Find it Here: Santorini, Firá, and Oia Q & A

[Wishing on a star]

There should be plenty of passengers in the Summer?

Look at how many ships will be in the harbor/caldera that day, and when they arrive.

Off season, then there is the possibility that the Ferry service will not run as it should.

But, check the Port Schedule.

 

You could see if it looks like the Ferry will fill up and run, and if not, take the cable-cars up and go from there.

You might want to plan for either option.

[John Bull]

Port schedules are often wrong or things change last- minute, but at the moment it’s looking good.

 

if you,re at the top cable car station in time for the sunset there,s a bar with glorious sunset views. Food there too, but I suspect it’s pretty basic, esp compared to the restaurants further up the coast.

 

if indeed yours is the only ship leaving late you should have no problem with the cable car. Even if it means you don’t get to the jetty on time, if everyone in line for the cable car is from your ship I can’t see them leaving a couple of dozen behind.

Ive never walked the donkey path in the dark, mebbe it’s worth carrying a flashlight. Walk down takes about 25 minutes.

Bear in mind that “last tender” time is likely to be SIXTY minutes before sailingtime, but that’s the time to be at the tender jetty, not when you have to be on the ship.

And if there’s a line at the jetty at last tender time the tenders will mop up the line after last tender time.

 

JB 😀

[stevendom57]

@John Bull Thank you

[gskline]

Thank you for the good advice Wishing on a star!

[Airrace]

We are looking for a tour in Santorini that will include some catamaran sailing, snorkeling and a land tour of Olia. We would like to walk around the buildings in Olia.

[Host Bonjour]

Happy 2020!

 

If you have made your way to this topic, things look good in the new decade if you're making plans to cruise the Greek Islands with a stop in Santorini! 

 

As it is understandably one of our most popular topics on this board, I thought I'd merge some threads together, and add a few others as additional posts to help kick off the topic. I want to see if this helps to create a resource for people seeking information on things like having time to visit Oia, and Firá, "how is it to take the cable car up to Firá", mobility issues in these locations, etc. 

 

By coming here first you may quickly find the information you need to plan your port visit, and you may also find something you hadn't even thought of, as you read posts by other members answering each other's questions and having conversations. Hopefully you'll join in if you feel inspired to chat with fellow members, or post a follow up question or start a new conversation yourself!

 

Topics similar to this have been successful on other boards. Let's see if it's helpful here, it's worth a shot. Thanks in advance for contributing, sharing, and for your patience with the experiment. 🙂 

 

[little britain]

I have just tried sending an email to info@aegeantraveller.gr regarding their Transfer To Oia by Speedboat & Return to Fira town by Private Bus and the email got bounced back - user quota exceeded.   Guess they haven't cleared their inbox yet... given cruises start today from Athens on Apex. 

Hopefully others will report successful contact soon.  Or what things are actually up and running once you arrive in Santorini

Edited June 19, 2021 by little britain

[Hlitner]

On 6/19/2021 at 12:23 PM, little britain said:

I have just tried sending an email to info@aegeantraveller.gr regarding their Transfer To Oia by Speedboat & Return to Fira town by Private Bus and the email got bounced back - user quota exceeded.   Guess they haven't cleared their inbox yet... given cruises start today from Athens on Apex. 

Hopefully others will report successful contact soon.  Or what things are actually up and running once you arrive in Santorini

We will again be on Santorini in a few weeks and will try to remember to post an update.  But I thought I should reiterate a basic strategy that handles the Oia situation.  Over the years we have been on Santorini when the boats were running and we have been there when there were no boats.  These boats are run by private entrepreneurs so you can never be sure.  But for those that want to use this option here is what to do.  Once you tender into the island you should look for the boat operator right on the pier just after you get off your tender.  They will usually hold up a cardboard sign and will also be "selling" their tour.  The deal is that you pay a fee (it has varied by used to be about 20 Euros) and then you climb into the boat.  The boat can sit for a long time (they like to wait for something close to a full load) so you might want to ask how long it will be before you pay your money.  The boat will take you to the dock below Oia and then you will be bused up the hill to Oia.  You should also be handed a bus ticket for a later return to Fira.

 

But what to do if the boats are not running?  This is where you need your Plan B.  Just buy a ticket and take the funicular up to Fira.  From the upper station you would walk through town towards the bus station (ask anyone to point the way) which just happens to be close to the main taxi parking area.  You can get to Oia on the local bus (they usually only run about once every hour) or by taxi (sharing with another couple cuts the cost).   Getting back from Oia (to Fira) can be done via taxi (not always easy to find) or by bus.  Do not wait for the last minute to return because there is no guarantee there will be any taxis waiting at Oia and the bus can get full.   

 

I should mention that some brave souls enjoy hiking from Oia to Fira (there is a trail for some of the route) but that is a pretty long hike best left to those who enjoy long walks.  It is also not fun if it happens to be a scorching hot day.  A fast walker can do it in about 2- 2 1/2 hours but those not used to long walks may find it takes a good 3 hours (or more).   Here is a link that does a pretty good job describing the hike:

How to Hike from Fira to Oia, the Most Beautiful Walk on Santorini | Earth Trekkers

 

I should mention that I am a senior who does like to walk and often takes 10-12 miles walks for fun.  But I would not do this Oia to Fira hike unless it was a pretty comfy day with a nice breeze.   And be forewarned that if you start the hike and later change your mind you may have a problem finding a taxi or getting the bus to stop (when the bus is full they will even skip a regular bus stop).

 

Hank

[little britain]

@Hlitner friends in Santorini this week confirmed the boats still not running to Oia despite the advertising boards being up at port

[Hlitner]

6 minutes ago, little britain said:

@Hlitner friends in Santorini this week confirmed the boats still not running to Oia despite the advertising boards being up at port

I am not totally surprised as we have seen this problem in past years (which is why I posted about Plan B options).  We have always thought the boats to Oia were an amateurish operation.  When your timing is good it is a terrific option (we have done it twice) but when it is not working properly it is time to move on to another option.  We met one cruiser who actually sat on the pier for over 2 hours waiting for one of those boats to go...and gave up.  But the long wait really messed up their entire day.  

 

One very important component for DIYers is flexibility.  Know your options, keep an open mind, and be decisive in decision making.  When a plan does not work, there are usually better options if one uses their mind and has prepared for such contingencies.  And changing plans "on the fly" has often been the secret of some of our most amazing days over decades of playing the DIY game.

 

By the way, I think a great advantage of DIY is the ability to deal with weather-related issues.  It is is too hot to go to some ruins we might decide to head to a beach or a museum with A/C.  If we were planning on going to a museum and its a gorgeous day we might change to something outdoors.  When we ran into an unexpected train strike in Cannes we were able to quickly rent a car (because we knew where to go).  

 

Hank

[SUESEABE]

Researching DIY plans for Santorini for May 2022. Anyone know current status of boats running to Oia from the pier? 

[sgmn]

On 7/17/2021 at 8:37 PM, Hlitner said:

I am not totally surprised as we have seen this problem in past years (which is why I posted about Plan B options).  We have always thought the boats to Oia were an amateurish operation.  When your timing is good it is a terrific option (we have done it twice) but when it is not working properly it is time to move on to another option.  We met one cruiser who actually sat on the pier for over 2 hours waiting for one of those boats to go...and gave up.  But the long wait really messed up their entire day.  

 

One very important component for DIYers is flexibility.  Know your options, keep an open mind, and be decisive in decision making.  When a plan does not work, there are usually better options if one uses their mind and has prepared for such contingencies.  And changing plans "on the fly" has often been the secret of some of our most amazing days over decades of playing the DIY game.

 

By the way, I think a great advantage of DIY is the ability to deal with weather-related issues.  It is is too hot to go to some ruins we might decide to head to a beach or a museum with A/C.  If we were planning on going to a museum and its a gorgeous day we might change to something outdoors.  When we ran into an unexpected train strike in Cannes we were able to quickly rent a car (because we knew where to go).  

 

Hank

@Hlitneror @little britainor anyone else who's been to Santorini recently

Any info if the boat/bus/bus combo from tender port to Oia and back to Fira has started operating yet ? 

 

Thank You

 

Sue 

Edited May 20, 2022 by sgmn

[little britain]

16 minutes ago, sgmn said:

@Hlitneror @little britainor anyone else who's been to Santorini recently

Any info if the boat/bus/bus combo from tender port to Oia and back to Fira has started operating yet ? 

 

Thank You

 

Sue 

Not there till end of June - have you tried asking @bonsai3s in their Odyssey thread? 

[Hlitner]

36 minutes ago, sgmn said:

@Hlitneror @little britainor anyone else who's been to Santorini recently

Any info if the boat/bus/bus combo from tender port to Oia and back to Fira has started operating yet ? 

 

Thank You

 

Sue 

We were last there in August 2021, and the boat/bus combo was operating as normal.  Keep in mind that it is done by a private company so one can never be 100% sure until arrival.  If not operating you would simply shift to a "Plan B" which means you could either take the public bus from Fira to Oia or hire a taxi.

 

Hank

[bonsai3s]

3 hours ago, little britain said:

Not there till end of June - have you tried asking @bonsai3s in their Odyssey thread? 

Yes, the boat/bus/bus (tender port to Oia back to Fira) was operating the past 2 weeks. 

* While standing in the queue for the cable car, a gentleman was recruiting passengers to take the boat to Oia, announcing "30€ per person".

[dani negreanu]

On 5/20/2022 at 11:45 PM, bonsai3s said:

a gentleman was recruiting passengers to take the boat to Oia, announcing "30€ per person

 

@sgmn, Sue,

 

Taking into account this price, the uncertainty involved -- that is, until the "recruitment" is completed --

 

I decided to book the transfer offered by X, which includes also tickets for the cable car (at 6 Euro pp + 30 Euro pp the transfer = 72 Euro), and the priority tendering, for 55$ pp (110$). 

 

Last time we were in Santorini, we paid 25 Euro pp (2013), but waited INSIDE to boat until it was full, more than half an hour.... Not my cup of tea in Covid times, for sure.

 

[Mrmatt]

On 3/30/2019 at 10:39 PM, DrivesLikeMario said:

We've just scrapped the boat to Oia idea after reading this thread and will do the bus instead but I have a few questions:

 

1.  How do we find the bus stop in Fira?  Can anyone give us any clues as to which way to go once we're off the cable car or what it's near?

2.  Should we buy a return cable car ticket in the morning?  Or pay one-way for them each time?

 

Thanks for the help. 

We have been in Santorini on a few occasions and never had a problem with the Ferry to Oia. 

[sgmn]

11 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

@sgmn, Sue,

 

Taking into account this price, the uncertainty involved -- that is, until the "recruitment" is completed --

 

I decided to book the transfer offered by X, which includes also tickets for the cable car (at 6 Euro pp + 30 Euro pp the transfer = 72 Euro), and the priority tendering, for 55$ pp (110$). 

 

Last time we were in Santorini, we paid 25 Euro pp (2013), but waited INSIDE to boat until it was full, more than half an hour.... Not my cup of tea in Covid times, for sure.

 

I'll have a look at the tours again. We were thinking of maybe taking the bus from Fira.

Don't you get priority tendering anyway as concierge class? 

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

Don't you get priority tendering anyway as concierge class?

 

I do, but AFTER the tours... After DH's "close encounter" with melanoma, we prefer to be earlier in places without shade, like Oia.

[DrivesLikeMario]

7 hours ago, sgmn said:

I'll have a look at the tours again. We were thinking of maybe taking the bus from Fira.

Don't you get priority tendering anyway as concierge class? 

Yes we got priority tendering due to being in a full suite.  It was really nice.  The Concierge told us where to meet and he escorted us down the elevator and to the first awaiting tender.  

We ended up taking the bus to Oia.  Wow.  Last time I ever do that!  First off, it was about a 15 min. walk up and down the narrow Fira pathways to find the bus.  Then you have to get across what you want to the bus rep in the little window and then you wait for the bus to show up.  None of the buses said exactly where they were going that we could see.  We had to keep asking other people who would just shrug.  When our bus pulled up, everyone ran for it, cramming to get on it.  About 20-30 people were turned away.  It was jam packed and pretty uncomfortable.  Probably okay for some but just not the way we like to travel.  We took a taxi back and it was SOOOO much better!

[sgmn]

17 hours ago, DrivesLikeMario said:

Yes we got priority tendering due to being in a full suite.  It was really nice.  The Concierge told us where to meet and he escorted us down the elevator and to the first awaiting tender.  

We ended up taking the bus to Oia.  Wow.  Last time I ever do that!  First off, it was about a 15 min. walk up and down the narrow Fira pathways to find the bus.  Then you have to get across what you want to the bus rep in the little window and then you wait for the bus to show up.  None of the buses said exactly where they were going that we could see.  We had to keep asking other people who would just shrug.  When our bus pulled up, everyone ran for it, cramming to get on it.  About 20-30 people were turned away.  It was jam packed and pretty uncomfortable.  Probably okay for some but just not the way we like to travel.  We took a taxi back and it was SOOOO much better!

Thanks for the info. Was it easy to get a taxi in Oia? And if you don't mind, how much was it?

Cheers 

Edited May 24, 2022 by sgmn

[DrivesLikeMario]

6 hours ago, sgmn said:

Thanks for the info. Was it easy to get a taxi in Oia? And if you don't mind, how much was it?

Cheers 

Yes it was but that could be because we left about noon.  I'd think they might be harder to find around 2:00-4:00pm.

[sgmn]

we are in port from 0800 to 2200.  Thinking it may be better to wait until the first rush/crush is over before going over to Oia.  Has anyone been there from early afternoon and found it quieter than say midday?

 

according to cruise mapper there are only three ships in Santorini including us.  The other two are small ships  

[marazul]

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

we are in port from 0800 to 2200.  Thinking it may be better to wait until the first rush/crush is over before going over to Oia.  Has anyone been there from early afternoon and found it quieter than say midday?

 

according to cruise mapper there are only three ships in Santorini including us.  The other two are small ships  

Yes, it will be quieter if all ships arrive in the morning.  Plan to have lunch there.

[martyap]

My daughter’s family and another family a total of 8 will be in Santorini off the RCCL Odyssey on July 12th from 1:00 to 11:00. They made dinner reservations in Oia at 7:00. I have tried to explain to them that the logistics and timing and transportation to and from make this plan quite challenging and risky.

Any suggestions on pre arranging transportation for 8 people to and from Oia? What would be the latest safe time to depart Oia and be back to tender for the ship’s 11:00 departure? I’m suggesting an earlier dinner and head back by 8:00 but your input would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Marty