Cruise Passenger in Greece Warns of Taxi “Ripoff” After Massive Overcharge

A cruise passenger was not too long ago charged $82 for what ought to have been a $17 taxi experience from Greece’s Piraeus port, warning different vacationers a couple of frequent situation and opening a dialogue about port taxi drivers.

Nobody desires to get ripped off, particularly on trip–on a cruise of all issues.  However if you wish to discover a port of name by yourself, it’s necessary to hearken to tales like this so you already know what to look out for.

The cruise traveler on this case shared their expertise on the subreddit GreeceTravel after discovering the large overcharge on their bank card assertion. What began as a easy 30-minute experience in southern Athens changed into an costly lesson about security in utilizing public transportation in a submit titled “One other taxi ripoff”.

“Simply bought off a cruise ship and took one of many taxis lined up at Piraeus port,” the traveler defined. “The driving force didn’t communicate any English and tried to get me to pay in money. He gave me a receipt that mentioned $17.10 I pointed to the check in again.”

The non-English-speaking driver started pointing to his telephone and card reader, ultimately exhibiting the passenger that he was charging a further 11 euros per bag for 3 baggage. The cruise traveler acknowledged they didn’t have any money, so the motive force processed the cardboard fee and acted pleasant afterward, even shaking palms.

“I checked my card account later and he had charged $82.14 usd,” the passenger wrote. “I’ve already emailed the taxi authority and knowledgeable my financial institution to not pay him.”

This Traveler Is Not Alone

This isn’t an remoted incident. Different vacationers shared comparable experiences within the feedback:

“We have been additionally ripped off… The driving force demanded more money for further baggage although all of it fitted within the taxi no issues. Price me an additional €25 in money.”

One good traveler prevented bother by asking questions upfront, which is what we advocate all cruisers do when taking public transportation:

“We arrived on the cruise terminal 2 weeks in the past and walked as much as the taxi line. As he was placing baggage in, we requested if he was going to make use of the meter and so forth. He threw our baggage out and refused to take us. Ordered an uber that arrived 2 minutes later. I knew we dodged a bullet,” one person acknowledged.

The Sincere Actuality

The unique poster admitted that they have been conscious of schemes like this but in addition acknowledged why they fell for it.

“Sure, I’m conscious of all of the methods to keep away from getting scammed by taxis, I simply need to have religion and belief in my fellow human beings. Lesson discovered.”

One blunt commenter lacked any sympathy when stating, “disembarks cruise ship, walks straight into vacationer entice/rip-off, posts cautionary anecdote, claims to have recognized higher.”

Different Alternate options

Use Apps: Many vacationers advocate Uber or FreeNow. “Used Uber after I was in Athens. I didn’t should take care of tomfoolery. I simply order and pay a set value that I discovered agreeable.”

Public Transit: For mild vacationers, buses and metro are low cost choices. One native supplied detailed instructions: “you will get there by metro from Piraeus port, or by buses: no 040, categorical line X80… getting off in Syggrou-Repair cease, then taking the subway one cease or a taxi for about 5 euros.”

Negotiate First: “Organize the whole lot with the motive force beforehand, which means earlier than taking the taxi,” suggested one skilled traveler.

If You Get Scammed

Doc the whole lot (photographs of receipts, meter readings, taxi numbers)
Contact your financial institution instantly to dispute the cost
Report back to native taxi authorities

Backside Line

Even skilled vacationers can fall sufferer to those scams. Tour guides are warning vacationers too. One commenter shared: “My tour information inspired me to keep away from these taxis, for simply this motive. He instructed me it’s commonplace for the taxi drivers to provide you one value on the outset after which cost extra on arrival.”

The perfect protection is asking questions upfront and being keen to stroll away from any taxi whose driver received’t comply with clear pricing or use the meter. 

You can even simply belief your intestine, however when on a cruise, how dependable is that?

Learn Extra: Journey Scams I’ve Encountered After Taking Over 75 Cruises