transfer services that operate in Athens, such as City Cab, Blacklane, and George's Taxi. These services offer chauffeur-driven cars that can be booked in advance, providing a more comfortable and convenient option compared to taxis.
Ride-sharing Apps
Ride-sharing apps like Uber and FreeNow are also available in Athens. FreeNow, owned by BMW and Daimler, connects users with licensed taxi drivers. Uber, on the other hand, uses regular yellow taxis and charges a service fee on top of the metered rate.
Welcome Pickups
Welcome Pickups is a trusted global provider that offers competitive fixed fares with no hidden fees. They have English-speaking drivers and provide useful tips and advice for navigating the city.
Car Rental
If you prefer to drive yourself, car rental services like Blacklane offer the option to hire a car for the day, providing flexibility for sightseeing trips or business meetings.
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Private transfer services
Athens International Airport offers a range of private transfer services to suit different group sizes and budgets. Official airport taxis are yellow with a 'Taxi' sign on the roof and can be found at the taxi rank outside the terminal on the arrivals level, close to Exit 3. These taxis offer fixed fares to the city centre, with a one-way trip costing €40 during the day and €55 at night. The price is determined by the time of arrival at the destination and includes all applicable surcharges, such as luggage fees and toll costs.
Athens Airport taxi services allow advance bookings, but these must be made at least 16 hours before your landing time. Pre-booking a taxi is recommended to avoid long waiting times of up to 40 minutes during peak season and potential overcharging by drivers.
In addition to standard taxis, private minivans and minibusses are also available for larger groups. Athens Transfer Services offers transfers in shuttle buses, minibusses, vans, taxis, minivans, and limousines to destinations across Athens, Piraeus, and the Attica Prefecture. Similarly, AthensTransfer.net provides private and punctual transportation solutions with premium cars and minivans for airport, port, or hotel transfers. Their drivers monitor flight times and will greet you at the airport with a welcome sign, helping with luggage and providing bottled water and Wi-Fi during the transfer.
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Frequently asked questions
The daytime rate is €40, and the nighttime rate is €55.
Taxi drivers in Athens have been known to inflate fares for tourists. To avoid this, you can pre-book your taxi transfer with a company like Welcome Pickups, City Cab, or Athens Airport Taxi. You can also take a screenshot of the flat rate information displayed by the taxi rank.
You can take the metro, bus, or Uber.
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