Self Led Excursion - Santorini, Greece on a BUDGET

[@TipsForCruisers]

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[@weretheosbornes]

loved every moment of this video!! So informative. You've got yourself a new subscriber!!

[@TipsForCruisers]

Appreciate it!

[@annettebrowder1707]

I walked down the steps very slippery. Many people were crashing on the stairs. So glad I came to visit on my own during the shoulder season. Can’t wait to return but not on a cruise.

[@Driver2616]

We’ve been to beautiful Santorini a couple of times on cruises. We’re visiting again next year on the Celebrity Infinity. The last time that we were there we got off the tender at the dock, down there beneath Fira. We ignored the queue for the cable car. Much too long. We ignored the donkeys. Not our style. And walking up in hot temperatures was not going to happen. So we went over to the left side of the dock area and at a well signposted stall there, we immediately got a boat ticket to Oia, which was combined with a bus ticket back from Oia to Fira a couple of hours later. I can’t recall exactly how much it cost but I think that it was something like €25 per person. It probably costs a little bit more now. That was the best decision that we made that day. Oia is a beautiful little mountain top town with stunning views out over the volcanic bay of Santorini. We walked around all the little narrow alleys, stairways and streets including “the castle”. We did some souvenir shopping, got some fantastic pictures and we had a delicious lunch in one of the restaurants there. When we returned to Fira between 3 and 4 hours later, it didn’t take too long on the bus. We were then very relaxed waiting for about half an hour for the cable car. We got back to the ship a couple of hours before sailing. One IMPORTANT tip here - when waiting for the cable car to come back down, make sure that you have a good wide brimmed hat, use lots of sunscreen and drink plenty of water because you’ll be in the blazing sun as you wait. And because we live in an EU Member State, our normal phone bills cover us all over the EU with no extra cost for roaming charges for accessing the internet, including Google Maps.

[@jjoseph1050]

Well done

[@stevebartley628]

Very helpful !

[@JoseFVelez-yu7fs]

Thanks for this great video. As I will be cruising soon, I contacted your referenced taxi driver, and he did not acknowledge the rate you mentioned and instead charged 45 euros one way. I found out it is much better to rent a car and spend some time going around the island. Nevertheless, your advice has me already programming my wake-up at 5 a.m. Thanks!

[@hankdickson8308]

Let me share a different perspective on what we felt was the worst port on our cruise. We took the Celebrity excursion from the other docks to Oia. Allowed us to not have to stand in the funicular line. This gave us the chance to quickly see those blue domes, stand in line to take a photo, crop out the women with their long gown photo shoots, and ride back to Fira. With two other ships in port and Fira was jam packed. We had a great lunch with a view at the Lupo Restaurant . That lunch was the highlight of the day. We walked the cliff side path to the Three Bells of Fira and back to congested Fira. We checked the box and then tried to find the best way back to the ship since walking around there was not a pleasant experience at all. The funicular line was 2 hours long, we would not take a donkey down since we felt it was cruel. We took the steps down, not pleasant, but we can say we did it. Took the tender back to the ship and just enjoyed the view of the island over drinks. I just wanted to share our experience as there is so much romanticism about the place. Sure, Fira and Oia arent representative of the whole island, but on a cruise, it’s not that good. Don’t be fooled by the long day scheduled on your cruise, they factor in the wait times. And sir, it’s pronounced yee-rose.

[@mgaines00]

Did you need a reservation for Lupo?

[@hankdickson8308]

@@mgaines00 no, just walked right in…..it was around 1pm

[@jessicahing57]

Appreciate the video, well done! Thanks for the insights. What month were you there? Will be at port there end of October, also on the Odyssey OTS. We are only ship there. There’s a water taxi to Oia we’re considering. Best to start there with bus or taxi back? Or would you start in Fira and taxi to Oia and maybe take water taxi back?

[@TipsForCruisers]

We were there towards the end of May. I would definitely start in Oia with either a taxi at the top or a “water” taxi over. There are no water taxi’s back, even if you take one over to the best of my knowledge. Take the bus back when you are done. When the day come we do it again, that is our plan. For some reason, we still research it even though we don’t have another trip planned. Thanks for watching!

[@lakegirl885]

We are headed to the same Greek Cruise next year. How did you get inexpensive flight tickets??? They are very high to Athens. Thanks for your advice.

[@TipsForCruisers]

I tracked via Google.com/flights so I knew what a good rate was based on history. (Google shows you) and then set an alert. I also bought basic economy so no checked bag and no picking seats. Ended up with my wife on way there but not on way back. Also, month of May vs. summer helps.

[@dionisia5755]

Wbere did you find the taxi are they everywhere in port ? Or did you guys book the taxi a head?

[@TipsForCruisers]

We just walked to the top and got out of shopping area to find one. We found it while waiting at a bus stop. There was a few there and more at the actual bus station area where the bus dropped us off after we came back. Definitely a good number of “tour” people too.

[@stevebartley628]

NEVER pass up an item you want . Sometimes it may be everwhere but often not. My sister passed up a jewelry box in Granada Spain.. She ended up having to go back to the shop in the ‘gypsy area’ to find it. An employee ended up taking a 2 hour bus ride in remote South America to get a sweater her size that she had passed up earlier !

[@TipsForCruisers]

Yes, she still regrets not getting the scarf!

[@eliseperle7826]

💞💞💕💕🏖️

[@ValSpringer]

I really want to do your walking tour of Oia. I'm looking on Google Maps, but not sure what I'm looking for. What are the names of the iconic photo stops for the blue domes? On the map there are different locations. Would love more info for where those stops are at and the castle. Thank you!

[@TipsForCruisers]

In our research, typing in Blue Domed Church, Santorini takes you directly to the most common one, however, on the walk, you walk right by a few more. The Castle is simply the Castle of Oia. The windmill can be seen in the distance, but is called the Windmill of Oia.

[@ValSpringer]

@@TipsForCruisers Thank you!!!