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A week-long yacht charter costs anywhere from about €2,000 for a bareboat sailboat you skipper yourself to €30,000–€300,000+ for a fully crewed yacht, and superyachts can pass $1 million a week. For crewed charters, the advertised price is not the final price: plan on adding roughly 35% to 65% for running costs, taxes and the crew tip.
Here is what each type of charter costs, what is included, and how to budget so there are no surprises.
Cost by charter type
| Charter type | Typical weekly base price | Who runs the boat | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bareboat | €2,000–€10,000 | You (sailing qualification required) | Experienced sailors on a budget |
| Skippered | €5,000–€20,000 | A hired skipper; you handle the rest | Groups who want to relax without a full crew |
| Crewed | €30,000–€300,000+ | Captain, chef and crew | Full-service luxury |
| Superyacht (Ultra-luxury) | $100,000 to $1 million+ | Large professional crew | Once-in-a-lifetime trips and big celebrations |
Price ranges from HELM and YachtWay. Size, destination and season move the price more than anything else.
What the base price covers, and what it does not
On a crewed charter, the base price covers the yacht and the crew. Most everything else is paid separately:
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance). A float you pay before the trip. The captain uses it for fuel, food and drink, dockage and other running costs, gives you an itemized statement and refunds whatever is left.
- Taxes. VAT or charter tax depends on the country and is often charged on the base price.
- Crew gratuity. Typically starts at 10% of the charter fee, and many guests give 15% or more for excellent service.
As a rule of thumb, brokers advise budgeting 25% to 50% of the charter fee for those running expenses, plus the tip (Northrop & Johnson).
A sample crewed budget
Here is how a $50,000-a-week crewed yacht adds up:
| Line item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Base charter fee | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Running costs and taxes (25%–50%) | $12,500 | $25,000 |
| Crew gratuity (10%–15%) | $5,000 | $7,500 |
| Estimated total | $67,500 | $82,500 |
Extra costs on a bareboat charter
- Damage deposit: about €3,000 held on a credit card; deposit insurance can cut that to around €500.
- Final cleaning: €80–€250.
- Mooring: about €300 a week in Croatia and €400 in Italy; often only a few euros a night in Greece and Turkey.
- Small extras: outboard engine €80–€120 a week, Wi-Fi about €30 a week, linens and towels, park fees and local tourist taxes.
The Ultra-Luxury Charter
A superyacht charter
Roughly $100,000 to well over $1 million a week before extras.
Above about 100 feet, a charter stops being a boat trip and becomes a floating private resort: a full professional crew, a private chef, a tender and water toys like jet skis and seabobs, and itineraries planned around you.
- Budget the extras: with running costs, taxes and tips, the all-in number is often 50% or more above the base rate.
- Where: the French Riviera and Greek islands in summer; the Caribbean in winter.
- How to book: through a charter broker, who matches you with the yacht and crew and handles the contract.
- Who it is for: milestone celebrations, family reunions, and anyone who wants the best week on the water money can buy.
How to save on a yacht charter
- Go in shoulder season. June and September in the Mediterranean bring good weather, fewer crowds and better rates.
- Avoid school holidays and Christmas, especially in the Caribbean.
- Anchor out. Dropping anchor in a bay and taking the dinghy to town avoids marina fees.
- Set a per-person budget first, then pick the boat type and size to fit it.
- Buy travel insurance that specifically covers sailing.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to charter a yacht?
A bareboat sailboat or catamaran you skipper yourself, starting around €2,000 a week. You need a sailing qualification. If you do not have one, a skippered charter is the next step up.
How much should I tip the crew?
Plan on 10% to 15% of the charter fee, given to the captain at the end of the trip to share with the crew.
Is APA refundable?
Yes. The captain tracks every expense, and any unused APA is returned at the end of the charter.
Next steps
- New to chartering? Read our step-by-step guide to booking your first yacht charter.
- Compare crewed and bareboat yachts. Compare yachts and prices at Boatbookings →
- Browse rental yachts by destination. Browse yachts by destination at Yachting.com →
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