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Tourist scams and rip-offs in Greece: how to avoid them
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Greece is generally safe and welcoming for tourists, with violent crime rare, but opportunistic scams target visitors at major sights, transport hubs and restaurants. The main things to watch are overpriced unlicensed airport taxis, table-charge and tourist-menu inflation in busy areas, and petty pickpocketing on crowded metro lines and ferries.
Updated September 2026
Common scams in Greece and how to avoid them
1. Unlicensed airport drivers
How it works: Drivers approach travelers inside the arrivals terminal offering a ride. They quote inflated prices, lack meters and may take long routes or demand extra at the destination.
How to avoid it: Walk past all unlicensed offers and use the official taxi rank outside. Confirm the fixed airport fare before getting in.
2. Tourist-menu price inflation
How it works: Restaurants in dense tourist areas present menus without prices or add unexpected bread, cover or service charges to the bill at the end.
How to avoid it: Ask to see a printed menu with prices before sitting down and check the bill line by line before paying.
3. Friendship bracelet or rose trick
How it works: Someone approaches with a bracelet, rose or gift, places it on you and then demands payment. Refusing becomes awkward in a group setting.
How to avoid it: Say no firmly, keep hands busy and walk away. Do not take items offered on the street.
4. Boat and tour ticket resellers
How it works: Street sellers or unofficial kiosks sell ferry and tour tickets at marked-up prices or sell tickets for operators that differ from what was promised.
How to avoid it: Buy ferry and tour tickets only from official operator offices, their websites or major licensed agencies.
5. Poor-rate exchange booths
How it works: Currency exchange booths near major sights quote rates well below the official interbank rate and add commission fees, giving far less euros than a card or bank ATM.
How to avoid it: Withdraw euros from a bank ATM or pay by card. Avoid street exchange counters entirely.
6. Pickpocketing on crowded transport
How it works: Teams work metro carriages and ferry decks, crowding around passengers to lift wallets and phones during crush conditions at peak hours and at station entrances.
How to avoid it: Keep bags zipped and in front, phones in front pockets, and stay alert at turnstiles and on packed trains.
Official tickets for the top sights in Greece
Skip street sellers: book official tickets and tours with free cancellation.
From the airport to the city centre
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), serving Athens
Fair taxi price (official, daytime): €40 - €55. Use the official taxi rank outside the arrivals hall. Athens airport operates a fixed fare for the center by destination zone; confirm the price with the driver before starting. Unlicensed drivers approach travelers inside the terminal, avoid them.
Best alternative: Metro Line 3 (blue line) from the airport station to Syntagma or Monastiraki (€10, about 40 min)
Public transport: tickets, validation and fines
- Single ticket
- €1.20 (90-minute single ticket valid on metro, bus, tram and suburban railway within Athens)
- Validation rules
- Tickets must be validated in the yellow or blue machines at the station entrance before boarding. Validation prints the date and time; inspectors may board randomly and check stamped tickets. Airport tickets are validated at the airport station turnstiles.
- Fine without a valid ticket
- €60. On-the-spot fine for travel without a valid ticket; paid within 10 days it is reduced. Inspectors are uniformed and can ask for ID.
- Paying by card
- Contactless bank cards and mobile wallets work at metro and tram station gates; no daily cap applies. The official Athens transport app also sells digital tickets.
Tipping and service charges
Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but not expected. Round up restaurant bills or leave about 5 to 10 percent for good service. Taxi drivers and tour guides appreciate a few euros but it is not mandatory.
Cover and service charges: Cover charge is uncommon but some tourist-area restaurants add bread, service or a tourist fee to the bill. Check the menu for a listed charge and review the bill before paying. Some places in busy tourist zones serve menus without prices, always confirm prices before ordering.
Cards, ATMs and currency exchange
Always choose to be charged in euros and decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card terminals. Prefer ATMs attached to major Greek banks. Independent ATM brands in tourist areas are widely reported to charge high fees. Cards are accepted widely, cash is still expected at small tavernas and market stalls.
Areas where extra care is advised
- Omonia area, Athens: Around the main square and its side streets late at night, minor theft and drug-related activity have been widely reported. Keep bags closed and use well-lit main streets.
- Exarcheia area, Athens: Some streets see occasional demonstrations and minor unrest. It is not dangerous by day, but avoid late-night wandering in side alleys and stay clear of any protest activity.
Emergency number
112
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Frequently Asked Questions about Greece
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Based on widely reported traveler experiences and official advice. Prices are approximate and change; check current fares on arrival. Updated September 2026.