Small-Group Skip Cable Car Santorini Tour for First-Time Cruisers

Duration5h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 18 travelers

Overview

Avoid the long lines, crowded donkeys, and cable car confusion. Begin your Santorini experience with a convenient boat transfer directly from your cruise port — no waiting, no stairs, just a smooth start to the day. Enjoy a relaxed small-group tour to highlights like Oia, the black sand beach, and the charming village of Megalochori. Created especially for cruise passengers, this tour guarantees an on-time return and a comfortable pace, even during busy season.

Travel by air-conditioned minibus with a knowledgeable local guide who brings Santorini’s history and beauty to life. Take in panoramic views, explore picturesque villages, and enjoy free time at each stop. The itinerary is carefully planned around cruise schedules, with a seamless boat transfer back to port. A smart, stress-free way to see Santorini in one day.

Options

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.

Private with Shared Boat Rides

Skip the cable car!: Private guided tour and shared boat transfers from your tender drop-off point 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 Skip Cable Car Tour

SKIP CABLE CAR TOUR!
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 cable car.
Return by Boat: Get back to your cruise ship after a perfect day in Santorini without worrying about the cable car line at all!
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.

Ticket for Skip Cable Car Tour

SKIP CABLE CAR TOUR!: 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 cable car.
Return by Boat: Get back to your cruise ship after a perfect day in Santorini without worrying about the cable car line at all!
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.

Shared ShorEx

Meeting Point for Tour: Upon debarkation from the tender, please take the cable car to the top. The tour commences at the exit in Fira Town.

What's included

Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
Small group limited to 18 participants
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Free time for fast meal & souvenir shopping (duration is subject to traffic and ship docking times)
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

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

What to expect

Athinios Port Santorini
Pass by

Our Skip Cable Car Santorini Tour is designed specifically for cruise ship passengers like you. This top-rated, time-saving tour lets you skip the long, hot wait for the cable car and dive straight into exploring Santorini. As soon as you step off your cruise ship’s tender, a boat picks you up and takes you directly ashore—bypassing the crowds completely. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and Caldera during your transfer, making even the journey part of the experience.
Firostefani
1h

Set off on a half-day adventure to explore Santorini’s top attractions. Admire the stunning vistas of the Aegean Sea and the Caldera from the serene and scenic area of Firostefani, home to the iconic blue-domed church.
Oia
1h

Next, immerse yourself in the charm of Oia, the most renowned destination on the island. Stroll through its vibrant local market and capture stunning photos that are sure to leave your friends amazed.
Megalochori - Traditional Village
30m

Afterward, head to Megalochori, where you can marvel at its unique traditional architecture, offering a charm unlike anything else on the island.

You’ll also get a glimpse of the unique grape-growing techniques that produce Santorini’s exceptional wines.
Perivolos Beach
1h

But thats not all! At the end, we’ll visit the famous black sand beach, where you’ll have some free time to relax. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit if you’d like to take a swim.

Before the tour concludes, consider enjoying a delicious meal at a local restaurant (at your own expense) and picking up some souvenirs to remember your Santorini experience.
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.
Read more about - SKIP CABLE CAR® The Original Santorini Tour for Cruise Passengers.

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

4.9 (85)