Greece Sailing Price Index 2026: Every Cost Listed

Greece has more than 6,000 islands and islets, roughly 227 of them inhabited, spread across a coastline stretching over 8,500 NM. That geographic sprawl produces wildly different prices depending on where you sail, when you go, and how you provision. This index covers every significant cost you'll face on a 2026 Greek sailing holiday: yacht hire, skippers, marinas, food, fuel, and getting there, so you can budget with real numbers instead of guesses.

Prices here are drawn from published 2025/26 charter-company rates, marina tariff sheets, and on-the-ground costs from the Ionian, Saronic Gulf, Cyclades, and Dodecanese. Where a range appears, the lower figure reflects shoulder season (May or October) and the upper figure peak season (mid-July to late August). For a route-specific breakdown of the Ionian, see our Lefkada to Corfu 7-day itinerary. For the Saronic, try the Athens circle route.

Yacht Charter Prices

Charter rates in Greece follow a steep seasonal curve. A 2019-build monohull in May can cost half what the same boat commands in August. Catamarans carry a premium of 50–90% over equivalent-length monohulls. The table below covers bareboat rates. Add a skipper if you need one (see next section).

Boat type & length	May / Oct	June / Sept	July / Aug
Monohull 32–34 ft (e.g. Bavaria 34)	€1,100–1,400	€1,500–1,900	€2,000–2,600
Monohull 38–40 ft (e.g. Oceanis 40.1)	€1,600–2,000	€2,100–2,700	€2,800–3,500
Monohull 44–46 ft (e.g. Jeanneau 440)	€2,200–2,800	€3,000–3,800	€3,800–4,800
Catamaran 38–40 ft (e.g. Lagoon 40)	€2,800–3,400	€3,600–4,400	€4,800–6,200
Catamaran 42–46 ft (e.g. Fountaine Pajot Isla 40)	€3,500–4,500	€4,800–5,800	€6,000–8,000

These are base rates. On top, expect a mandatory end-cleaning fee of €150–250 and a security deposit of €1,500–3,500 (refundable, or buy deposit-waiver insurance for €150–300/week). The outboard motor for the dinghy adds €80–120/week. For more on hidden listing costs, read 9 Things Charter Photos Hide. If you're deciding between monohull and catamaran, our comparison guide breaks down the six differences that matter.

Where base matters

Athens/Lavrion (Saronic Gulf) and Lefkada (Ionian) offer the largest fleets and the keenest prices. Kos or Rhodes in the Dodecanese can cost 5–10% more for the same model due to smaller supply. Cyclades charters often start from Athens anyway. You'll sail 40–60 NM to reach Kythnos or Syros.

Skipper and Hostess Prices

A professional skipper in Greece costs €150–200/day in 2026, depending on experience and season. That's €1,050–1,400 for a standard 7-day charter. You also feed the skipper. Budget an extra €20–30/day for their meals. A hostess/cook adds another €130–170/day plus food.

Service	Daily rate	Weekly total
Skipper (standard)	€150–180	€1,050–1,260
Skipper (premium / Cyclades specialist)	€180–220	€1,260–1,540
Hostess / Cook	€130–170	€910–1,190
Skipper meals (your cost)	€20–30	€140–210

If you hold an ICC or RYA Day Skipper certificate, you can go bareboat and save €1,000+ per week. First-timers who want a middle path can hire a skipper for the first 2–3 days only. Some companies allow this. For a full rundown of charter types, see Skipper or Bareboat: 4 Charter Types Compared.

Marina and Mooring Prices

Greece is famously cheap for berthing , if you avoid the flagship marinas. Town quays (municipal docks) across the Ionian and Dodecanese are often free or charge €5–15/night for a 40-footer. You Med-moor stern-to with your own anchor or pick up a lazy line. Water is sometimes included. Shore power usually isn't.

Berthing type	40 ft / night (summer)	Notes
Town quay (Ionian, small islands)	€0–15	Water may cost €5–10 extra
Town quay (popular spots: Hydra, Poros)	€15–30	Can be crowded Jul–Aug
Mid-range marina (Preveza, Gouvia)	€25–45	Shore power €5–8/night extra
Premium marina (Alimos, Flisvos, Lefkas)	€45–65	Full facilities, fuel dock
Anchor in bay (free swinging)	€0	Check holding , sand/weed varies

A realistic 7-night Ionian itinerary might include 3 nights at anchor, 2 on a town quay, and 2 in a marina, totalling roughly €80–150 for the week. The Cyclades push that higher because organised anchorages are fewer and port fees steeper. Mykonos old port charges around €40–60/night for a 40-footer. For curated facilities and honest reviews, see Best Marinas in Greece: 12 Picks.

Food and Drink Prices

Greek food is one of the strongest arguments for sailing here over Croatia or Italy. Taverna meals are generous, portions are large, and a carafe of house wine costs less than a bottle of water in some Italian marinas. The table below reflects typical 2026 prices on mid-range islands. Mykonos and Santorini run 30–60% higher.

Item	Typical price (EUR)
Greek salad (taverna)	€6–9
Moussaka / main dish	€8–13
Grilled fish (per kg)	€35–55
Souvlaki wrap (gyro)	€3–4
Beer (draught, 500ml)	€3–4.50
House wine (500ml carafe)	€5–8
Bottle of wine (taverna)	€12–22
Espresso / Greek coffee	€1.50–3
Freddo cappuccino	€3–4
Soft drink (can)	€1.50–2.50
Water (1.5L, supermarket)	€0.30–0.60
Bread (loaf, bakery)	€0.80–1.50
Feta cheese (kg, supermarket)	€7–10
Olive oil (1L, decent)	€8–12
Eggs (dozen)	€3–4
Chicken breast (kg)	€6–8
Tomatoes (kg)	€1.50–2.50
Peaches (kg)	€2–3
Supermarket beer (500ml can)	€1.20–1.80
Ice cream (scoop)	€1.50–2.50

Budget €8–15 per person for a full taverna dinner with drinks. A self-catered crew of 4 spending €350–450 on initial provisioning can eat well aboard for the entire week, supplementing with 2–3 taverna meals. For a detailed shopping strategy, see our provisioning guide. If eating well is a priority, Greece features in our 7 destinations for great sailing food.

Fuel and Utilities

Diesel is the big variable. A 40-foot monohull with a 40hp engine burns roughly 3–5 litres/hour under motor. In a typical Ionian week with light winds, you might motor 15–20 hours. That's 60–100 litres. In the Cyclades, the Meltemi (the strong northerly blowing Force 5–7 from June to September) means more sailing and less motoring, but when you do motor into the wind, consumption spikes.

Item	Price (EUR)
Diesel (per litre, marina pump)	€1.65–1.85
Diesel (per litre, fuel dock on small island)	€1.80–2.00
Water (marina fill, per m³)	€5–12
Shore power (per night, 16A)	€5–10
Pump-out service	€15–25 (where available)
Gas bottle refill (Camping Gaz 907)	€25–35

For a 7-day monohull charter, budget €120–180 for fuel. Catamarans with twin engines should budget €180–280. Water is rarely a major cost unless you shower lavishly aboard. Most 40-footers carry 300–400 litres, enough for 4–5 days with moderate use. Fill up at every opportunity in the Cyclades, where water is scarce on smaller islands.

Transport To and From Greece

Getting to a charter base in Greece is straightforward, but prices vary dramatically by season and booking lead time.

Route / Mode	Price range (EUR, return)
Flights to Athens (from major EU hubs)	€80–350
Flights to Preveza / Lefkada (seasonal)	€100–300
Flights to Kos / Rhodes (seasonal)	€120–350
Athens airport → Lavrion (taxi, 55 km)	€55–70
Athens airport → Alimos Marina (taxi, 30 km)	€38–50
Preveza airport → Lefkada Marina (taxi, 25 km)	€30–40
Ferry Athens (Piraeus) → Cyclades (deck, per person)	€30–60
Ferry Athens → Kos (high-speed, per person)	€50–80

Book flights 3–5 months ahead for the best fares. Ryanair, easyJet, and Aegean Airlines all serve Athens year-round. Preveza and island airports see seasonal charters from May to October. If you're starting from Lefkada, flying into Preveza (Aktion) airport saves a 4-hour drive from Athens. For first-time planning, our 7-step booking guide covers the logistics end-to-end.

Full Week Cost Breakdown

Here's what a typical 7-day sailing week in Greece actually costs for a crew of 4 on a 40-foot monohull in June.

Total: roughly €5,580 for the crew, or €199/person/day. That includes everything: yacht, skipper, food, fuel, and flights. Drop the skipper and you're at €159/person/day. Sail in May and the charter rate drops by 25–35%, pulling the total closer to €140/person/day bareboat. Compare that with a decent hotel room on Corfu at €120–180/night before meals and transport. The boat wins on both value and freedom.

Greece vs Croatia: Price Comparison

Croatia is Greece's closest competitor for Mediterranean charter sailing. Both offer fine coastlines, but pricing differs in specific ways. Here's how the two compare across key categories. For a fuller head-to-head, see our dedicated Croatia vs Greece comparison and the Croatia Price Index 2026.

The verdict on value

Greece runs 10–15% cheaper than Croatia overall, with the biggest savings on food and berthing. Croatia's advantage is slightly cheaper diesel and newer marina infrastructure. Greece also offers far more free anchorages and free town quays, which can save €200–400/week compared to Croatia's ACI marina network. The trade-off is real: Croatian marinas generally have better showers, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi. If you're watching the budget and happy anchoring out, Greece pulls ahead decisively.

Hidden Costs and How to Avoid Them

Even with transparent pricing, a few costs catch first-timers off guard. Here's what to watch for:

• Security deposit waiver: €150–300/week, but it replaces a €1,500–3,500 hold on your credit card. Worth it for peace of mind. Read more in our charter insurance guide.
• Late return fees: Most companies charge €200–500 if you're back after the agreed time (usually Saturday 09:00). Factor in a buffer night near the base.
• Dinghy outboard fuel: A small cost , €10–20/week , but often not included.
• Tourist tax: Greece charges a nightly accommodation tax, but charter yachts are generally exempt. Marinas sometimes add a small municipal fee of €1–3/night.
• Mykonos and Santorini surcharges: Everything costs 30–60% more on these islands. A €10 taverna meal elsewhere is €15–18 here. Fuel docks charge top rates. Plan accordingly or skip them.

Run through the 47-point handover checklist at the start of your charter to avoid disputes over pre-existing damage. Document everything with photos.

When to Go for the Best Value

May and early June offer the steepest discounts , 30–40% below peak rates , with genuinely good sailing conditions: Force 3–4 in the Ionian, Force 2–4 in the Saronic. Water temperature reaches 20–22°C by late May. The one downside: some island restaurants and bars don't open until mid-May.

October is another value window, with charter rates 25–35% below August and water still warm at 22–24°C. Wind is less predictable, and daylight drops to around 11.5 hours versus 15 in June. For a full seasonal breakdown, see Best Time to Sail the Med. If you're considering off-season sailing, southern Crete and the Dodecanese stay warm longest.

August means peak pricing and peak Meltemi. In the Cyclades, sustained winds of Force 6–7 are common, making passages demanding and sometimes dangerous for inexperienced crews. If August is the only option, the Ionian is the calmer, cheaper choice. Read our take on where to sail in August.