How much does it cost to hire a superyacht? The answer can range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand euros per week, while the world's largest and most sophisticated charter yachts can command more than €1 million per week. The advertised weekly rate, however, is not necessarily the final cost of your charter. Fuel, food and beverages, marina and port fees, applicable taxes and crew gratuity may be additional. In this guide, we explain how superyacht charter pricing works, what you can expect to pay for yachts of different sizes, what is included in the charter fee and how to calculate a more realistic overall budget.

What Is The Cost of Luxury Superyachts For Charter?

Superyachts are generally chartered by the week, with the price covering the entire yacht rather than being charged per person. As a broad guide, professionally crewed superyachts can start at around €70,000–€100,000 per week at the lower end of the market and rise to several hundred thousand euros per week for larger, newer yachts. At the very top of the market, some of the world's largest charter yachts are offered for more than €1 million per week. These figures are indicative rather than fixed price bands. The actual rate depends on the individual yacht, her size, age, design, facilities, crew, destination, season and availability. This is why two yachts of the same length can have completely different charter prices.

How Much Does a Superyacht Cost to Charter by Length?

One of the easiest ways to understand the superyacht charter market is to look at yacht length. However, length should only be used as a starting point. There is considerable overlap between price ranges.

• 30–40 metre superyachts: approximately €70,000–€150,000+ per week.

These yachts can offer a genuine superyacht experience while sitting at the more accessible end of the market. Rates vary considerably depending on the yacht's age, refit history, design and cruising area.

• 40–50 metre superyachts: approximately €100,000–€250,000+ per week.

This is a particularly broad category. Current charter listings demonstrate that even 45-metre yachts can have dramatically different rates depending on their design, condition, facilities and positioning in the market.

• 50–60 metre superyachts: approximately €150,000–€400,000+ per week.

At this size, yachts often offer more accommodation and outdoor space, larger crews and a wider range of facilities. Highly sought-after yachts can be priced considerably above the general range.

• 60–80 metre superyachts: approximately €250,000–€700,000+ per week.

These yachts may offer extensive guest areas, multiple entertainment spaces, swimming pools, spas, gyms, beach clubs and large collections of water toys. The difference between individual yachts within this category can be substantial.

• 80 metres and above: approximately €500,000 to more than €1 million per week.

At this level, charter yachts can be among the largest and most sophisticated private vessels in the world. Seven-figure weekly rates are possible for the most exceptional yachts and peak-season dates.

These figures refer to the base charter fee. They do not necessarily represent the total amount you will spend during the charter, as there are charter expenses to be considered and local taxes if applied, as well as the relocation fees, security deposits, and so on (depending on the yacht).

What Is Included in a Superyacht Charter?

The base charter fee generally covers the use of the yacht and the services of its professional crew. Depending on the yacht and the specific charter agreement, this normally includes accommodation, crew and use of the yacht's onboard facilities and water toys, where applicable. Though the exact inclusions can vary from one yacht to another, which is why it is important to look at the charter terms rather than assume that every superyacht is priced in exactly the same way, but in most cases the base rate will not include operating charter costs during your trip. This is where the Advance Provisioning Allowance, or APA, comes in.

What Is APA on a Superyacht Charter?

APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is an advance payment used to cover the yacht's running expenses during your charter. Depending on the yacht, itinerary and cruising area, the APA is commonly estimated at around 30–40% of the base charter fee. It is used to cover expenses such as fuel, food and beverages, marina and port fees and other costs incurred during the charter. For example, if a yacht has a weekly base charter rate of €200,000 and the APA is set at 30%, you would provide €60,000 for anticipated charter expenses. The APA is not an additional fee paid to the yacht owner as profit. The captain or yacht management keeps an account of the actual expenses, and the final amount is reconciled at the end of the charter. If less was spent than the amount advanced, the balance is returned. If more was spent, the difference is payable by the charterer. The appropriate APA therefore depends on how you plan to use the yacht. An itinerary involving extensive cruising, frequent marina stays and significant provisioning may require a larger allowance than a more relaxed itinerary spent mostly at anchor.

Why Do Two Superyachts of Similar Length Have Very Different Prices?

Length alone does not determine the value of a superyacht charter. Two yachts measuring 50 metres can have completely different charter rates because they offer different experiences. Age and condition are important. A recently built yacht or one that has undergone a major refit may command a considerably higher rate than an older yacht of similar size. Design and layout also matter. Some yachts are designed around enormous outdoor entertaining areas, while others focus on spacious interiors, family accommodation, privacy or a particularly sophisticated design. Facilities and water toys can make a significant difference. A yacht with a swimming pool, beach club, spa, gym, cinema, extensive tender selection and a large water-toy collection may be priced very differently from a yacht with a simpler setup.

The crew is another important factor. Superyachts require professional crews, and the size, experience and service style of the crew contribute significantly to the charter experience. The season has a direct effect on the rate. The same yacht can have different weekly prices in May, July, August or September. The destination matters too. Charter demand, local taxes, marina costs and cruising conditions vary between destinations. Finally, availability can affect the price. A yacht that is highly sought after for particular dates may have a very different rate from another yacht available during a less popular period. For this reason, comparing two yachts simply by length or simply by their advertised weekly rate does not always provide a meaningful comparison.

What Is the Final Cost of a Superyacht Charter?

The advertised weekly rate is only the starting point. A useful way to think about the overall charter budget is as follows. Base charter fee + APA + applicable taxes and other expenses + gratuity. The base charter fee covers the yacht and its crew according to the terms of the charter agreement. The APA covers variable operating expenses during the trip, such as fuel, provisioning and berthing. Applicable VAT and other local taxes depend on the cruising area and the structure of the charter. They can therefore vary considerably between destinations. Crew gratuity is normally discretionary. In the Mediterranean, a gratuity of around 5–15% of the base charter fee is commonly considered, depending on the service and your experience onboard.
For example, imagine a yacht with a base charter rate of €200,000 per week. An APA of 30% would mean €60,000 advanced for running expenses. Taxes would then depend on the applicable jurisdiction, while any crew gratuity would be considered separately. The final amount is therefore not simply €200,000. At the same time, the APA should not simply be treated as an additional "fee". It is an advance against actual expenses, with the final account reconciled at the end of the charter. The most useful figure to establish before booking is therefore the estimated total charter budget for your particular itinerary, rather than just the advertised weekly rate.

Superyacht vs Megayacht: Is There a Difference?

The terms superyacht and megayacht are often used interchangeably, particularly in charter marketing. There is no single international rule that defines exactly when a yacht becomes a superyacht or a megayacht. The terminology is used somewhat differently across the industry. In general, superyacht is the more widely used term for large, professionally crewed luxury yachts. Megayacht is often used for particularly large yachts, but the terms can overlap. For someone planning a charter, the terminology is less important than the yacht itself. The useful questions are: How many guests can she accommodate? What facilities does she have? What is the crew like? Where can she cruise? What dates are available? And what will the total charter budget be?

Superyacht Charter Prices for 2027

If you are planning a superyacht charter for 2027, it is already possible to find yachts with published 2027 charter rates. Current listings illustrate how wide the range can be. For example, one 45-metre yacht is currently advertised for €125,000–€135,000 per week for the Mediterranean summer of 2027, another 45-metre yacht at €245,000–€255,000, while a 44.8-metre yacht is listed at €195,000–€235,000. At the larger end, a 73-metre yacht is currently advertised at €680,000 per week in the Mediterranean.
These examples are not a universal 2027 price list. They demonstrate why the individual yacht matters so much: even yachts of almost identical length can have very different charter rates. For peak Mediterranean weeks in July and August, planning early is particularly important. Some yachts are already accepting 2027 bookings, and availability for the most popular yachts and dates can become limited as the season approaches. If you are considering a 2027 charter, it is therefore worth starting with your preferred dates, destination, number of guests and approximate budget rather than choosing a yacht based only on its advertised weekly rate.

How to Find the Right Superyacht for Your Budget

The best place to start is not necessarily with the yacht itself. Start with your dates, destination, number of guests and approximate budget. Once these are known, a charter broker can identify yachts that are actually available and suitable for your plans, then explain the base rate, APA, taxes and other expected expenses. This also allows you to compare yachts on a like-for-like basis.
For some clients, a 40-metre yacht with exceptional outdoor space and a highly experienced crew may be a better fit than a considerably larger yacht. For others, a 60-metre yacht with a spa, beach club, pool and extensive water-toy collection may be exactly what they are looking for. There is no single definition of the perfect superyacht charter. The right choice depends on how you want to spend your time onboard.

Charter a Superyacht with Contact Yachts

At Contact Yachts, we help clients choose and charter professionally crewed yachts in the Mediterranean and beyond. Tell us your preferred dates, destination, number of guests and approximate budget, and we can present suitable yachts and explain the expected charter costs, including the base rate, APA and applicable additional expenses. Contact us to start planning your superyacht charter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Superyacht Charters

How far in advance should I book a superyacht charter? For the best choice of yachts, dates and itineraries, it is generally advisable to start looking around six to eight months in advance. This is particularly important for July and August in the Mediterranean, when demand is highest. Larger yachts and highly sought-after charter dates can require even more advance planning. That said, availability can also appear closer to the charter date, particularly when a yacht has an open week. Our charter broker team can check current availability and identify suitable options based on your dates and budget.

Can I charter a superyacht for less than one week? This would happen rather as an exception. All depends on the yacht, destination and time of year. Many superyachts have a seven-night minimum during the main summer season, while some may accept shorter charters during shoulder periods or when there is a gap between existing bookings. For a short charter, the yacht's minimum charter rate may still apply, so a three- or four-night charter is not necessarily calculated simply by dividing the weekly rate by seven.

Does the price change depending on the destination? Yes. The same yacht can have different charter costs or additional expenses depending on where it is operating. Local taxes, cruising regulations, port and berth fees, fuel costs and other destination-specific expenses can all affect the total. The season also matters. A yacht chartered in the Mediterranean during July or August will generally be priced differently from the same yacht during the shoulder season.

Can the charter price be negotiated? The published charter rate is normally set by the yacht's owner or management company, and it is not automatically negotiable. However, availability, timing and the circumstances of a particular booking can sometimes affect the terms offered. Contact Yachts' team can ask the yacht's management or the owner whether there is any flexibility, but a discount should never be assumed.

What happens if the yacht uses less than the APA amount? The APA is an advance payment for the yacht's running expenses during the charter. It is not an additional fixed fee that the yacht automatically keeps. If the actual expenses are lower than the amount advanced, the unused balance is normally returned to the charterer at the end of the charter, after the final accounts have been settled.

What happens if the APA is not enough to cover expenses? If the yacht's actual expenses exceed the APA, the charterer is asked to replenish the account during the charter or settle the outstanding balance at the end. This can happen, for example, if the yacht travels more than originally planned, uses more fuel, incurs higher berth fees or if additional provisions and services are requested.

Can I choose how the APA is spent? The APA is intended to cover the reasonable operating expenses of the charter, rather than being a discretionary spending account. The charterer can influence many of these expenses through decisions about the itinerary, fuel consumption, provisions, additional activities and services. However, the captain and crew also need to manage the yacht's operation and safety, and some costs are determined by the itinerary and local conditions.

Are crew gratuities included in the charter price? Crew gratuity is not included in the charter fee. It is discretionary and is normally given at the end of the charter if the guests are satisfied with the service. In the Mediterranean, a gratuity of around 5–15% of the charter fee is commonly considered, although there is no mandatory percentage. The amount is entirely at the charterer's discretion.

Can I bring children on a superyacht charter? Yes. Many superyachts are very suitable for families, and some are specifically designed with children in mind. When selecting a yacht, it is important to look beyond the number of cabins. Safety features, cabin configuration, access to the water, children's equipment, crew experience and the layout of outdoor areas can all be relevant. The yacht charter brokers at Contact Yachts will identify yachts that are appropriate for the ages and needs of your children.

Can I choose the itinerary myself? Yes, within the practical and regulatory limits of the yacht and destination. A private yacht charter gives you considerably more flexibility than a conventional holiday, and the itinerary can normally be discussed with the captain before and during the charter. The final route may need to be adjusted because of weather, sea conditions, port availability, local regulations or the yacht's cruising range. The captain has the final responsibility for safe navigation.

If you have any questions about superyacht charters anywhere in the world, please don't hesitate to contact our team. We are here to assist you in finding the right superyacht.