What a week chartering a yacht in the Mediterranean actually costs
The real numbers, the season that suits you, and the part nobody tells you: who you go with matters more than the boat.
Updated June 2026·7 min read·By the Yaxhts desk
DRONE · AMALFI COAST
A 50m motor yacht off the Amalfi Coast in late summer.
What it costsWhen to goWhere to goSplitting the costFAQ
What it costs
A good week runs about $150,000 — here’s where it goes
The headline charter fee is only part of it. On top of the weekly rate you budget an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) — usually 25–35% — which covers fuel, food, drink, berths and the crew’s running costs. Then there’s VAT, which varies by cruising ground. Here’s a representative week on a 48–55m motor yacht:
Charter fee (base)$95,000
APA — fuel, food, berths (≈30%)$28,500
VAT (cruising ground, ≈10%)$9,500
Crew gratuity (≈12%)$11,400
All-in, the week≈ $144,400
So a boat listed "from $95,000/week" lands closer to $150,000 all-in. That number is the one that matters — and it’s the one most listings bury.
The trick isn’t the price. It’s who you go in with.
When to go
The season decides almost everything
The Mediterranean runs roughly May to October. Each month trades crowds for weather for price:
May–JuneWarm, uncrowded, lower rates
July–AugustPeak everything — book early, pay most
SeptemberThe quiet best: warm sea, thin crowds
OctoberShoulder; Riviera winds down
If you don’t know when you can go, that’s useful information too — tell a broker your flexibility and they’ll find the week the boat you want is actually free.
Where to go
Four cruising grounds, four completely different weeks
The French Riviera & Monaco — see-and-be-seen, anchored off the Grand Prix, dinner ashore in Antibes. The Amalfi Coast & Capri — beach clubs off the stern, Positano-trained chefs. Greece & the Cyclades — empty coves the captains know, water clear to the anchor. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda — Porto Cervo, the big boats, the loud summer.
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Splitting the cost
Why a $150k week is more reachable than it sounds
Almost nobody charters alone. A great week is built around a group — couples, families, a few friends — who go in together. Split four ways, that $150,000 week is about $37,500 a share: a private chef, no hotels, no schedule, and it moves while you sleep.
You choose how many ways it splits. Fewer shares, more space; more shares, less each. It’s the single biggest lever on what a week costs you personally — bigger than the boat.
FAQ
Common questions
How far in advance should I book?
For peak Med weeks (July–August on a popular boat), three to six months. Shoulder season and less-known vessels can come together in weeks. A specialist will tell you honestly what’s still open for your dates.
What’s not included in the charter fee?
Fuel, food, drink, berths and the crew’s running costs come out of the APA (25–35% on top). Crew gratuity (typically 5–15% of the fee) is separate. VAT depends on the cruising ground.
Can I split a charter with friends?
Yes — it’s the norm at this level. The fee is for the whole vessel, so dividing it among couples or families is simply a private arrangement between you. Many of the best weeks are four couples on one boat.
Do I need to know exactly where I want to go?
No. Most people start with a feeling or a single place — a restaurant, an island, an event — and build from there. A good broker turns that into an itinerary.
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