SKIP CABLE CAR® The Original 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
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 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.
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.
Shared Tour Ticket
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.
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.
Reviews
256 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Unorganized
Jennifer H,
Oct 22, 2025
- Viator
2.00Not impressed, had a hard time finding the group once we unloaded from our tender. Then it was like herding cats trying to load the boat then get people in the right vans. Lunch was not till the end (2:00) and people were getting hangry. Our guide was ok but not professional and knowledgeable of history like the guides we hired thru Viator for Istanbul and Ephesus.
Best Tour Guide Ever
Jaci W,
Oct 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00Yianni is the best tour guide we have ever had. He was full of energy, had a ton of information and stories to tell about Santorini and its culture! He went out of his way to ensure our group had optimal photo opportunities and positions. We loved that he called us "best group ever". He made sure we made it back on time to our ship. Over all he put his tour group first in every way and made the whole trip memorable. 10/10 best guide ever!
Guide Zeus And driver...
Matilda R,
Oct 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00Guide Zeus And driver Ulysses were both informative and friendly. Ample opportunity to enjoy the magnificent views.
Fabulous tour !!
Julie N,
Oct 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great tour that took us all around the island in small groups in a lovely air conditioned van. Guide gave us a wonderful history lesson, took us to major sites with photo opportunities and even posed us so we got great shots! Answered all our questions, recommended where to eat lunch with time in each stop. Very convenient for cruise passengers. Skipping the cable car is amazing! Perfect way to see and learn about the island!!
Great Tour of Santorini - Smooth, Scenic, and Stress Free
Lisa A,
Oct 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great way to experience the highlights of Santorini without the chaos of the cable car lines. We covered all the must-see spots, including stunning views of the caldera, Oia, the blue domes, a black sand beach and more. Our guide George and our driver were fantastic.
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