Ts

I'm planning to fly into Athens next summer. I flew there once before and
checked to see if the taxi had a meter before getting in. It did have
something that looked like a meter, but after he picked us up, it wasn't
used. It was just a dummy box for show. Then he proceeded to pick up other
passengers along the way and just made up a price after we got to the hotel
and held the luggage ransom in the trunk. Apparently this is very common.
How do you avoid being ripped off by dishonest Athens taxi drivers?

Maybe we will try to arrive in the daytime next time and take public
transportation or private airport shuttle service into the city.

Wolfgang Schwanke

"TS" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > I flew there once before
    > and checked to see if the taxi had a meter before getting in. It did
    > have something that looked like a meter, but after he picked us up, it
    > wasn't used.

They must use the meter. If they don't use it, they'll quote you a
fantasy price later, an attempt at fraud.

    > It was just a dummy box for show.

No, the meter is real. They're legally supposed to use it.

    > Then he proceeded to
    > pick up other passengers along the way and just made up a price after
    > we got to the hotel and held the luggage ransom in the trunk.
    > Apparently this is very common.

But not legal. Don't accept it.

    > How do you avoid being ripped off by
    > dishonest Athens taxi drivers?

a) Show them that you know they're supposed to use the meter, e.g. by
asking "innocent" questions why it isn't working or somesuch. They will
either oblige or throw you out because their trick doesn't work on you.
Then you can wave down the next taxi in hope they're fair.

b) Don't use taxis. Public transport is now better than it used to be.
From the new airport do Athens city centre, a taxi ride (even a legal
one) is rather expensive anyway because of the distance, but there are
good bus lines. Inside Athens, the new metro lines have made public
transort much more viable.

Regards

--
Samma heißtet jetz Nolle oder Nolli?

http://www.wschwanke.de/ usenet_20031215 (AT) wschwanke (DOT) de

Ts

"Wolfgang Schwanke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "TS" <[email protected]> wrote in
    > news:[email protected]:
    >> I flew there once before
    >> and checked to see if the taxi had a meter before getting in. It did
    >> have something that looked like a meter, but after he picked us up, it
    >> wasn't used.
    > They must use the meter. If they don't use it, they'll quote you a
    > fantasy price later, an attempt at fraud.
    >> It was just a dummy box for show.
    > No, the meter is real. They're legally supposed to use it.
    >> Then he proceeded to
    >> pick up other passengers along the way and just made up a price after
    >> we got to the hotel and held the luggage ransom in the trunk.
    >> Apparently this is very common.
    > But not legal. Don't accept it.
    >> How do you avoid being ripped off by
    >> dishonest Athens taxi drivers?
    > a) Show them that you know they're supposed to use the meter, e.g. by
    > asking "innocent" questions why it isn't working or somesuch. They will
    > either oblige or throw you out because their trick doesn't work on you.
    > Then you can wave down the next taxi in hope they're fair.
    > b) Don't use taxis. Public transport is now better than it used to be.
    > From the new airport do Athens city centre, a taxi ride (even a legal
    > one) is rather expensive anyway because of the distance, but there are
    > good bus lines. Inside Athens, the new metro lines have made public
    > transort much more viable.

Is it practical for two people carrying checked luggage to ride public
transportation into town from the airport?
How early/late is public transportation available from the airport on
weekdays and weekends?

Wolfgang Schwanke

"TS" <[email protected]> wrote
in news:[email protected]:

    > Is it practical for two people carrying checked luggage to ride public
    > transportation into town from the airport?

Yes, the airport express buses have baggage compartments and they connect
directly to the important places in Athens city centre and Piraeus
without interchange.

    > How early/late is public transportation available from the airport on
    > weekdays and weekends?

The express lines are around the clock. This page shows the
lines and schedules:

http://www.aia.gr/EN/passenger_infor..._bus/body.shtm

Regards

--
Aprosdoketon, das (gr.): unerwartet gebrauchtes Fremdwort.

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