What Does a Yacht Charter Really Cost?
A crewed superyacht charter in the Mediterranean costs roughly €120,000 to €200,000 per week for a 40-metre yacht and €200,000 to €500,000 or more above 50 metres — as a base fee. The base fee is not the bill. Add the APA, VAT and gratuity and the realistic total is base fee × 1.4 to 1.7.
What the base fee actually buys
The headline weekly rate covers the yacht, the full professional crew, standard onboard equipment — tenders, water toys, linens, galley — and the planning that goes into having the boat ready. It does not cover a single litre of fuel, a single meal, or a single night in a marina. Those are the running costs, and they are paid separately through the APA.
| Yacht length | Weekly base fee (EUR) | Typical guests |
|---|---|---|
| Around 40 m | 120,000–200,000 | 8–10 |
| 50 m and above | 200,000–500,000+ | 10–12 |
Sources and units. Weekly rate bands as published by YachtCharterFleet, Bespoke Yacht Charter and Charter Yacht Guide, consulted 1 September 2026. Figures are Mediterranean high-season rates for crewed motor yachts; sailing yachts and shoulder season sit lower. Market ranges, not EchelonX tariffs.
The four lines that turn a base fee into a bill
| Line | Share of base fee | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | 100% | Yacht, crew, standard equipment |
| APA | 25–40% | Fuel, food, drinks, port fees, running costs — refunded if unused |
| VAT | Varies by country | Applied to the base fee under local rules |
| Gratuity | 10–15% | Crew tip, at your discretion |
Stack those and the industry rule of thumb is total ≈ base × 1.4–1.7. On a €150,000 base that is a realistic €210,000 to €255,000 for the week. Anyone budgeting to the headline rate is planning for roughly two-thirds of what they will spend.
Why the APA is the one to understand
The APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance — is the line most first-time charterers have never heard of and most brokers under-explain. It is a prepayment, typically 25 to 40 percent of the base, held by the captain and spent on your behalf: fuel, provisions, berthing, everything the yacht consumes while you are on it. Unused funds come back. Overspend is settled at the end. How it is managed, what drives it up, and how to keep it down are in APA explained.
What moves the base fee itself?
- Season. July and August in the Med are peak. June and September are often materially cheaper for the same yacht, with better weather in some regions.
- Length and age. The rate bands above are wide because a ten-year-old 40-metre and a new one are not the same product. Refit dates matter.
- Crew count. More crew per guest is more service and more cost — it is part of what separates the top of a band from the bottom.
- Itinerary. A yacht that has to reposition to meet you charges for it, in fuel via the APA or as a delivery fee.
Is the gratuity really optional?
Technically yes; in practice, a crew that has run your week well expects it, and 10 to 15 percent of the base fee is the Mediterranean norm. On a €150,000 charter that is €15,000 to €22,500 — not a rounding error, and worth deciding before the last night rather than at the gangway. Norms by region and how it is handled are in yacht charter gratuity.
Choosing a size before choosing a yacht
The cost bands track length, and length tracks guest count — with a hard ceiling most people do not know about. How many guests a yacht can legally carry, and what size fits your party, is set out in what size yacht do you need.
Common questions
Is fuel included in a yacht charter?
No. Fuel is paid from the APA, and on a motor yacht it is often the largest single item in it. An itinerary that covers distance every day burns through the allowance; one that anchors and stays does not.
Do you get the APA back?
Any unused balance is returned at the end of the charter, with an itemised account from the captain. If spending exceeds the allowance, the difference is settled before you disembark.
Is VAT charged on the whole amount?
VAT is applied to the base fee under the rules of the country where the charter starts, and rates and treatment differ across the Mediterranean. It is not usually charged on the APA or the gratuity. Ask your broker which regime applies to your itinerary.
Can you charter for less than a week?
Some yachts will, particularly outside peak season, but most price a minimum of seven nights and a shorter charter is often quoted at close to the weekly rate. Ask, and expect a pro-rata figure only in the shoulder months.
Getting a real total, not a base rate
We quote charters with the APA, VAT treatment and expected gratuity shown as separate lines, because a base fee on its own is not a number you can plan around. Send us the dates, the region and the party size and you get a figure that matches the bill.