What does it really cost to charter a yacht in Turkey? This is the first question we always hear. The answer spans a wide range. A week on a classic gulet can start around €10,000, while a state-of-the-art superyacht easily exceeds €500,000. The final price depends entirely on the yacht, the season, and the experience you want.
This guide provides the financial clarity you need to plan your Turkish yacht charter.
Understanding Turkish Yacht Charter Costs
As your brokers, our job is to demystify the numbers. A clear understanding of the cost structure is essential for a stress-free charter with no financial surprises. This section breaks down the core factors that determine your final charter price.
We will cover the key concepts—yacht type, seasonality, and pricing models—that form the foundation of every charter quote.
The Three Pillars of Charter Pricing
Every quote is built on three key elements. Understand these, and you can confidently choose the right yacht for your budget.
Yacht Type: The choice between a traditional Turkish gulet, a sleek motor yacht, or a superyacht is the single biggest driver of cost.
Seasonality: Timing is critical. Chartering in the peak months of July and August carries a significant premium over the shoulder months of June or September.
Pricing Model: Gulets often operate on a nearly all-inclusive basis, simplifying your budget. Motor yachts use a "plus all expenses" model, requiring a separate budget for fuel, food, and docking fees.
The summary table below provides a realistic baseline for different yachts. It helps you map out a budget for your journey along the Turquoise Coast.
Estimated Weekly Yacht Charter Prices in Turkey (Base Rate)
This table shows typical starting prices per week. These are base charter rates for the yacht and crew, listed in Euros. They offer a solid estimate for what to expect across Turkey's low, shoulder, and high seasons.
Yacht Type
Low Season (Apr, Oct)
Shoulder Season (May, Jun, Sep)
High Season (Jul, Aug)
Standard Gulet (6-8 guests)
From €8,000
From €12,000
From €18,000
Luxury Gulet (8-12 guests)
From €20,000
From €30,000
From €45,000
Motor Yacht (60-80 ft)
From €25,000
From €35,000
From €50,000
Large Motor Yacht (80-120 ft)
From €50,000
From €70,000
From €95,000
Superyacht (120+ ft)
From €100,000
From €150,000
From €200,000+
The price difference between seasons and yacht categories is substantial. This is why clarifying your priorities—whether the yacht's size or the timing of your trip—is the most crucial part of planning.
Gulets vs Motor Yachts: A Price and Experience Comparison
Choosing between a traditional Turkish gulet and a modern motor yacht is a defining decision. It shapes not just your budget but the entire character of your holiday. As brokers, we ensure the vessel you select aligns perfectly with your group's expectations for pace, comfort, and cost.
The experiences are fundamentally different. A gulet offers leisurely, authentic sailing connected to Turkey's maritime heritage. A motor yacht provides speed, contemporary luxury, and the ability to cover vast distances. Understanding this is key to a successful charter.
The Gulet Charter Experience: Authentic and Inclusive
A gulet charter Turkey is the classic choice for good reason. These handcrafted wooden vessels offer a relaxed, authentic way to explore the coast. Their expansive open decks are designed for lounging and socializing, making them ideal for families and larger groups.
The pace is intentionally unhurried. A typical day involves a few hours of cruising in the morning to a new secluded bay, followed by an afternoon of swimming, water sports, and enjoying a freshly prepared meal. It’s an experience built around unwinding, not rushing between marinas.
From a financial standpoint, the pricing model is a significant advantage. Most gulets operate on a nearly all-inclusive basis. Your charter fee typically covers:
The hire of the yacht and its professional crew.
All onboard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Standard soft drinks, local beers, and wines.
Fuel for approximately 4-5 hours of cruising per day.
We recommend gulets for first-time charterers or anyone managing a group budget. This model removes the guesswork from daily running costs, allowing you to relax without tracking a mounting bill for fuel or provisions.
The Motor Yacht Experience: Speed and Sophistication
Motor yachts offer a different philosophy. They are built for speed, modern luxury, and covering long distances with ease. If you want to cruise from Bodrum to the distant bays near Fethiye in a single week, a motor yacht is the only practical choice.
Onboard, you will find sleek designs, advanced features like stabilisers for comfort, and a wider array of high-tech water toys. The crew is typically larger and more specialized, delivering a five-star hotel level of service.
This performance comes with a different pricing structure. Motor yachts operate on a "plus all expenses" basis. The base charter fee covers only the yacht and crew. Everything else is an extra cost, managed through an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), typically 25-35% of the base rate. The APA covers:
Fuel: The largest variable expense. A motor yacht can consume hundreds of litres per hour.
Food and Beverages: All provisions are purchased based on your specific requests.
Marina and Port Fees: Docking in popular spots like a Bodrum yacht charter marina can be costly.
Taxes and other incidentals.
Key Differences at a Glance
The right choice depends on your group's priorities. Do you value a relaxed pace and a predictable budget, or is the goal speed, range, and modern luxury?
Feature
Gulet Charter
Motor Yacht Charter
Pace & Itinerary
Leisurely cruising, focused on nearby bays and coves.
Fast-paced, capable of covering long distances.
Atmosphere
Traditional, relaxed, and social. Ideal for groups.
Modern, luxurious, and service-oriented.
Pricing Model
Often all-inclusive (fuel, food, drinks included).
Plus all expenses (APA required for all costs).
Typical Weekly Cost
Lower entry point, clear budget.
Higher base rate + significant variable costs.
Best For
Families, large groups, authentic cultural immersion.
Guests wanting to see more, modern luxury seekers.
We find motor yachts best suit clients with ambitious itineraries who prioritize speed and amenities. For those seeking a truly Turkish coastal experience defined by relaxation and value, a gulet is almost always the perfect match.
How Charter Seasons Dictate Your Costs
In the Turkish charter market, timing dictates price. A booking in July is priced very differently than one in May. As brokers, we help clients find the perfect balance between ideal weather, crowd levels, and budget.
Understanding Turkey's three charter seasons is key to booking smarter. The season affects not just the price but the entire atmosphere of your holiday.
High Season: The Peak of Summer (July and August)
July and August are the peak of the Turkish yachting season. Expect long, hot, sunny days and the warmest sea temperatures—perfect for swimming. This is the most popular and expensive time to be on the water.
Charter rates are 30-50% higher than in shoulder months. Demand is at its maximum. We recommend booking your preferred yacht 9-12 months in advance to avoid disappointment. Destinations like the Göcek bays and Bodrum marinas will be lively.
Shoulder Seasons: The Sweet Spot (May, June, and September)
We consistently recommend the shoulder seasons as the ideal time for a yacht charter in Turkey. These months offer the best of all worlds: fantastic weather, warm seas, and more competitive pricing.
The advantages are clear:
Better Value: You get prime conditions without high-season rates.
Ideal Weather: The sun is plentiful without the intense mid-summer heat.
Fewer Crowds: You’ll find more space in popular bays and easier reservations at waterfront restaurants.
This period offers tremendous value. Market data from Yacht Rent on sailboat charter price trends in Turkey confirms a significant price drop outside the peak weeks, with rates fluctuating dramatically.
Low Season: Exploring the Coast in Peace (April and October)
The low season months of April and October are for those who prioritize peace and value. These periods offer the lowest rates, presenting an excellent opportunity for a budget-conscious trip. The coastline is quiet and tranquil.
The trade-off is the weather. While sunny days are common, conditions are less predictable. Sea temperatures are cooler, and there is a higher chance of rain or cool evenings.
We recommend the low season for seasoned travelers comfortable with variable weather. It is a fantastic time for cultural exploration and enjoying local towns at their most authentic.
Decoding Your Quote: The Base Rate, APA, and Other Costs
A charter quote is more than a weekly price. As your broker, our job is to ensure you have complete financial clarity from the start. Understanding the quote structure is key to a holiday with no budget surprises. The cost breakdown depends on your chosen yacht type.
The High Season commands the highest prices, while the Shoulder and Low Seasons offer better value. This impacts the base rate and other associated costs.
All-Inclusive vs. Plus All Expenses
Most gulets in Turkey operate on a nearly all-inclusive basis. This model is straightforward and excellent for budget clarity. Your fee typically covers the yacht, crew, fuel for a few hours daily, and often all meals and local drinks.
Motor yachts follow the global standard: plus all expenses. The base rate covers only the yacht and crew. All other costs—fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, and taxes—are paid separately through an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA).
Understanding the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)
The APA is an onboard expense account managed by your captain. We recommend budgeting 25-35% of the base charter fee for the APA. This is paid upfront and given to the captain before your charter begins.
The captain uses the APA to cover your variable expenses based on your preferences:
Fuel: The largest cost, driven by your itinerary.
Food & Beverages: Provisions bought according to your specific requests.
Port & Marina Fees: Docking in hubs like Bodrum or Göcek.
Onboard Incidentals: Any other expenses during your trip.
The captain maintains a transparent log of all spending. Any unspent funds are returned to you at the end of your charter. The APA system ensures complete customization, stocking the yacht precisely to your tastes.
Other Essential Costs to Budget For
Beyond the base rate and APA, a few other standard costs are part of your total budget. We advise clients to budget an additional 30-40% on top of the base price to cover everything comfortably. You can review a more detailed look at these additional charter costs in Turkey on YATCO.com.
Here are the main items to remember:
Crew Gratuity: This is customary and discretionary, rewarding exceptional service. The industry standard is 10-20% of the base charter fee, given to the captain at the end of the trip for distribution.
Turkish VAT: Value Added Tax applies to charter fees in Turkey. We will clarify the current rate and ensure it is stated in your agreement.
Delivery Fees: If you start or end your charter in a port other than the yacht's home base, a fee may apply to cover fuel and time. We discuss this during itinerary planning.
From Luxury Gulets to Superyachts: What a Week Really Costs
Seeing real numbers is the best way to understand yacht charter prices in Turkey. Below are three typical weekly budgets we prepare for clients. They show what you can expect to spend on the Turkish coast.
Scenario 1: The Classic Family Gulet Charter
This is the quintessential Turkish yachting holiday, perfect for a family or group of 8-10 friends. We recommend a high-quality gulet for its space, comfort, and value. The pricing is refreshingly simple.
Yacht Type: Luxury Gulet (approx. 30 metres / 100 feet)
Guests: 10
Itinerary: 7-day cruise of the calm bays of Göcek.
Season: Shoulder Season (June)
Budget Breakdown
All-Inclusive Charter Fee: €35,000
Covers the yacht, crew, fuel (4-5 hours/day), all meals, and local wine, beer, and soft drinks.
Crew Gratuity (10-15%): €3,500 – €5,250
Incidentals: €1,500
For premium imported spirits, a special dinner ashore, or a private land tour.
Total Estimated Cost For The Week: €40,000 – €41,750For 10 guests, that is just over €4,000 per person for a fully crewed and catered week.
Scenario 2: A Modern Motor Yacht Adventure
For clients who want speed and the ability to cover more ground, a motor yacht is the perfect fit. This budget reflects a week-long charter from Bodrum to the islands around Göcek. Remember, motor yachts are "plus all expenses."
Yacht Type: Crewed Motor Yacht (approx. 28 metres / 90 feet)
Guests: 8
Itinerary: 7 days from Bodrum to Göcek.
Season: High Season (July)
Budget Breakdown
Base Charter Fee: €55,000
APA (30% of base fee): €16,500
Covers fuel, food, drinks, and marina fees. Any unspent funds are returned.
Crew Gratuity (15-20%): €8,250 – €11,000
Total Estimated Cost For The Week: €79,750 – €82,500
The higher cost reflects the yacht's capabilities and running expenses. The average weekly rate for a motor yacht in Turkey is around €24,159, significantly more than a sailboat, mainly due to fuel and amenities. You can explore more data on the motor yacht statistics page at Yacht-Rent.com.
Scenario 3: The Ultimate Superyacht Experience
For the pinnacle of luxury and privacy, nothing beats a superyacht. These vessels offer enormous spaces, incredible amenities, and a large, specialized crew. The budget reflects the scale of the operation.
Yacht Type: Superyacht (approx. 50 metres / 165 feet)
Guests: 12
Itinerary: Bespoke 7-day route from Marmaris to Fethiye.
Season: High Season (August)
Budget Breakdown
Base Charter Fee: €200,000
APA (35% on a yacht this size): €70,000
Higher APA covers increased fuel consumption, gourmet provisions, fine wines, and water toys.
Crew Gratuity (15-20%): €30,000 – €40,000
Total Estimated Cost For The Week: €300,000 – €310,000This budget delivers an exceptional holiday where every detail is tailored to the highest standards.
Your Top Questions About Charter Prices, Answered
As brokers, we answer the same practical questions daily. Here are our straightforward answers to the most common queries about chartering in Turkey.
When’s The Best Time To Book For The Best Price?
To secure the best yachts at the best prices, we recommend booking 6-9 months in advance, especially for July and August.
The sweet spot for value is the shoulder season: May, June, and September. Booking early for these months locks in better rates and gives you the best selection of the fleet. Do not expect last-minute deals on premium yachts in Turkey; they are exceptionally rare.
Can I Negotiate The Charter Price?
Negotiability depends on timing. During the high season (July and August), base charter rates are almost always firm due to high demand.
Some flexibility may be found during the shoulder seasons or for last-minute bookings in the low season. Our relationships with yacht owners can be beneficial here. While a direct rate discount is uncommon, we can sometimes negotiate perks like a reduced delivery fee.
We recommend focusing on the value and quality of the yacht and crew. The best value comes from booking the right yacht early, not from last-minute haggling.
What’s Not Included In An "All-Inclusive" Gulet Charter?
The term "all-inclusive" on a gulet charter in Turkey is generous but has exceptions. You should budget for these standard extras:
Premium Beverages: Imported spirits, champagne, and high-end international wines.
Special Food Requests: Items like lobster or specific imported delicacies.
Private Marina Fees: Docking in a private marina outside the yacht's home port.
Land Excursions: Private tours, guided visits, or taxis ashore.
Crew Gratuity: Always separate, typically 10-20% of the base charter fee, paid at your discretion.
We provide a clear breakdown of all inclusions and exclusions for your specific gulet before you confirm. There will be no surprises.
How Much Should I Budget For Fuel On A Motor Yacht?
Fuel is the largest variable expense and depends entirely on your itinerary. A fast-paced week cruising from Bodrum to Fethiye will use far more fuel than a relaxed itinerary around the Göcek bays.
We recommend planning for an APA of 25-35% of the base charter fee, with fuel being the largest component. We will discuss your ideal route and cruising style to create a precise fuel cost projection, ensuring your budget is realistic.
Ready to explore the Turkish coast with complete confidence in your budget? The expert team at DMA Yachting is here to provide a transparent, detailed quote for your ideal gulet or motor yacht adventure. Contact us today to start planning your perfect itinerary. Find out more at https://myturkishcharter.com.
