We are arriving in Santorini on a small cruise ship. I have read that the gondola into town is fine when landing (probably due to the need to take a tender in and thus spread the number of people arriving at once).

However, it seems there are very long lines to return on the gondola to the port. Are there any other alternatives to get back to the port? Can we just walk down?

Also, is it reasonable to walk from Fira to Oia?

Thanks for your help.

Yes, you can walk down. You can also get a taxi. Here are some photos that might help you understand the situation. It's a long way down but many people (and donkeys) do walk.

Here are the gondolas: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p48536651.html

Here are the steps: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p48536654.html

You can easily take the public bus from Fira to Oia. I don't think you'd enjoy the walk as the road is narrow and the traffic whizzes by.

We also did Santorini on a small ship - when we got into port the line up was VERY long (because there were 3 big ships there too!) and there was no wait for the donkeys so we went with the donkeys. It was quite a hoot - my donkey did not plod up in line - she took off like it was a race. I really could not believe people walked up that path - waaaay too much donkey poo plus my donkey (and others I would assume) showed no deference to the walkers and was pretty uncontollable - I don't think any pedestrians were injured but again, no way I would walk it. We had met this older, VERY refined couple on our ship and up along the path they walked. I heard later that the gondola line actually moved pretty quickly - I would think esp. coming down it should not be a problem but check and see what time the other ships leave port. Our ship was the last one out and the line was not long. I ditto the suggestion for the bus to Oia - save your walking for around the town but I think there is a foot path that goes out from Fira, maybe all the way to Oia. Our day on Santorini was one of the highlights of our cruise - enjoy!

"Yes, you can walk down. You can also get a taxi.".....

Julia is mistaken. There is _NO ROAD_ down to the dock where you'll come ashore below Fira. The only way up the cliff from there is on the cable car (gondola) or the steps, and the steps are covered with donkey dung. PLEASE DON'T BE TEMPTED TO RIDE THE POOR ABUSED DONKEYS!

The port with the road is the New Port, Athinios, and there is no cable car there, so if your cruise brochure is indicating taking the cable car you won't be coming ashore at Athinios. If you are coming ashore at Athinios you have the option of taking a bus or a taxi or a rental car from the port up the cliff.

There is a well-travelled cliffside trail between Fira and Oia, so there's no problem with the traffic on the road, which is nowhere near the trail. The hike will take you about 3 hours. Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a snack and your camera. Julia must not have known about this popular alternative to the road.

How long the lines are for the cable car will depend on how many other cruise ships are coming ashore at the same time.

Understand that those passengers on your ship who have signed up for the ship's tour of the island will be given first priority to disembark, and you'll be losing some of your precious time ashore if you haven't signed yourselves up.

I was told in June by a man who used to work the cruise ships to Santorini that if you're time ashore begins in the morning it may be possible to get ashore before those passengers who have signed up for the ship's tour of the island if you forego breakfast and go ashore on the first tender. You can ask about this once you're on board.

Is this the same place the ferries from Athens dock?

I took the gondola up and down. Unless the line is extremely long, it moves quickly, so going up in the early morning was fine but the line to go down was several blocks long and took quite a while. I think our (large) ship was one of the ships leaving early (5:00 pm I think), so if yours leaves later you may be okay.

I think the line for the donkeys must have been long too. A couple who were behind us in the gondola line left to take the donkeys and arrived back on the ship the same time that we did.

My 18-year-old grandson got tired of waiting and went down the donkey steps. He said he had to run to keep ahead of the donkeys and that people were pressed against the wall to avoid being knocked over. He was back on board before us.

Lynclarke, the port with the gondola is not for the ferry boats. That port is Athinios.

I should mention that some cruise ships do tender their passengers ashore at Athinios, so check once you're aboard ship.

Thanks brotherleelove--I couldn't get that straight in my head. I'll look up athinios on my map.