Taxi Scam Warning For Popular Mediterranean Port

With the Mediterranean cruise season in full swing, some dishonest taxi drivers near Greece’s busiest port are taking advantage of unsuspecting cruise guests.

One recent traveller is now sounding the alarm after a taxi scam in Athens left them more than $80 out of pocket for a short ride from Piraeus Port.

The cruiser had just disembarked from their ship and hailed a taxi outside the terminal to head to Neos Kosmos, a nearby district just over 10 kilometers (6.6 miles) away.

What should have been a 15–30 minute journey quickly turned into a frustrating ordeal.

“The driver didn’t speak any English and tried to get me to pay in cash. He gave me a receipt that said $17.10,”

At first glance, the fare didn’t seem out of line.

Flag-down rates for Athens taxis currently start at €1.80, with a daytime rate of €0.90 per kilometre. Additional fees for pickup at the cruise terminal can also apply.

But then came an unexpected luggage fee – €11 per bag. With three bags in total, the added fee nearly tripled the cost of the ride.

“After 10 minutes of trying to tell me something and pointing to his phone and card reader, he showed me on his phone that it was another 11 euros per bag. I kept telling him I had no cash. He finally swiped my card, thanked me and shook my hand.”

While small luggage surcharges are common, they’re typically no more than €2–3 per item – not €11. Still, thinking the ordeal was over, the guest assumed the final cost was around $55.

But the worst was yet to come.

Overcharged by More Than $60

Later, when checking their account, the passenger discovered the taxi driver had charged their card $82.14 – more than $25 over what had been agreed.

Fortunately, they had kept their receipt and were able to challenge the charge.

Piraeus is one of Europe’s busiest cruise ports, and while most taxi drivers are professional and fair, some see tourists as easy marks – especially if there’s a language barrier or confusion over payment.

Travellers should be on alert for certain red flags:

Refusing to use the metre
Insisting on cash only
Inflated luggage charges
Not providing a printed or digital receipt

Another cruise passenger shared a similar experience recently:

“We asked if he was going to use the metre. He threw our bags out and refused to take us.”

Rideshare apps like Uber, which is available in Athens, are often a safer alternative. Prices are fixed upfront, payment is handled through the app, and customer service is available if issues arise.

Tips to Stay Protected

Always confirm the driver will use the metre before accepting the ride
Keep your receipt
Know that Greek taxis are legally required to accept card payments
Use a ride-hailing app when possible
Watch out for excessive luggage fees — if in doubt, ask in advance

It’s also a good idea to research taxi rates in advance and check real-time directions and pricing on your phone to ensure you’re being taken on a direct route.

Cruise passengers hoping to enjoy a relaxing time ashore shouldn’t have to worry about scams – but unfortunately, as this recent case shows, it pays to be cautious.

TODAY’S BEST CRUISE DEALS!

Don’t miss these offers…

If you found this interesting, please share!

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.