Skip Cable Car Santorini for First-Time Cruise Ship Visitors
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Skip the long lines and crowded cable car with the only original small-group Santorini tour built exclusively for cruise passengers. Your expert local guide will meet you for a direct boat transfer, whisking you away in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus to explore the island's most iconic highlights. From the charm of Oia and Fira to the unique Black Beach, this tour is timed precisely to your ship's schedule, giving you more time to explore and less time waiting.
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
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 coordinated with your ship’s docking schedule to minimize waiting and accommodate any possible disembarkation delays. You will receive the final meeting time in your Meeting Instructions email approximately one week before your 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.
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
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 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 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.
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.
2027: 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.
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)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
64 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Santorini first time cruisers
Paula K,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Had a beautiful day in Santorini - Victor was a great host. Very friendly and kind. Loved the 41 restaurant and the village we visited was picture perfect: thank you for creating a great experience and gorgeous memories. Highly recommend.
Beautiful Santorini
Karen H,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful tour of most of island. Visited several beautiful villages. No issues with tenders to or from ship. Our guide, Ana, did a great job. Had time-consuming swim, or have something to eat, or a little of both.
Would do again
J W,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very easy communication and nice view around island. Calm travel on sea and beats waiting for the cable car at the end of day. Please stay off the donkeys they are very hard worked.
Very informational. Our...
Tom K,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informational. Our tour guide, victor, was great and very knowledgeable. Our driver, Spyrous was a driving genius.
Great stress free cruise tour
Bernadine G,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Informative tour with a very knowledgeable guide, saw all that was stated on the itinerary, would definitely recommend
The tour guide was very...
Ellen G,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The tour guide was very nice and did her job well but as a person who has used Viator many times the tour itself is not worth how expensive it was. Saw a couple of things then left at a very expensive restaurant to eat. I used viator this week for 5 excursions and this one was the least impressive and pricey
Amazing Fabulous Great
Shariese S,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide with Group 6 was amazing!!! She kept us informed and made our trip interesting and amazing
Great day in Santorini
Diane M,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great driver and guide. Super knowledgeable and witty, Yanni is the best guide ever! Lol Lunch was a great spot and yummy, but staff was a little rude.
Family tour of Santorini in comfort
Adam C,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour of Santorini for family of 6. Easy transportation from the dock avoiding the cable car with a nice 15 min boat ride to another dock with bus. The bus was nice and comfortable with leather seats. Plenty of water available. Cruise guide was excellent and knowledgeable and was nice to help out with family photos. Didn't really understand timing for lunch and we ended up eating lunch much later than we would have liked ar around 2:30 p.m. I probably would get lunch at the first stop fast casual Greek food from a street vendor if I had to do it over again. Lots of good picture opportunities overviewing the caldera and some blue domed buildings. Had fun relaxing at the beach at the end of the day in the shade. The restaurant at the end of the tour was actually quite good.
No Cable car Santorini
Karen J,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was easy to find the tour leader at the port. The cable car was not busy the day I was there but I definitely felt more comfortable using the boat transfer. The guide Victor was great he was knowledgeable, fun and most obliging taking photos for everyone. Getting to see both sides of Santorini not just the picture postcard side was interesting. It was worth doing the tour.
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