How to Book a Taxi in Greece: A Complete Guide
Booking a taxi in Greece, especially in bustling cities like Athens, can be straightforward and convenient, thanks to a variety of options available to travelers. Whether you’re looking for a quick ride across town or a pre-arranged airport private transfer, Greece offers a range of taxi services tailored to different needs and preferences.
Here’s a complete guide on how to book a taxi in Greece, highlighting the key services and tips to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
1. Choose your Booking Method
a) Online Booking
Most companies, like The Greek Taxi, let you book rides in advance through user-friendly websites and booking forms. Most of the taxi companies will usually request:
- Your pickup/drop-off locations (e.g., “Athens Airport to Hotel Grande Bretagne”).
- Your preferred service level
- Your communication details such as your phone and your email
Pro tip 1: Book at least a week ahead for airport transfers to secure your ride and avoid last-minute stress!
Pro tip 2: Most of the taxi companies use WhatsApp Messaging App to communicate with clients, so make sure you have it installed at your smartphone prior to your arrival in Greece.
b) Mobile Apps
Some providers offer apps for instant bookings, real-time tracking, and driver communication—ideal for tech-savvy travelers such as FreeNow (former Beat) and Uber.
c) Hotel & AirBnB Partnerships
Many taxi companies partner with hotels and Airbnb hosts. So, another booking option is to ask your accommodation for trusted recommendations, especially for your airport transfers (both for your arrival and departure).
Your Last resort: Hailing a Taxi on the Street
In major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, you can flag down a yellow (in Athens) or dark blue (in Thessaloniki) taxi on the street. However, availability can vary, especially during rush hours.
2. Pick the Right Vehicle for Your Needs
Typically, greek taxi services go beyond standard rides. Most of the big companies own a vast fleet of several makes and models. So, this gives you the privilege to choose from:
- Economy Cars: Affordable options for solo travelers or couples (usually a Skoda Rapid or Skoda Octavia)
- Minivans: Spacious rides for families or groups (usually Mercedes Vito Tourer or Toyota Proace Verso).
- Luxury Vehicles: For business class and VIP private transfers (usually Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Skoda Superb)
Why it matters: Most companies emphasize on vehicle variety, ensuring comfort, safety and high-end services for every budget and occasion.
3. Understand Pricing & Payment
No one likes surprises or hidden fees! The greek taxis operate on a taximeter fare system, but prices may vary based on the time of day, the location and the services offered (such as meet and greet, waiting time, etc). Reputable greek taxi services will typically offer:
- Fixed Rates: Agree on a price upfront for airport transfers or long distances trips (e.g., Athens to Corinth).
- Transparent Rides: For shorter city trips, ensure the taximeter is running and ask for a receipt.
- All-Inclusive Quotes: Confirm that tolls, luggage, and waiting time are included.
- Payment options: By law, all greek taxis are required to have a card terminal installed, so the payment can be done using your bank card or simply your smartphone. In some cases, you can also ask if you can prepay through a bank transfer or a payment link.
4. Add Extras for a Personalized Experience
The most reliable taxi companies with a long standing customer service and clientele, offer a range of extra services. Here are some add-ons offered by top providers that can elevate your private transfers while in Greece:
- Meet-and-Greet Service: A driver waits at arrivals with a name sign.
- English speaking Drivers: Chat with a local who shares insider tips
- Themed Tours: Book a “Hidden Gems of Athens” tour or a sunset drive along the Athenian Riviera.
- Luggage Assistance: Perfect for ferry transfers or group travel.
- Complimentary bottled water or local snacks
- Baby car seats: The least they can do to ensure the safety of your little ones
- Flights monitoring: In case of a pre-booked airport transfer, always make sure the taxi company will check your arrival time and coordinate your pick up accordingly.
5. Local Etiquette & Tips
- Tipping: Round up to the nearest euro or add 5–10% for exceptional service.
- Confirm Little Details: Double-check local timezone, pickup times and locations, especially for midnight arrivals, ferries or island transfers.
- Cash or Card: Carry some euros for shorter rides, even though most companies accept debit or credit cards.
6. How to Book a Taxi in Greece ensuring a Safe & Reliable Experience
A smooth and hassle-free taxi ride starts with making informed choices. Here’s how to ensure your journey is safe, comfortable, and reliable:
- Choose Licensed Services – Always opt for taxis that are properly licensed. Look for companies that are not only legally registered but also accredited by the Ministry of Tourism with an MHTE number, which signifies higher operational standards and reliability.
- Confirm Pricing in Advance – Avoid unexpected charges by booking with a provider that offers transparent, upfront pricing. Look for services that provide clear payment options, such as cash, credit card terminals, payment links, or online prepayment for a seamless transaction.
- Check Reviews & Reputation – A little research goes a long way. Check Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Trustpilot to gauge past customer experiences. Prioritize companies with consistently high ratings, positive feedback, and prompt responses to queries.
- Opt for English-Speaking Drivers – If you don’t speak Greek, an English-speaking driver will ensure clear communication, a stress-free ride, and even helpful local tips about your destination. Some premium services even offer multilingual drivers.
- Ensure 24/7 Availability & Support – Choose a company that provides round-the-clock customer support and emergency assistance. Reliable taxi services should be reachable at any time in case of delays, changes, or lost items.
- Check for Added Comfort & Safety Features – If you prioritize comfort and peace of mind, look for high-end, well-maintained vehicles with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, bottled water, phone chargers, and air conditioning. Professional drivers should also be well-dressed, courteous, and knowledgeable about routes.
Overall, How to Book a Taxi in Greece & why Choose a Professional Service Over Hailing a Taxi?
While you can always flag down a taxi in cities like Athens, pre-booking a private transfer ensures:
✅ Easy, stress-free, online booking
✅ No language barriers
✅ Fixed rates (no meter surprises or hidden fees).
✅ Priority airport pickup especially during peak season.
✅ Optional customized itineraries for day trips and excursions (e.g., Delphi, Meteora or Cape Sounion).
✅ Professional, experienced and knowledgeable chauffeurs
✅ Well maintained, spotless and safe vehicles
Ready to Explore Greece? Let’s Go!
Booking a taxi in Greece is more than just a ride – it’s the first step in your adventure. Whether you’re sipping coffee in Plaka, marveling at Santorini’s caldera, or racing to catch a ferry, a trusted taxi service lets you focus on the magic of Greece, not the logistics.
At TheGreekTaxi.com, we combine local expertise, passion for high-end services with modern convenience and global understanding. From airport transfers to bespoke tours, our drivers are here to make your Greek Odyssey smooth, safe, and unforgettable.
Yamas! (That’s “cheers” in Greek—we’ll teach you more during your ride.)
This blog post is brought to you by TheGreekTaxi.com – your partner in seamless Greek travel experiences and reliable private transfers.
