How much does a canal boating holiday cost?
The cost of a canal boating holiday depends on your boat, trip length, destination, season, route and extras. Your main fixed cost is boat hire. You then need to add fuel, a security deposit or damage waiver and local charges where they apply. The extras are the parts that change from crew to crew: optional add-ons such as bikes, barbecues, Wi-Fi, paddle boards, grocery packs or early boarding.
Some costs are compulsory and shown during booking. Others are choices you can shape around your plans.
That is what makes a boating holiday different from a hotel, villa or road trip, where accommodation, transport and experiences are usually separate. Your boat is where you sleep, cook, move, pause and come back to at the end of the day.
This guide breaks down what is included, what may be paid separately, how fuel and extras work, and how to think about the total cost before you book. No licence. No experience. No guessing your way through the budget.
In this article:
- What does a canal boating holiday actually cost?
- What is included in the price?
- What’s not included in the price?
- How do fuel costs work?
- How to keep your canal boating holiday costs under control
- What is worth spending extra on?
What does a canal boating holiday actually cost?
The cost of a Emerald Star holiday starts with your boat hire. It is shaped by your boat, destination, dates, trip length and any extras you add.
Think of your budget in three parts: what is included, what varies by route or usage, and which extras are worth adding.
Included in your boat price:
- The boat hire
- Your onboard accommodation
- The equipment you need for life on the water
Mandatory additional costs:
- Fuel: as a pre-paid extra or at the end of your cruise
- Damage waiver or security deposit
Prices for our Comfort boats start at £1079 for 7 nights in a two-cabin boat. You may find a lower price on a Value boat or for a shorter cruise. You may pay more for a larger boat, a different destination, or more popular dates.
What is included in the price?
Your boat hire covers the boat for your group, not a price per person. That can work well for couples, families and groups sharing the same space. It also helps to compare the cost per person, per night, as you would for a hotel, villa, cruise or road trip. This covers:
- Accommodation on board
- Kitchen facilities
- Linen and towels
- Safety equipment
- Boat handover and tuition
- Technical suppport
And no licence required.
What’s not included in the price?
Compulsory additional costs: included upfront or charged separately
Some compulsory costs are included or shown during booking. Others may be taken as a deposit or paid at the base, depending on your boat, destination or route.
- Fuel or fuel deposit: this is handled separately because it depends on destination rules and how much you cruise. Read more about fuel costs below.
- Security deposit or damage waiver
- Local boating, mooring, environmental or tourist fees
Optional extras
Extra costs vary because every crew holidays differently. Some cruise longer, some moor early, and some add a few comforts.
| Category | Extras | Worth considering if |
|---|---|---|
| Protect your trip | Damage risk reduction, holiday flex plan | You’d like extra peace of mind if plans change or accidental damage occurs. |
| Make your trip easier | Pre-paid Unlimited Fuel, early check-in & late check-out | You value convenience and would prefer to simplify arrival, departure or fuel costs. |
| Boat care | End of cruise cleaning, ecological cleaning pack, pet supplement | You’d rather spend less time on end-of-holiday tasks and more time enjoying your holiday. |
| Activities | Bike rental, Stand-up paddle board, dinghy (with out without outboard motor) | You want to make the most of your destination, both on and off the water. |
| Comfort & convenience | Onboard Wi-Fi, gas barbecue / plancha hotplate, special occasion gift basket, grocery packs | A few extra touches would make life on board more comfortable or enjoyable. |
| Arriving by car | Car parking (various options depending on the base), car transfer (for one-way cruises) | You’re driving to your departure base and want a straightforward start and finish to your trip. |
How do fuel costs work, and how much control do you have?
You only pay for what you use, so your route and pace affect the final fuel cost.
Fuel may be bought upfront as a Pre-paid Unlimited Fuel extra or paid for at the end of your holiday. If you choose to pay at the end of your holiday, you’ll only pay for the engine hours you have used but will be required to leave a fuel deposit in local currency before you set off.
Fuel deposits:
- Up to 6 nights: €320 / £350 / CA$350
- 7 nights: €425 / £450 / CA$520
- 8+ nights: €550 / £525 / CA$800
At the end of your cruise, your Fuel Charge will be calculated and you will either be refunded the difference or will need to pay any excess hours used.
Engine hours:
Your boat records the number of engine hours used during your holiday. At the end of your cruise, you’ll be charged a cruising fee based on the number of engine hours used, payable at your return base in local currency.
This charge covers:
- Fuel used to power the boat’s engine and onboard systems (such as heating)
- Cooking gas consumption
- General engine wear and tear
The hourly rate varies by region, boat type, and current fuel prices, so rates are subject to change. As a guide, expect approximately €12 to €34 / £14 to £28 / CA$23 to CA$35 per hour. In 2025, customers used their engines for an average of 27 hours on a 7-night holiday.
For the most up-to-date estimate for your chosen boat and cruising region, our Sales Team can help. Your final hourly rate will be confirmed at check-in.
How to keep your canal boating holiday costs under control
This is about knowing which choices affect your Emerald Star cost, and which sit outside it. Luckily, we have plenty of blogs and resources to help you:
Choices that affect the cost of your boating holiday:
- When you travel: spring and autumn can offer a quieter pace, softer light and better value than peak summer dates. Plan better with our holiday calendar.
- Choosing the right boat size: too small can feel tight, but too large may mean paying for space you do not need. Find the perfect boat for your group.
- Sharing the cost across a group: the boat price is usually for the whole boat, so travelling with friends or family can improve value per person.
- Planning a relaxed route: slower cruising can reduce fuel use and often gives you more time in the places worth stopping for. Learn to plan your route.
- Bringing your own bikes if you can: useful if your route and travel plans make it practical.
- Looking at last-minute one-way cruises: selected one-way routes can come with late availability discounts, so they are worth checking if your dates are flexible. Check out our current last-minute offers.
- Comparing boat types, not just prices: compare the features that our must-haves against those you can do without. Compare our boats’ features.
- Question the Wi-Fi: add it if you need it. Skip it if switching off is part of the point.
Choices that affect your wider holiday cost:
- Self-catering some meals: the onboard kitchen is not a compromise. Markets, bakeries and local produce are part of the region, not a step down from eating out.
- Planning carefully: calendars, regional guides, and detailed itineraries can help you pick dates that work harder for your budget and time off.
What is worth spending extra on?
The best extras remove friction from the bits you feel most: arriving, getting around, eating well, staying comfortable and enjoying the water.
- Best for families: grocery packs and early check-in / late check-out where available.
- Best for couples: bikes or a barbecue, so you can wander without over-planning and make evenings on board feel easy.
- Best for active travellers: bikes and stand-up paddle boards, where available, especially if you want more freedom once moored.
- Best for groups: shared extras such as bikes, barbecue, grocery packs or Wi-Fi where available, because the value is spread across the crew.
The rule is simple: spend on the parts of the holiday you will actually feel.
The simplest way to plan your boating holiday budget
A boating holiday can be as simple or as indulgent as you want it to be. Some crews keep costs low by cooking on board and spending most of their time cruising, while others add extras for added comfort and convenience.
The good news is that most costs can be planned in advance. Once you’ve chosen your boat, travel dates and crew size, you’ll have a clear idea of your holiday budget and can decide which extras matter most to you.
Ready to search for your perfect canal boating holiday?
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