How to move around
Santorini might be a very small island but getting from one place to another can get challenging during the summer if you haven’t planned in advance. On foot is great for short distances and there are plenty options to reach beautiful spots further away! How are you planning to move around while you are on the island? To make your Santorini holidays even more relaxing, we have gathered all you need to know here below.
Transportation while you are on the island
There are several ways to move around the island:
Santorini’s buses (KTEL)
There are frequent buses (KTEL) that go to all the villages of the island. All the KTEL buses go to the main bus station at Fira. This means that if you would like to go i.e from Oia to Akrotiri (which are in opposite sides on the island), you will have to take one bus to Fira, and then another one from Fira to Akrotiri. The tickets are issued from inside the bus, and the cost can vary from 1.80€ to 2.50€ per person per ride.
KTEL buses carry out daily bus routes to almost all destinations.
Taxi
Taxis will take you to most places on the island. If you are outside the town of Fira (the island’s capital), with just a phone call you can be picked up from any point. In Fira town, there is a taxi stand strategically located nearby the main square. In addition, right next to the taxi station starts a pedestrian street, connecting it to the picturesque, narrow alleys of the town’s commercial district.Â
The taxi station phone number is +302286022555.Â
On Foot
Of course, depending on where you stay, you may have the chance to walk to many destinations! There are trails to follow where cars are not allowed, and the views will definitely reward you for the distance covered!
If you have not arrived in Santorini yet
In the case that you are not already in Santorini and you are currently organizing the details of your upcoming trip, we would like to offer here a small teaser of what to expect from it. So, if you have a couple of minutes to spare, feel free to navigate through the content below. Enjoy another tempting video from Santorini or get a glimpse of the caldera view from our Live Webcam. You may even choose to spend a bit more time either by exploring our substantial photo gallery of Santorini or by shopping products associated with Santorini on our comprehensive e-shop.
Cruise Ship visitors – important notes
When visiting Santorini on a cruise stop, time management is critical. Between tender transfers and cable car wait times, you will have roughly 4 to 6 hours of actual exploration time.
How do Cruise Ship tender boats work?
Due to the immense depth of the volcanic caldera (reaching up to 400 meters), cruise ships cannot tie up at a traditional pier. Instead, ships anchor in the middle of the caldera basin off the coast of Fira. Therefore, passengers do not walk straight off the cruise ship onto land. Local tender boats transport passengers from the ship to shore.
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Independent Passengers: Typically disembark at Fira Old Port (Skala). The tender boat ride takes roughly 10 – 15 minutes.
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Organized Shore Excursion Groups: Ships often disembark guests booking official ship tours at Athinios Port (the main commercial port) where tour buses wait.
How to Get Up the Caldera Cliffs to Fira?
Fira Old Port lies at the water’s edge, directly beneath 220-meter (720-foot) vertical cliffs. There are no roads for cars or taxis at the Old Port. To reach Fira town at the top, you have three main choices:
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The Cable Car (Teleferik): Recommended. The fastest and most comfortable way up. The journey takes under 3 minutes, offering panoramic views of the caldera. During peak hours (when multiple large ships arrive simultaneously), queue times for the cable car can reach 45–60 minutes, so plan accordingly for your return to the ship.
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Walking the Steps: A steep, zig-zag path of 588 stone steps leads from the port to Fira town. It takes 25 to 40 minutes of walking up the stairs. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water – and don’t do it if the weather is hot.
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Donkey / Mule Rides: While historically common, taking donkey rides up the steps was how locals used to go up before the cable car. It is highly recommended not to take the mule ride down as the stairs are steep and slippery and the mules go fast!Â
How can I get to Oia from the old Port of Fira?
Oia is located at the northern tip of Santorini, about 11 km (7 miles) from Fira.
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From Fira Town: Once you reach Fira via the cable car, you can take a public KTEL bus (20 minutes), hire a taxi from the central Fira taxi stand, or join a local private transfer.
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Direct Sea Speedboats: During high season, private water-taxi companies operate directly from Fira Old Port to Ammoudi Bay (below Oia), usually including a bus transfer up the hill into Oia town center.
Santorini E-shop
