SKIP CABLE CAR! The Best Santorini Tour for Cruise Passengers
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Avoid long lines, donkeys, and the cable car chaos. Start your Santorini day with a boat transfer from your cruise port — no waiting, no stairs — and enjoy a seamless small-group tour to iconic spots like Oia, the black sand beach, and the village of Megalochori. This tour is built for cruise passengers, with on-time return guaranteed and space to breathe — even during peak season.
Travel in comfort by air-conditioned minibus with a top-rated local guide who brings Santorini’s history and beauty to life. You’ll stop in postcard-worthy villages, taste local flavors if you wish, and take in panoramic views without rushing. The route is crafted specifically around cruise schedules — with enough free time to enjoy each stop and a smooth return to port by boat. This is the smarter, safer way to experience Santorini in just one day — no lines, no chaos, no stress.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Port pick-up and drop off
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Professional local English-speaking tour guide
Small group limited to 18 participants
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
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Athinios Port Santorini
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.
Finikia
After the boat reaches your designated pick-up spot, an air-conditioned bus takes over. Start your sightseeing at Santorini’s famous blue dome in the peaceful Finikia area. This spot is ideal for iconic photographs without the Oia crowds, offering a relaxed first impression of the island’s unique Cycladic architecture.
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 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.
Shared Tour
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.
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.
Reviews
158 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A perfect day on Santorini!
Kim N,
Aug 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00Alex was an excellent guide! We loved riding in the minibus because it made the sights more accessible for us. Alex took photos of everyone in the best locations. He was a good leader through walking portions and we had a good mix of tourist spots and quiet residential areas. He was quick thinking and accommodating, making the most of our time. Skipping the cable car is definitely the was to go!
Great tour guide a must...
richard t,
Aug 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great tour guide a must do when arriving by cruise. The tour hand a brand new air conditioned mini bus. Avoided all the aggravation in the port of Santorini.
More walking than expected
Sarah M,
Aug 25, 2025
- Viator
3.00Good tour however a lot more walking than expected. Had we know that we probably wouldn't have taken the tour. The guide was very nice but we could not keep up with him. He would come back and check on us, but he was so far ahead. We couldn’t hear any of the stuff he was talking about on the tour so we had no idea what we were looking at.
From the time we were...
Kim L,
Aug 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00From the time we were picked up until we were dropped off we had the best time! Our team were easy to understand, they showed us the absolute best sites! They were so friendly and funny - we had a great time!
What a fantastic way to...
Neil S,
Aug 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00What a fantastic way to see Santorini. Our guide Gina, was wonderful in taking us to different areas of Santorini to get a flavor for the Island and giving enough time for pictures and time to wander around Oia. We were able to enjoy a wonderful dinner, beach side (pay your own) to finish off the tour. Not having to wait for the cable car line was the icing on the cake.
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