Please sign in to post.

Taxi in Athens

I know I can easily get a taxi from an Athens main square to the National Archaeology Museum, but how easy/hard is it to get one back? Do taxis hang out there all of the time? I will be there in November.

Posted by
3312 posts

You can easily get a taxi back from the Museum area, they are cruising all the time. IF you get a tram, you need to have a ticket in advance, I think they are sold at newspaper stands/kiosks along the street. However, and this is a BIG however, be very sure that the tram to take goes directly down that Avenue & turns to pass Syntagma Square. Best to ask "Syntagma??" If it is a tram or bus that suddenly takes another route, you'll find the driver doesn't speak good english, nor will most of the passengers (at least, not enough to quickly advise), and you'll be forced to jump off and seek a taxi on a street that may have fewer cruising cabs.

Posted by
1383 posts

Another option is to get the metro from Plateia Viktoria which is about 5 minutes walk away. As you come out of the museum turn right onto the main street- 28th Oktovriou - and then left onto Cheiden which is half a dozen blocks down.

The station is under the square in front of you and you can buy tickets there.

If you want to get back to Syntagma you’ll need to change at Omonia or Monastiraki. Signs at Monastiraki are probably a bit clearer.

Posted by
3312 posts

That's fine for you & me, ALan, we've been doing it for awhile. But for a complete newcomer to Athens, I would hesitate to recommend a Metro trip that involved changing at those 2 busy stations (which also feature pickpockets during rush hour). The signage also can be confusing, if you don't know to look for the color coded marks to indicate blue, green or red lines. For people who have extended stays in Athens requiring weeks of daily commmuting maybe Metro. Otherwise, stay on street level.

Posted by
3115 posts

No problem getting a taxi back. Just walk across the street so you can flag one down that's passing by in the direction of Syntagma Square.

Posted by
1153 posts

Are you fit and able to walk distances?

I've walked from Central Athens, Monistiraki area to the museum. Most hotels will have a city map that are relatively easy to follow.

In addition you get to see the non-touristy parts of the city which is a big change from the tourist areas. Less hustle and bustle, traffic and some nice scenery along the way.

If it's too much to do both ways you can take a taxi back.

I love roaming around Athens out of the tourist zone and get a more realistic feel of the city.

But if you can't walk distances then a taxi would be your best option. You can tell the taxi driver to return at a certain time to avoid having him wait which will add to the cost.

Posted by
4 posts

Very easy, but beware, cruisers will try to gouge tourists. Agree on the approximate rate before stepping inside. Happened to my friend a couple of weeks ago near the Parthenon, but I had warned her. She walked to a marked taxi stand near a hotel and found a €5.00 fare, the other guy wanted €20.00.

Posted by
3312 posts

You are right, that's always the best way... find a taxi stand. Luckily there always was one right out side my dear Hotel Phaedra.