Can I pay taxis in Greece in cash?

I took taxis across Athens, Santorini, and Rhodes, and the story was the same: sometimes cards worked, sometimes they didn’t. The only reliable option was when I booked through Beat. Street taxis often came up with excuses like “signal not working.” It’s frustrating, but that’s just how it is. If you want a smoother experience, use the app. If you don’t mind haggling or dealing with excuses, then cash is king. I learned to carry cash for taxis always.

Greece is a place where you can’t assume every taxi will take your card. In Athens, I had luck paying by card with Beat taxis, but when I hailed a random cab near Syntagma, the driver flat-out refused card payment. Tourists often get caught out like this. My advice: if you plan on using street taxis, keep at least 20-30 euros in cash on you at all times. Cards may be accepted in hotels and restaurants, but taxis can be unpredictable.

My experience in Thessaloniki and Crete was mixed. In bigger cities, taxis often had card machines, and many accepted contactless without issue. But in smaller towns and on islands, drivers almost always wanted cash. Once in Heraklion, I had to run to an ATM because the driver “forgot” his machine. So yes, Greece is partially modernized in this respect, but relying only on cards is risky. Always keep enough euros on you to cover your ride without stress.

In Athens, most official yellow taxis technically accept cards, but in practice, drivers often claim the machine isn’t working. I had this happen twice after getting rides from Monastiraki Square. To avoid arguments, I usually carried cash in euros. Apps like Beat (similar to Uber) make things easier because you can preselect card payment and skip the cash hassle. Still, be prepared for drivers insisting on cash if you flag them down on the street instead of using an app.