How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht in Greece? A Complete Pricing Guide
Planning a yacht charter in Greece requires understanding a layered pricing structure. Understanding how much does it cost to charter a yacht in Greece depends on charter type, season, and island group. This guide breaks down costs by charter type, season, and island group, with real examples from platforms like Skippercity to help you budget accurately.
Yacht Charter Types in Greece: Bareboat vs. Skippered vs. Crewed
Choosing between bareboat, skippered, and crewed charters significantly impacts both cost and experience. Bareboat charters, where you captain the yacht yourself, start at €3,000 per week, while crewed all-inclusive charters range from €15,000 to over €30,000 for a luxury experience.
bareboat charter greece requires a recognized sailing license (e.g., ICC) and leaves you responsible for navigation, provisioning, and safety. It's the most affordable option but demands experience.
skippered yacht charter greece includes a professional captain to handle the sailing and navigation, freeing you to relax. You still manage your own food and drinks, though the skipper can recommend local markets.
crewed yacht charter greece adds a hostess and often a chef, covering meals, drinks, and daily housekeeping. The premium for full crew typically doubles the base charter fee compared to bareboat.
How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht in Greece by Season
Season is the biggest price driver: a 40–50 ft skippered catamaran in the Cyclades costs €8,000–€15,000 per week in high season, but drops by 30–50% in shoulder months like May or September. Low season charters can be even cheaper but availability is limited.
High Season (July–August): Bareboat 40–50 ft: €3,000–€7,000. Skippered catamaran: €8,000–€15,000. Crewed luxury catamaran (50–60 ft): €15,000–€30,000+. Prices peak due to demand and limited marina berths.
Shoulder Season (May–June, September–October): Expect 30–50% discounts: bareboat from €2,000–€4,500; skippered from €5,000–€10,000; crewed from €10,000–€20,000. Weather remains excellent for swimming and sailing.
Low Season (November–April): Many yachts are in maintenance, but available charters can be 60% cheaper — bareboat from €1,500–€3,000. Limited services and cooler weather.
Skippercity offers early-bird and last-minute deals tailored for shoulder season, often with 15–20% additional savings.
Real Charter Budgets: Cyclades vs. Ionian Islands
Island group selection affects price: Cyclades charters are typically 20–50% more expensive than Ionian due to popularity and limited marina capacity. A one-week crewed catamaran in Cyclades averages €20,000, while the same in the Ionian can cost €14,000.
Cyclades Charter Costs (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros): A 45 ft crewed catamaran starts at €18,000 in high season. Port fees: Mykonos €150–300/night, Santorini €100–200/night. Availability in July–August requires booking 6+ months ahead.
Ionian Charter Costs (Corfu, Lefkada, Zakynthos): The same 45 ft crewed catamaran costs €12,000–€16,000. Port fees are lower (€50–150/night). More anchorages available, reducing dockage costs.
Saronic Gulf Budget Option: Less crowded, with bareboat charters from €3,500 in high season. Departing from Athens (Lavrio or Alimos) minimizes transfer expenses.
Skippercity's platform shows real-time pricing for each island group — a direct comparison that reveals the Cyclades premium. Skippercity
Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA): How It Works and Typical Costs
The APA is an upfront deposit of 25–35% of the charter fee (higher for motor yachts) that covers fuel, food, drinks, docking fees, and other variable costs. It is spent by the crew and any unspent amount is refunded.
What Is the APA? The APA is a standard practice for crewed charters. It is a separate budget managed by the crew for all variable expenses during the charter.
How Much Is the APA? Typically 25–35% for sailing yachts and 30–40% for motor yachts. For a €20,000 charter fee, expect an APA of €5,000–€7,000.
How APA Funds Are Spent and Refunded: The crew uses the APA for fuel (€50–200/day), food and beverages (€300–600/person/week), dockage (€100–300/night), and other expenses. Receipts are provided; any unspent balance is returned to you at the end.
Skippercity includes APA estimates in its quotes, helping you build a realistic total budget.
Additional Fees and Hidden Costs in Greek Yacht Charters
Beyond the base charter fee, budget for Greek 24% VAT (on charter and APA), port fees (€100–300/night), fuel (€50–200/day), crew gratuity (10–20% of charter fee), and optional insurance (€200–500 for bareboat). These can add 30–50% to your total.
VAT (24%): Applied to Charter Fee and APA — This is mandatory for charters starting and ending in Greek waters. Example: a €20,000 charter fee incurs €4,800 VAT, plus additional VAT on APA expenses.
Port and Mooring Fees: In popular Cyclades islands, marinas charge €100–300/night. Smaller harbors in the Ionian cost €50–150/night. Mooring buoys are cheaper (€20–50).
Fuel and Water: Fuel costs vary by engine usage: sailboats €50–100/day, motor yachts €200–500/day. Water is typically included in the charter fee, but some islands charge for pump-out.
Crew Gratuity: Customary at 10–20% of the charter fee, paid at the end. For a €20,000 charter, budget €2,000–€4,000.
Insurance and Damage Waiver: Bareboat charters require a damage waiver (€200–500) or a refundable security deposit (typically €2,000–€5,000). Crewed charters usually include liability insurance.
How to Save on a Yacht Charter in Greece: Discounts and Timing Tips
The cheapest way to charter a yacht in Greece is to travel in May or September, book early or last-minute on Skippercity, and choose a bareboat or skippered charter over a full crew. Savings of 30–50% compared to July/August are common.
Book Shoulder Season (May, June, September): Weather is still warm, crowds are thinner, and prices drop 30–50%. May and September offer the best value.
Early-Bird and Last-Minute Deals with Skippercity: Book 6+ months in advance for early-bird discounts (10–20%). Last-minute bookings (within 30 days) can yield 20–40% off, but yacht selection may be limited.
Repeat Customer Discounts and Group Savings: Some platforms offer loyalty discounts (5–10%). Splitting costs among a group of 8–10 reduces per-person expenses significantly.
Skippercity offers a price match guarantee and seasonal promotions that can lower your total by 15–20%.
Using Skippercity to Book Your Greek Yacht Charter: Pricing and Support
Skippercity offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees, a price match guarantee, and dedicated support for US travelers, including invoicing in USD if needed. Their platform aggregates bareboat, skippered, and crewed charters across all Greek islands.
How Skippercity Works: Search by date, yacht type, crew and location. Each listing shows the base charter fee, APA percentage, and total estimated cost including VAT. You can compare multiple yachts simultaneously.
Skippercity Pricing Transparency vs. Competitors: Unlike some aggregators, Skippercity includes APA and taxes in its displayed estimates, avoiding surprises. Their commission structure is lower than Zizoo or Charter Index, translating to better prices.
Customer Support for US Travelers: Skippercity's team is available via email and phone during US business hours. They can provide documents for travel insurance and offer packing guidance.
FAQs
What is the average weekly cost to charter a yacht in Greece?
It varies: bareboat charters start at €3,000 per week in high season, skippered catamarans range from €8,000–€15,000, and crewed luxury catamarans cost €15,000–€30,000+.
Is the APA refundable if not fully used?
Yes, any unspent portion of the Advanced Provisioning Allowance is refunded at the end of the charter.
What time of year is cheapest to charter a yacht in Greece?
The lowest prices are in the low season (November–April), but the best balance of weather and discounts is in the shoulder season (May, June, September).
