Skip Cable Car® Santorini Shore Excursion for First-Time Visitors

Duration5h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 18 travelers

Overview

Step off your cruise ship and explore Santorini on a small-group shore excursion designed specifically for cruise passengers. Visit top sights like Oia and Firostefani’s famous blue-domed churches while enjoying panoramic island views and local insights from an expert guide. Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with a maximum of 18 guests for a personalized experience. The tour departs conveniently from the Fira cable car exit and is carefully timed to match cruise schedules, ensuring a smooth, stress-free adventure.

Options

Private with Shared Boat Rides

Skip the cable car: Private guided tour and shared boat transfers from the Old Port to the Athinios Port and back, bypass the cable car.
Private tour&shared boat rides: The boat transfers are shared with other guests. The private tour starts at Athinios Port where you meet your guide & driver.

Shared Boat/Transfer Only

No guided tour included: This option does not include a tour or a guide, only boat transfers.
Only transfer to Athinios Port: Please note this option does not include a guided tour and only a shared transfer from the Old to the Athinios Port by boat.
Drop off location: Please note your drop-off location is at the Athinios port where you will need to take a taxi to transfer to Fira Town.

Ticket for Skip Cable Car Tour

Skip the cable car: For select cruise ships only: on the busiest docking dates in Santorini we offer a special tour, skipping the cable car.
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a shared tour. It allows to skip the cable car which on some dates can take many hours.
Pick-up by Boat: Upon arrival by your ship’s tender to the Santorini harbor, we will pick you up by our boat, skipping the cable car.
Return by Boat: At the end of the tour, we will return you to your tender pick-up point by boat, once again avoiding cable car lines.
Included in tour price: This option already includes the private boat transfer in the price. There are no additional costs with this option.
Book an early tender: Please book an early tender directly with your cruise ship's staff to ensure timely arrival.

Shared ShorEx

Meeting Point for Tour: Upon debarking from the tender, please remain in the Old Port at the exact spot where your ship’s tender drops you off.

Shared Skip Cable Car Tour

Skip the cable car: For select cruise ships only: on the busiest docking dates in Santorini we offer a special tour, skipping the cable car.
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a shared tour. It allows to skip the cable car which on some dates can take many hours.
Pick-up by Boat: Upon arrival by your ship’s tender to the Santorini harbor, we will pick you up by our boat, skipping the cable car.
Return by Boat: At the end of the tour, we will return you to your tender pick-up point by boat, once again avoiding cable car lines.
Included in tour price: This option already includes the boat transfers in the price. There are no additional costs with this option.
Book an early tender: Please book an early tender directly with your cruise ship's staff to ensure timely arrival.

What's included

Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
Small group limited to 18 participants
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Professional local English-speaking tour guide
Port pickup and drop-off
Transfers by boat to bypass the Cable Car
1 complimentary bottle of water per person

Food and Beverages
Gratuities (Optional: Recommend 10% for guides, and 5% for bus drivers)

What to expect

Athinios Port Santorini
30m

Our Skip Cable Car Santorini Tour is created for cruise ship guests who want to make the most of their time on the island. Skip the long waits and summer heat at the cable car, and start your Santorini adventure the easy way.

After stepping off your cruise ship’s tender, you’ll meet our friendly Vexperio team at the Old Port, where everyone will board the boat transfer together for a smooth and relaxing journey ashore.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and Caldera during your transfer, making even the journey part of the experience.
Firostefani
30m

Once the boat arrives at your designated pick-up point, you’ll continue your journey in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. Your first stop is Santorini’s famous blue dome in the charming area of Firostefani - a peaceful setting perfect for capturing those iconic island photos away from the busy crowds of Oia. It’s a relaxing and beautiful introduction to Santorini’s unique Cycladic charm.
Oia
1h

The journey continues in the lively village of Oia, where charming market streets, whitewashed houses, and breathtaking caldera views create one of Santorini’s most memorable settings. Stroll through its picturesque alleys, soak in the island atmosphere, and don’t forget to capture a photo of the iconic windmills overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea.
Picturesque Blue Dome Santorini
Pass by

Marvel at and take some pictures of the world-famous picturesque Blue Domes of Santorini!
Megalochori - Traditional Village
30m

Discover the timeless charm of Santorini in the traditional village of Megalochori, where authentic island life and local character come together beautifully. Wander through its peaceful streets lined with classic Cycladic architecture and experience a side of Santorini rich in history and culture. Along the way, learn about the island’s unique winemaking traditions and the distinctive grape-growing methods that have been passed down through generations.
Perivolos Beach
1h

You’ll visit the famous Black Beach, where you’ll have free time to relax and enjoy traditional Greek cuisine (at your own expense) at one of the many seaside tavernas and bars.

If you're in the mood for a swim, be sure to bring your swimsuit. It's the perfect spot to soak up the sun or enjoy the unique volcanic shoreline.
Santorini Old Harbor
30m

You'll return to the port by boat, avoiding the long cable car lines entirely. Sit back and enjoy the perfect ending to your day in Santorini as you're brought directly back to your cruise ship's tender.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

After disembarking from the tender, please wait at the tender drop-off point and do not enter the cable car. Look for our team holding ‘VEXPERIO’ signs. If you are late, please contact us.

After the tour, we'll bring you back to the port by boat.

End point

After disembarking from the tender, please wait at the tender drop-off point and do not enter the cable car. Look for our team holding ‘VEXPERIO’ signs. If you are late, please contact us.

After the tour, we'll bring you back to the port by boat.

Additional information

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
In the event of exceptionally rough sea conditions preventing boat transfers, we reserve the right to operate the regular tour route instead. In such cases, a refund of €10 per person will be provided for each cable car ride required in place of the boat transfer.
The tour start time will be adjusted to your ship’s docking schedule to minimize waiting and accommodate possible disembarkation delays. You’ll receive the final meeting time in the Meeting Instructions about one week before the tour.
Please note that wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, electric scooters, and other mobility devices cannot be accommodated on shared tours. Tours on Santorini involve uneven surfaces, cobblestone pathways, and some sections with stairs. We kindly request that all participants carefully assess their physical ability to complete the tour prior to making a reservation. Refunds cannot be issued to guests who are unable to complete the tour due to accessibility limitations.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.6 (359)