We will be cruising into Santorini July 2026 and plan to take the water taxi to Oia, with the included bus back to Fira. My question is "is there taxi or bus service down to the old port after we are done?" I am aware of the cable car, and walking path and am looking for a different option if it exists. Thanks for any helpful response.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3598 posts
You can get a bus or a taxi down to the NEW (big ferry) port... but there is no Road down to the Old Port. Please look at a map. The Old Port is at the foot of a sheer 1,000-foot cliff. The 2 ways down are (1) standing in line for cable car (sometimes for hours, if 4 cruise ships dock at once -- check the schedule!!) and (2) hopping over donkey-poo down the stairstep path. This gives a big lesson -- Read the cruise descriptions thoroughly, and also read about the islands themselves, before you send in your deposit. To avoid having to actually read something like a guidebook, you could check a website like Cruise Critic. PS: on my 1st visit, i came by ferry, but hip-hopped down the stairs just for fun, and since it was off-season, we were able quickly to get on the cable car back up.
Posted by
25 posts
The water taxi can sometimes be tricky! You might end up waiting with crowds for tenders and shuttle buses, taking you an hour or something, while you watch others getting to the top of Fira in just 5 minutes. It really depends on several factors you have to look into, like the number of cruises and number of people, the season etc, as mentioned, so you should take all these possibilities in mind as you plan.
Also, the cable car has changed a bit starting in 2024 because of new rules. It’s a smart idea to check for the latest updates and posts from this year before you decide, so you’ll have the most current info to guide you.