How much does it cost to hire a boat for 30 people in Paris: prices, duration and options

You have already worked out which type of boat suits a group of 30 guests, perhaps thanks to our article on choosing a boat for 30 people. That leaves the question everyone asks next: how much should you budget? This article takes a complementary angle: it sets out the price ranges by time slot, duration and package, then pulls them together into an overall budget, catering included.

The amounts below are indicative orders of magnitude, excluding VAT, intended to help you scope your project. The final price depends on the boat, the date and your choices, and is confirmed only by quotation.

What the boat hire price includes

For 30 people, you will generally be looking at a yacht or a medium-sized boat, and sometimes a small barge. The hire price covers exclusive use of the boat for a set period, with its crew (captain and onboard staff) and the cruise along the agreed route.

In principle, this price includes:

• private use of the boat and its spaces (lounge, deck, terrace, depending on the model);
• the crew and the navigation;
• basic furniture and, in some cases, a simple sound system;
• a welcome on boarding.

It does not usually include catering, drinks, a DJ or decoration, which are separate lines or options. To understand how quotes are presented, you can read our article on all-inclusive and à la carte packages.

Hire price ranges by time slot and duration

Three factors affect the bill: the day, the time and the duration. As a rough guide, for a boat taking 30 people, the hire alone is often in the range of:

• Weekday, daytime, 2 hours: around €1,200 to €2,500;
• Friday or Saturday evening, 2 to 3 hours: around €2,000 to €4,000, or even more for a sunset slot in high season;
• Sunday, brunch or lunch: generally somewhere in between, depending on the duration.

The most sought-after slot, Saturday evening in summer, is also the most expensive and the quickest to sell out. Shifting your event by a day or a few hours is the most effective way to save money: our comparison of weekday or weekend covers this in detail.

As for duration, a 2-hour cruise is enough for a cocktail party or a friendly birthday celebration. A seated dinner needs more like 2.5 to 3 hours so that the service runs without rushing. Each extra hour is added to the price, but rarely in strict proportion: the first hour absorbs the fixed costs of getting the boat ready.

Cruising or moored: a possible difference in budget

A boat that sails requires a crew, fuel or energy, and has route constraints. A boat moored at the quayside is often hired at a more affordable level, because it does not travel along the Seine. It suits events where the setting matters more than the journey, but you lose the view of the monuments from the water. Our article on hiring a moored boat helps you decide between the two.

The options that push the bill up or down

Beyond the boat itself, several items make up the budget. Here are the main ones, with their order of magnitude per guest where relevant:

• Cocktail reception with canapés: around €45 to €90 per person, depending on the number of pieces and the quality;
• Seated dinner: around €80 to €150 per person, service included depending on the caterer;
• Drinks: around €20 to €45 per person, depending on the package (soft drinks, wine, champagne);
• DJ or musician: around €400 to €900 for the performance;
• Decoration, flowers, photographer: to be defined according to your wishes, often from a few hundred euros to a more substantial budget.

Two checks help avoid surprises: is an outside caterer allowed, and on what terms? Is a corkage fee charged if you bring your own drinks? On this point, see our article on boat hire with a caterer.

Sample total budget for 30 guests, catering included

Let's take a Friday or Saturday evening, lasting 3 hours, with a cocktail reception, drinks and a DJ, for 30 guests. Here is an estimate excluding VAT, with low and high ranges:

• Boat hire, 3 hours: €2,500 to €4,000;
• Cocktail reception, 30 guests: €2,100 to €3,300 (around €70 to €110 per person, for a more complete package than the lower range above);
• Drinks: €600 to €1,350;
• DJ: €400 to €900.

The total then comes to around €5,500 to €9,500 excluding VAT, or roughly €185 to €320 per person. The result varies with the season, the level of quality chosen and the options added. Remember to add the applicable VAT, which differs depending on the services: our guide to reading a quote with or without VAT explains the rules.

For a 2-hour weekday lunch with a simple buffet, the total can fall well below this range. Conversely, a seated dinner on a Saturday evening with champagne and elegant decoration will exceed it.

How to keep control of your budget without cutting corners

A few habits are enough to stay in control:

• set the total budget per person first, then split it between the boat, catering and entertainment;
• favour a less popular slot, such as a Thursday evening or Sunday lunchtime;
• choose a cocktail reception rather than a seated dinner if you want a lively, informal atmosphere;
• ask for a quote itemised line by line so you can compare like-for-like offers;
• book early, as the best slots go several weeks ahead.

To go further on cutting costs, our article on optimising the budget for an event on a boat offers more practical ideas.