Crete's taxi system is mostly excellent. The drivers are professional, the vehicles are clean, and the roads are genuinely safe. But there are a handful of things tourists get wrong — sometimes expensively — that a little advance knowledge prevents entirely.
Mistake 1: Assuming All Taxis Have Fixed Prices
Standard metered taxis in Greece operate on a tariff system set by the government. Tariff 1 (daytime, within city limits) and Tariff 2 (night, outside city limits, or airport) are the two rates. The meter runs and you pay what it shows.
This is fine for short city rides. For longer transfers — airport to hotel, Rethymno to Plakias, anywhere involving 30+ km — the metered rate can produce a higher final price than you expected, especially if there's any traffic or the route is longer than you anticipated.
The fix: For any transfer longer than about 15 km, book with a private transfer company that offers a fixed price confirmed before you travel. PolyTaxi operates entirely on fixed prices — the price you're quoted is the price you pay, regardless of traffic or delays.
Mistake 2: Taking Unmarked Cars at the Airport
Both Heraklion and Chania airports have unofficial drivers who approach arriving passengers in arrivals. They look like taxi drivers, may carry a sign with your name, and will quote you a price. Some are legitimate; many are unlicensed and uninsured.
The fix: Only take licensed taxis (white cars with a taxi sign and meter) or pre-booked private transfers. Pre-booking means you know exactly who is collecting you and at what price before you land.
Mistake 3: Not Accounting for Night Rates
Greek taxis have a standard night tariff (Tariff 2) that applies from midnight to 5am and at airports. If your flight lands at 11:30pm and you're taking a metered taxi, the meter switches to the higher rate as soon as midnight passes during your journey.
The fix: Fixed-price transfers avoid this entirely — the price is the same regardless of what time you arrive.
Mistake 4: Underestimating Transfer Times
The distance from Heraklion Airport to Rethymno looks manageable on a map — about 80 km — but the journey takes a genuine 55–60 minutes in normal conditions and can extend to 75+ minutes if there's roadwork or you hit the afternoon construction traffic near Heraklion.
The fix: Build buffer time into any airport transfer, and pre-book rather than hoping to find a taxi in the queue at the right moment. If you're catching a flight, tell your driver your departure time and let them determine the pickup time — they know the route.
Mistake 5: Trying to Hail a Taxi in Rural Areas
In Rethymno town there are taxi ranks and the app works. In Plakias, Damnoni, Triopetra, or any of the smaller south coast villages, there are essentially no passing taxis. Arriving at a remote beach and expecting to find a taxi home is one of the most common ways tourists end up stranded.
The fix: Always pre-book your return transfer when heading to any location outside a main town. Give your driver a time, take their number, and arrange a pickup. The price is the same whether you pre-book or ask them to wait.
Mistake 6: Not Tipping
Tipping isn't mandatory in Greece, but it's customary and appreciated. Rounding up to the nearest €5, or adding €2–5 for longer transfers where the driver has been helpful, is normal practice. For private hire where the driver has waited for you or gone out of their way, a tip of €5–10 on a larger transfer is appropriate.
How to Book Safely
For short rides within Rethymno or Heraklion, the taxi rank or app (Beat/Uber are available in some areas) is fine.
For anything involving the airport, a long distance, or a rural destination, pre-booking with a known provider is worth it for three reasons:
- Price certainty — you know what you're paying before you travel
- Reliability — your driver is expecting you at a specific time and place
- Communication — if your flight is delayed or plans change, there's a number to call
PolyTaxi covers transfers across the Rethymno and Plakias region, 24 hours a day. All prices are fixed and confirmed at booking. Book online at polytaxi.com or via WhatsApp.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If a taxi driver tries to charge significantly more than the meter shows, or refuses to use the meter for a city journey, you can:
- Take a photo of the meter reading and the driver's licence (displayed in the vehicle)
- Note the taxi licence plate number
- Contact the local police (tourist police number: 171) or the Regional Taxi Association
In practice, problems with licensed taxis are rare in Crete. The main risk is unlicensed drivers at airports — which is entirely avoidable with advance booking.