When it comes to arriving in a new city, the last thing you want is to be bogged down by transportation hassles. Athens, the ancient city with a modern twist, is no exception. To ensure a smooth transition from the airport to your final destination, it’s crucial to choose the right Airport Taxi service. In this article, we’ll explore the best Athens Airport Taxi Services that cater to both convenience and comfort.
Athens International Airport is listed among the busiest airports in Europe. Therefore, all the major airlines as well as subsidiary and low-cost air carriers are present at Eleftherios Venizelos at Spata. Athens International Airport is adequately connected to downtown, as well as to various city districts. That being said, the transit options from Athens Airport to the city center of Athens are:
- Airport Taxi
- Public Bus Lines
- Metro (Blue Line)
- Car Rentals
- Athens Airport Transfers (pre-booked service)
Which is the Best Athens Airport Taxi?
The Greek Taxi
The Greek taxi is considered to be one of the best Athens Airport Taxi services due to its reliability, professionalism, fleet quality, transparent pricing and selection of vehicles. More about the quality of our services can be found at Google & Tripadvisor.
FREE NOW (former Beat)
FREE NOW is known for its user-friendly app that allows passengers to book a taxi with just a few taps on their smartphones. The app provides real-time information about the taxi’s location, estimated arrival time, and even allows users to rate their driver.
UBER
Uber uses UberTAXI, a service that uses professional taxi drivers offering passengers the choice to book a taxi via the Uber App. Uber taxis are the same yellow taxis you’ll see all over Athens and the ride price is slightly higher than the one you’d pay with a regular taxi.
In case you are wondering how Uber operates in Greece, please read also here.
Welcome Pickups
Welcome Pickups offers Athens Airport Transfers and Taxis services. Featuring different types of cars for small and larger groups as well as trained English-speaking drivers, Welcome Pickups is a great way for reaching your destination after arriving in Athens.
How much it costs for an Athens Airport Taxi to the city center?
As of October 2023, the below fares are the official taxi fares in Greece by law.
- Starting fare: 1.80 EUR
- Minimum fare: 4.00 EUR
- Rate per Km Within City Limit: 0.90 EUR
- Rate per Km Outside City Limits: 1.25 EUR
- Waiting time per hour: 15 EUR
- Pre-booking: maximum charge 5,65 EUR
- Baggages above 10kg/20 pounds: 0.39 EUR per item
Always insist that the taxi driver turns the taximeter on. The taximeter is automatically connected to the cash register which issues the receipt. The final charge already includes a VAT (Value Added Tax) of 13% by law.
The standard fare for a ride from the Athens International Airport to the city center of Athens is 40 EUR by law. This is the fare that a taxi from the airport taxi zone must charge excluding any extra services fees and charges.
Unfortunately, do not expect to pay this amount of money, since the taxi drivers usually inflate the prices to 50-60 EUR at least. This is one reason to pre-book your airport transfers well in advance using reliable taxi services like The Greek Taxi or similar who offer fixed rates and professional services.
Do you tip Greek Taxi Drivers?
Tipping taxis in Athens isn’t expected or required, but if you want to do so, you can round up to the nearest euro and tell to your driver that you don’t want the change. The maximum tip in a Greek Taxi could be 5-10% of the final fare amount.
This primarily applies to the taxis you hail off the street. If you have a private driver that you have pre-booked and the service was exceptional, then the tip can vary and could be as generous as you want.
Conclusion
Arriving in Athens should be an exciting beginning to your journey, and the right Airport Taxi service can set the tone for your entire trip. By considering factors such as reliability, fleet quality, driver professionalism, transparent pricing, and convenient booking options, you can choose the best Athens Airport Taxi service that aligns with your travel needs.
Whether you opt for the professionalism and reliability of The Greek Taxi or the convenience of FREE NOW (former Beat) or the personalized service of Welcome Pickups, rest assured that your journey through Athens will be a smooth and enjoyable one.
