Taxis in Athens: How Fares Work, Card Payment and Complaints
The meter, the airport flat fare and the card machine every taxi must carry: what to expect in a yellow cab and what to do if the price looks wrong.
Athens taxis are yellow and charge by the meter, with a €4 minimum fare and a higher night tariff from midnight to 05:00, as of November 2026. Trips between the airport and the city centre use a flat fare of €50 by day and €65 at night. Every taxi must accept bank cards and issue a receipt.
Fares are set nationally by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The figures below are as of November 2026 and change only by ministerial decision.
How does the taxi meter work?
The meter starts with a fixed flag fall and then adds a charge per kilometre and a charge for waiting in traffic. There are two tariffs:
| Tariff | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Tariff 1 (single) | 05:00 to midnight |
| Tariff 2 (double) | Midnight to 05:00 |
The active tariff shows on the meter display as 1 or 2. If you see tariff 2 during the day inside the city, ask the driver why. The ministry confirmed in September 2026 that the base tariffs and the €4 minimum fare were unchanged when the airport fares rose. Extra charges can apply for booking by phone or app and for waiting time; the driver must be able to show them on the meter or the official tariff sheet.
What is the flat fare to and from the airport?
Between Athens airport and the central zone of the city, taxis charge a flat fare per car, not per person. Under a decision published in September 2026, it is €50 from 05:00 to midnight and €65 from midnight to 05:00, as of November 2026, up from €40 and €55. The flat fare includes tolls and luggage. Trips from the airport to other destinations, such as Piraeus, Glyfada or the northern suburbs, run on the meter. Our airport to city centre comparison shows when the metro or bus is cheaper.
Can I book a taxi by app?
Yes. FreeNow and Uber both work in Athens, and both send licensed yellow taxis rather than private cars. The fare still follows the meter or the airport flat rate. Apps help when you do not speak Greek, want to see the car’s plate in advance or prefer paying by a card stored in the app. Radio taxi companies also take phone bookings, usually with a booking charge on the meter.
Do Athens taxis accept card payment?
They must. Since 2024 every taxi has to carry a card terminal and display a sticker, in Greek and English, on the rear right window saying that card payment is accepted and a receipt will be issued. Drivers who fail to comply face fines.
- Say you will pay by card when you get in, so there is no dispute at the end.
- At the end, ask for the receipt (apodeixi). It shows the fare and the taxi’s details.
- If the driver says the machine is broken, note the plate number and ask for a receipt anyway.
How do I spot overcharging?
- The meter is not running, or the driver offers a “special price” for a metered trip.
- Tariff 2 shows during the day within the city.
- The driver charges the airport flat fare per person, or adds luggage fees on a flat-fare trip.
- The route is clearly longer than a map app suggests, with no traffic reason.
- The driver refuses a card or a receipt.
Overcharging cases at the airport have led to arrests by the Attica traffic police, so the rules are enforced.
Where can I complain about a taxi?
Keep the receipt and write down the plate number, the time and the route. For help in English, the tourist police answer on 1571. At the airport, the taxi information desk and police on site can step in before you pay. If you paid by card and were overcharged, the receipt also supports a dispute with your bank. Our list of emergency numbers in Greece covers the police and tourist police lines.
What happens on taxi strike days?
Athens taxi unions, mainly SATA, sometimes call 24-hour or 48-hour strikes, often over fares, electric-car rules or app competition. On those days few or no yellow taxis work, and the apps show little or nothing. Strikes are announced in advance in the Greek press. See our guide on how to check for strikes in Athens; on a taxi strike day, the airport buses and the metro still run unless transport workers strike too.
Taxis in Athens can be hailed in the street when the roof sign is lit, taken from a rank, or booked by phone or app. At busy times drivers may already have a passenger; a lit sign means the taxi is free.
Bottom line
Before a long trip, check a map app for the rough distance so you know what the meter should show. Paying by card with a receipt solves most disputes before they start, and it is your right in every Athens taxi.
FAQ
Is tipping expected in Athens taxis?
No. Rounding up to the next euro is common, but it is optional.
Is the airport flat fare valid to Piraeus?
No. The flat fare covers the airport and the central zone of Athens. Trips to Piraeus and most suburbs run on the meter.
Does the night tariff apply on holidays?
The tariff rules are set by the ministry. Check the official tariff sheet in the car or ask the driver to show it if tariff 2 appears outside midnight to 05:00.
Can I pay for a taxi with my phone?
Card terminals in taxis are contactless, so phone and watch payments usually work. Ask for the receipt either way.
