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
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
What‘s Included
Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Professional local English-speaking tour guide
Small group limited to 18 participants
Port pickup and drop-off
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
Options
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 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.
Reviews
268 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great to skip the cable...
Brian G,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great to skip the cable car line, which was very long. Staff and crew were very helpful and friendly.
Skip the cable car, you won't regret it!
Kim B,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Avoiding the cable car line going up and going down (we later heard from other cruisers that they waited in line for almost 2 hours to come down; the walking path was closed when we were there). Tour guide was knowledgeable and fun!
4 out of ten
JorgeEugenio S,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00They were not on time to pick us up , we were told to be punctual, we were in a hurry and manage to be on time . They arrive later and started the tour even much later , waiting for more people . Two hours later we started . It was a fault of respect to our time . Besides one of the guides Jeanne told us many time you are from Mexico , so you know how it is , never mind if we are late , you are used to this . Sorry to tell you , in Mexico we have the best tourist industry , quality in service is our pride , and no we do not accept the unprofessional and well paid tour .
Stress free and beautiful tour of Santorini!
G0Cubs17,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our group of 21 people had a wonderful private tour of Santorini! Stress free without having to deal with the long lines of the cable car. Magdalena was very responsive to my many emails and questions. Highly recommend booking with Vexperio!
Santorini vibe
Gayane K,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience highly recommended very organized. Went to the best spot and experience the best of Santorini with additional free time.
Yani is an outstanding...
Roderick S,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Yani is an outstanding leader who combines deep knowledge with a great sense of humor. He set a positive tone from the start, kept everything organized, and made the experience both educational and fun. He even took us to an excellent Greek restaurant authentic food and a perfect cap to the day. If you’re looking for someone who’s professional, personable, and truly goes above and beyond, Yani is your guy. Five stars.
Fantastic tour of Santorini, no cable cars, best tour guide
janliz767,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour of Santorini with boat pickup to bus which took us up to top of cliffs then to different scenic spots for photos, about an hour to explore beautiful Oia with the blue domes, then through a quaint town. Our tour guide, George, was great, telling us so much about the island. Our last stop was a beautiful beach with outdoor restaurants where we had time to eat. Then back to port where their boat took us back to our ship, without having to wait for tender. Awesome tour, highly recommend!
Glad we skipped the cable...
Thomas R,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Glad we skipped the cable car because the power was out and there was a huge delay. Not really impressed with Santorini. We were on our own in Oia. A tour of the town would have been nice.
Highly recommend
H5746WMjuliettem,,Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I joined the tour last minute, and they were fantastic at flexing the tour to accommodate my needs and make sure I was able to participate as fully as possible.
Wonderful guide made the day
Steve P,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Best guide in terms of knowledge and expertise. Much better than going through cruise guides. We were blessed by not having to wait in the long lines for the cable car with the trail closed.
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