For a family of four with two children aged six to twelve, getting from the Old Port up to Fira costs either nothing (if you walk the 588 steps), €30 one way by cable car, or around €40 one way by donkey. The differences go well beyond the price.
The cable car connects the Old Port (where cruise tenders land) with Fira town centre in about three minutes, climbing 220 metres up the caldera cliff. Official 2026 prices are €10 per adult and €5 per child aged six to twelve one way; children under six ride free. That puts a family of four at €30 for a single ascent, or €60 round trip if you ride both ways. Luggage costs €5 per item on top of the passenger ticket. Tickets are one-way only — you buy again at the other end — and are available at the station or online in advance through the official Nomikos Foundation ticketing platform.
For families, the cable car is the only option that handles pushchairs, tired legs, and the midday heat without complaint. The cabins seat six passengers in two rows of three, so a family of four fits easily with room for bags. On days when cruise ships are in port, the queue at the bottom station can stretch past thirty minutes around mid-morning and again in the late afternoon when passengers return to ship. The busiest window going up is roughly 9:00 to 12:00; going down, lines grow after 2:00 pm and peak between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. Early tenders (first 60–90 minutes after tendering starts) or a late ascent after 1:00 pm usually move faster. Strong northerly winds can shut the cable down entirely — the steps then become the only way up or down.
A separate Priority Fast Lane was introduced in September 2026, using a blue ticket sold only through authorised agencies and priced at €66 per person per direction. That would cost a family of four €264 one way, which only makes sense if you are already booking a private tour that includes it as an add-on. 2027 pricing has not been confirmed, and the standard lane remains the ordinary choice for most families.
The stepped path from the Old Port to Fira is free, costs nothing, and has been the route up the cliff since long before the cable car existed. The climb takes 30 to 45 minutes at a steady pace, longer with children, and the steps are uneven stone worn smooth in places, with no shade at all. In summer, the volcanic surface radiates heat, and the sun on white stone at midday is genuinely punishing. The path is shared with donkeys carrying riders, which means avoiding droppings and stepping to the inside wall when they pass.
Going down is noticeably easier — about 20 to 30 minutes — and many families use the cable car up and the steps down, saving on the return fare and giving children a more interesting descent with caldera views that open at every switchback. The most photographed perspective on the staircase is about a third of the way down: a wide switchback that frames the entire port below and the caldera behind.
For families with young children, the walk uphill in summer heat is not a realistic option. The research consistently notes it is unsuitable for small children, elderly visitors, and anyone with mobility concerns. Older children and teenagers manage it fine, especially if you start early (before 8:00 am) or late (after 5:00 pm). You will each need at least a litre of water, and footwear with grip is essential — sandals and heels are dangerous on the loose sections.
The donkey ride up the same 588 steps costs about €10 per person, so around €40 for a family of four one way. The ride takes 20 to 30 minutes and is arranged with handlers waiting at the bottom of the steps. A weight limit for riders was introduced in 2018 following welfare concerns, and further tightening of animal welfare rules has been under discussion for the 2026 season, though no outright ban exists.
Animal welfare organisations including PETA have documented concerns about donkeys and mules working the steep, repetitive route in summer heat. The research advises against riding for both safety and ethical reasons, and recommends the cable car or walking instead. If you choose to ride, the path is the same shared staircase, with the same uneven surface and traffic. The cable car costs less for a family of four and avoids the question entirely.
| Option | Cost (family of four, one way) | Duration | Best for families who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable car | €30 (2 adults + 2 children 6–12) | 3 minutes | have pushchairs, tired children, or need speed |
| Walking the steps | Free | 30–45 minutes up, 20–30 down | have older children, start early, and want the view |
| Donkey ride | ~€40 | 20–30 minutes | are comfortable with the welfare debate |
Prices shown are 2026 rates for the cable car and donkey ride as listed on official and operator sources; these can change by season. The walking cost is zero regardless of year.
For most families, the practical choice is the cable car up and the steps down. You pay for the ascent once (€30), skip the worst queue direction (going up in the morning is busier than coming down), and give the children a memorable descent with photographs they took themselves. If your ship sails early and you need a guaranteed return, the cable car both ways removes the risk of a slow climb in heat. The donkey ride, at €40 for a family, costs more than the cable car and carries concerns that the other two options do not.
For a fuller picture of what a week in Santorini costs a family, the guide to 2026 family holiday costs covers accommodation, meals, and excursions beyond the port. The breakdown of hidden costs families often miss includes the transport decisions that add up before you even leave the port.
What families ask about the climb
Can you take a pushchair on the cable car?
Yes. The gondola-style cabins have floor space for a folded pushchair, and the cable car is the only route that handles wheeled luggage and strollers without difficulty. The steps and donkey path are not suitable for pushchairs.
Is the walk safe for a five-year-old?
The research advises against it for young children. The path is unfenced in sections, uneven, shared with donkeys, and has no shade. A five-year-old doing the climb in July heat is a genuine risk. The Fira-to-Firostefani paved section (20 minutes, mostly level) is a better introduction for younger children.
Do children pay for the donkey ride?
The sources state the fee as €10 per person with no separate child rate listed. A handler at the port sets the price, so you would pay per rider regardless of age. Children under a certain weight may be turned away under the 2018 weight limit.
Which option is fastest with a toddler?
The cable car. Three minutes from queue to top, no carrying, no heat exposure on the path. The queue can add time, but the ride itself is the shortest of the three options.
Sources
santorinicablecar.gr. Municipality of Thera, 2026.
tickets.santorinicablecar.gr. Nomikos Foundation, 2026.
peta.org. PETA, 2026.
cruisemapper.com. CruiseMapper, 2026.
