{"id":4618,"date":"2026-03-27T01:52:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T23:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanpackraft.com\/kayak-vs-packraft-in-the-city-which-do-you-choose\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T01:52:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T23:52:00","slug":"kayak-vs-packraft-in-the-city-which-do-you-choose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanpackraft.com\/en\/kayak-vs-packraft-in-the-city-which-do-you-choose\/","title":{"rendered":"Kayak vs packraft in the city: which do you choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.up-content h2{font-size:25px!important;line-height:1.35;color:#ffffff!important;font-style:normal!important;font-family:'Poppins',sans-serif!important;}\n.up-content p,.up-content li,.up-content td{font-family:'Poppins',sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#e0e0e0!important;}\n.up-content strong{color:#ffffff!important;}\n.up-content a{color:#ffffff!important;font-weight:700!important;text-decoration:underline;}\n.up-content a:hover{color:#cccccc!important;}\n.up-content table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;}\n.up-content th{background:rgba(255,255,255,0.1)!important;color:#ffffff!important;padding:8px;text-align:left;}\n.up-content td{padding:8px;background:transparent!important;color:#e0e0e0!important;}\n.up-content tr:nth-child(even) td{background:rgba(255,255,255,0.04)!important;}\n.up-content .up-cta{margin-top:32px;padding:20px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06);border-left:3px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);border-radius:6px;}\n@media(max-width:768px){.up-content h2{font-size:20px!important;}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"up-content\">\n<p>You want to do something special in Ghent. Something on the water, in the city, with a touch of adventure. But what do you choose: a kayak or a packraft? It seems like a simple question, but the answer determines how you experience the day. In this article, we compare both options fairly, so you can make the right choice for your group, your pace, and your experience.    <\/p>\n<h2>What is the difference between a kayak and a packraft?<\/h2>\n<p>A kayak is a narrow, elongated boat that you move forward with a double paddle. You sit low in the boat with your legs stretched out. Kayaks are fast, stable, and suitable for calm waters like canals. You can find them at almost any boat rental in Ghent.   <\/p>\n<p>A packraft is a compact inflatable boat. Shorter and wider than a kayak, lighter, and easy to carry in a backpack. You sit higher on the water in an open cockpit. Packrafts are now also being used for city tours \u2014 and that is exactly what Urban Packraft focuses on.   <\/p>\n<p>You only notice the biggest difference when you see them side by side: a kayak is a sporty craft, while a packraft feels like a playful adventure boat. Both are suitable for beginners on calm water. <\/p>\n<h2>Kayaking in Ghent: what can you expect?<\/h2>\n<p>You can rent a kayak in Ghent at several locations. You pay an average of 13 to 20 euros per person for a half to full day. You paddle independently over the Leie or the Ghent canals, choose your own route, and stop wherever you want. That gives you freedom.   <\/p>\n<p>However, what a kayak doesn&#8217;t offer is context. You sail past the Graslei or the Gravensteen, but you don&#8217;t know what you&#8217;re looking at unless you do research beforehand. There is no route, no app, no story. Fine if you just want to paddle \u2014 but if you really want to discover Ghent, something is missing.   <\/p>\n<p>Moreover: after your kayak trip, you&#8217;re back at the starting point. You&#8217;ve seen the city from the water, but you haven&#8217;t truly experienced it. <\/p>\n<h2>Packraft in Ghent: the city tour with a story<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanpackraft.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/up_pexels_1.jpg\" alt=\"Historic bridge over the Ghent canal\" style=\"width:100%;border-radius:8px;margin:16px 0;\"><\/p>\n<p>The Urban Packraft tour combines paddling with walking. You start on the water and discover Ghent from a perspective most tourists never see: from the canal, at eye level with the quay walls. Then you step ashore and explore the city on foot, with an app that guides you through the most beautiful spots.  <\/p>\n<p>In total, you paddle 5.5 kilometers and walk 8.5 kilometers. That&#8217;s a half-day full of variety for <strong>49 euros per person<\/strong>. Including packraft, paddle, life jacket, and backpack.  <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You combine water and city in one tour<\/li>\n<li>You get an app-guided route with explanations about what you see<\/li>\n<li>You sail in a unique type of boat that most people have never tried before<\/li>\n<li>No experience needed \u2014 instructions are clear and quick<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>When do you choose a kayak, and when a packraft?<\/h2>\n<p>Choose a <strong>kayak<\/strong> if you just want to paddle without a set program. If you&#8217;ve sailed before and just want to spend a few hours on the water. <\/p>\n<p>Choose a <strong>packraft<\/strong> if you really want to discover Ghent. If you&#8217;re looking for something special with a group of friends or your partner that you can&#8217;t do anywhere else. If you want to laugh, be surprised, and have truly experienced something afterwards instead of just having done it.  <\/p>\n<p>The packraft tour is also ideal if no one in the group has ever sailed before. The boat is stable, the instructions are clear, and the app guides you the whole way. <\/p>\n<h2>Practical comparison at a glance<\/h2>\n<table>\n<tr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.1);\">\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;\">Feature<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">Kayak<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">Packraft tour<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.04);\">\n<td style=\"padding:10px;\">Price<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">\u20ac13-20 p.p.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">\u20ac49 p.p.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;\">Duration<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">2-8 hours free paddling<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">4.5 hours incl. walk <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.04);\">\n<td style=\"padding:10px;\">Route<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">Choose your own<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">App-guided city tour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;\">Experience needed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">No<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:rgba(255,255,255,0.04);\">\n<td style=\"padding:10px;\">Experience<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">Paddling only<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">Water + city + story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;\">Included<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">Boat and paddle<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;text-align:center;\">Boat, paddle, vest, backpack, app<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"up-cta\"><strong>Ready for your city tour?<\/strong> Book the Urban Packraft tour directly at <a href=\"https:\/\/booking.packrafttravel.com\/urban-packraft-gent\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">urbanpackraft.com<\/a> and discover Ghent like you&#8217;ve never seen it before. From 49 euros per person, all-inclusive. <\/div>\n<h2>Prefer to head out on your own with a packraft?<\/h2>\n<p>Are you already somewhat experienced and want to determine your own route? Via <a href=\"https:\/\/rentapackraft.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">rentapackraft.com<\/a> you can rent a packraft including paddle and life jacket, with home delivery in the Netherlands and Belgium. <\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Is a packraft harder to steer than a kayak?<\/strong><br \/>No. A packraft is wider and more stable, making it easier to steer for beginners. Most people are comfortable on the water within five minutes.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Can I also rent a kayak for the Urban Packraft route?<\/strong><br \/>The tour is specifically developed for packrafts. The route, the transition to walking, and the app are tailored to the packraft experience. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Is the tour suitable for people who cannot swim?<\/strong><br \/>Yes. You always wear a life jacket, the canals are calm and shallow, and you are never far from the side. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the minimum age?<\/strong><br \/>18 years or older for solo participation. From 12 years old with adult supervision. <\/p>\n<div class=\"up-cta\">\n<p><strong>Want to rent a packraft for your own route?<\/strong> It can be delivered to your home in the Netherlands and Belgium via <a href=\"https:\/\/rentapackraft.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">rentapackraft.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Looking for a multi-day packraft expedition in nature?<\/strong> Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/packrafttravel.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">packrafttravel.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is een packraft moeilijker te besturen dan een kajak?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Nee. Een packraft is breder en stabieler, waardoor hij makkelijker te besturen is voor beginners. 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Vanaf 12 jaar met begeleiding van een volwassene.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You want to do something special in Ghent. Something on the water, in the city, with a touch of adventure. But what do you choose: a kayak or a packraft? It seems like a simple question, but the answer determines how you experience the day. In this article, we compare both options fairly, so you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4619,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Kayak vs packraft in the city: which do you choose?","rank_math_description":"Kayak or packraft in Ghent? Compare price, experience, and convenience. Discover why the Urban Packraft tour is a unique experience.  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