Santorini is a tender port, and the hard part is getting up the cliff. You choose between a cable car line, 587 steps, or a donkey. The island caps cruise visitors at 8,000 a day and charges the highest Greek cruise fee (€20 in summer).
Where Santorini lies
SantoriniIstanbulAthensArgostoliBodrumChaniaCorfuHeraklionIteaIzmirKatakolonKosKuşadasıLimassolMilosMykonosNafplioPatmosRhodesSarandëSyrosThessalonikiVolosZakynthosWhere your ship docks
Ships anchor in the bay (the flooded volcano). Tenders take you to the Old Port of Fira (Ormos Firon) below the cliffs. Since June 2026 the island's port fund says at least 70% of each ship's guests must land at the Old Port, and no more than 30% may go through Athinios, the ferry port further south. Athinios guests are moved by bus or coach (about 25 minutes to Fira).
Shuttle. No shuttle from the Old Port; the cable car, steps or donkeys are the only ways up. Guests landed at Athinios usually go by ship excursion coach or bus/taxi to Fira (about 25 minutes).
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cable car to Fira (top of cliff) | About 3 minutes ride; waits can be long at peak times | €6 one way adult; €3 reduced (official port authority price list) |
| Walk the Karavolades steps to Fira (top of cliff) | Varies; steep climb (time unverified) | Free |
| KTEL public bus from Fira bus station to Oia | Unverified | Unverified (see ktel-santorini.gr price list) |
Cable car to Fira (top of cliff)
- Take the tender to the Old Port of Fira.
- Join the cable car line at the bottom.
- Buy a one-way ticket (€6). Buy the return ticket at the top later.
Capacity is about 1,200 people per hour. Summer hours (Jun–Aug) 07:00–23:00. In November it runs only 07:30–10:30 and 14:30–18:00, every 30 minutes. In Dec–Feb only 07:30–09:00 and 15:00–16:00. Check the operator timetable.
Walk the Karavolades steps to Fira (top of cliff)
- From the Old Port, follow the zig-zag path up.
- Share the path with donkeys. Stay on the inside edge.
587 steps (port authority). Slippery with donkey droppings. The path closed from 27 July to 3 August 2026 after a wall collapse. Walking down is easier than up.
KTEL public bus from Fira bus station to Oia
- From the top of the cable car, walk to the Fira bus station.
- Take a bus marked Oia.
- Come back early. Buses fill up in the afternoon.
Bus fares and times were not readable on the KTEL website when checked.
What to see
Fira caldera walk
The classic white-and-blue cliff views.
- How
- Walk the cliff path from the cable car top station toward Firostefani and Imerovigli.
- Time
- 1–2 hours
- Tickets
- Free
Oia village
The most photographed village in Greece.
- How
- Bus or taxi from Fira, or a ship excursion.
- Time
- 2–3 hours with travel
- Tickets
- Free
Akrotiri archaeological site
A Bronze Age town buried by the eruption, under a big roof.
- How
- Bus or taxi from Fira.
- Time
- 1.5–2.5 hours with travel
- Tickets
- €20 full (Hellenic Heritage). Summer 08:00–20:00 (Apr–Aug). Winter (Nov–Mar) 08:30–15:30 with closed days. Buy online at hh.gr.
Museum of Prehistoric Thera (Fira)
Wall paintings and finds from Akrotiri, a short walk from the cable car.
- How
- Walk in Fira.
- Time
- 45–60 minutes
- Tickets
- Unverified price; see hh.gr
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- Get a tender ticket number early, or wait until the first rush is over (often mid-morning).
- Land at the Old Port. If the cable car line is very long, think about walking up, or wait.
- At the top, walk the caldera path north from Fira for views (1–2 hours).
- Have lunch in Fira or Firostefani.
- Optional: bus or taxi to Oia, but only if you have 7+ hours ashore.
- Join the cable car line DOWN at least 90 minutes before the last tender. The down line is often worst in late afternoon.
- Take the tender back. Be on the ship at least 30 minutes before all-aboard.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- The cable car down line in mid-to-late afternoon can be very long when several ships are in.
- Tender waits in the morning.
- Steep, slippery steps with donkeys; strong sun and no shade on the path.
- Wind can stop tenders or the cable car.
- Strikes: a bus strike in June 2026 disrupted cruise calls (reported by trade press).
- In November and winter the cable car has a long midday break (10:30–14:30 in Nov). Plan around it.
Do this
- Consider not using donkeys; many visitors walk or take the cable car instead.
- Wear shoes with grip.
- Carry water. There is little shade.
- If your ship lands you at Athinios, you skip the cable car but depend on coaches and roads.
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port, from 21 July 2025): Santorini and Mykonos €20 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €12 (Apr–May and Oct), €4 (Nov–Mar). All other Greek ports: €5 / €3 / €1 for the same seasons. Most lines add it to your onboard bill. MSC says it charges only guests who go ashore; other lines may charge everyone.
- Daily cap of 8,000 cruise passengers. Since 2026 the port counts ships at 100% capacity, so fewer ships get a slot.
- Landing split since June 2026: at least 70% via Fira Old Port, no more than 30% via Athinios (Municipal Port Fund of Thira).
- Cable car: €6 one way adult, €3 reduced, €3 luggage (port authority).
Accessibility
Hard for wheelchair users. You must take a tender, then the cable car (the only step-free way up). Fira's lanes are narrow, steep and stepped. Many users with limited mobility take a ship excursion that lands at Athinios and uses coaches. Ask your line which landing you get.
Money
Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted. Carry some small euro cash for buses, small boats, water and tips.
More of the Greek Isles & Eastern Med
Sources & what we could not confirm · 8 sources · checked 2026-11
- Santorini Ports (Municipal Port Fund): Cruise page
- Santorini Cable Car: Timetable
- Cruise Hive: Santorini shifts how cruise passengers reach the island (70/30 rule, June 2026)
- Greek City Times: Santorini cruise passenger cap 2026
- Nautical Flock: Karavolades stairs reopen (Aug 2026)
- Hellenic Heritage: Akrotiri
- MSC Cruises: Destination fees and local charges (Greece table)
- Keep Talking Greece: Greece cruise passenger fees 2025
- KTEL bus fares and times (Fira–Oia, Fira–Athinios)
- Walking time up the 587 steps
- Donkey ride price
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera ticket price
- Details of the June 2026 bus strike