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Santorini Cable Car

3.9

·346 reviews·Fira, Greece

Soar above the Aegean on the Santorini Cable Car, connecting the Old Port to Fira with stunning caldera views.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early morning or late afternoon

Avoid peak crowds

CrowdLow

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Santorini Cable Car

Best Time

Early morning or late afternoon

Avoid peak crowds

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Soar above the Aegean on the Santorini Cable Car, connecting the Old Port to Fira with stunning caldera views.

3.9

(346 reviews)

"A quick ride with million-dollar views, but be prepared for the queues!"

TIP

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

Essential for the cable car, stairs, or any walking. Sneakers are recommended!

💰 Cash or Card Accepted

The cable car accepts both cash and card for tickets, making payment convenient.

Quick Facts

Rating

3.8 · 354 reviews

Type

Transit station

Address

Fira 847 00, Greece

Website

scc.gr

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Panoramic Caldera Views

Ascending from the Old Port to Fira

Soar above the Aegean Sea for breathtaking views of the volcanic caldera and the iconic white-washed villages clinging to the cliffs.

Convenient Port-to-Town Access

Connecting the Old Port and Fira

A quick and efficient way to reach the bustling town of Fira from the Old Port, saving you a strenuous climb.

A Thrilling Ride Experience

The cable car journey itself

An exhilarating ride that adds a unique element to your Santorini experience, especially for families.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds: Timing is Everything

Santorini's cable car can have notoriously long queues, especially when multiple cruise ships are in port. Arrive early or late in the day to minimize wait times. Consider booking excursions that include priority tender access or a transfer to Fira to bypass some of the lines.

Footwear and Fare: What to Expect

Comfortable shoes are a must, whether you choose the cable car, the stairs, or a donkey ride. The cable car costs around €6 per person one-way and accepts cash or card.

While walking down is an option, be prepared for steepness and donkey droppings.

Best Times

When

Early morning or late afternoon

Why

Avoid peak crowds

Crowd

Low

When

Evenings (after 5:30 PM)

Why

Shorter queues

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

It was so worth it but beware you need to wear sneakers and we later found out there was a cable car you could take down 🥲 #santorinigreece #greecetravel #greecetiktok #greece #boatday

@kk_braun

112K likes • 1.2M views

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

Essential for the cable car, stairs, or any walking. Sneakers are recommended!

💰 Cash or Card Accepted

The cable car accepts both cash and card for tickets, making payment convenient.

600 steps up to Fira, Santorini or take a cable car for 6 euros. #santorini #santorinidonkey #fira #firasantorini #travel #traveltiktok #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #greece #greekisles #worldtravel

@coach_bosslady1

87.7K likes • 2.4M views

🇬🇷🚡Santorini Cable Car🚡〜Fira〜 🛳Old Portから崖の上のFiraの街に行くには、 ①ケーブルカー🚡②徒歩🚶‍♀️③ロバ🐴🚕(笑)3つの方法があります❕❕ クルーズ船から見てもすごい傾斜の坂でしたし👀段差もあるので👦ベビーカーでは難しく💦👟帰りの下りでも30分はかかると聞いていたので💦👂わが家はもちろん🚡ケーブルカーを使いました‼️(👛片道6€/大人：3€/子供) ただ、そのケーブルカーも毎回かなり混むらしく💦案の定その日も往きの登りは⏰40分ほど列に並びました💦😔 そのせいもあってか歩いている方も多く見られましたし🚶‍♀️絶景をゆっくり眺めたい場合や🔭✨体力に自信のある方は歩いて利用されても良いかもしれせん🌟 5つのゴンドラが一気に昇り降りする光景は初めてで👀(安全性を疑問視するほど🚠笑)ゴンドラの乗車時間は5分ほどとあっという間でしたが⏳🪟眺める...

deu39mi

45 likes • 0 views

🚢 Cruise Ship Impact

Wait times are heavily influenced by the number of ships in port. Check schedules!

🚶‍♀️ Stairs vs. Cable Car

Walking down is an option, but beware of donkey droppings and steepness.

Quick descent. Million-dollar view 🎢⛵ Fira’s old port seen from the cable car — volcanic cliffs, tiny chapels carved in stone, and boats floating on the Aegean blue. Just a few minutes later… you’re back at the top, above it all. Would you go down or up? 👇 #Santorini #Fira #SantoriniCableCar #GreekIslands #CliffsideViews #OldPortFira #VolcanicLandscape #HiddenChapels #AegeanBlue #TravelReels #Exp...

yana_pk1

24 likes • 410 views

Tips

from all over the internet

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

Essential for the cable car, stairs, or any walking. Sneakers are recommended!

💰 Cash or Card Accepted

The cable car accepts both cash and card for tickets, making payment convenient.

🚢 Cruise Ship Impact

Wait times are heavily influenced by the number of ships in port. Check schedules!

🚶‍♀️ Stairs vs. Cable Car

Walking down is an option, but beware of donkey droppings and steepness.

⏳ Check Wait Times

Use ship binoculars or ask locals to gauge the cable car queue length.

What Travellers Say

3.9

(346 reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Santorini Cable Car offers breathtaking views and a convenient way to travel between the Old Port and Fira. While the ride itself is enjoyable and a highlight for many, particularly families, the significant wait times, especially with multiple cruise ships, are a common point of frustration. Some find it a bit pricey for the short duration of the ride.

"staff rude and not helpful who guides you to the cars .. I cannot sit backwards and staff even not bothered to listen … so what you will do if I faint inside the car? though team in the cash desk are nice and polite
giving 5 stars only because I work myself in hospitality and not fair of one person to put all experience as bad

you can pay card and cash one way"

Jovita

"Way better than walking up or down. Only took cash when I went. 10 € per person each way."

Joshua Sohn

"Lovely views of La caldera…. I took the steps going down to the harbour was a big mistake, so my plan was to take back the cable car was the best decision ever. I think is a bit expensive for time of the ride. 2 mins €6, queues can be up to 2 hours if you have a cruise mooring in Santorini. The old harbour is small you will expect to be crowded. But I was lucky I took the cable car around 5.30pm the lines were 15 mins"

Ljubica Banic

What People Like

Spectacular caldera views

Convenient port access

Exhilarating ride experience

What People Dislike

Long wait times

Can be expensive

Crowded at peak times

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

When your cruise ship docks at the Old Port, you have three main options to reach Fira: the cable car, walking up the steep steps, or taking a donkey ride. The cable car is a popular choice for its views and convenience, though lines can be long. Walking is free but strenuous and can be messy due to donkey droppings. Donkey rides are also available but often discouraged due to animal welfare concerns. +1

No, taxis and buses cannot access the Old Port directly. You must first ascend to Fira via the cable car, stairs, or donkeys before you can catch a taxi or local bus to other parts of the island.

The cable car is the most recommended option for those with mobility issues, as it avoids the steep climb and the uneven terrain of the stairs. Ensure you factor in potential wait times.

The cable car ride itself is only about 3-5 minutes. However, the wait time in line can vary significantly, from 15 minutes on a quiet day to over two hours when multiple cruise ships are in port. +1

Yes, you can walk up the 500-600 steps, or take a donkey ride. However, many travelers advise against walking due to the steepness and the presence of donkey waste.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The Santorini Cable Car typically costs around €6 per person for a one-way trip. Prices can sometimes vary, so it's good to confirm upon arrival.

Currently, online ticket purchasing for the Santorini Cable Car is not widely advertised or available. Tickets are generally purchased on-site at the station.

The cable car usually operates daily, with hours extending into the evening, often until 10:00 PM or later, especially during peak season. It's advisable to check the latest operating hours closer to your visit.

Tickets are sold one-way, so you'll need to purchase a separate ticket for your return journey if you plan to use the cable car both ways.

Discounts for the cable car are not commonly mentioned. Children may have a different fare, but adult prices are generally fixed.

📸 📸 Photography

The cable car offers stunning panoramic views of the caldera, the Aegean Sea, and the cliffside villages. Look out for dramatic shots of the volcanic landscape and the boats in the Old Port below.

Yes, it is generally safe to take photos. However, be mindful of your surroundings and hold your phone or camera securely, especially when leaning to capture the best angles.

Golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, provides the most beautiful light for photography. However, daytime offers clear views of the blue sea and white buildings.

Yes, you can get great photos of the cable car from various vantage points in Fira, looking down towards the Old Port, or from the port looking up at the ascending cabins.

A smartphone with a good camera is sufficient for most travelers. If you have a camera with a wide-angle lens, it will be excellent for capturing the expansive caldera views.