What determines the total cost
For a superyacht charter in the Greek islands, a fixed weekly charter price is usually quoted, excluding VAT and APA. The charter price varies by season: a fixed price in the low season and a fixed price in the high season. The time of booking does not affect the charter price, but the availability of suitable yachts and your preferred travel period naturally do.
A charter through Global Yacht Charter involves superyachts from 24 meters in length with a professional crew. Within this segment, the price point is high: the website shows weekly rates ranging from approximately €25,000 to €375,000+, excluding VAT and APA. The final total cost then depends primarily on the route, cruising speed, fuel consumption, preferences for food and drink, and the use of ports.
The usual cost breakdown
1. Charter fee
The charter fee is the base price for the yacht and crew for the agreed charter period, usually one week. This price depends, amongst other things, on the length of the yacht, the level of luxury, the number of suites, the facilities on board and the season in which you are travelling. For the Greek islands, this is by far the largest fixed cost.
2. VAT
VAT is usually calculated separately on top of the charter fee. The exact rate may vary depending on the yacht and its registration and is specified in advance in the quotation and charter documentation. This means you know in advance what amount will be added to the weekly rate. You can read more about the VAT rate for crewed yacht charters on the separate information page.
3. APA
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. This is an advance payment towards the variable costs during your charter. In practice, this budget is managed by the captain and settled on the basis of actual expenditure. Any unused portion is refunded. If expenditure exceeds the budget, the difference is invoiced retrospectively.
APA is often set as a percentage of the charter fee. For larger motor yachts and intensive itineraries around the Greek islands, this percentage is usually higher than for more leisurely cruising programmes. If you’d like to know more about how APA works for a yacht charter, you’ll find a detailed explanation there.
4. Tips for the crew
Tips are not normally included in the charter price. In the Mediterranean charter market, however, it is customary to tip the crew if you are satisfied with the service. As a guideline, 10% to 20% of the charter fee is often used, depending on the experience on board.
What expenses are usually covered by APA
For those searching for superyacht charter costs in the Greek islands, this section in particular is often the difference between a rough estimate and a realistic total budget. The APA usually covers operational and personal expenses during the trip, such as:
- Fuel for sailing and generator use
- Food and drink on board, tailored to your preferences
- Port and mooring fees in marinas and exclusive berths
- Any provisions required en route
- Some additional requests on board that are not included in the charter fee
APA can vary significantly, particularly when chartering a superyacht in the Greek islands. A leisurely itinerary with relatively short distances and plenty of time at anchor often results in a very different cost picture compared to a fast island-hopping route involving many hours under engine power and multiple luxury marinas. Many travellers also want to know whether fuel is included in the charter price.
The biggest price differences in Greece
Route and cruising area
Not every Greek sailing area has the same cost level. A route with shorter distances can significantly reduce fuel costs, whilst longer crossings and more ambitious island itineraries increase variable costs. This applies in particular to motor yachts, where cruising speed and distance have a direct impact on APA consumption.
Type of superyacht
Within the superyacht segment (24 meters and above), there are significant differences between yachts designed primarily for comfort and leisurely cruising, and those offering higher speeds, greater capacity or more extensive facilities. The larger and more powerful the yacht, the greater the impact of fuel, crew and operational costs tends to be.
Season
The season has a direct impact on the charter fee. In high season, fixed weekly rates are higher than in low season. This difference is normal in the market and is unrelated to when the booking is made.
Personal preferences on board
The desired experience also plays a part. An extensive wine selection, premium provisioning, frequent lunches and dinners on board, and intensive use of facilities naturally result in a different cost compared to a more modest itinerary.
Realistic budget estimate
When chartering a superyacht in the Greek islands, it is advisable to base your calculations on the weekly rate excluding VAT and APA, and then add the variable costs and gratuity to this. In practice, this means that a charter with a base price starting at around €25,000 per week will result in a higher total amount once VAT, APA and the customary gratuity have been included.
For larger or more exclusive superyachts, the total weekly budget naturally increases further. Particularly for yachts in the €150,000, €250,000 or €375,000+ per week segment, an accurate assessment of the route and usage is essential to ensure you have a clear understanding in advance of what you are actually investing. A sample budget helps to illustrate this breakdown in concrete terms.
How to avoid hidden surprises
A well-organised charter involves transparent costs set out in advance. Therefore, do not just focus on the published weekly rate, but always ask for a full breakdown of the total amount: charter fee, VAT, expected APA and the method of settlement. This gives you a clear picture of the total costs rather than just the base price.
Global Yacht Charter offers bespoke quotations for superyacht charters, including an estimate of the APA. In addition, the team can assist with estimating fuel costs based on the route and cruising speed. This helps to determine a more realistic budget in advance and avoid unpleasant surprises.
FAQ
How much does it cost to charter a superyacht in the Greek islands?
This depends on the yacht, the season and the itinerary. Within Global Yacht Charter’s range, superyachts start from around €25,000 per week, excluding VAT and APA. The total amount is higher once variable costs and gratuities are included.
What does a superyacht cost per day?
Most superyacht charters are priced per week, not per individual day. A daily rate is therefore usually just a calculation based on the weekly rate and does not always give a complete picture, as VAT, APA and other variable costs are calculated separately. If you’d still like to do a quick calculation, take a look at how much a yacht costs per day for a practical daily guide.
How much does it cost to charter a yacht for a week in Greece?
For a superyacht in Greece, you should factor in the weekly charter fee plus VAT and APA. Read more about what it costs to charter a yacht with a crew. For a luxury charter experience with a professional crew, the weekly rate is therefore only one part of the total budget.
What is the average price of a superyacht?
There is no meaningful average price that applies to every superyacht in the Greek islands. The differences between a meters yacht and a much larger top-of-the-range yacht are simply too great for that. A realistic price estimate can only be made once the yacht, the travel period and the desired route are known.
