My husband and I are taking the windstar cruise through Turkey and Greece. I'm a little leary about paying $90 each person for a 4 hour excursion of these two islands. Not being familiar with the public transportation or sites does anyone have any quick tips for self exploration for the time we are docked. We'll be in Rhodes from 1:30 pm to 11:00 pm and all day in Santorini. Should we take the trip up to Oia while on Santorini and is it easy to get from the port up there?
Cathy
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
18 posts
I was in Santorini in July, and I would definitely recommend renting something to explore Santorini. I did this twice, and it was super cheap and the best way to enjoy the island by far (probably one of my favorite memories, too). You can see the entire island in a day. We rented a four-wheeler for 15 euros for 24 hours, and if you don't like those, scooters and cars are cheap to rent as well. I don't know how much it costs to bus or taxi from the port, my hostel picked me up... I do remember it was a pretty big climb though, I'd figure out a means of transportation. Oia is very nice, as is the rest of Santorini, just get a map and go explore :)
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
83 posts
Santorini was crowded with tourists, which should be no surprise. There are buses that connect the towns on the island which will run you about 3-4 euro per trip. Some fill up fast esp. Oia-Fira line.
Renting - you can go with hertz or cheaper, local alternatives in Fira. There were rental agencies at port, but I assumed they were overpriced. Driving can be a little hairy with the traffic (especially if you go to see the Oia sunset, beware). But it's doable (we did it). Taxi's are expensive.
If you have all day, you could see a few things.
There are several tours of the active volcano by boat which seemed interesting - if the weather is good. The red beach near Akortiri. Ancient Thira.
If you're keeping it simple, take a bus Fira-Oia after you've had time to explore some of Fira. You could wander for hours in Oia. Find a nice restaurant, stay for the sunset if you can.
If it's $90/person for BOTH islands and includes transportation, I'd consider it. good luck
Posted by
OP
midland, tx, usa
78 posts
Sorry to say, but it's per person per island. And the $ is just a 4 hour tour that just takes you from the boat to Oia for a few hours than back to Fira to self explore...seems like a waste of money. I figured if I can handle the public bus system in Italy and France...this should be a piece of cake as well. I've just never had to be back to a ship before it sailed...I can think of worse places to be stranded than Santorini!
Cathy