Key Takeaways
- Uber works in Athens as UberTAXI, which books licensed yellow taxis at regulated taxi fares, so it is not a cheaper private car service.
- Airport to city centre: taxi flat rate €50 day / €65 night; metro €9; express bus €5.50.
- Within the city, metro tickets cost €1.20 for 90 minutes; most central rides are walkable or a short taxi.
- Private transfers make sense for families, groups of five or more, late-night arrivals, and hard deadlines like ferries.
In this guide
Yes, Uber works in Athens as UberTAXI, which books a licensed yellow taxi rather than a private car. The fare follows the taxi meter, or the fixed flat rate between the airport and the city centre, so Uber costs about the same as a taxi you hail on the street. FreeNow and Bolt also work in Athens, and the metro and a private transfer are the other options.
Below we compare all of them on price, convenience and the situations where each one makes sense, for airport runs and for trips around the city.
€50
Airport taxi (day)
€1.20
City metro ticket
€9
Airport metro
€4
Minimum taxi fare
Quick Answer Table
| Option | Airport to City Centre | Within the City | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (Theo Travel) | Fixed price (contact us) | Fixed quote per vehicle | Groups, families, guaranteed price |
| Official taxi (flat rate) | EUR 50 day / EUR 65 night | Meter-based, inexpensive | 1 to 4 passengers, flexible |
| Uber in Athens (UberTAXI) | Same as taxi | Same as taxi | Those who prefer app convenience |
| FreeNow (Beat) | Same as taxi | Taxi fare + EUR 1.20 pre-booking fee | Greek app formerly called Beat |
| Bolt | Same as taxi | Same as taxi | Alternative app option |
| Metro (Line 3) | EUR 9 per person | EUR 1.20 per 90-min ticket | Solo travellers, light luggage |
| Express bus (X95) | EUR 5.50 | Not applicable for city trips | Budget airport transfer |
Is Uber Cheaper Than a Taxi in Athens
No. And this is the counterintuitive fact that trips up most visitors who arrive from cities where Uber competes on price.
Here is why
New Greek rules passed in 2018 affected ridesharing, and Uber suspended UberX in Athens that April while keeping UberTAXI running.
What Uber does offer in Athens is UberTAXI
the app dispatches a licensed yellow taxi driver. The fare follows the official Greek taximeter regulations, which are set by the government, not by Uber. The same regulated flat rate from the airport (EUR 50 day, EUR 65 night) that applies to a taxi from the rank also applies to a taxi booked via the Uber app.
Bolt operates on the same model: dispatches licensed taxis at regulated fares.
FreeNow (formerly known as Beat in Greece) operates the same way. For on-demand rides in Athens it adds a EUR 1.20 pre-booking fee.
Any taxi app works
FreeNow, Uber and Bolt all book licensed Athens taxis. Whichever you use, you pay the regulated fare, not a discount.
Taxis in Athens
How They Work
Athens taxis are yellow. They are plentiful in the city centre during the day and in most parts of the city at most hours. You can hail them from the street, find them at designated taxi ranks, or book one via FreeNow, Uber, or Bolt.
Fares
Within the city
the meter starts at EUR 1.80 and runs at EUR 0.90 per km on Tariff 1 (day) or EUR 1.25 per km on Tariff 2 (night), with a EUR 4 minimum fare (Government Gazette B 5674, 18 September 2026). Short central rides stay cheap.
From the airport to the city centre
regulated flat rate of EUR 50 by day and EUR 65 from 00:00 to 05:00. This is per taxi, not per person. A family of four splits the cost.
From the airport to Piraeus
no flat rate (unlike the city-centre route). The meter applies, plus a EUR 4 airport surcharge. Ask the driver for an estimate before you get in.
Cards vs Cash
Greek taxis are required to accept card payments, but carrying some euros is the safer approach in case the terminal fails. If you have pre-booked a private transfer, payment conditions are agreed in advance.
Hailing and Using Taxis
In central Athens, taxis are available by hailing from the street during the day. In quieter areas or late at night, booking through FreeNow, Uber or Bolt is often easier than waiting for a passing taxi.
One local nuance: during peak demand times, particularly early morning, it is not unusual for a taxi to slow down and ask where you are going before agreeing to the fare. Greek rules forbid taxi drivers from choosing passengers, but it happens. If a driver does not want to take your route, the practical response is to wait for the next one.
The Metro and Public Transport
Athens Metro: Lines and Coverage
Athens has three metro lines:
Line 1 (Green)
runs overground and underground, connects Kifissia in the north to Piraeus port in the south. This is the older line, partly at ground level.
Line 2 (Red)
crosses the city roughly east-west through the centre. Stops include Syntagma, Acropolis (the closest station to the Acropolis hill), and Larissa (the intercity rail station for Meteora and northern Greece).
Line 3 (Blue)
connects the airport to the city centre, passing through Syntagma and Monastiraki, and continues to Piraeus. The Monastiraki stop places you in the heart of the old city.
Cost
A single metro ticket valid for 90 minutes costs EUR 1.20. It covers metro, bus, trolley and tram within the 90-minute window, but not the airport express buses, the X80 or the metro section from Koropi to the airport (OASA).
A full airport ticket (Line 3 from the airport to the city) costs EUR 9. You need it because the regular EUR 1.20 ticket does not cover the Koropi to Airport section.
When the Metro Wins
For travel within the city, the metro is excellent: cheap, frequent, and covered. The Acropolis station (Line 2, Red) is a short walk from the south slope entrance of the Acropolis. Monastiraki (Line 3, Blue) drops you at the foot of the flea market and the ancient Agora.
For the airport, the metro is the right choice for solo travellers or couples with light luggage, arriving during operating hours (trains leave the airport from 06:10 to 23:34). It is not the right choice for families with large suitcases or travellers arriving after midnight.
Express Buses
The X95 bus runs between Athens Airport and Syntagma Square in central Athens, 24 hours a day. Single ticket EUR 5.50. OASA estimates about 60 minutes. The X96 runs between the airport and Piraeus port on the same 24-hour schedule.
For budget travellers who have time and do not mind the slower journey, the buses are a legitimate option.
Private Transfers
What They Are
A private transfer is a pre-booked, dedicated vehicle that operates exclusively for your group, with a professional driver who meets you at a specific point and takes you to a specific destination. Unlike a taxi, the price is fixed before you travel.
When They Make Sense
For airport arrivals
the combination of a fixed price, flight monitoring (your driver tracks your actual arrival, so a delay is not a problem), and a meet-and-greet in arrivals removes the logistics friction from the moment you land. For families, groups, or business travellers, this is the sensible choice.
For groups of 5 or more
the cost of multiple taxis adds up. A private V-Class or Sprinter at a fixed price can compare favourably, with the added benefit of everyone travelling together.
For transfers requiring precision
a pre-booked private transfer is the right tool when there is a hard deadline: catching a ferry at Piraeus, reaching a cruise ship, making a flight. You know the cost, you know the vehicle is confirmed, and the driver is monitoring your schedule.
For tours that include a driver
our private tours to Cape Sounion, Delphi, Meteora, and the rest of our tour programme all operate on a private vehicle basis. The transfer is part of the tour.
When They Do Not Make Sense
For a solo traveller hopping across the city to a museum, or a couple taking the metro from the airport with one bag each, a private transfer is overkill. Use the taxi or metro. It is the right tool for the job.
Which Should You Choose: By Scenario
Arriving from the airport, solo traveller, light bag, daytime
Take the metro (Line 3, EUR 9) to Syntagma or Monastiraki. Clean, fast, cheap.
Arriving from the airport, couple, two suitcases, daytime
Taxi from Exit 3 (EUR 50 flat rate to the city centre). Ask for the flat rate, confirm before you get in.
Arriving from the airport, family with children and luggage
Private transfer. Book in advance, confirm child seats if needed. Theo Travel's vehicles seat 1 to 16.
Arriving from the airport, late at night (00:00 to 05:00)
Private transfer or taxi. The last metro leaves the airport at 23:34. A pre-booked private transfer removes the uncertainty of finding a taxi at 02:00. If you go the taxi route, the night flat rate is EUR 65.
Getting around the city during the day
Metro or taxi, depending on distance and preference. Both are inexpensive.
Going to Piraeus to catch a ferry
For a same-day ferry with luggage and a hard departure time: private transfer. The fixed price and confirmed vehicle are worth the premium over a taxi when missing the boat is not an option.
Going to Cape Sounion
Private tour. The metro does not reach Cape Sounion, and the KTEL Attikis coastal bus to Sounion is suspended from 4 October 2026 until further notice. Our private Sounio tour gives you door-to-door service and the right amount of time at the site.
FreeNow vs Uber vs Bolt: Which App Is Best in Athens
If you want app-based taxi booking in Athens, here is the honest comparison:
FreeNow (formerly Beat) is the long-standing Greek taxi app. In Athens it adds a EUR 1.20 pre-booking fee to on-demand rides.
Uber is available and functional. The fare structure is identical (UberTAXI at regulated rates). At the airport, Uber pickups are on the arrivals level opposite Exit 4. The main advantage is using an app you already know from other cities.
Bolt is available and operates on the same model, booking licensed taxis.
In all three cases, you are booking a licensed yellow taxi at the regulated fare.
FAQ: Athens Transport
Is Uber available in Athens? Yes. Uber in Athens works through UberTAXI, which connects you with licensed taxi drivers. Uber suspended UberX in Athens in April 2018 after new Greek rules on ridesharing. Uber fares follow the taximeter, except the flat fares between the airport and the city centre, the same as a regular taxi.
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi in Athens? No. Uber in Athens uses licensed taxis, and Uber fares follow the taximeter or the airport flat fare, so the cost is the same as a street taxi. The benefit is app convenience and cashless payment, not price.
What is the best taxi app in Athens? There is no official ranking. FreeNow (formerly Beat), Uber and Bolt all book licensed Athens taxis at the regulated fare; FreeNow adds a EUR 1.20 pre-booking fee for on-demand rides.
How much does the metro cost in Athens? A standard 90-minute ticket covering metro, bus, trolley and tram costs EUR 1.20. The airport metro ticket (Line 3) costs EUR 9. Both fares are set by OASA and updated periodically.
Do taxis in Athens take credit cards? Greek taxis are required to accept card payments. Carry some euros anyway in case the terminal fails.
Are taxis expensive in Athens? No. The meter starts at EUR 1.80 and runs at EUR 0.90 per km by day, and the minimum fare is EUR 4.
What is the flat rate from Athens Airport to the city? EUR 50 during the day and EUR 65 at night (midnight to 05:00). This is per taxi, not per person. The flat rate applies to the city centre inner ring. Verify the current regulated rate at the time of your visit.
Can I use a contactless card on the Athens metro? Yes. OASA accepts contactless bank cards and mobile wallets for the EUR 1.20 90-minute fare and the EUR 9 airport fare, with no need to buy a ticket first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Uber in Athens works through UberTAXI, which connects you with licensed taxi drivers. Uber suspended UberX in Athens in April 2018 after new Greek rules on ridesharing. Uber fares follow the taximeter, except the flat fares between the airport and the city centre, the same as a regular taxi.
No. Uber in Athens uses licensed taxis, and Uber fares follow the taximeter or the airport flat fare, so the cost is the same as a street taxi. The benefit is app convenience and cashless payment, not price.
There is no official ranking. FreeNow (formerly Beat), Uber and Bolt all book licensed Athens taxis at the regulated fare; FreeNow adds a €1.20 pre-booking fee for on-demand rides.
A standard 90-minute ticket covering metro, bus, trolley and tram costs €1.20. The airport metro ticket (Line 3) costs €9. Both fares are set by OASA and updated periodically.
€50 during the day and €65 at night (midnight to 05:00). This is per taxi, not per person, and applies to the city centre inner ring. For Piraeus port there is no flat rate, so the meter applies.
For airport arrivals with families or groups, late-night landings when the metro is closed, and any journey with a hard deadline like catching a ferry. For solo travellers hopping across the city with light luggage, the metro or a street taxi is usually the right tool.
