street safety and taxi system

Average cost from Athens hotel in Central (Plaka) area to Piraeus is about €20 except in rush hour... no flat fee, as from airport. If you are coming from a hotel, just ask the desk staff to order a taxi if you are worried about the time, or else, when you get ready to leave, just ask the doorman or a staff person to whistle you down a taxi. If you are at all uncertain about paying a fair price, just have your hotel staff say to the taxi driver "I have told these people that the fare to Piraeus will be about €__." If you are going to the cruise port it will be at least €5 more, because that's a lot farther than the main ferry piers.

Street safety in Athens and Santorini and in general throughout Greece is waaaaay safer than in almost anywhere in the US .. where are you from? I lived in Manhattan 35 years, also in Chicago & elsewhere, and I have felt safer walking in Athens, even after midnight, than any major US or European city. Greeks are "night people" so there's always street traffic, coming/going from cafes & clubs. Of course, one should always be prudent, but not scaredy-cat. Don't stay in a really grungy district ... every city has them, but you don't need to stay there .. and you'll be just fine.

Thanks Janet - helpful advice/info. I'm from Northern Virginia - Washington DC area. Can't wait to be in Greece, esp. Santorini!

Not sure what you mean by street safety. Are you talking about traffic which can be very dangerous even when you have the walk light or safety in general?

As far as safety in general goes Athens and all of Greece is one of the safest countries anywhere. The most you have to worry about are bag snatchers and pick pockets. Violent crime is low and most Greeks are polite, courteous and helpful.

However, if you are talking about crossing a street then beware . . . Greek drivers in Athens are indifferent to others, let alone pedestrians.

Always look twice, three times, four times before crossing a street even when you have to right of way or light.

Other than that Greece is a piece of cake for being safe!

To add to Tommyk5's comment about traffic, watch out for the motorcycles. There seem to be no rules at all. Often, they will ride up on the sidewalk to speed right by you. It has nothing to do with stealing your purse (altho I'm sure some might), but has more to do with getting to where they are going anyway they can, and they will not give you the right of way. I'm from Boston, so the traffic rules or lack of following were similar, but the MC's were a new experience!

I meant safety in general but it's good to know that I need to be careful with traffic, esp. motorcycles - it sounds like Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam - got hit there once and never dared to cross the streets there since then.