Bypass Sky Tram: Santorini Tour for Cruise Passengers
Badge of Excellence
Santorini, Greece
- 4 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The sky tram to access Santorini from the port has long, hot lines which are unpleasant to wait in. Maximise your time on the island by catching a boat from the port instead, on this tour designed specifically for cruise passengers. Then discover the island's highlights, from traditional hilltop villages to black sand beaches, on a seamless, stress-free experience with all transportation organized.
- Approach Santorini from a unique, scenic vantage point on the water
- Save hours of waiting time by bypassing the sky tram
- Hassle-free round-trip transportation from the port
- Check off plenty of the island's highlights in just one tour
What's Included
- Certified English speaking guide
- Modern Air-conditioned transportation
- Small group size
- Fast access by water
- Guaranteed timely return to your tender
- Meals
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Santorini Old HarborFira 847 00, Greece
Pickup details
We will meet you at the Old Port, where your cruise ship’s tender arrives. Look for our team holding a JAT sign near the entrance to the sky tram station, by the palm trees. Please note: do not enter —you will completely skip the sky trams
What To Expect
1
Athinios Port Santorini
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Blue Domed Church Santorini
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Oia
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Megalochori - Traditional Village
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Perivolos Beach
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
6
Firostefani Central Square
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Santorini Old Harbor
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Please be advised that this tour is not wheelchair or scooter accessible and may not be suitable for individuals with limited mobility.
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 92 reviews
Mark_S, Mar 2026
Victor was a amazing guide
told us lots of the history of santorini
would 100% recommend
very good day
Karen_T, Oct 2025
Great Tour. Our guide was very informative and the driver was very professional. We covered a lot of places and got some great pictures
Theresa_C, Oct 2025
Loved this tour. There were 8 in our group and Victor, a personable (and adorable) young man showed us the best of Santorini. Lots of walking but he was patient, kind and honest. We took this tour to bypass the long lines at the cable car. Unfortunately, the weather took a bad turn and we weren’t able to avoid the cable car for return trip. The company quickly provided money for the cable car ride back. Even though it didn’t turn out as expected, I have to give Victor and his company credit for handling it professionally. Our driver was also amazing at handling a large bus around hairpin turns. Thank you for a great day. Exhausting but awesome day.
Michelle_B, Oct 2025
We booked this cruise excursion directly through Viator hoping for a great experience, a beautiful day, and amazing memories. Unfortunately, a cruise issue forced our boat to skip Santorini less than 12 hours before our prepaid activity. We called Viator customer service. They contacted the tour companyand explained the reason for our late cancellation and requested a refund for us.
Less than a day later I received this email from the tour operator notifing us that even though not required, it is their policy to provide full refunds when ships skip ports.
Although we are disappointed, we are exremely greatful for the refund consideration. We will deniately look gor and use Tickets and Tours in the future.
Crystal_M, Oct 2025
The process was straightforward and our tour guide was personable and knowledgeable. Unfortunately it rain but we have a good driver as well.
Michael_B, Oct 2025
What an amazing experience. Well planned and communicated expectations very well.
Tour guide and driver were well informed and had great energy.
Wonderful way to see the island and avoid the cable car.
Jay_H, Oct 2025
On the day of our tour, it rained from the time that the tour started until we returned to our ship. While we were disappointed to not have the "Sunny Santorini" experience, our guide, Alex and driver, Chris, were fantastic! They rearranged the tour itinerary to avoid the heaviest rains all day. Alex was very very knowledgeable with local history, geology, agriculture and local customs. We had the opportunity to see many more parts of the island that we had expected. A full tip to tip side to side all the way around experience with photo opportunities and learning opportunities all the way. The tour ended with a stop at a local restaurant, FortyOne, situated on the black beach. The food had a very wide variety of local flavors and the flavors were amazing! Total bill was €64 which included two cocktails and two entrées. Note, this is not included in the tour.
Not only was this tour, a wonderful way to experience the island, but we also did not have to travel nor walk through the rain like those who took the cable car!
Teresa_G, Oct 2025
This tour operator JAT should be ashamed of themselves. They stole $947aud from us and provided nothing! The seas were rough, our cruise ship had trouble getting us to shore, so we were 20 minutes late. We advised them of this. We went directly to where we were supposed to and they were not there. Then told us to get the cable car to the top. Even if we were able to do this, there was a very long line which would have taken an hour or more to get to the top. My husband stumbled across someone from JAT and she phoned them and explained my sister has mobility issues and that’s why we booked the tour which takes you by boat and not by cable car. My husband and brother in law also hate heights and so we couldn’t do what they asked us to do by catching the cable car, even if we could get on it. They have refused to give us one cent back. They could not provide the tour we book and so we are entitled to a full refund, they have stolen all our hard earned money. One of my dreams after recovering from 35 rounds of chemo and 25 radiation treatments was to see Santorini and we were left high and dry and very poor with nothing to show for our money. How these people live with themselves to steal good people’s money and not give a damn is beyond me. We had no choice but to get back on the ship as there is nothing at the bottom of Santorini. We met another man that was scrambling around with his family as well trying to find someone and somehow to sort this out. Just disgusting, it is so much money and this is completely unfair!!! DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR!!!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We regret to hear about your disappointment. Please allow us to address the concerns raised:
1. Please note that yours was the only refund request received from the entire group — all other participants arrived on time and joined the tour without any issues.
2. There were no weather issues — however, you ignored our recommendation to reserve seats on the ship’s tender in advance, which resulted in your late arrival ashore.
3. When the majority of guests are already ashore, they understandably do not wish to spend their limited time waiting for late arrivals. That’s why our shared tours depart promptly as scheduled. To enjoy greater flexibility, you can consider booking private tours instead.
4. Our representative clearly explained that our boat departed on time and that the sky tram was the only remaining option to access the island once the tour had begun.
5. Based on these facts, your refund request has been respectfully declined in full accordance with our 24-hour cancellation policy.
For future bookings, we strongly encourage you to follow the timing provided in your confirmation — it’s a useful habit not only for tours but also for flights, cruises, and other scheduled services, none of which wait or refund for late arrivals. Safe travels and fair winds!
Marcos_R, Oct 2025
"ABSOLUTE 5-STAR EXPERIENCE IN SANTORINI!!! I'm still pinching myself after the incredible tour Alex and Dimitri took us on! These two guides were OUTSTANDING! Not only did they showcase the breathtaking beauty of Santorini, but they also shared their vast knowledge of the island's history, culture, and hidden gems.
From the stunning caldera views to the picturesque villages, we saw it all! Alex and Dimitri were attentive, funny, and made sure everyone felt included. Their passion for Santorini was infectious, and we couldn't help but fall in love with the island.
The tour was perfectly planned, with ample time for exploration and delicious food. Alex and Dimitri went above and beyond to ensure we had an unforgettable experience.
If you're looking for an unforgettable Santorini adventure, LOOK NO FURTHER! Book a tour and ask for Alex and Dimitri - you won't regret it! 10/10 would recommend!!!
Sharmaine_W, Oct 2025
This was an awesome tour. We had Alex as our tour guide and Dmitry as our driver. They were both amazing and full of exciting details and information about Santorini. It was clear that they were passionate about what they were doing. They had the best recommendations and just made the tour such an enjoyable experience. 10 out of 10, Highly Recommend.
Andy_T, Oct 2025
The tour guide from JAT tours was excellent! The tour exceeded our expectations! One caveat, the tour operator did not show up to the meeting point until 10 minutes prior to the designated time, leaving ourselves and many others wondering if we were in the correct place. There also seemed to be some confusion as to where we should be on the pier as the operators were told to move from our designated meeting location to another spot at the opposite end of the pier. In all not a big deal....but they do this everyday. Everything else was smooth as silk for the balance of the day. 5 Stars.
Dan_L, Oct 2025
Great Santorini tour from one end of the island to the other. We wanted to avoid the cable car in the event the lines were long. Yunnis was a great guide, fun and very knowledgeable about the history of the island
Martin_H, Oct 2025
We booked a 4-5hr trip skipping the cable cars but due to the sea swell we couldn’t get ashore until late. We couldn’t miss the cable cars but thankfully got refunded for this. However, due to the queue length for the cable cars and slow tendering ashore for all ships, we had to wait for others to arrive to join our party and were advised to take the shorter trip (3hrs) to ensure we could catch our ship before it left. We were told to contact Viator for a partial refund for the difference between the original trip we booked and the shorter trip we took. Having done this we’ve been told the tour operator will not give the refund for the shorter trip time - despite being told so on the day. Given the poor afterservice by the tour operator I’d suggest avoiding a 5 hour trip and opting for a shorter one.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We regret to hear about your disappointment. However, please note that we are not responsible for cruise line operations, including tendering. On the day of your tour, your ship’s tender was over one and half hour late while they insisted you back on time. As a gesture of goodwill, we waited for you and accepted your participation. Since our boat departed as scheduled, the only available option for joining the tour was via the sky tram, and we even covered that expense on your behalf. After all our efforts to accommodate you under these challenging circumstances, we were disappointed to receive this 1-star review. Please understand that the delay was caused entirely by your ship’s operations, not by us. For this reason, any refund request should be addressed directly to your cruise line, as we fulfilled our service as planned and went the extra mile to assist you.
Christine_S, Oct 2025
The places we visted were just wonderful but we did not have enough time to explore - 7 hours would be better :). Our guide was freindly and knowledgeable - we appreciated her. The vehicle worked but shoudl be updated - others in the group were much newer - however, it was nothing compared to the return cable car lines we hear about after getting back on the ship. What a relief!
JoBeth_H, Oct 2025
Unfortunately due to the weather we had to take the cable cars up and back but it wasn’t that bad and the tour company paid for the tickets. Yianni was our tour guide and he was 10 out of 10 amazing!!!! We had the best day with him! He was super charismatic and very knowledgeable and the perfect photographer.
Jeanne_S, Oct 2025
She was great at adding a personal touch, really connected with us and answered all of our extra questions in full. So kind to offer taking photos for us the whole time too!
It was especially nice to not have to worry about taking the cable cars up or down. They ferried us over from the tender spot. Transfer went very smoothly.
maria_K, Sep 2025
Our guide person and driver was what made a difference in our tour..we really enjoyed passion and knowledge..
William_M, Sep 2025
The tour took us all over the island and it was excellent. Each place we stopped was even better than the last. Extraordinarily professional while thoroughly engaging.
GailM_P, Sep 2025
This was (we think) way to go . The cable car lines were crazy with 5 ships in the harbor. Our ship just drifted between the two p/u areas and our tender got us to the cable car area and then we took another ferry to the awaiting small van to bring us up the mountain and around all day. When finished we were brought back to van/bus p/u area and a ferry to the cable car area to take another ferry to our ship !
We met a lady who didn’t have this experience and took the 600 steps down the mountain (same path as the donkeys) and she fell twice in the donkey mess and regretted that choice .
Pay the extra and skip the cable car !! Well worth it !
Alan_H, Sep 2025
It is a good all day round the island tour and our guide was very knowledgeable. Ensure that you get off your cruise ship as early as possible, as we nearly missed the tour. There is a stop at the end at a restaurant next to the sea, where you can swim if you would like, but have to have costume and towels with you.
Scott_W, Sep 2025
Great stops, just not enough time in Oia by the time you used the water closest. Could have used at least another 30 minutes to hour more time there. The rest was very good. And guide was excellent.
Gary_B, Sep 2025
When we saw the VERY long queue for the cable car, we knew we had made the right decision for this tour.
Our guide Anna was excellent. She spoke clearly, was very informative and interesting in a chatty, friendly way not just regurgitating facts.
The four of us enjoyed the tour very much.
If you tend to get travel sick, I would recommend ginger lollies (candies) as the roads are long and winding.
Ramona_B, Sep 2025
tour was supposed to be a small group, but there was a lot of people who were gathered and broken into smaller groups after we gathered, which took a lot of time waiting to separate the people into groups and organize onto different buses. It was very unorganized. We were not shown a lot of the highlights of Santorini, the tour seemed very rushed. The bus was cramped. At the close to the ending of the tour we had a very unpleasant experience. The guide we had was very nice and courteous, however as we were stopped to look at a grape bush, the four people in my group saw a bakery next to where we were standing and decided we had heard enough about the bush and ran inside to get a pastry, while we were in the bakery, the driver ran inside and started screaming loudly in the bakery “ GET ON THE BUS!! Then he said you 4 again because we had to actually go to the bathroom earlier!! We were in line checking out and he kept on screaming at us to the point that the cashier made a comment about how rude he was. My cousin came out and said to him that he didn’t have to be so rude screaming like he was doing. We have traveled over in many countries but have never been treated with such rude and obnoxious behavior! Our guide knew how bad he acted and she came over to us and asked us if we were alright, by far was the worst tour and experience of our 2 week vacation. This tour ruined our first time experience with Greece. I would not recommend this tour at all. We chose skip the long cable line tour but by the time we had to wait for the separation of groups getting on multiple buses and organizing this waiting for everyone, we could have spent less time if we would have waited in line for the cable cars. Very disappointing and we believe we should be refunded for the verbal disrespect we received and the embarrassment the driver caused us in front of all the other tourist on the bus. It was shameful! I am 65 and my husband is almost 70 years old, we were treated shamefully!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We regret to hear about your disappointment. Let me address the concerns raised:
1. In full accordance with the tour description, we have a 30-minute window reserved for collecting participants and dividing them into smaller groups with a maximum of 18 guests. By international tourism standards, this is considered a small group tour. For comparison, you may check the size of shore excursions offered by your ship.
2. All the sites listed in the tour itinerary were visited, and the overall duration actually exceeded the time mentioned on the website by 47 minutes.
3. We operate exclusively with modern perfectly air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz 20-seater vans including guide and driver
4. Please note that you booked a shared tour with a fixed route and itinerary. This is not a private tour where customization—such as stopping at pastry shop—is possible, as it caused the entire group to waste valuable time waiting.
5. The driver was not “screaming.” He simply said: “Please proceed to the bus asap!” However, when you and your husband boarded, fellow passengers expressed frustration because your personal detour reduced their limited time ashore. On group tours, the maximum waiting period for late participants is 10 minutes, after which the bus may depart. In your case, instead of leaving, the guide sent the driver to look for you in Oia. Rather than appreciation for this effort, we received a 1-star review. In the future, we will need to reconsider how we handle such situations.
To avoid such unfortunate experiences, we kindly suggest respecting others around you. This will help not only during your future trips but in life in general. Wishing you safe travels.
Mirjana_H, Sep 2025
Excellent tour via boat and bus. Highly recommend this tour very accommodating and saw all the highlights.
Mitzi_B, Sep 2025
Himself was fantastic in taking us to the most beautiful picture spots and incorporating history and information into the tour. Very enjoyable
Calvin_O, Sep 2025
The tour was excellent, well organized and on time. Victor our guide was full of interesting information and very personable. The vehicle was new, clean and comfortable with an experienced driver.
Kendall_H, Sep 2025
Excellent tour. Skipping the cable car is essential if the lines are long, which they were. Nice small group of 8, four of us and four others. Great driver on difficult roads. Informative guide brought us to excellent (and mostly uncrowded) spots for fantastic picture taking. Breathtaking scenery. Would recommend.
Anonymous, Aug 2025
Tour was great-Georgina was a superior guide., Interesting, funny and really cared if we learned the culture. Bus driver was great too.
MAIANE_D, Aug 2025
Santorini is amazing! Everything around looks good. Our tour guide, Anna, was calm and knowledgeable, and made her explanations very useful and clear, without being boring or tiring. The tour's stopping points were very interesting and well-balanced (walk and bus touring). At the end, they booked a complimentary tender for my group since everyone was from the same ship. That saved us from a long line from our cruise on the way back to the ship.
Elizabeth_M, Aug 2025
With a view to avoiding the long wait at the cable car at Santorini, we decided on this excursion. And what a perfect choice we made.
The trip around in a small coach was with an experienced driver, and not least a wonderful guide. Victor is very knowledgeable, his English is impeccable, and his ability to communicate with humour and empathy made the excursion an unforgettable experience.
From $53.63
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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