I contacted my hotel to see if they offered transportation service from the airport to the hotel, and they do. However, checking on line most sites listed the cost from 35.00-38.00 flat rate for day rides, Athens airport to the center of town. You take the next taxi in line at the cue in the airport. The hotel wants 50.00 euro's, in cash, and paid to the front desk on arrival. In most cities, Paris, Rome, Portugal tour, I paid cash to the driver. This has me wondering if the desk clerks are taking a cut, and that's why it's 12-15.00 more to book through them? Has anyone come up againts this? Not sure if I should just catch a cab at the airport and hope the driver is honest and dosn't take me for a ride, literally. Always prefer booking through the hotel to avoid any issues over agreed upon price. kc
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
603 posts
Since we were coming into Athens very late at night, I wanted a confirmed pickup from the airport to our hotel. Our hotel gave us the name of this company:
https://www.welcomepickups.com
Good reviews on TripAdvisor and our cost was $45.00
We booked and paid online.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Thanks for the reply and link for taxi service, I will check it out.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1441 posts
The flat rate for a taxi trip to Central Athens is 38 euros. It is more expensive during the night. Sometimes taxi drivers do try and pull a fast one on jetlagged passengers.
I would go with the recommendation of a private transfer service. Welcome has a good reputation however for the past couple of years we have used City Cab. The driver meets you at arrivals door holding a sign with your name on it. Takes you to the car and drives you to your hotel. The price is identical to the taxi rate but you can be sure the driver speaks English and that there will be no scams. info@ citycab.gr
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2679 posts
Not sure what hotel you've picked but we chose Hotel Herodion and they pick you up for free if you stay 3 nights so we are taking advantage of that.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Thanks to all who sent recommendations. I did go to Welcomes website and used their cost est. and it came back at 65.00! Not sure what they consider the "center" of the city? My hotel is near the Acropolis Museum, I would think that was pretty central? The City Cab site did not have an estimator function, so I need to do a little more research with them. I will probably go with the hotels offer of 50.00, even though I was surprised that you pay the front desk in cash and not the driver, as I have always done in the past. Thanks again.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
There will be taxis waiting outside the arrivals hall. Before midnight the fare is €38. After midnight they charge €50, which is a fixed rate.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1441 posts
I can confirm that City cab charges 38 euros for day transfers the same as the taxi charges. The only reason it might be more expensive is if the hotel is out of the central area. I am pretty sure your hotel is within the central area.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Kathy you asked for advice but failed to supply a key fact -- WHEN will your ride take place. As others have said, the daytime flat rate applies until midnight... that is, arrival at hotel up until midnight. The rate applies not when you get INTO the vehicle, but when it gets to your destination. So, if you're going to be late, 50E is not surprising. ... OR if your hotel is just outside the central "ring" where the flat rate applies; here is a link showing that boundary -- https://www.stigmap.gr/daktylios-athinon-xartis.php
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Arrival is daytime, or 1:30 in the afternoon. Well before night rate, that's why I mentioned the flat rate 38.00 for daytime taxi. Thanks for the link for the "ring" where the flat rate applies, I tried to find this info online and could not. This helped. I checked, and our hotel is inside the ring. Not sure why it's 12.00 euros more for booking with the hotel. Unless, as I mentioned, they take a cut from the driver, as they requested we pay in cash upon arrival, to the hotel front desk. I just thought that was odd, since in the past, when booking a pick up service through any hotel, I have always paid the driver directly?
I checked out the City Cab link and that looks like the best alt. as the est. is exactly the 38.00 flat rate and they meet you at the airport. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. kc