Santorini travel guide

On Santorini, you link Fira, the island's centre, and Oia, at the western tip, by bus.

The cable car down from Fira to the Old Port costs 10 euros one way, and luggage 5 euros. It runs only between Fira and the Old Port, not to Oia. Public buses from Fira to Oia and the airport cost 2.20 euros one way.

Price lists are updated, so recheck the official information once your date is set; all prices here follow the 2026 lists, checked on 23 October 2026. Oia is a popular sunset spot. Buses can be infrequent, so find out the last bus time first.

Visa and entry requirements for Greece

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Visas for foreigners traveling to Greece (Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
• EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)

The Santorini cable car links Fira and the Old Port. Under the 2026 price list, the standard fare is 10 euros one way, 5 euros reduced and 2 euros for permanent residents of Santorini and Thirasia. Luggage costs 5 euros; tickets are one way and non-refundable.

The cable car doesn't go to Oia; take the bus from Fira. Two adults going down to the Old Port and back up pay 4 × 10 = 40 euros, with luggage at 5 euros extra. Coming back up to Fira requires a new ticket.

Based on the Santorini Cable Car's official price list, checked on 23 October 2026.

The public bus from Fira to Oia costs 2.20 euros one way; two adults returning pay 4 × 2.20 = 8.80 euros. Buses from Fira to the airport and Kamari also cost 2.20 euros one way. Price lists are updated, so recheck the island bus company's official table once your date is set.

Frequencies vary by season, so ask your hotel about the last bus. On a sunset trip to Oia, check the return bus time first.

With 1 night: walk Fira on arrival day, and head to Oia the next day. Many people arrive in Oia in the afternoon and walk around timed for sunset; fix your return bus before you go.

With 2 nights: add the Old Port and rest on day three. To go down from Fira to the Old Port, choose the cable car or the stairs; the stairs are long, so allow plenty of time. Cable car tickets are one way, so decide how you'll come back up too.

Plan meals on Santorini around Greek salad, gyros and fava. Greek salad is tomato, cucumber and olives topped with cheese; gyros is grilled meat wrapped in pita; fava is Santorini's signature purée of yellow split peas. We don't pick restaurants or prices here. On busy travel days, eat lunch before moving on.

Cable car and bus prices are updated, so recheck the official price lists once your date is set. Greece is in the Schengen Area; check entry requirements for your nationality. The local emergency number is 112, and the Tourist Police (1571) can help in English.