Santorini Stress-Free SKIP CABLE CAR Shore Trip for Cruise Ships
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Skip the long lines and crowded cable car with the only original small-group Santorini tour built specifically for cruise passengers. This top-rated experience includes a direct boat transfer from your ship’s tender platform to the shore, so you bypass the long queues and delays at the cable car completely. Once ashore, explore Santorini’s most iconic spots in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus—Oia, Fira, Megalochori, and the Black Beach. Along the way, take in sweeping caldera views, discover hidden corners of the island, and enjoy a wine tasting or local treats depending on the day. Led by expert local guides and timed precisely to your ship’s schedule, this tour gives you more time to explore and less time waiting around. Cruise guests consistently rate this as the best way to see Santorini without stress. Book early—this tour sells out quickly.
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
Professional local English-speaking tour guide (if option selected)
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Port pick-up and drop off
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Transfers by boat to bypass the Cable Car
One complimentary bottle of water per person
Food and Beverages
Gratuities (Recommend 10% for guides, and 5% for bus drivers)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Athinios Port Santorini
The ONLY Original Skip Cable Car: Small-Group 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.
Finikia
After the boat reaches your designated pick-up spot, an air-conditioned bus takes over. Your first destination is the serene neighborhood of Finikia, home to the famous blue dome. Here, you begin immersing yourself in the island's beauty, far from the crowded port.
Options
Ticket for Group Tour
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a shared tour.
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.
Check starting time!: Final time will be emailed a few days before your tour. You can also contact us anytime for starting time confirmation.
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.
Shared Tour Ticket
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a tour shared with other passengers.
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.
Ticket for Shared Tour
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a shared tour.
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.
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.
Reviews
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
They were very good about...
Robert T,
Aug 17, 2025
- Viator
4.00They were very good about switching days,as the cruise ship changed days due to weather. Had a little problem hooking up at port.Tour guide Gina was very nice and informative. Would recommend this tour!
Amazing Tour!
brooke c,
Aug 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00This tour was incredible! Anna and Angelo are the perfect pair to tour around. Missing the cable car, but seeing all of the main sites made out Santorini visit perfect! We loved it all! Never felt rushed and great communication!!
anxiety getting to the ship on time!
Laurie A,
Aug 14, 2025
- Viator
4.00The tour was actually good, but it was supposed to be four hours long and the guide made it almost 6 hours and we had to call the Port Authority to get a ship to drop us off in the middle of the ocean to our cruise ship because he was almost 2 hours late getting us back and so a lot of people were very upset and freaking out and we didn’t know if we were gonna make it back so I never will tour an excursion outside of the cruise ship. This was my first one doing it and I’m sorry I did it. I was so upset and had so much anxiety and one girl flipped out and was screaming and crying because they had to call the police and the port authority to get a boat to take us back to our ship in the middle of the ocean. it’s just not worth taking a tour outside of the cruise ship ! We all begged him to take us back but he kept assuring us he would get us back in time. Didn’t get to buy anything because we had to literally jump from the port authority boat onto the cruise ship!
Santorini tour is a must!!
Heather M,
Aug 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00John was the most amazing and informative tour guide. He mixed his knowledge and humor so well to help us truly understand Santorini and its culture. I highly recommend using this service.
Today was a perfect...
Dawn K,
Jul 31, 2025
- Viator
5.00Today was a perfect sample of what Santorini has to offer. Our tour guide was knowledgeable of the area and super helpful when it came to helping take your perfect picture for a lifetime memory keepsake.
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