Among the first questions prospective polar travelers consider is “Can you visit Antarctica?” Yes, you can visit Antarctica. Our experts help hundreds of travelers each year. We’ll show you how.
The next question is “How to get to Antarctica?” The answer is not as difficult as it seems. The best way to get to Antarctica is on board an Antarctica cruise or take an Antarctica flight. This definitive guide outlines all the ways to get to Antarctica to help you decide the best way for you.
Key Takeaways – How to Visit Antarctica
- Yes, you can travel to Antarctica. Thousands of travelers make the journey every year.
- 90% of visitors cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard specially outfitted expedition ships.
- Most travelers make the voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina. From here it takes two days to cross the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula.
- It is also possible to fly to the Antarctic Peninsula from Punta Arenas, Chile then board a ship. This fly-cruise option saves time and avoids the Drake Passage crossing.
- A small number of specialty cruises visit Antarctica from New Zealand or Australia.
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IN THIS POST – How to Get to Antarctica:
Can You Go To Antarctica?
How to Visit Antarctica
Get to Antarctica by Ship
Why Go by Cruise?
Crossing the Drake Passage
Flights to Antarctica
Gateway Cities
Selecting the Right Ship
Get to Antarctica From Your Home
Passport & Visa Requirements
FAQs
Conclusion
Antarctica Resources
Can You Go to Antarctica?
Yes, you can visit Antarctica. In fact, Antarctica has never been more accessible to travelers.
Antarctica is protected by the Antarctic Treaty for peaceful and scientific use. Since 1991, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has worked within this framework to ensure tourism is safe and environmentally responsible. Operators must follow strict guidelines and secure permits each year. Booking with AdventureSmith, an associate member of IAATO, means your permit has been secured for you.
A visa is not required to travel to Antarctica. But a visa may be required for your embarkation country such as Argentina or Chile.
In 2024-2025 over 80,000 travelers made the journey to Antarctica. Will you be next?
Wondering why people want to visit Antarctica. View the top 10 reasons to visit Antarctica.
How to Visit Antarctica – Cruise or Fly
The most common and rewarding way to get to Antarctica is aboard a small expedition cruise. Others choose fly-cruise options, skipping the sea crossing for a faster arrival on the Antarctic Peninsula.
This guide walks you through each step, from choosing your departure port to selecting the right crossing and ship.
How to Get to Antarctica by Ship
Most travelers reach the White Continent by small ship from South America, crossing the famous Drake Passage.
The most common cruise route to Antarctica is from Ushuaia, Argentina. Over 90% of all Antarctic cruises embark in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.
AdventureSmith knows every ship in the polar fleet and the nuances of every itinerary. Our staff cruises yearly to bring you firsthand experience. You never pay more and our expertise saves you time and money.
Why Almost Everyone Goes by Cruise
Travelers sometimes ask: Can you go to Antarctica without a cruise? While there are rare flights into the interior, almost all tourism is by small expedition ship. Infrastructure is limited, IAATO regulations control visitor numbers, and safety is paramount – making cruises the most practical and responsible way to explore.
Learn about Antarctica cruising regions and discover must see places in Antarctica.
VIEW ALL ANTARCTICA CRUISES
See the full list of itinerary options on the White Continent.
Crossing the Drake Passage
The Drake Passage is the 600-mile stretch of ocean separating the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. For many travelers, crossing the Drake is a rite of passage and important part of the Antarctic experience.
The Drake is famously unpredictable – sometimes it’s calm, other times it delivers swells that remind you why it’s legendary. For the best chance at calmer seas, late December through February is generally the ideal window.
Read our crew members “case for the Drake Passage.”
WHEN TO GO
Month-by-month guide on weather, wildlife, daylight and the benefits of each month.
Flying to Antarctica
Flying to Antarctica from Chile avoids crossing the infamous Drake Passage and makes the overall trip shorter.
There are no commercial flights to Antarctica. All air-cruise itineraries utilize charter flights aboard specially outfitted planes from Punta Arenas, Chile. The two-hour flight lands at Frei Station at the Chilean base on King George Island, where guests board their ship.
Travelers can consider two types of fly-cruises to Antarctica:
Fly & Cruise (Skip the Drake)
For travelers short on time or concerned about seasickness, charter flights from Punta Arenas deliver you directly to King George Island in Antarctica. You board your expedition there, saving four days at sea.
Hybrid Options (Fly One Way, Sail the Other)
A smart balance for those who want to experience the Drake once but not twice. These itineraries maximize time in Antarctica while still allowing the thrill of at least one crossing. Hybrid air cruises will depart from Punta Arenas, Chile and finish in Ushuaia, Argentina (or reverse) perfect to add land exploration in both countries.
FLYING TO ANTARCTICA
Learn more about
Antarctica fly cruises.
Antarctica Gateway Cities and Embarkation Ports
Most cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. Fly-and-cruise trips depart from Punta Arenas, Chile. There are no direct international flights into these ports, so most travelers must route flights through Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Santiago, Chile.
Getting to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires
For most travelers, the journey to Antarctica begins with a 3.5-hour domestic flight in Argentina from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Multiple flights each day are operated by Aerolineas Agentinas.
International travelers will arrive in Argentina at the international Ezeiza (EZE) airport. Flights to Ushuaia depart from the domestic Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) airport closer to downtown. We advise scheduling at least four hours to make the transfer between airports.
Most international flights arrive in Buenos Aires in the morning. So, you might make it to Ushuaia in time for an afternoon embarkation. But don’t risk it. If your flight is delayed (as they often are) the ship cannot wait for you.
Pro tip – plan to arrive in Ushuaia the night before your cruise departs. Some luxury cruises and packages will include a pre-cruise overnight in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and may include domestic flights. Both places are worth a day or two. Our experts can help plan a custom pre-cruise package.
Flying to Punta Arenas for Fly-Cruise Itineraries
If you’ve chosen a fly-cruise expedition, your journey begins with a flight to Punta Arenas, Chile, the gateway for flights to Antarctica.
Punta Arenas sits at the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia, and most travelers connect here through Santiago (SCL) on a 3.5-hour domestic flight.
There are multiple daily flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas on LATAM airlines, as well as daily connections from Santiago to Puerto Natales.
Fly-cruise programs include a charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, where you board your expedition ship already in Antarctic waters.
Because the Antarctic flight is weather-dependent, most operators require travelers to arrive in Punta Arenas at least one or two nights early. This buffer ensures you’re on site and ready to fly when weather conditions allow.
Other Embarkation Ports
The Falkland Islands is an occasional starting point for extended South Georgia and Falklands itineraries. Most regularly scheduled commercial routes to the Falklands are between Punta Arenas (PUQ) and Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN), operated by LATAM Airlines.
Dunedin, New Zealand and Hobart, Tasmania are sometimes used for extended expeditions to East Antarctica, the Ross Sea and sub–Antarctic Islands.
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Selecting the Right Expedition Ship
Your choice of expedition ship will shape your entire Antarctic experience. Ships range in size from 48-200 guests. Here is a quick overview of ship types. Learn more with our Antarctica travel guide.
- Research Ships – Former scientific vessels converted for tourism, these ships are rugged, affordable, and built for adventure, offering travelers a no-frills base camp for exploring Antarctica.
- Expedition Ships – Purpose-built for polar travel, these vessels balance stability and comfort with active daily landings, making them the most popular choice for Antarctic cruises.
- Luxury Expedition Ships – Combining ice-strengthened hulls with refined amenities, these ships deliver a premium Antarctic experience with top-tier service, fine dining, and added onboard comforts.
Why AdventureSmith?
With more than 20 vetted ships in our portfolio, we know the cabins, common spaces, and crews firsthand. We don’t push one operator over another—we listen to your priorities, whether that’s comfort, adventure, budget, or time—and then match you with the ship best suited to your style. Our goal is to ensure you step aboard confident you’ve chosen the right fit for your journey.
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How to Get to Antarctica from Your Home
Reaching Antarctica involves more than just booking a cruise – it’s the flights, transfers, hotels, and packing that make the difference. Below is our advice on how to get to Antarctica from your home, using these air travel hubs. Our specialists can assist with your flights to Antarctica, custom South America tours or pre/post arrangements.
How to Get to Antarctica from the United States
- USA To Buenos Aires: To get to Antarctica on a cruise departing from Argentina, travelers need to fly from the USA to Buenos Aires. The most popular Antarctica flights from U.S.A. to Buenos Aires depart from New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Boston. From Buenos Aires fly to Ushuaia to board your ship.
- USA To Santiago: To fly to Antarctica from the USA, travelers first need to fly to Santiago, Chile. The most popular flight routes from the U.S.A. to Santiago, Chile, depart from Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami and New York. From Santiago fly to Punta Arenas to board your flight to Antarctica.
How to Get to Antarctica from Canada
There are direct flights from Toronto to both Buenos Aires and Santiago, five days each week. From other regions in Canada, travelers may consider connecting through a gateway in the U.S.A.
How to Get to Antarctica from Australia
- Australia To Buenos Aires: To get to Antarctica from Australia on a cruise departing from Argentina, travelers need to fly to Buenos Aires. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Australia to Buenos Aires. Travelers going to Antarctica from Australia must consider connecting to Buenos Aires through Auckland, New Zealand, or through Santiago, Chile. From Buenos Aires fly to Ushuaia to board your ship.
- Australia To Santiago: To fly to Antarctica from Australia travelers will first need to fly to Santiago, Chile. Flights from Sydney, Australia, to Santiago, Chile, operate four days each week. From Santiago fly to Punta Arenas to catch your flight to Antarctica.
How To Get to Antarctica from the U.K. & Europe
- Europe To Buenos Aires: To get to Antarctica from the U.K. and Europe most travelers will first fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina. There are numerous flights from Europe to Buenos Aires each day. Popular routes depart from London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Madrid, Barcelona and Rome. From Buenos Aires fly to Ushuaia to board your ship.
- Europe To Santiago: To fly to Antarctica from the U.K. and Europe travelers will first fly to Santiago, Chile. There are numerous flights from Europe to Santiago each day. Popular routes depart from London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid and Barcelona. From Santiago fly to Punta Arenas to catch your flight to Antarctica.
Why AdventureSmith?
We not only book your expedition cruise but also advise on the best gateway city for your itinerary, help with flights, hotels, and transfers, and ensure every logistical detail is covered ensuring a seamless Antarctica adventure.
Antarctica Passport & Visa Requirements
A visa or passport is not required to visit Antarctica. However, the country you pass through to get to Antarctica, such as Argentina, Chile, Australia or New Zealand will require a passport and may require a visa depending on your country of origin. Visas are not required in these countries for U.S. citizens. Your passport should be valid for 6 months after your travel dates, depending on your country of residency.
Countries that have signed the Antarctica Treaty including the U.S.A., Canada, E.U., New Zealand and Australia require that visitors from those countries need permission to visit Antarctica. This is provided through the tour operator.
Argentina Visas – click here to learn if a visa is required to enter Argentina from your country.
Chile Visas – click here to find your Chilean consulate. Contact your consulate to learn if a visa is required if a visa is required to enter Chile from your country.
Learn more about Antarctica entry requirements.
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Can You Go to Antarctica & How to Get There FAQs
Our experts answer the most common questions about going to Antarctica and how to get there. Have more questions, ask us in the comments below.
Yes, you can visit Antarctica. Most travelers make the journey on organized expedition cruise or fly-cruise programs. Antarctica has never been more accessible.
The most common way to get to Antarctica is by expedition cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina, sailing across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. Other options include fly-cruise itineraries from Punta Arenas, Chile, where a charter flight lands on King George Island before you board your ship. A few longer voyages also depart from New Zealand or Australia for expeditions to the Ross Sea.
The voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula takes about 48 hours by small ship. Cruising from Ushuaia to the Falkland Islands takes about 36 hours and another 36-48 hours at sea to reach South Georgia Island. From South Georgia it is two days at sea to the Antarctica Peninsula.
Most expedition cruises to Antarctica leave from Ushuaia, Argentina. Fly cruises leave from Punta Arenas, Chile. A handful of specialty voyages depart from Australia and New Zealand.
Antarctic Peninsula cruises range from 10-12 days. Fly cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula re 6-10 days long. Cruises attempting to reach the Antarctica Circle take 10-16 days. Cruises that include the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands are 15-28 days long. Some specialty cruises can spend up to 34 days exploring Antarctica.
No, because Antarctica is an international territory, a visa is not required to travel there. Depending on your country of origin a visa may be required for your embarkation country such as Chile or Argentina.
During the 2024-2025 season, more than 80,000 travelers visited Antarctica. Will you be next?
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is a nonprofit organization that manages tourism in Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty System. IAATO sets strict guidelines on ship sizes, passenger landings, and wildlife interactions to ensure all visits are safe and environmentally responsible. When you book with AdventureSmith, you can be confident your trip follows IAATO’s best practices for sustainable Antarctic travel.
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Conclusion
The best ways to get to Antarctica are by small ship cruise across the Drake Passage, or by airplane to meet your ship in Antarctica. Your choice will depend on your personal preferences, schedule and budget. Regardless of how you get to Antarctica, it will be the trip of a lifetime.
Continue your research on how to travel to Antarctica using the links below. Sign up for the AdventureSmith newsletter to stay in the loop on Antarctica travel news and deals. Our experts are here to teach you how to visit Antarctica and to help you get there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Todd Smith
• Founder & President of AdventureSmith Explorations
• Former guide, naturalist & program manager
• Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist
• Award-winning author, photographer, entrepreneur
• Antarctica cruise expert since 2003
MORE ANTARCTICA RESOURCES:
Antarctica Travel Guide
Antarctica Cruises
Luxury Antarctica Cruises
Falkland Islands & South Georgia Cruises
Cruises with Flights to Antarctica
Antarctic Circle Cruises
Best Time to Visit Antarctica
Antarctica Cruise Cost
Things to Do in Antarctica
Places in Antarctica
Antarctica Ships
Best Antarctica Cruise Lines
Antarctica Cruise Deals
Antarctica Cruise Reviews
Comments will be moderated and will appear after they have been approved.
quisiera saber precios para conocer la antartida, en crucero o en barco, precio por persona, quizas seamos 2 o quizas 4
Hola Guillermo. Gracias por tu interés en viajar a la Antártida con AdventureSmith. Tenemos una variedad de opciones en crucero o barco, y los precios pueden variar según la duración del viaje, el tipo de cabina y la temporada. Te invitamos a explorar nuestra página del buscador de cruceros a la Antártida, donde puedes filtrar por precio, duración y más. Pero lo mejor es hablar directamente con uno de nuestros expertos en la Antártida. Muy pronto uno de ellos se pondrá en contacto contigo para ayudarte a encontrar la mejor opción para tu viaje.
Hi Guillermo. Thank you for your interest in traveling to Antarctica with AdventureSmith. We offer a variety of cruise and ship options, and prices can vary depending on the length of the trip, cabin type, and season.
We invite you to explore our Antarctica Cruise Search page, where you can filter by price, trip length, and more. The best thing is to speak directly with one of our Antarctica experts. One of them will be in touch with you shortly to help you find the best option for your trip.
How much cost for the trip from India to Antarctica for one person?
Hi Ramesh,
From ship selection to cabin considerations, trip duration and departure date, there are many factors that can affect the cost of an Antarctica cruise. Start with our helpful article How Much Does it Cost to go to Antarctica, (note the section on solo travelers). Our experts are your best resource and can ultimately help you determine how much you’ll need for this bucket list destination plus offer money-saving tips in the process. We will be in touch shortly.
I want to visit in Feb or March 2024. Please give me a price for 2 pax.
Hi Smarajit,
You’ve come to the right place. An Antarctica expert will be in contact with you shortly to discuss all your Antarctica cruise options.
i want to package of antartica via cruise or by air with couple
Hi Pradeep, We can certainly help! An Antarctica Specialist will be in touch direct shortly. In the meantime you can review more information about Cruises with Flights to Antarctica and Antarctica cruises in general.