Affordable yacht charters: Tips and tricks on how to charter a boat on a budget

Yacht charter may sound expensive, but compared to same level hotel accommodation, boat charter can be a real money saver. Especially if you are traveling in a group or have a big family. Land-based travel sometimes hides a lot of unpredictable costs. For example transport from one location to another. One more thing to consider is that traveling from point A to point B can be a boring and uncomfortable experience. On the other hand, cruising from A to B is a whole other story.

Before booking set your total budget and budget per person. Define holiday type and decide on the right type of boat rental. Here are some budget-saving tips for boat charter

Boat sharing

Renting for example a three-cabin sailboat or a yacht would be a perfect choice for a group of friends or three couples. Even if there are only two of you there are specialized websites to find buddy travelers. This type of travel is more popular among the younger population, students for example. Make sure you choose your travel companions carefully. Sharing the same vision of a perfect holiday and choosing like-minded people will ensure everybody leaves home with a smile on their face.

Onboard cooking

Sailboats, yachts, and catamarans (and some motorboats) are always equipped with a kitchen. This means you can do the cooking onboard. Preparing food by yourself will definitely make a big difference to your budget and market shopping will make you feel and eat like a local. The price for a home-cooked meal can be as much as five times lower compared to a restaurant-ordered meal. Research some traditional food recipes and try them while cruising to enhance your experience.

Boat type

Motorboats and sailboats tend to be cheaper than renting a catamaran or a motor yacht. Renting a sailboat and choosing sailing over engine propulsion can be a real money saver. If you really want to rent a motor yacht one great tip to have to save money is to pick an older boat.

First & last-minute bookings

Keep an eye on special offers, subscribe to mailing lists, and wait. As the yachting season approaches, more than a few boats are already booked, but sometimes due to unpredictable circumstances, someone will cancel last minute. Grab that perfect opportunity with both hands. Discounts can go up to 20 percent even in the high season.

Short term charter & low season boat bookings

Boat charter holidays are always calculated by weeks, but you can always try to book a boat for less than a week, especially in the low season. As well if you have already booked a boat, ask is it available the week before or after your stay, perhaps you can pinch in some extra days at a better price.

The most popular boat charter months are July and August. A lot of people chose this time for their vacation not just for the weather, but they have to stick to the school holiday schedule. So planning a trip before or after the school holiday will ensure there's a bigger choice of boats and the prices are more affordable

Avoid beaten paths

When reading about a destination there is always a top-five or a top ten to visit. Avoid that! These destination recommendations are already run down by tourists. Popular tourist destinations mean in 99 % of the cases you need more money for just about everything. Restaurants for example can be more than 20 percent more expensive than in an undiscovered little town. Even if you do your own cooking onboard be prepare that the market prices are also higher.

Value of a charter holiday

Sometimes it's not about the price! Think just how much value a boat charter has to offer compared to a hotel or an Airbnb booking. You get a room with a view, the "beach" is yours, and you are just a few feet apart from jumping into crystal clear water. Staying on a boat instead of on a land-based property has so many advantages. Firstly it's never boring, you can wake up in another bay every day. Secondly, you have all the space for yourself. There are no loud guests, no cars... just perfect serenity all around. You can't put a price tag on that!

Affordable boat charter bookings

Ready to leave the buzz of everyday life behind? Time to plan a trip you will remember forever? Check out our boat rental offer and lock the best prices on early bird offers!

GetBoat uses a smart system to monitor the best deals in yacht charters and boat rentals around the world. We scan the marinas and negotiate with charter companies on your behalf to get the best prices. You just need to tell us which experience you’d like, and we’ll do the rest providing you with several suitable options to choose from. Leave a request now, and we’ll get the perfect boat for your next vacation at sea.

A perfect sailing holiday is just a click away!