Santorini for Cruise Ships: Avoid Cable Car Lines and Crowds!
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Designed for cruise passengers, this tour lets you explore Santorini without wasting time in long lines. Instead of waiting in the heat for the cable car, step onto our boat from your cruise ship’s tender and enjoy a scenic ride across the Aegean Sea with stunning views of the Caldera. Upon arrival, an air-conditioned bus will take you on a journey across the island.
Your first stop is Finikia, where you can admire the blue-domed church and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Next, visit Oia, Santorini’s most famous village, known for its whitewashed houses, boutique shops, and breathtaking caldera views.
You’ll also visit Perivolos Black Beach, where you can relax by the water or enjoy a drink on the beach. At the end of your tour, skip the cable car lines once again as our boat takes you back to your cruise ship’s tender for a smooth and stress-free return.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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.
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.
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.
What To Expect
Athinios Port Santorini
Skip the long cable car lines and make the most of your time in Santorini with our hassle-free tour, designed specifically for cruise passengers. Instead of waiting in the heat, step off your ship’s tender and onto our private boat for a direct transfer. Take in stunning views of the Aegean Sea and Santorini’s famous Caldera along the way. This efficient and scenic route allows you to start exploring the island immediately, saving you time and helping you avoid the crowds.
Finikia
Upon arrival at our designated pick-up spot, you’ll board a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. Your first stop is Finikia, a serene neighborhood known for its iconic blue dome. This is your chance to take in Santorini’s beauty away from the crowds at the port.
Options
Ticket for Shared Tour
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a tour shared with other passengers. Boat Transfers: This tour uses boat transfers to and from Athinios Port, after you disembark from your ship's tender. Duration: 4 hours Max : 15 People per Group
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.
Private Tour/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. Duration: 4 hours
2027: Ticket for Shared Tour
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a tour shared with other passengers. Boat Transfers: This tour uses boat transfers to and from Athinios Port, after you disembark from your ship's tender. Duration: 4 hours Max : 15 People per Group
What‘s Included
Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Free time for fast meal & souvenir shopping (duration is subject to traffic and ship docking times)
Professional local English-speaking tour guide
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Transfers by boat to bypass the Cable Car
Port pickup and dropoff
One complimentary bottle of water per person
Gratuities are welcome if you enjoy your tour. We recommend 10% for guides, and 5% for bus drivers
Food and drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
83 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Yani was the best local guide ever!
Jaimie D,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We were transported to various spots by air conditioned van, while our local guide named Yani offered informative narration (and entertainment) along the way. He made a great lunch recommendation and made sure everyone got a great picture with the beautiful back drops of Santorini! Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Beat your and best guide!
Heather B,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Anna was the absolute best guide! She was kind, very knowledgeable, and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful views and take pictures. I would definitely come back and request her to take us anywhere in Santorini!
Yanni was a great tour...
Mitzie P,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Yanni was a great tour guide very knowledgeable and great sense of humor! He made the experience fun!
Great Tour!
Daryl D,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a little bit of everything Santorini had to offer. Our guide Yianni and our driver were both professional and informative about the area. Great photo opportunities!
Must Do
Marsha F,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great trip on the island. We saw great sights and would say to do tis tour for sure!! Easy to find the guide at the port.
Fun Tour!
Megan S,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very easy! They met us at the cruise tendered dock and we hopped on a ferry and boated to a spot where a van picked us up. They took us to iconic spots and we got great pictures. We enjoyed the history. We stayed in Oia, and did not ride back with the group… instead, we hiked back from Oia to Fira along the caldera trail. It was beautiful. We took the cable cars back down. We really had a great time :)
Amazing!!!
Wanda P,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome tour!!! We got to see all the beautiful spots. Alex was fantastic and so was our driver Nicholas.
This was our first time...
Susan B,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was our first time using Viator and I will certainly use them again. They reached our before we arrived to suggest a time change due to the ships schedule. Victor our guide and Tasos our driver were just wonderful. Victor was very knowledgeable about the area. How Tasos drove in that area was beyond us but he made it look easy. Enough time was allowed to get all the photos we wanted at each location. The lunch was a little crowded, but no complaints whatsoever about the food... and there was alot of food!! The beach stop was very nice at the end of the day. No issues with getting back on time. Just a very pleasant day and very much enjoyable.
Santorini
Lori C,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Alex is phenomenal. He is extremely courteous, very knowledgeable and an overall very nice person! I highly recommend Viator, and if possible request Alex!
Great tour - good guide!
Karen A,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Wow—great way to see Greece! Yanni was our guide and the small boat shuttled us to the bus. We hit all the best spots Oia and black sand beach - had a nice little lunch. Scenery was breathtaking—wished there was a little more time to shop or sightsee towns on tour vs. lunch.
Related Experiences
Operated by Vexperio