Uber In Athens? What’s Really Going On!

Yes, there is Uber in Athens and Greece, but only for taxis, aka Uber Taxi. Three alternative services you can safely use.

Last updated: 26 Jun 2024

One of the most common questions asked by Athens, Greece, visitors is, “Is there Uber in Athens?”. And it makes perfect sense.

The app serves more than 10.000 cities worldwide and offers affordable transportation.

I also use it on many of my trips; I think it’s an excellent way to understand better the city I am visiting by starting a conversation with the local drivers.

However, the legal framework varies from country to country; consequently, the application’s services must be modified.

Greece, of course, is no exception to the rule. In 2018, after many protests from the taxicab businesses and legal disputes, Uber decided to suspend the operation of the UberX service.

In case you did not know, UberX is the company’s basic level of service provided by non-professional drivers.

Until then, UberX employed about 1.300 amateur drivers in Athens.

As one would expect, the conditions were not ideal for them since professional taxi drivers characterized Uber drivers as “pirates, who illegally stole their transport work”.

As a result, there were even violent reactions when striking taxi drivers met Uber drivers.

Does Athens have Uber?

Following the court decision, the technology company decided to modify its operations in Greece.

Leaving the country was not an option. Thus it made only the Uber Taxi service available, which includes hiring a regular taxi with a professional driver.

Initially, Uber limited its operation to Athens; the Greek capital is a market too valuable to lose.

It has a significant population of 4.000.000 inhabitants, while it is also a top-rated tourist destination.

A few years later, in 2021, Uber began expanding its services to other popular Greek destinations, including Santorini, Corfu, and Mykonos.

Back to Athens, when choosing to use the Uber application, your ride will exclusively be the city’s classic yellow taxis.

These are vehicles with a legal taxi license and taximeter.

In addition, you’ll know the registration number and model of the car in advance, and you’ll also have the opportunity to see the driver’s score before choosing to confirm the call.

Lastly, you can pay with your card or PayPal, even if the driver does not have a POS machine.

Uber Alternatives in Athens

Uber, though, is not alone; the competition faced by the application in Athens is very high.

1) The most popular alternative is FREE NOW (mytaxi), especially among the locals, which operates a taxi and ride-hailing mobile app. In fact, such is its popularity that most taxi drivers use it. However, it adds a 1,2 euros fee to your ride compared to taking a taxi on the road.

2) At the same time, the Taxiplon application is becoming more popular lately, with which you can also call a taxi.

Be careful, nevertheless; finding a taxi with any application during rush hour isn’t easy. Drivers prefer to turn off their phones and pick up passengers from the road to avoid paying fees to the apps.

3) If you are not hurrying to get to your destination, you can look for a taxi on the street. However, e.g., if you have to catch your flight, I recommend using a pre-booked taxi to avoid the hassle.

The one I usually propose, especially for airport and port transfers, is the local startup Welcome Pickups. They offer excellent service and have expanded rapidly to many cities abroad.

Even though their flat rate is a few euros more expensive, they are worth it.

They use only top-rated drivers, wait for you at the arranged meeting point even if your arrival is delayed, and have numerous positive reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot.

Uber, though, is significantly better when it comes to daily commuting in the city. Without a doubt, it offers much better prices and greater availability.

How Much Will I Pay for a Taxi?

The state of Greece is the one that sets the taxi fares in Athens, which also applies to Uber Taxi.

The final price is calculated based on travel time, distance, and any related surcharges. Moreover, taxis have different prices based on the time of day.

Therefore, expect the same ride to have an additional fare late at night, contrasting with the morning.

Specifically, the charges are the following:

Minimum fare	4,00 euros
Base fare	1,80 euros
Cost per km	0,90 euros between 05:00 and 23:59 and 1,25 euros between 00:00 and 04:59.
Cost per minute	0,30 euros. This charge only applies when the Taxi vehicle fully stops (e.g., traffic lights, STOP signs, etc.).

Furthermore, there are specific surcharges:

Airport surcharge	4,00 euros
Luggage surcharge (heavier than 10kg)	0,39 euros each
Harbor or bus stops surcharge	1,07 euros

Remember that the car’s taximeter will be operational throughout your journey and will calculate your fare in real-time, minus any surcharges.

The driver will stop the taximeter at the end of the route and determine the final fare, including any applicable surcharges.

On the contrary, note that the rate is flat if you plan to use a taxi to the city center from Athens airport.

Specifically, from 05:00 to 23:59, the route costs 40 euros, and from 00:00 to 05:00, it costs 55 euros. The prices include all base charges and surcharges plus tolls.

Do I Need Uber in Athens?

With the above in mind, you should know that you may not need a taxi if you plan to move only around the center of Athens.

As a rule, stick to the metro; it’s by far the most reliable. Moreover, walk as much as possible.

It’s the best way to enjoy the sights, such as taking a walk to the famous Acropolis, the well-known Ancient Agora of Athens, and the picturesque Plaka.

On the other hand, if you intend to cover long distances, e.g., to go to the beach, you can always rent a car.

You can search online for the best prices on Rentalcars.com. Furthermore, you will find all the necessary information in this quick and all-inclusive guide on how to get around Athens.

But if you need a taxi, then use one of the above services.

It is definitely better than taking a cab on the road.

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Ridesharing and Accommodation Tips

I hope this article helped you understand what’s going on with Uber in Athens and Greece.

If you are curious about Uber in other Greek destinations, be sure to check out the following articles:

• Uber in Santorini
  
  
• Uber in Thessaloniki
  
  
• Uber in Corfu

Moreover, if you are searching for accommodation, don’t miss the “Top 10 Neighborhoods to Stay in Athens for Every Traveler” guide!

It includes the most reliable neighborhoods, the city’s best hotels, and the areas you should avoid.

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