Santorini Cable Car – 2026 Operating Schedule & Visitor Information

Whether you are stepping off a cruise ship or heading down to the harbor for a volcanic boat excursion, here is everything you need to know about riding the cable car in 2026.

Ticket Prices & Admission Fees

Tickets are purchased as one-way fares at either the upper station in Fira or the lower station at the Old Port.

• Adults: €10.00

• Children (Ages 6–12): €5.00

• Children (Under 6): Free

• Luggage: €5.00 per large suitcase

Note: Reduced €5.00 fares are also available for licensed tour guides, travel agents, cruise ship crew members, and persons with disabilities. The cabins are designed to welcome passengers with mobility challenges (fitting standard wheelchairs up to 58 cm wide).

2026 Operating Schedule

The cable car operates daily, with hours thoughtfully adjusted throughout the year to match seasonal daylight and island activity:

• Peak Summer (June – August): 06:30 to 23:00 (Last departure from the top station at 22:40)

• Shoulder Season (May, September, October): 06:30 to 22:00 (Last departure from the top station at 21:40)

• Spring (April): 06:30 to 21:00

• Winter (November – March): Operates in split intervals tailored for seasonal travelers, typically from 07:30 to 10:30 and 14:30 to 18:00.

Traveller Note: Operating hours are frequently extended on the fly to accommodate late-departing cruise ships, ensuring no traveler is left behind at the harbor.

Ride Information & Technical Capacity

• The Journey: The ride is a swift, exhilarating 3 to 5 minutes from station to station.

• The Setup: The system utilizes a “pulsed gondola” design, featuring 6 connected cabins per train, with each individual cabin comfortably seating up to 6 passengers.

• Capacity: It can smoothly transport up to 1,200 passengers per hour, ensuring a steady, continuous flow of travelers up and down the cliffside.

• A Community Legacy: The entire system exists thanks to a generous historic donation by the Loula & Evangelos Nomikos Foundation. Today, a portion of all ticket proceeds goes directly back into supporting local community needs and emergencies.

The Smart Way: Digital E-Tickets

To make your journey even smoother, you can secure your passes in advance via the official e-ticketing platform.

Buying your e-ticket online is a great way to streamline your arrival. By having your digital ticket ready on your phone, you get to skip the payment window queue entirely. Once off the boat, you can head directly past the cash registers straight to the boarding line. There might still be queues to get on the cable car but it will move faster than the one that also requires payment.

Why Take the Cable Car?

Perched 220 meters above sea level, Fira is spectacular but steep. While the historic 588-step zigzag path is available, the cable car transforms a strenuous uphill trek into a smooth, effortless, and joyful transition.

Beyond its sheer convenience, the ride itself is an unforgettable highlights reel. As you ascend, the panoramic views of the glittering Aegean Sea, the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, and the cruise ships anchored in the caldera unfold right outside your window.

Plan Like a Pro: Check the Cruise Calendar

Because the cable car is the primary gateway for sea arrivals, the lines at the stations naturally fluctuate based on maritime traffic. On days when multiple large vessels anchor at once, the boarding queue can experience a lively festive bustle.

To help you time your ascent perfectly and enjoy a breezy experience, make sure to check the Santorini Cruise Ship Calendar before you head out. By syncing your stroll through Fira with calmer port windows, you’ll enjoy a perfectly seamless ride up the cliffs.