Information on Taxi fares in Greece

[Shelledpea]

Doing research for my upcoming cruise and came across this page on taxi fares and surcharges in greece. Posted it as I thought it may be of help to others.

 

It is part of the Greek tourist office website and contains some very interesting info.

 

http://www.gnto.gr/pages.php?pageID=794&langID=2

 

"Greek taxis are very cheap by European standards. All licensed taxis are equipped with metres (the fare is charged per km) and display a card detailing the latest valid tariffs and surcharges. In certain tourist areas, you may be asked to pay a predetermined (standard) amount for a ride to a specific destination; thus, before boarding a taxi make sure to seek information from another source on the exact fare for the journey. Before using a taxi, you should also be aware of the following:

*Charge per km

• For taxis throughout the country : € 0.32 (Tariff 1) and € 0.60 (Tariff 2). Also € 1 for initial charge (flagdown rate).
  
• For rural taxis throughout the country : € 0.28 per km if the passenger is to return to the point of hire (Return trip Tariff 1) and € 0.56 per km in case he does not return to the point of hire (Single trip Tariff 2)

*Other surcharges:

• Waiting time per hour: € 7.90
  
• Passengers' luggage: € 0.30 for every piece of luggage weighing over 10 kg

*Late night surcharge: € 0.60 Tariff 2, applying from 24:0005: 00 hrs

*Surcharges from airport, ferry, railway or intercity coach terminals

• From railway, port and intercity coach terminals: € 0.80
  
• From/to “ Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport 3 euro, “ Macedonia ” Thessaloniki Airport : € 2.50 and other airports 2 euro.
  
• Radio taxi extra charge: € 1.50 (simple call), € 2.50 (appointed time & place).

*Minimum charge: € 2.50 for Athens and Piraeus, € 2.70 for the rest of the country.

*Taxi driver's obligations:

• He should carry passenger's luggage from the pavement to the vehicle and vice versa.
  
• He is not entitled to deny you a ride and cannot pick up extra passengers without your permission.
  
• Passenger may request a waiting time up to 15 minutes, or more if there is a serious reason.
  
• Upon passenger's request, the driver is obliged to issue an invoice stating the route and metred fare paid. "

[ab0si]

As a practical matter, those rules are not always followed and some are seldom followed. It is common practice to pick-up additional passengers on the way (charging everyone full fare).

 

Also note the vague wording about "in certain tourist areas..." It is almost always better for the passenger to go on the meter and the "standard" rate is what they think they can get ... there is nothing predetermined about it.

 

Athens is a great place to visit, but the taxi drivers there have a well-earned reputation for less than honest dealings.

 

Paul