Ionian Sailing Costs: Complete Budget Guide 2025
Charter Costs (7 Days)
All prices are for 7-day bareboat charter in 2025 high season (July-August) unless stated otherwise.
Entry-Level (30-34ft monohulls)
€1,500 - €2,200/week
Example yachts:
- Bavaria 32 (2011-2015): €1,500-1,700
- Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i: €1,600-1,800
- Elan 344: €1,700-2,000
Best for: Couples, small families (2 adults + 2 children), budget-conscious sailors
Mid-Range (37-42ft monohulls)
€2,500 - €3,800/week
Example yachts:
- Sun Odyssey 379 (2012-2016): €2,500-2,800
- Bavaria 37: €2,600-2,900
- Sun Odyssey 419 (2019-2022): €3,200-3,800
- Jeanneau 40.3: €2,700-3,000
Best for: 2 couples, families of 4-6, most popular size
Premium (44-51ft monohulls)
€4,000 - €6,000/week
Example yachts:
- Sun Odyssey 479 (2017-2020): €4,500-5,200
- Sun Odyssey 490 (2020-2023): €4,800-5,500
- Hanse 458: €4,200-4,800
- Bavaria 46: €4,000-4,500
Best for: Larger groups, those wanting more space and comfort
Catamarans (40-45ft)
€4,500 - €8,800/week
Example yachts:
- Lagoon 40 (2019-2022): €6,500-7,500
- Lagoon 42 (2018-2023): €6,800-8,800
- Fountaine Pajot Saona 47: €7,000-8,500
- Bali 4.0: €5,500-6,500
Best for: Families wanting space and stability, groups of 6-8
Shoulder Season Discounts
Low Season (April, May, October): -30% to -50% off high season prices
Shoulder Season (June, September): -15% to -25% off high season prices
Example: Sun Odyssey 419 (€3,500 in July) drops to:
- €2,730 in June
- €1,890 in May
Additional Charter Costs
Mandatory
- End cleaning: €125-€300 (depending on yacht size)
- Outboard for dinghy: Usually €80-120/week (sometimes included)
- Tourist tax: €1-2 per person per night (Greek government tax)
Highly Recommended
- Travel insurance: €50-100 per person (medical, cancellation, missed departure)
- Damage deposit insurance: €150-250 (alternative to €2,000-4,000 cash deposit)
Optional Extras
- Skipper: €200/day + meals (€1,400-1,680 for 7 days)
- Early check-in (Saturday 09:00 instead of 16:00): €140-200
- Late check-out (Saturday 20:00 instead of 16:00): €140-200
- SUP (paddleboard): €50-100/week
- WiFi router: €40-80/week (usually unnecessary — good 4G throughout Ionian)
- Bed linen and towels: Usually included, some charter companies charge €15-25 per person
Operational Costs
Fuel
€150-€300 per week depending on:
- Yacht size (bigger engine = more fuel)
- How much you motor vs. sail
- Distance covered
Fuel prices (2025):
- Diesel: €1.85-2.10/liter at marinas
- Petrol (outboard): €2.00-2.25/liter
Tank sizes:
- 30-34ft: 80-100 liters
- 37-42ft: 120-150 liters
- 44-51ft: 180-250 liters
- Catamarans: 250-400 liters
Realistic usage: If you sail 50% of the time and motor 50%, expect to use 40-60% of your tank per week.
Water
Free at marinas and many harbors. Budget:
- 150-200 liters per person per week
- Includes drinking, cooking, washing
Water is plentiful in the Ionian. You won’t need to ration.
Gas (Cooking)
Usually included in charter. If you run out (rare):
- Refill: €20-30 per bottle
Food & Drink
Provisioning (Supermarket)
€100-150 per person per week including:
- Breakfast (cereals, bread, coffee, fruit)
- Lunch (bread, cheese, salads)
- Dinner ingredients (some nights cooking onboard)
- Snacks and drinks
- Beer, wine, soft drinks
Where to shop:
- Lidl (near Lefkada Marina): Cheapest, excellent selection
- Local supermarkets on islands: More expensive but convenient
Eating Out
Tavernas: €15-30 per person for main course + drink
Budget:
- Eating out every night: €105-210 per person per week (7 dinners)
- Eating out 3-4 nights: €45-120 per person per week
Total food budget (supermarket + restaurants): €200-400 per person per week
Drinks
- Beer (taverna): €3-5 per pint
- Glass of wine (taverna): €4-7
- Coffee (cafe): €2.50-4
- Bottled water (supermarket): €0.50-1 per 1.5L
- Wine (supermarket): €5-15 per bottle
Mooring & Harbor Fees
Good news: Most anchorages in the Ionian are FREE.
Harbor fees (when you choose to use a harbor):
- €15-30 per night for 40ft yacht
- Includes water and electricity
Where you pay:
- Organized marinas (Lefkada, Meganisi, Sivota, Fiskardo)
- Some village harbors in peak season
Where it’s free:
- Most bays and anchorages (95% of the time)
- You can easily spend a week without paying any mooring fees
Typical week: €0-60 total mooring costs (depends on your preferences)
Airport & Transfers
Flights to Preveza:
- UK: €80-250 return (book early for best prices)
- Germany: €100-300 return
- Switzerland/Austria: €120-350 return
Transfers:
- Preveza Airport → Lefkada Marina: €50-60 (taxi, up to 4 people)
- Shared shuttle: €15-25 per person
Example Total Costs
Budget Example (Couple, 30ft yacht, low season)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Yacht charter (Bavaria 32, May) | €1,150 |
| End cleaning | €125 |
| Fuel | €150 |
| Food & drink (including restaurants) | €600 (€300 × 2) |
| Flights (UK-Preveza return) | €360 (€180 × 2) |
| Transfer | €55 |
| TOTAL | €2,440 |
Per person: €1,220 for 7 days all-inclusive
Mid-Range Example (2 couples, 40ft yacht, shoulder season)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Yacht charter (Sun Odyssey 419, June) | €2,730 |
| End cleaning | €200 |
| Fuel | €200 |
| Food & drink (4 people) | €1,600 (€400 × 4) |
| Flights (Germany-Preveza) | €1,000 (€250 × 4) |
| Transfer | €60 |
| TOTAL | €5,790 |
Per person: €1,448 for 7 days all-inclusive
Premium Example (Family of 4, catamaran, high season)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Yacht charter (Lagoon 42, July) | €8,800 |
| End cleaning | €300 |
| Fuel | €300 |
| Food & drink (4 people) | €1,800 (€450 × 4) |
| Flights (UK-Preveza) | €1,000 (€250 × 4) |
| Transfer | €60 |
| Skipper (optional) | €1,680 (€200 × 7 + €40 × 7 meals) |
| TOTAL | €13,940 |
Per person: €3,485 for 7 days all-inclusive with skipper
Early Booking Discounts
Charter companies offer significant discounts for early booking:
Book by December 31:
- 10% discount on charter price
Book by January 31:
- 5% discount on charter price
Returning customers:
- 5% additional discount (applies to most charter companies)
Multi-week charters:
- 3 weeks: 5% discount
- 4 weeks: 10% discount
Maximum combined discount: Typically 15%
Example: Sun Odyssey 479 (€5,220 in July)
- Early bird 10% + returning customer 5% = 15% discount
- Final price: €4,437 (saves €783)
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Common surprises:
- Damage deposit (€2,000-4,000 on credit card, refunded after charter)
- Outboard motor not included
- WiFi router rental (unnecessary in 2025 — use your phone’s 4G)
- Linen and towels (sometimes extra)
- Tourist tax (€1-2 per person per night)
Ask your charter company: “What is included in the base price and what costs extra?”
Smart Planning Tips
- Book early: Early-bird discounts of up to 10% for winter bookings
- Choose your season wisely: May, June, and September offer superb sailing with fewer crowds and lower charter rates
- Right-size your yacht: A well-chosen 32-footer sails beautifully and costs significantly less than a 40-footer
- Provision at the marina: Supermarkets near Lefkada Marina are well-stocked and far more convenient than island shops
- Mix anchorages and tavernas: Alternate between free anchorages and harbour nights for the best of both worlds
- Cook onboard some evenings: Fresh Greek ingredients, a sunset anchorage, and a bottle of local wine — some of the best meals happen on deck
- Extend your trip: Multi-week charters often come with 5-10% discounts
- Return to the same company: Loyalty discounts of around 5% are common
Is It Good Value?
Compare to:
- All-inclusive resort (Greece): €1,500-2,500 per person per week
- Villa rental + car hire: €1,000-1,800 per person per week
- Sailing charter (Caribbean): €2,000-3,500 per person per week
Ionian sailing is mid-range value for an incredibly unique experience. You’re getting a floating hotel, transport, and adventure in one.