Airport-to-boat transfer: what to expect on arrival

Is the airport-to-boat transfer included?

At Filovent, the transfer between the airport and the boat is never included by default in the price of a yacht charter or a cruise, unless it is expressly stated on your quote. The logic is the same as for flights: you remain free to arrange your own travel, which lets you optimise budget and timings for your sailing holiday. Depending on the destination, reaching the marina can be very simple (a few minutes by taxi) or require more planning (domestic flight, ferry, a drive of several hours).

What's included on arrival day — and what isn't

To avoid any surprises, here is what is usually included in the price and what is for you to arrange on arrival day.

In short: the welcome and handover of the boat are always provided by the base, but getting to the marina is down to you, unless a transfer has been added to your booking. This is the first thing to confirm with your concierge.

How much does an airport-to-marina transfer cost?

The price of a transfer depends mainly on the distance, the number of passengers (a taxi for 4 people or a van/minibus for a group) and the destination. As a rough guide, based on transfers arranged by our concierge: allow around €40 per person one way in the Seychelles, about €130 per trip for a group between Split and Murter (Croatia), and roughly €240 to €270 per trip by van for a group on certain routes in Croatia or Sicily. These amounts are quoted per trip: double them if you also want the return leg, and always tell your concierge whether you need a one-way or a return transfer. These amounts vary according to the season, the provider and the number of passengers: they are intended only as a rough guide and do not constitute a guaranteed price.

One important point: the transfer is very often paid on the spot, sometimes in cash and in the local currency (in Croatia, for example). Confirm the exact amount and the method of payment with your concierge before departure, so you are not caught out on arrival.

Transfer options by destination

The most practical way to reach the boat depends heavily on the destination and the distance between the airport and the marina. The table below sums up the most common cases.

For far-flung destinations with infrequent connections, we strongly recommend booking your flights before sorting out the transfers: it is often the arrival time of the last flight that determines the simplest way to reach the boat. In Egypt, for instance, the journey between the airport (Hurghada or Luxor) and the embarkation point for the Nile cruise (often Esna or Luxor) is made by road and is booked in advance.

Who arranges the transfer?

Two parties can arrange the transfer: your Filovent concierge, through a local partner, or the charter company at the base, which often has its own providers. In some cases, the charter company even offers it free of charge (for example, a complimentary minibus from the airport to the marina at certain bases). Conversely, when the transfer is included (cruises, far-flung destinations), always have it reconfirmed a few days before departure: it is the surest way to avoid looking for your driver at the airport exit. If in doubt, your concierge will tell you who is handling the transfer on your booking.

Embarkation day: timings and check-in

Check-in at the base follows set times, independent of your landing time. For a weekly charter, embarkation usually takes place on the afternoon of the departure day, often from 5 p.m., to allow time for the boat to be cleaned, checked and prepared after the previous charterers return. On arrival, you'll go through several steps in sequence: a welcome from the base team, contract signing and payment of the security deposit, the boat inventory, a technical and weather briefing, and finally the handover of the keys. Allow 1 to 2 hours between your arrival at the marina and the moment you actually take possession of the boat.

If your flight lands late in the day or in the evening, it is common to spend the first night at the quay (the boat is available but you set off the next morning) or to book a hotel night nearby. In all cases, let the base know your actual arrival time, especially in the event of a flight delay: this lets the team adapt your welcome and prevents you from arriving after the marina office has closed.

Can you board earlier?

This is a frequent request, especially when the plane lands in the morning or when the first passage is long. Early boarding is possible "at best", but never guaranteed: it depends on the time the boat was returned by the previous charterers and on how long cleaning and checking take. In practice, you should call the base on the morning of departure to find out the actual time the boat will be available. If your first leg is long and you do not want to sail at night on the first day, it is better to plan an early flight or a night at the quay the evening before, so you can set off at daybreak rather than arrive after dark at the first anchorage.

Information to provide so we can arrange your transfer

To book a transfer or prepare your welcome, your concierge needs a few precise details. Gathering them from the outset saves a great deal of back-and-forth:

Also remember to ask for the exact meeting point. The address of the base does not always match the precise location of the boat: the pontoon or berth number (for example, "berth B1") is given by the base and is useful for the taxi, the transfer driver and the provisioning company alike.

Tips for a stress-free arrival

A few simple habits make arrival much easier: keep the direct contact for the base and your concierge to hand on your phone, keep a copy of your booking details, and allow a comfortable margin between landing and check-in. Also think about planning the first provisioning run ahead: depending on your arrival time, the shops near the marina may be closed, and it is sometimes simpler to shop the next morning before setting off, or to ask for a provisioning delivery on board.

Frequently asked questions about the transfer and arrival

Is the airport-to-boat transfer included in the price?

No, the transfer between the airport and the marina is never included by default in the price of a charter or a cruise. It is included only if it is expressly mentioned on your quote. Our concierge can arrange it through a local partner on request.

How much does a transfer cost, and is the price for the return trip?

Prices are always quoted per trip, so budget for double if you need the return leg too. A solo traveller sharing a taxi pays far less per head than a couple booking a private car, while a group is usually best served by a single van fare. Typical guide prices range from around €40 per person in the Seychelles to €240–€270 for a group van in Croatia or Sicily. Payment is often made on the spot, sometimes in cash and in the local currency, so check with your concierge before you travel.

What time does embarkation take place?

For a weekly charter, check-in usually takes place on the afternoon of the departure day, often from 5 p.m., to allow time for the boat to be prepared. The exact time appears on your booking and can vary from one base to another.

Can I board earlier than the check-in time?

It is possible depending on the base and the cleaning schedule, but it is never guaranteed. Early boarding happens "at best": call the base on the morning of your departure, and they will confirm the actual time the boat will be available.

My first passage is long — how do I avoid sailing at night?

If your first leg is long, opt for a flight that arrives early or spend the previous night at the quay, so you can set off at daybreak. This avoids arriving after dark at the first anchorage. Flag this constraint to your concierge, who can adapt the way your arrival is organised.

What happens if my flight arrives in the evening?

If you arrive in the evening, you will most often spend the first night at the quay, on board the boat, and set off the next morning. You can also book a hotel night nearby. Let the base know your arrival time so the welcome can be organised.

How do I reach the marina from the airport?

Depending on the destination, you can take a taxi or private hire vehicle, a shuttle, a hire car, or an organised private transfer. For far-flung destinations such as Egypt, the Seychelles or the Caribbean, a domestic flight or a road journey of several hours is sometimes necessary. The choice depends on the distance between the airport and the marina.

What happens if my flight is delayed, changed or cancelled?

Let the base and your concierge know your new arrival time or your new flight straight away. This allows the transfer and the welcome at the base to be re-coordinated. Most bases adapt as far as possible, but the marina office may close in the evening, so getting in touch early prevents you from arriving to a locked door.

How do I arrange the return transfer to the airport?

The return transfer is often booked separately from the outbound one. Give your concierge the exact time of your return flight so they can arrange the marina-to-airport journey. Some travellers prefer to hire a car for the last day, which makes the most of the day before heading to the airport.

Who arranges the transfer, Filovent or the charter company?

Both cases occur: the transfer can be arranged by your Filovent concierge through a local partner, or directly by the charter company at the base, which sometimes offers it free of charge. When the transfer is included (cruises, far-flung destinations), always have it reconfirmed a few days before departure.

How do I arrange the transfer for a group arriving on several flights?

For a group, a van or a minibus is generally better suited than a taxi. If your passengers are arriving on different flights, give your concierge all the flight numbers and times: they can set up a common meeting point or stagger the transfers according to the arrivals.

Can I leave my car at the marina during the sailing?

Often yes, but parking is not always included or free, and it cannot always be booked in advance: at some bases, you simply turn up with the vehicle. Allow, for example, in the region of €40 per space per week depending on the marina. Check availability, the price and the number of spaces with the base before you leave, especially in high season and if you have several vehicles.

Should I plan provisioning as soon as I arrive?

If you arrive late, the shops near the marina may be closed. It is often simpler to shop the next morning before setting off, or to ask for a provisioning delivery on board, which our concierge can arrange at certain destinations.

Find out more

To prepare your arrival with peace of mind, see our dedicated pages:

→ Flights and transfers: arranging your journey to the marina;

→ Provisions and shopping: provisioning and the shops near the bases;

→ Bareboat charter: how check-in works and the handover of the boat;

→ Insurance and security deposits: what awaits you at embarkation.

For any question about your arrival or the arrangement of your transfer, contact your Filovent point of contact or our concierge on +44 20 4576 3186.