Fira to Oia questions - bus and/or hike, with time constraints
 

It's been a while, Fodorites!

My aunt and I are taking a cruise that stops for a day (more like half a day) at Santorini in early July. Dock/tender time is 2:00 pm and sail time is at 10:00 pm. Initially, I thought we could take the cable car up to Fira, then hike the trail to Oia, with plenty of time for photography. Then catch dinner at Taverna Katina, grab a bus or taxi back to Fira, and take the cable car back down to the ship.

After researching, it seems like that might not be the best idea - I see conversations where buses/taxis might be busy coming out of Oia, especially in peak season, and we definitely don't want to miss our sail time.

I'd appreciate any input to these options, plus any other suggestions:

1) Ideally - cable car from port to Fira, hike to Oia, food at Katina, few more photo ops, then bus back to Fira, cable car to port.
2) Cable car from Old Port to Fira, bus to Oia, eat late lunch, then hike back to Fira, cable car to port.

Specific questions:
-If we get to Katina at an odd time, like 4pm, will we be able to eat (are they open all afternoon/evening)?
-Where the heck is the bus station in Fira? I have googled this every way I can, studied the satellite map, looked at the KTEL Santorini bus website (it shows 2 different pinpoints in Fira) and I still can't find the dang thing! Cross-streets would be great!
-How long is the bus ride between Fira and Oia?
-Am I totally crazy for picking this one specific plan of action? We are both walkers/hikers/photographers and I thought it would be a good way to spend our minimal time there and get something out it, but maybe I'm way off base?

No matter which scenario, I think we'll be in transit around 8-8:30 to ensure we're getting on the ship, which happens to be sunset time. So the plan may be to watch the sunset from the boat (or catch it on the cable car!) - would this be the worst view?

Thanks in advance!

The tender dock is directly below Fira. There is no road, only the cable car and 600+ steps. PLEASE DON'T RIDE THE POOR ABUSED DONKEYS! In July you will most likely be subjected to a fairly long line of cruise ship passengers waiting for the cable car. There can be as many as 6 ships at once all moving passengers to and from the ships in July. Just yesterday I read a figure of 17,000 people-in one day-from someone who lives on the island and whose knowledge in this matter I respect. Of course you may be there on a day with only your ship in port, at least it's a possibility. So expect it to take a minimum of 1.5-2 hours to get up the cliff, and you're rightfully planning to be back at the cable car building in Fira at 8-8:30, so that means leaving Oia somewhere around 7:30 for the 30-minute ride. Realistically that gives you a maximum of 5 hours ashore, but probably less unless you get off the ship in the first grouping not signed up for a ship's excursion. They get first priority for debarking. The hike from Fira to Oia takes 3 hours, not something you're going to want to do in the scorching heat of a July afternoon. You're better off taking a taxi to Oia, and if you want to eat at Katina's have them drive you down there, then have someone from the restaurant call a taxi for you to bring you back up into Oia so you can have a look around before returning to Fira. The buses will be overfull and there will be a battle to get aboard, so be prepared or you won't succeed. That's why I recommend a taxi. They come and go all day long to the Oia bus square. In Fira the bus square is located directly downhill from the Museum of Prehistoric Thera on the corner of Mitropoleos Street and Dekigala Street. ( http://tinyurl.com/pdc27ob Find the "bus" icon) I think the view of the sunset from the cable car will be blocked by the curvature of the cliff itself. Your only chance to see it will be from the ship once you're back aboard.

To get a taxi or bus: When you exit the cable car building turn left and walk to the end of that short lane with your back to the sea. Turn right and just ahead you'll see a short flight of steps on the left leading down to another lane. Walk out that lane to the main road in Fira. Turn right and walk downhill past the main intersection and all the outdoor cafes on the left to the taxi office, which is in a parking lot on the left. The bus square is just beyond the taxi office, also on the left.

This is a list of cruise ships in port in July but it may not be complete: http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/G...land/July_2015

Also, once you get to Oia, you have to hike down to Amoudi Harbor..and back up.
The cruise ships have inundated tiny Santorini making it difficult for all travelers.

The hike to Amoudi Harbor is if you want to eat at Katina's..

No, you don't HAVE to hike to Amoudi. There's a road down to the wharf and a taxi can bring you there with no problem.

Hi Ceb

You can't be positive that you'll be taking the cable car up the mountain - on the day our cruise visited Santorini, the wind was too strong for the cable car to operate, so the cruise line (NCL) had organised buses instead. The ship had to dock at a different wharf from usual, and if we had planned to tour independently this would have thrown us right off course.

This was one of the few places on the cruise that I had decided we would do well to take one of the cruise's tour options, and was so thankful we did!

We had excellent commentary to and from Oia, and once we reached there, were free to roam at our leisure. On the return trip we were dropped at Fira, so were also able to wander around there, then take one of the shuttle buses back to the ship.

Santorini was one of the highlights of the cruise, for us! Di

The hike from Fira to Oia is in unrelieved sun. In May, it was brutal even though the temps were in the low 70s. In July, I would hesitate to do it. The buses run frequently and are a better option. The walk down to Katina is not bad - the walk back up is a little challenging but they will call a taxi for you. Not sure of the opening hours of Katina but when we arrived, around 7:00, there were quite a few people there.

I agree that this is a place you might want to go with the arranged cruise tour.

Thanks to everyone for your detailed replies. I was afraid of this answer - this is my first cruise and as much as I'm excited for the experience, I'm not used to traveling this way! I'm trying to look at it as a good way to learn where I want to return, but I know our allotted time will in no way be enough and I'll want to stay longer at every single destination.

Looks like we will try our luck with buses/taxis. I don't think we'll mind the walk from Oia to Amoudi, but good to know taxis are available.

Brotherleelove, thanks especially for the detailed bus/taxi info - the bus area was driving me crazy - and the cruise port info. We, of course, are on July 1, which means 6000+ people. We do have priority embarking/debarking due to suite class, so hopefully that makes a difference.

Di, thanks for the warning on the cable cars.

Since I've tapped into some good info, a few more questions…

I read about the Kastro near Oia as a great place for photos - any suggestions?

Katina came as a suggestion on another Fodor's thread - is this worth the visit or does anyone have other recommendations in Oia/Amoudi?

Also read that Amoudi is a good spot to swim - true or false?

If we just decide to scrap it all and walk around Fira, then find a cafe to eat and people watch, would that be the worst plan in the world?

Thanks again!

Anywhere on the cliff is a good place for photos. The best swimming on the island is at the end of the seawall that begins next to the wharf in Amoudi Bay. This is what you'll see when you're there: http://tinyurl.com/pkdylvf

The little we saw of Fira seemed very 'touristy' to us - an excess of souvenir shops!

Oia was the scenery you see on Santorini advertising posters; quite charming with beautiful blue and white buildings, and the steepest cliffs imaginable. The gift shops were a lot more original with their stock here.

We just stopped in one of the cafes along the pathway through Oia - fabulous view, good food and charming staff . . . we couldn't have been happier if we had paid a fortune for a meal in one of the trendy venues, Di

I was in Santorini port on a cruise a few years ago. The lines for the cable car were horrendous (a two hour wait) so we took a boat to Oia. They sit at the wharf and the round trip was not expensive. It was a huge, wooden sailboat and a relaxing way to get to Oia, watch the sunset, have a drink and get back to the ship. That's all we had time for after standing in the ridiculous cable car line for way too long.
As post # 1 says - please don't ride the donkeys. They were suffering in horrific heat with giant, overweight people on their backs. I can't understand why this misery is allowed to continue.

hello ceb

yah i agree with this member who said that "You can't be positive that you'll be taking the cable car up the mountain - on the day our cruise visited Santorini, the wind was too strong for the cable car to operate, so the cruise line (NCL) had organised buses instead. The ship had to dock at a different wharf from usual, and if we had planned to tour independently this would have thrown us right off course.This was one of the few places on the cruise that I had decided we would do well to take one of the cruise's tour options, and was so thankful we did! We had excellent commentary to and from Oia, and once we reached there, were free to roam at our leisure. On the return trip we were dropped at Fira, so were also able to wander around there, then take one of the shuttle buses back to the ship.Santorini was one of the highlights of the cruise, for us! Di

same as some other member said Anywhere on the cliff is a good place for photos. The best swimming on the island is at the end of the seawall that begins next to the wharf in Amoudi Bay. This is what you'll see when you're there: http://highqualitytours.com
"
do share your experience when you will be there , surely experience will be helpful for others your expeirnce

Rest assured that we will NOT be riding donkeys up - or down - the mountain. I'll walk before I do that. Not interested.

Glad to know Amoudi is a good swim spot - glanced at pics but I'm trying to keep it to a minimum so I'm fully and duly impressed at first sight!!!

Blueeyedcod, thanks for the info on the possibility of sailing over to Oia... That would be a blast!

Last question on this topic: prices? I know the buses are under a couple euros one way. What should we expect to pay for a taxi, Fira to Oia, and ballpark for the boats to Oia???

Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Unless it's been re-instated the boat option to Amoudi/Oia has been discontinued.

Fira>Oia by taxi: €18-20

I wouldn't swear to it, but I thought I saw ads for Fira-Oia speedboats when we were in Santorini three weeks ago. It is probably at least worth investigating. No idea how much it would cost though.