avoiding petty crimes in Greece

There's no need to be that nervous, but "no way" on the question of putting your iPhone in your back pocket. That's practically making you a sitting duck for theft, not just in Greece, because it's so easy for someone to lift your phone straight out without you noticing in crowded conditions. Have you read Rick's tips on this already (they're on this website, take a look)? Is this your first trip to Europe? I would read all the tips to keep you safe...other than that, you can simply avoid being a victim by taking necessary precautions like not having any visible items in the car when you exit.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams

First step is don't panic. There is petty theft like this, but you can minimize your risk by being smart-not paranoid but mindful. If you have traveled in Europe before I don't think Greece is any worse. If you haven't here are some tips

-most likely crime is pickpocketing. Not violent, you won't know it happened until you can't find your wallet. So personal safety should not be a major concern (just like at home be reasonable and don't go flashing cash in sketchy alleyways at 3AM).

-NO TO YOUR BACK POCKET. For anything including your wallet or phone. Get a front pocket wallet. Many people just carry a small amount of cash for daily expenses like snacks, admission fees, in a front wallet and have a money belt hidden under their clothes with credit cards. If you do this, the money belt is for storage only - don't access it.

-car - keep your luggage in the trunk, not visible. When you get to the site do not open the trunk - have the items you want to take with you in the main car so you can get them and lock the door. That way no thieves see that your car is full of luggage. I haven't driven in Greece, others will tell you how big a problem theft from cars is, this is just general advice.

-in general practice street smarts. Don't leave your phone on the edge of a table where a passerby could grab it. Be aware of your surroundings. Feel free to say no to people if they are bothering you or seem to be up to something. In Paris there are people who will approach you with a petition and pick your pocket while you try to figure out what they are up to. Just tell them to go away and they will find an easier mark.

-taxis - like anywhere some are good,some are bad. Best you can do is insist on the meter. In Rome there is a scam where you hand them a bill that is too big (say a 20 for an 8 fare) and either they don't have change or they convince you that you gave them a smaller bill. Be alert.

We went to Greece 3 years ago and still feel like it was one of the safest countries we've visited. Because we fly from the west coast and are a bit rummy when we land, we take extra precautions the first day or two. Anything valuable ( money, credit cards) goes in a neck wallet or money belt. We keep the cell phones out of sight so it's not obvious we have them. Usually we can figure out what we'll need money-wise ahead I.e.find out the price of admission or approximate cost of a taxi before you go and have that amount available.

We fell in love with Greece-hope you do,too

Oh you lucky devils. I just got back on Sunday from those places and I did NOT want to leave. My wonderful Rick Steves guide, Ioanna, told us that we should be alert and careful in Athens, but that everywhere else there were no issues at all.
I carry a backpack (with nothing of value in it) and 2-3 times on the metro, locals warned me to watch it carefully - gypsies cruise the metro trains busking and watching for opportunities.

Look for Taverna Aiolos in Nafplion. Very good.

Hi All,

Thank you for answering my questions. We have visited Italy five years ago which is my first trip to Europe. I will not keep anything in the back pocket as some of you suggested. I guess that I will keep my cell phone in the backpack all the time except when I take pictures, and wear the backpack in front of my torso, not on the back. As for a rental car, there is not a trunk. It has a hatchback. But I guess that I will take the valuables with me when l leave the rental car at the attraction sites.
We will take a taxi from the airport to our hotel in the center of Athens at about 10PM. I hope that a taxi driver will not overcharge us.

If you post where your hotel is located, someone may be able to tell you about how much it should be. Then you can ask before you get in the taxi.

Was in Greece last year. Always kept my wallet in my front pocket with my hand in it. Well on the subway took my hand out of pocket for 15 seconds to rub my nose. Wallet was gone. There were two girls next to us and we knew it had to be them. We grabbed there arm before they had a chance to hand it off. They dropped it and the doors opened and they took off. They were young and worked in teams. Usually one distracts you and the other one steals. I can't believe I couldn't feel them take it. they are that good at it. From that point on always wear my money belt inside my shirt. I have been to Europe many times and am careful so it can happen to us all. Don't keep anything valuable in any pocket.

Hi,
We will be staying at Athens Center Square hotel in Athens.
Tom, you have scared me to death by telling me your unfortunate incident on the subway because we will take the subway from the airport to the Port of Piraeus. But anyway I appreciate your warning.

Your cell phone in your back pocket is not safe in any country, so I suggest you change that habit. You must have already realized the answer to that was going to be 'no', didn't you? I returned from Greece about a month ago. After reading all the hype here I was more nervous than usual. I found nothing to be nervous about...lovely people, lovely country. I'm chatty with whomever, but always watch my personal space, anywhere. I don't carry a backpack, but am thinking of one for my 'in transport/underseat' bag next time. My daily money and CC was in a smaller cross body bag as I don't always grab my camera bag to go. This is exactly what I do at home. I was constantly in and out of my purse/camera cross body bag and taking photos. I had people posing for me, but not scoping me out as a victim. It was like any other city I was in, perhaps friendlier, except for the motorcycles that obey no rules. The MCs are all over the sidewalks and one needs to be always aware so as not to be hit by one, IMO.

Are most taxi drivers honest over there? Are there any tips when we take a taxi?

IF you read a guidebook you would already know the answers to these questions. The taxis from the airport are less than honest so you need to keep them in line, allegedly. I used Welcome Pick Ups and had a lovely ride into Athens. I've already forgotten the tip rules (but it's in the guidebooks), I use my own judgement for tips, if I like you, you get more.

I loved Athens and wish I'd had more than three days there as there is so much to see and enjoy. Nafplio was my least favorite. Have a great time. Wray

PS, if you feel you need to carry your backpack in the front, perhaps you should go with a cross body bag. Seems more like people are guarding something when I see them doing that, to me anyway.

I know your time is running short-I was hoping the very knowledgeable janet would answer your post, but if you put her name in the search box at the top of the page, you can see her posts and then send her a PM (message). She may be off on an adventure. Have you read the website Matt Barrett in Greece? He has lots of very specific and practical tips.

I'm seeing taxi rates of 35-38€ for your trip, but your arrival time may up the price. The Matt Barrett site gives an excellent piece of advice - have your hotel concierge/desk staff/bellman come out and help with the payment process. Wish I had done that in Lisbon - got overcharged and the bellman was furious with the taxi driver. These countries depend heavily on tourists and they want you to have a good experience.

We took the metro in from the airport and did fine, until we climbed out of the metro after dark and couldn't get our bearings. A very helpful Greek gentleman sensed our confusion and pointed us in the right direction.

Athens is just one place in Europe that pickpocketing is a problem.

Barcelona may top the charts in that area, since the law there doesn't consider it a crime.

Rome and Paris are a problem, especially taking the RER from CDG into the city.

I wear a money belt in these places and keep most of my valuables in my hotel room safe.

Don't try to get by just putting your wallet in your front pocket and rely on having your hand over it. There will be times when you need that hand.
Be especially vigilant in places like the METRO or subway. I always try to move away from other people if I can. If someone approaches you asking you a question, be more vigilant, since they may be trying to distract you from their teammate the pickpocket.

Hi Patty and geovagriffith,

Thank you for more tips. We will be vigilant on the subway. As for a taxi, I will use Welcome Pickup service instead.

Hi Kaeleku,

After I read your post, I can relax now. Thank you for your encouragement. I always get very anxious before a big trip especial when I go to place(s) that I have never been to.
Yes, Wyoming is much safer (compared to big cities like Chicago) because we have only half a million people here and they are usually easy going. I often do not lock my car or house when I leave.

Now that i have read you have only been to Europe once before I understand a bit better .

Pickpocketing happens in most cities in europe.. its a common crime. however.. using a gun to shoot someone is a VERY rare crime.. so I would feel safer in Greece than Wyoming.. look up the stats.. you might have a surprise

I suggest you wear a money belt for passport and credit cards.. a money belt worn under your clothes.. that way in worst case scenerio you will have them safe.

You do need to relax.. yes, watch your stuff.. but my daughter and her friends traveled around europe.. including Greece last year for over 2 months.. they were 19 yrs old and from our small island city off the west coast of Canada.. so not worldly.. just wise.. you can be wise too.

Remember if two 100 lb small town girls can manage , so can you. . PS the only issue they had is my daughters lovely blue leather boots got stolen while she was sleeping in a dorm room at a hostel in Amsteradam.. she KNEW she shouldnt have left them out. but was tired and forgot one night..

Pat brings up an important point, which Greeks have told me, with a laugh. One's fellow travelers (especially the young) may be the main source of any pilfering danger. On my 1st trip to Greece I noticed there were room safes only in popular beach areas -- my landlord told me that petty theft seemed mainly by young tourists. A Greek friend told me, "Petty theft is not part of the Greek culture -- now, in elite circles, some bigwig may try to take over a fleet of ships -- but in ordinary life, nobody's after someone else's stuff". In 12 trips, staying in more than 60 hotels, mostly small family-owned places, I have never repeat never had any indication of anyone going near my things. Even in Athens, pickpocketing situation on the Metro doesn't seem to emanate from locals -- a roundup of a "ring" a few years ago, 69 of the 70 arrested were Albanians(!); gypsies also are involved.

Having lived much of my life in New York City and now, Philadelphia, and having lived in other large US cities, I can say emphatically that I have felt safer in Athens -- even late at night -- than in any other big city I know in the US or Europe. of course, I don't seek out dicey neighborhoods (in Athens or any other city), but as a retiree, often traveling alone, Athens is a treat. Unlike the US, people there are always about, walking, socializing. Relax & enjoy it!

Hi

Pat--- I will wear a money belt for passport and credit cards as you have suggested. Thanks. , I think there are more guns than people in Wyoming.

I think I will get some cash from a ATM machine somewhere in Greece. Do you guys have some tips on doing that in Greece, particularly in Athens? Is there something I have to be mindful of?

Change the ATM language to English.

If the ATM screen displays a message about chargin you a fee (not just some vague language saying that your bank may charge you a fee), cancel the transaction, retrieve your ATM card and try another machine.

If the ATM gives you the choice of having the amount of your withdrawal calculated in dollars rather than euros, you do not want to do that. Read the screen carefully to be sure you choose the option of reporting the amount of the withdrawal in euros.

Be sure the ATM you use is owned by a bank. Although I often use ATMs mounted in the exterior wall of a bank, it is smarter to use machines inside a bank building (if available). And if you make your withdrawals during hours when the bank is open, there's at least a possibility that bank employees may be of some assistance if you encounter a (very rare) machine malfunction.

Hi All,

We came back safely from Greece last Monday.

Just like Patty, I feel now that Greece is one of the safest countries we've ever visited.

As Wray suggested, I used Welcome Pickups. So I was not overcharged for taxi service. We did not encounter any petty crimes anywhere in Greece. I felt pretty safe surrounded mostly by tourists just like me. I left my passport, credit cards, driver’s license, iPad, etc in the safe in my hotel rooms except for one credit card and some cash.

I appreciate your helpful tips. We will definitely go back to Greece again in the future because I did not enough time to visit other places I am interested in visiting during this trip.

Glad you had a good visit . I loved Greece the first time I went , in 1985 !!! Didn't get back till last year , and was happy to discover I loved it just as I did then ! While different budget and travel style now , but people and place are as amazing as ever !

using a gun to shoot someone is a VERY rare crime.. so I would feel
safer in Greece than Wyoming

Excellent point. :D

As for the taxis, they used to be notorious for taking tourists on very long detours and charging way too much. Last time I was in Athens, the city had put signs up at all the taxi stands, at the airport and everywhere, telling you how much the rides to the major sites would cost. So they really didn't have a chance to rip you off any more.