Pickpockets, unclear taxi fares, drinks left unattended, unclear bills, currency conversion and rental damage claims: tourist traps in Athens and how to spot them.
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The most common Athens scams
A distraction on the metro
How it worksOne person creates a fuss or bumps you while another reaches for your bag. It often happens right by the door, just before it closes.
WhereIn central Athens, on the metro, and on the metro and bus lines to the airport. Especially in the season from April to November. Demonstrations often meet at Syntagma, and the crowd there is harder to read.
How to protect yourself
- Keep money and documents separate and close to your body.
- Do not stand right by the door of a bus or train.
- Do not leave a bag unattended, including on the airport train.
The airport ride without the flat fare
How it worksYou get in without settling the price. There is an official flat fare between the airport and the inner ring. If you do not know it, the number at the end of the ride can be a surprise.
WhereAt Athens Airport, at the taxi queue by Exit 3 on the arrivals level, and on rides into the inner ring.
How to protect yourself
- That route is 50 euros from 5:00 until midnight, and 65 euros from midnight until 5:00. The time you arrive at the destination sets the fare. Surcharges are included.
- Use the taxi rank at Exit 3. For other destinations, arrange the ride ahead or use an app that sends licensed taxis.
- Ask for the receipt. Greek law requires it.
The drink you stop watching
How it worksAt night in a bar or club something ends up in your glass while you are not looking. UK travel advice names this for Greece and says to watch the group’s drinks.
WhereIn bars and clubs at night, especially late.
How to protect yourself
- Do not leave your drink unattended.
- Do not take a drink you did not order yourself.
- Save the location of your accommodation so you can find the way back.
- Do not walk back alone. If something feels wrong, get medical help and call 112.
The bill with no breakdown
How it worksA single total lands on the table, and you cannot see what it is made of. Greek law requires restaurants to give an itemized bill. Without that list you cannot check the lines.
WhereIn restaurants, and anywhere you pay for a service.
How to protect yourself
- Ask for the itemized bill and read it before you pay.
- Keep the receipt.
The handy conversion into your currency
How it worksThe terminal offers to charge the amount in a currency other than euros. It looks clearer, but a poor rate or extra fees are often built in. Consumer advice treats this instant conversion as a cost trap.
WhereAt the till and at cash machines, when your card is not in euros.
How to protect yourself
- Choose euros and decline conversion into your home currency.
- Check the amount and the currency before you enter your PIN.
The damage on the quad or scooter
How it worksYou hire a quad or a scooter. When you bring it back, you are told to pay for a scratch or other damage. Hire company insurance usually covers only damage to other people, not to the vehicle. If you do not pay, you can be held.
WhereAt hire desks in Athens and nearby.
How to protect yourself
- Check the licence the vehicle requires before you sign.
- Photograph the vehicle from every side before you ride.
- Wear a helmet. Drivers and passengers both need one.
- Read whether your travel insurance covers quads. Many policies leave them out.
Travel Athens with fewer surprises
Which traps matter to you depends on how you travel: solo, with family, on a budget, or in peak season. TravelCheck on iPhone builds your personalized scam report for Athens, usable offline, with Greek phrases you can play aloud.
FAQ
Is Athens safe?
Theft without violence is common in the centre, especially from April to November, in busy squares and on metro and bus lines to the airport. Keep valuables close to your body and separate from each other.
How much is a taxi from Athens Airport?
The airport lists 50 euros between 5:00 and midnight, and 65 euros between midnight and 5:00, for trips to and from the city center inner ring. The time you arrive at the destination sets the fare. Surcharges and extras are included. Taxis wait around the clock at Exit 3 on the arrivals level. Greek law requires a receipt.
What should I do with my drink when I go out?
UK travel advice for Greece says to watch the group’s drinks in bars and clubs at night. Do not leave your drink unattended, do not take a drink you did not order, and do not walk back alone. If something feels wrong, get medical help and call 112.
Do restaurants have to give an itemized bill?
Yes. Greek law requires restaurants to provide an itemized bill. Ask for it and read it before you pay. Keep the receipt for goods and services you buy.
What if the terminal offers another currency?
Choose euros. Consumer advice warns that converting straight into your home currency often hides a poor rate or extra fees. Check the amount and the currency before you enter your PIN.
What applies when I hire a quad or scooter?
Hire company insurance usually covers only damage to other people, not to the vehicle. Photograph the vehicle before you ride, wear a helmet, and read whether your travel insurance covers quads. If you refuse a damage demand, you can be held until you pay.
What is the emergency number in Athens?
Call 112 in an emergency. You reach the tourist police on 1571.
