Airport to hotel transfer

Posted by SimonTemplar (On Walkabout) on 08/18/24 03:00 PM

I found nothing very recent on this topic, so I'll ask. Does anyone have any recent experience with either transfer services or just a cab from the Athens airport to city hotels? Welcome Pickups gets a lot of press, but opinions vary depending on where you're actually using them. I've seen other services listed, but they all appear to be either using local cab drivers like Welcome does. We'll need something larger like the minivan some services offer. How difficult is it to simply get a cab of that sort at the airport?

Cheers,
Simon.

Posted by Lee

Camarillo, California

08/18/24 03:39 PM

3148 posts

Go with Welcome Pickups. They are reliable and can provide a vehicle appropriate for your needs.

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest

08/18/24 08:21 PM

2349 posts

If you need a minivan, book it in advance. You will have difficulty finding unbooked minivans at the airport taxi stand. Or take 2 taxis.

Welcome pickup works well in Athens. I use it when I need to pre-book a taxi when public transport is not available.
This is a few euros more than the flat rate. The flat rate to the city center is €40 from 5 a.m. to midnight.

If you take a taxi from the airport stand, let the driver know beforehand that you know the price of €40.
If he wants to charge you more, take another taxi.

Whatever service or application you use to call a taxi (Uber, Welcome Pickups, Freenow..) it will always be an official taxi. Only drivers with a taxi license are allowed in Greece.

Posted by scotnsyl

08/24/24 03:49 PM

8 posts

We booked our transfer through the hotel. Probably a few more Euro than WP, but an easy request via email with the hotel.

Posted by Kim

Jasper, GA, USA

08/24/24 08:51 PM

105 posts

Another yes vote for Welcome in Athens. We used twice in June with two different drivers and both were excellent—one was the nicest car we’ve ever had in 20 years of transferring in Athens.

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

08/24/24 11:01 PM

16312 posts

Another vote for Welcome Pickups. I used them from and to the Athens Airport.

The first driver had a bottle of cold water for me and offered me the use of the car's wifi.

Both driver's spoke fluent English.

Posted by derek

Walnut Creek, CA

09/03/24 01:13 AM

608 posts

Another vote for Welcome Pickups. We were staying at the Hera Hotel and emailed them for a recommendation and they recommended Welcome Pickups. We used them twice now on our two trips to Athens.

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest

09/04/24 01:58 PM

2349 posts

Currently in Greece in Thessaloniki, I just took a Welcome Pickups taxi this morning at 4am, nice driver, taxi on time. A few Euros more than a non-pre-booked taxi.

Posted by mschmeck

09/04/24 02:32 PM

35 posts

We found cabs of all sizes plentiful at the airports and very easy to use to get to hotel. Simply printed off the hotel confirmation and handed to driver. Cabs were simple and safe in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini.

Posted by wbmethods

Philadelphia

09/23/24 02:58 PM

9 posts

Hi all, is there Uber service from Airport and is it cheaper than Welcome Pickups or regular cabs (40 Euro charge). We are staying about 7 minutes walk from Acropolis Museum in that area. I don't mind paying it but just checking. We are three of us and read that the public transportation may cost us 20 euros for 3 of us and not worth it and rather take a cab or uber. Thanks