can you travel to antarctica by plane

How to Fly to Antarctica?

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Flying to Antarctica is easier than you think!

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

• Antarctic Flights
• Expeditions
• Travel Tips

Can you fly to Antarctica?

Yes, you can fly to Antarctica! Logistically speaking, the 7th Continent is one of the most isolated places on Earth, and specialized resources are needed to operate in the region. Our expeditions are carefully and thoughtfully planned out. Permits are secured in advance, and aircraft and ships with crews and staff have to be brought to the region for the short Antarctic season.

But, flying to Antarctica and the Antarctic air-cruise is something Antarctica21 pioneered. From our more economical air-cruise expedition, the Antarctica Express Air-Cruise , to our most popular Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise , there is something for every type of traveler looking to experience Antarctica. 

Below you will find the five most common questions about flights to Antarctica.

• Why should I fly to Antarctica? Why not sail to Antarctica? Most cruise ships cruising to Antarctica sail over the Drake Passage. This trip is a long two-day and often stormy crossing that many travelers avoid when getting to Antarctica. Flying instead of sailing over the Drake Passage allows you to reach Antarctica quickly and in comfort. You also save your vacation time and the possibility of getting seasick while crossing the Drake. Read more about our flights here .
• What kind of planes fly to Antarctica? Our direct flights to Antarctica are operated by DAP Airlines, who have over 25 years of experience flying in Antarctica and have been our partner since 2003. The planes we fly to Antarctica are the BAE 146-200, the AVRO RJ 85, and the AVRO RJ 100. These aircraft were manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). They are high-wing aircraft with short runway requirements, which means they are particularly suited for Antarctica. Read more about the aircraft here .
• How long is the flight to Antarctica? Antarctica’s flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, takes 2.5 hours, pretty quick considering Antarctica is one of the most remote destinations in the world. Our air-cruises carry a maximum of 76 people, ensuring comfort on your flight and lots of personal space on your expedition ship.
• Where does the flight depart from to get to Antarctica? Most of our expeditions to Antarctica start in Punta Arenas, Chile. All of our flights to Antarctica also begin here. To get to Punta Arenas, you can go through Santiago, Chile, from pretty much any location in the world. The flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas takes about 4.5 hours. We suggest a short stopover in Santiago and have developed some mini-travel guides to help you find your way in this city too. Check them out at the bottom of our  Antarctica Travel Tips page.
• What should I expect when I land in Antarctica? Our flights to Antarctica land on King George Island, there is where you start your time in Antarctica. There is no airport, and the weather can vary. It is about a one-mile walk to the shore to get to your expedition vessel and then a quick zodiac ride to the ship, all part of the adventure. Our team will be with you every step of the way. From your arrival in Punta Arenas to your walk to your expedition ship, our experts will make sure you enjoy every part of your trip. To learn more about our team, take a look here !

Are you interested in flying to Antarctica? Check out our expedition video overview here!

Sailing to Antarctica: More On The Drake Passage

Most cruises to Antarctica sail The Drake Passage. This passage is an unpredictable body of water where the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans meet. The crossing here is variable at best. And at worst, it is the stuff of folklore. Crossing the Drake Passage by ship can be an experience, good and bad.

It takes at least two days to sail across the Drake Passage, assuming somewhat calm waters. Spending those two days at sea can be an opportunity to get to know your crew and fellow shipmates. However, the four days at sea (to and from Antarctica) can chip away at vacation time.

If the weather does not cooperate, you can have a delayed arrival in Antarctica, or you might have to leave the continent ahead of schedule to avoid incoming storms. For those with sensitive stomachs, seasickness is a definite possibility. This issue can change excited and happy travelers to be distressed and uncomfortable. Read more about the Drake Passage here . 

Flying to Antarctica: What Makes Antarctica21 Different

• Small Groups & One Flight:  We operate a single flight to Antarctica, which is important due to the changeable Antarctic conditions. There is no waiting on a 2nd group´s arrival.
• Priority Flight Window:  Antarctica21 has flight priority at the Punta Arenas airport, which means we fly when there are the best conditions for crossing to Antarctica. 
• Home in Punta Arenas:  Antarctica21 is the only company formed and based in Punta Arenas, Chile. Since 2003, we have created an important network of local suppliers and services that make our Antarctic operation as smooth as possible. We can respond and quickly adapt our travel plans depending on the ever-changing conditions in Antarctica. 

Learn more about how flying to Antarctica works here ,  or contact us for more information! 

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Download the Ultimate Guide

This essential guide includes:

• Insider information on flights to Antarctica
• The pros and cons of sailing and flying to Antarctica
• Weather information and detailed flight statistics
• Expert tips to consider before booking

Doing research for your trip? You can’t miss this guide!

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Ask LP: how can I travel to Antarctica?

Oct 7, 2020 • 3 min read

Antarctica's tourist season starts in November © DreamPictures / Getty Images

The far south of the world may have escaped the pandemic that’s locked down life elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean this summer season is smooth sailing. Antarctica has no cases of COVID-19  – partly due to efforts to keep it that way, and partly reflecting the restrictions placed on other countries. This impacts scientists who make up the temporary residents of the continent and also threatens the Antarctic tourist season, which generally runs from November to March or April.

In a normal year, travelers would converge on Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), and, less frequently, ports in New Zealand and Australia to embark on the long journey south. The shortest route – across the swells and choppy waters of the Drake Passage from South America – takes two to three days to reach the Antarctic Peninsula . Air options like DAP’s overnight trips to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands ($6500 per person from Punta Arenas, Chile) usually gives another way to reach the far south from South America for a more limited time. Services are currently suspended.

There are two big obstacles to getting to Antarctica this year. One is the lack of cruises – most operators have cancelled their schedules for the remainder of the this year and early next year. If cruises can happen at all this season it will be towards the end of the usual period of operation. Hurtigruten has cancelled Antarctica departures until January 2021, but hopes to resume operations then. 

The other is the inaccessibility of gateway destinations. At the time of writing there’s no way into Chile , Argentina , New Zealand and Australia for foreign tourists. All these countries have closed their borders to non-nationals since March, and Argentina has recently paused plans to allow international flights back into the country until at least October 11. In all likelihood, this will be longer. Sub-Antarctic destinations have their own entry restrictions. The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are only accessible for essential travel with reduced air links. In order to reach Antarctica, any departing travelers heading south would need to transit Argentina (or one of the other jumping-off countries) and transfer directly to their cruise ship. As you’d expect there’s no confirmed plan for this at present. 

Adding all this up, 2020–21 may be a better time to save for a future Antarctic odyssey. However knock-on demand for 2021–22 is likely to be strong, as capacity is always limited and there is an Antarctic solar eclipse in November next year. That said, specialist travel companies are also keen to encourage booking, and deals for next year are available through experts like Discover the World .

One way for ice-cap enthusiasts to get their fix from Australia is to take a seat on one of the  scenic overflights of the continent run by Antarctica Flights . These 12 hour journeys – using a 787 Dreamliner for the first time – depart from various Australian airports from November to March. They don’t touch down and therefore count as a domestic charter flight. Currently there is not a requirement to wear a mask on these flights.

You might also like:

Is it sustainable to visit Antarctica?    How to pack for a trip to Antarctica    The eternal lure of icebergs: fulfilling a life-long dream of visiting Antarctica   

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TRAVEL to ANTARCTICA – Tips and Information Guide (2024 Update)

Here is our complete guide to tell you everything you need to know to travel to Antarctica, based on our experiences of visiting and working on the White Continent six times. 

It may just be the number one bucket list adventure for millions of people around the world – travelling to Antarctica!

The remoteness and expense of this incredible destination makes it an unrealised dream for many, but we’re here to help you on your journey to experience it for yourself!

The White Continent is a truly unique place. From its phenomenal landscapes to diverse wildlife, nowhere else on the planet comes close to its beauty.

And that’s not the only things that make it unique. From a political point of view, did you know that there it is the only continent on earth with no official government and no permanent residents?

That’s because in 1959 a couple of countries signed a treaty that over 40 nations follow to this day.

Visiting Antarctica is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime.

Whether you would love to hang around with emperor penguins or go  kayaking in the company of humpback whales , or perhaps even climb one of the world’s seven highest summits, there are plenty of reasons to want to pack your bags and  t ravel to Antarctica !

So read carefully and find out why you should stock up on chocolate, what you should bring on your expedition and how to make the most of your trip!

Antarctica Travel Guide

We’ve been lucky enough to travel to Antarctica 6 times, with more trips booked in the near future, and we can safely say it was by the far the most incredible place we have ever visited.

That being said, it’s not an easy trip to make, and it’s especially not a cheap one, so if you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to embark on a voyage, you’ll be one of only 100,000 people a year that actually visit!

In order to get the most out of your trip you need to be well prepared, so make sure to read through our detailed and informative  Antarctica Travel Guide .

After our very successful tour to Antarctica this season, we are going to be running another exclusive adventure down to the Peninsula in 2025, this time crossing the Antarctic Circle! Check out the  tour page  if you’d like to learn more.

Planning on exploring other parts of the polar regions? Don’t miss our brand new complete guide to help you  travel to South Georgia !

Best Antarctica Cruise – Ultimate Guide to Who & How [2024]

17 awesome things to do in antarctica (2024 guide), quark ultramarine review – best polar expedition ship [2024], travelling in antarctica: at a glance.

Here are the basics about travel to Antarctica.

Main Destinations

South Shetland Islands, Port Lockroy, Errera Channel, Lemaire Channel, King George Island

Primarily USD on ships.

ENTRY / VISA:

Visitors to Antarctica do not require a visa, however permits are necessary. These will be acquired on your behalf by the tour operator you are travelling with.

English, Spanish, Russian and others depending on the bases.

Travelling to Antarctica comes with inherent risks such as cold weather exposure and possible wildlife encounters. The remoteness of the destination means medical assistance is not instant. All tour operators have trained medical professionals onboard and will mitigate risks to the best of their ability.

ELECTRICITY:

Depends on the ship you are travelling on.

TRANSPORTATION:

The only commercial airport is on King George Island, with charter flights available from Punta Arenas, Chile. Transport around the continent for tourists is primarily done onboard expedition ships and zodiacs.

Don’t Forget to Pack the Most Important Thing: Travel Insurance !

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN ANTARCTICA

With so much to see and do in Antarctica, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate Antarctica you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Step Foot on the Continent

The quintessential experience for anybody visiting Antarctica is to officially step foot on the seventh continent. Make sure you book a tour on a ship that carries less than 500 people (less than 200 ideally) to ensure you can do this.

See our recommended Antarctica cruise operators here .

Go Kayaking or SUPing

Zodiac cruises and shore landings are incredible, but nothing quite beat the silence and connection to nature that you get from kayaking!

Read about how to go kayaking in Antarctica .

Camp Under the Stars

If you love adventure and want real bragging rights, you need to experience the fun of camping the night amongst penguins and icebergs.

Learn about camping in Antarctica .

Do the Polar Plunge

Who would jump off of a perfectly good ship into the frigid Southern Ocean? You, you absolute badass! And you’ll get pictures to prove it.

Zodiac Cruise with Whales

In our opinion, the zodiac cruises you take in Antarctica are often better than the shore landings, particularly if you have epic wildlife encounters. Travel late season for humpback whales!

How to Get to Antarctica

EXCLUSIVE – We have partnered with the world’s top polar tour operator, Quark Expeditions, to offer readers of NOMADasaurus a very special deal on any trip to Antarctica or the Arctic! Contact us ([email protected]) if you’d like to learn more.

READ MORE: Check out our latest guide on how to choose the  best Antarctica cruise !

Departures from South America

• Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands
• Puta Arenas in Chile
• Buenos Aires in Argentina
• Santiago in Chile

Departures from New Zealand & Australia

Can you fly to antarctica.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE  OTHER AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN ANTARCTICA

READ MORE...

What to Wear in Antarctica – Ultimate Travel Packing List

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There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Antarctica, and while you are limited to where the ship can go based on weather conditions and permits, every location is sure to blow your mind.

At just 1600m wide, the Lemaire Channel is one of the most spectacular vistas on the entire Antarctic Peninsula. Navigating through is never guaranteed, but if conditions allow, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Cuverville Island

Cuverville Island lies between the Errera Channel and the Gerlache Strait, and is home to over 7,000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins.

Deception Island

Deception Island is the caldera of an active volcano, and skilled captains can sail their expedition ships right into the heart of it. It is home to an old, abandoned whaling station.

Hanusse Bay, Antarctic Circle

Hanusse Bay lies south of the Antarctic Circle, and is a wintry, iceberg-riddled and wildlife-dense location on the Peninsula.

Visa Requirements for Antarctica

Antarctica doesn’t belong to any one government or jurisdiction, and for that reason, no visas are required.

That being said though citizens of nations that have signed the Antarctica Treaty’s Protocol on Environment Protection (USA, Canada, EU and Australia) are required to get prior permission before visiting.

Don’t worry though, as this is organised through your licensed tour operator.

5 Interesting Facts About Antarctica

• It’s the coldest continent in the world, with the temperatures in wintertime dropping below -73°C (-100°F). The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was in Antarctica, and it was a very balmy -89.2°C (-128.6°F).
• There are no permanent residents of Antarctica, only transit residents (around 1,000), that are usually scientists or workers living in different research stations spread all over Antarctica
• Since Antarctica is situated in the southern hemisphere, winter is from May to October, and summer is from November to April.
• Antarctica is actually a desert! That might be surprising to a lot of people, because when we think of deserts we think of hot, dry, large sand surfaces. Since it doesn’t rain or snow in Antarctica it’s considered a polar desert.
• Antarctica holds 90% of the world’s fresh water!

Keen to learn more? Check out our full list of our favourite  facts about Antarctica !

The Best Time to Travel to Antarctica

Unless you are working for a government organisation, the only time to travel to Antarctica is in the summer.

But what month should you visit in? Well that depends on what you want to see, and what your expectations are.

Read our complete guide on the  best time to visit Antarctica , or read on for more information.

Some may argue that early season is actually the best time to visit Antarctica, because you can see it in its most undisturbed form.

After the long, cold winter, the landscape is covered in a fresh blanket of snow and ice, leaving everything looking clean and pristine (and quite other-worldy).

In terms of wildlife it’s possible to see whales, but not as much as later in the season as the water temperatures are still too cold.

If you visit at this time of year though expect to see lots of penguins, seals and birds.

The main downside to coming in November is that the temperatures are lower and polar ice is still breaking up, which means some areas of the continent are not accessible.

Peak Season – December to February

The peak season coincides with the brief summer, and is by far the most popular time to visit the continent.

Temperatures are at their highest and you get up to 20 hours of sunlight a day!

Whales are starting to visit the waters, baby penguins are plentiful, the birdlife is incredible and you’ll have a much better chance at seeing Antarctica with blue skies.

When we say it is the most popular time to visit though, we mean it. While the tour operators are strictly controlled to where and when they can visit certain areas, you may see other ships around and the foot traffic at the popular spots like Deception Island is much higher.

March to Early April

Late summer in Antarctica is the best time for whale spotting, and while a lot of the other animals have started their migration, you’ll see huge amounts of humpbacks, whales and minkes frolicking in the waters.

This time of year you will have access to almost all areas as the polar ice would have melted.

But with the temperatures slowly starting to drop as the season transitions to winter, it can be unpredictable, and snow storms are more frequent.

We personally believe travelling in the shoulder season is best!

Travel Itineraries Suggestions

When you book your trip to Antarctica your itinerary is more or less determined by whichever journey you sign up for. You can’t deviate from this, so it’s important to pick an itinerary that encompasses everything you’d like to see and do.

Most standard Antarctica itineraries start and finish in Ushuaia, and go for 10 days. This includes 2 days each way to cross the Drake Passage, and a few days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.

If you have more time, and would like to see extra places, we recommend looking for a voyage that visits the Falkland Islands and South Georgia as well. These kind of trips usually last for around 17-20 days.

These archipelagos have tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities, and are filled with fascinating history, such as the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

If you want a very in-depth Antarctic Peninsula adventure, you can look at crossing the Antarctic Circle, but only a few select companies do this mission.

We crossed the Circle in 2024 with Quark Expeditions and it was an incredible experience.

Budget for Travelling to Antarctica

We’re going to level with you – A tour to Antarctica is not cheap.

But when you compare everything you get to see and do, as well the remote location of the destination and just what is involved on an expedition, it is actually quite fair.

You can expect to spend anywhere from USD$500 per day right up to $3,000 per day, and this depends completely on the itinerary, the company and the type of berth you want to sleep in on the ship.

If you’re looking to save money on an Antarctica tour, the only way you can do this is to book a ticket last-minute.

Different Styles of Antarctica Tour Packages

When you’re doing your research on trips to Antarctica you might be amazed to see a huge difference in price from one company to the next. So why the fluctuation?

This often comes down to two things – the quality of the ship you will be travelling on, and the reputation of the company.

Cheap Antarctica Tours

Not all companies are created equal, and you need to take this into consideration when booking your trip. If a tour company is super cheap, there’s probably a reason for that.

The service of leaders and staff might not be as good, the ship might be much older, and you might only get a limited number of days on the actual continent.

We’ve seen trips for as cheap as USD$5000. Remember though, you get what you pay for.

Our Secret Tip –  Want to go with a reputable and responsible company to Antarctica, but aren’t ready to pay huge amounts? Book the cheapest cabin on the ship.

You still get the exact same service, same guides, same destinations, same activities, except you’re not paying a huge amount for a fancy room. And the truth is you won’t be spending much time in your cabin anyway, so save your money and just book a cheap berth with a good company.

There are plenty of luxury cruise ships that visit Antarctica, and if this is what you’re into, then perfect.

These ships will have all the creature comforts you’d expect to find on a high-end cruise ship, with hot tubs, swimming pools, masseuses, elevators, etc.

Luxury Antarctic cruises might include charter flight tickets to the Ushuaia too, so you can avoid any complicated flight itineraries and add maximum comfort during your trip.

Sometimes they are part of longer South America trips that start in places like Montevideo in Uruguay or Buenos Aires, and finishing up in Valparaiso in Chile.

But these tailor-made experiences comes at a hefty price, which can go up to $25’000 (or more)!

Is this the best way to visit Antarctica? In our opinion, sometimes – it depends.

You do get what you pay for. You’ll have a newer, better ship with nicer cabins, higher quality food and potentially more experienced expedition staff.

We’ve travelled at both ends of the spectrum – on super budget trips with companies like Intrepid, and high-end luxury ships with Quark Expeditions.

Both had their pros and cons. It comes down to your budget.

Last Minute Antarctica Cruises

So what about these last minute Antarctica cruises that people talk about? Is it really possible to cruise to Antarctica for less than USD$5000?

Short answer, yes. However last minute means last minute, and you’ll often have to travel to Ushuaia and register your interest with a number of tour operators in the town.

If an opening comes up (such as someone cancelling their trip) you’ll be on a waiting list to join the tour. But you may only be given a day or two’s notice, and you may end up spending a week or more down in Ushuaia waiting to hear.

A family we met managed to score some last-minute Antarctica tickets after waiting more than 3 weeks in Patagonia, and when they got the word that it was happening they had 36 hours to drop everything and get to Ushuaia in time to jump onboard.

If you have the time and funds to stay down in southern Patagonia for a few weeks this can be a viable way to visit Antarctica cheaply.

Can I Work on a Cruise Ship to Antarctica?

Yes, you absolutely can. But the idea that you can literally just show up at the dock and get a job cleaning rooms or working in a kitchen is unfortunately not true.

The employees of these companies have months of training and maritime-grade certifications before they are sent on a trip to Antarctica and often have to sign long contracts.

Sorry, to be bearer of bad news, but no, y ou can’t show up in Ushuaia and get a one-off job on a cruise to Antarctica.

Insider’s Tip – Book A Small Group Expedition

Very few people know this when booking their travels to Antarctica, but if you end up on a ship that has more than 200 passengers onboard, your time on the continent is severely limited!

That’s because IAATO rules states that no more than 200 people from any one voyage can get off the ship at any one time, and no more than 100 people can step foot on the continent at once, so if your tour has more than this, you’ll end up spending a lot of time waiting on the ship while the other group is off exploring.

If you have between 100-200 people onboard, you do what’s known in the industry as a ‘split landing’ – basically half the group go ashore while the other half zodiac cruise, then you swap midway through the excursion.

In our expert opinion this isn’t a bad thing. We personally prefer zodiac cruising anyway.

Even worse though, if you end up booking a large cruise ship with more than 500 people onboard, IAATO regulations mean nobody gets off the ship.

That means you won’t even get the chance to do anything more other than simply look at the landscapes from afar.

And while this is still pretty amazing, in our opinion you’re paying all this money to go there – you may as well actually step foot on Antarctica!

Here’s an article to give you some more  tips on how to choose a tour.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Antarctica

Antarctica is one of the most isolated places in the world and as such it has managed to maintain its pristine nature with minimum human impact (although climate change is reeking havoc down there).

For anyone wishing to enjoy the dramatic landscapes covered in polar ice and beautiful wildlife, make sure your cruise includes our top places to visit in Antarctica!

The Lemaire Channel

The Lemaire Channel is a narrow passage on the Antarctic Peninsula that is stunningly beautiful to navigate. On all sides you’ll be surrounded by towering peaks, tumbling glaciers and glistening icebergs.

It’s also a dream come true for marine life lovers, as you can spot all kinds of seals and even whales, including humpbacks and orcas!

No matter how cold it gets, we guarantee you won’t go below the deck in fear you might miss something!

Deception Island always proves to be a highlight of people’s travels to Antarctica as it is incredibly beautiful, and has a human element to it with the old whaling station.

But why the name Deception Island? That’s because even though it looks like just an island, it’s actually a caldera of an active volcano!

The waters here are a tad warmer than the rest of the seas around, making it a popular spot for people to do the polar plunge.

Vernadsky Research Station

No trip to Antarctica would be complete without spending some time at a functioning science base, and luckily you can do just that at Vernadsky Research Station!

This Ukrainian-run base has a lot of history, and today the scientists working there open their doors to visitors.

It’s even home to the southern-most bar in the world! Read all about it in our article about  Vernadsky Research Station.

South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands are a small group of islands about 120km north of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Their location makes them one of the most visited places on the peninsula, and they are a great place to visit in Antarctica because of the huge population of elephant seals and penguins.

South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands

While  South Georgia  and the Sandwich Islands don’t actually belong to Antarctica (they are part of the United Kingdom), we couldn’t write a list about the top places to visit without mentioning this place.

It has been called the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean due to the abundance of wildlife that congregates there.

You can see hundreds of thousands of king penguins hanging out on beaches, 4-tonne elephant seals battling each other for mates and the largest bird in the world, the Wandering Albatross.

South Georgia can be included on a few Antarctic cruise itineraries, so if you have the time we highly recommend visiting.

Top 5 Travel Experiences in Antarctica

So what exactly is there to do in Antarctica? Plenty!

We wrote this comprehensive guide on the  best things to do in Antarctica , but let us break down some of the highlights here.

Camping Under the Stars

Yes it is entirely possible to go  camping in Antarctica , but only if you join the right tour operator that provides the right gear.

It might sound risky because of the extreme weather conditions, but that’s why you should only do it with a company that takes all safety measures seriously.

You will sleep in winter-grade bivvy sacks with high-quality sleeping bags, and the expedition leaders will monitor the weather systems closely to make sure that it’ll be the optimum evening to do so.

The adventure won’t seem as challenging once night sets and you get thrown into a daze by views of the open sky and stars, with zero light pollution around to hide the universe.

Laying under the stars and waking up to the sun rising over the vast snowy landscape will be etched into your mind forever.

Take the Polar Plunge

How does swimming in the world’s coldest place sound to you? Well you can do just that in Antarctica, and it’s an experience that’ll give you the ultimate bragging rights.

Whether you’re jumping from a boat or do a sprint into the icy waters at the beach on Deception Island, it’s going to be frigidly cold. But the pain only lasts a minute, and you’ll have expert guides around you to warm you up with blankets and hot chocolate.

Climb Mount Vinson

For those that want a serious adventure, and have the skills to go with it, why not consider climbing the tallest mountain in Antarctica, Mount Vinson!

The mountain is 4897m high, but of course this isn’t for the average traveller to Antarctica, and you won’t find a standard cruise ship that goes there.

It’s one of the world’s seven highest summits, making it a must-do for any mountaineer looking to achieve the Holy Grail.

Kayaking With Whales

Sea kayaking in Antarctica is one of the best adventure activities on the continent, and it’s easy to see why.

Surrounded by icebergs, calm waters and huge glaciers, you can spend hours paddling around, being constantly amazed at the scenery.

This is the best way to get closer to Antarctica’s rich marine life, and if you’re really lucky, you might even have a close encounter with a humpback whale!

Hanging Out With Penguins

Hanging out with penguins is everyone’s number one item on their Antarctica bucket list.

There are six types of penguins living in Antarctica and they are one of the few animals on the continent that is pretty much a guarantee to see no matter when you go!

The guideline on interacting with wildlife on Antarctica is that you have to keep your distance, at least 5 meters away from all wildlife, but if they approach you that’s no problem!

These friendly birds are very unfamiliar with humans, so chances are they will come right up to you if you just hang out and wait.

Transport in Antarctica

Unless you’re working on a research station, the only form of transport you’ll get to experience in Antarctica is the floating kind.

Cruise or Expedition Ships

The main mode of transport in Antarctica is by ship, and you have a couple of different options – A luxury cruise ship, or a research expedition ship.

Cruise ships are comfortable and luxurious, but they might also lack the character and sense of adventure that you’d expect from a place like Antarctica.

We most recently travelled on a  polar expedition vessel called the Ultramarine , and it was amazing in that they were conducting real-life science research as we went.

Zodiacs (Inflatable Rubber Boats)

This is the most common, and fun way, to get your way around Antarctica.

They are used for getting from your ship to shore, or for just exploring around the gorgeous seas. They are open-air, which means you’re exposed to the elements, so make sure you wear plenty of protective gear.

We’ve already spoken about kayaks before, but if you have the chance to paddle around the continent you should definitely take it!

Safety in Antarctica

While Antarctica truly delivers on the promise of untouched nature and rich wildlife, one should seriously prepare to be exposed to the harsh climate and one of the most dangerous environments in the world.

But don’t stress too much about it – Chances are you’ll only be travelling to Antarctica in the summer, where the temperatures are warmer anyway.

Plus all Antarctic tours have qualified and experienced medical staff onboard, so you’ll be in safe hands.

Rough Sea Weather

When crossing the Drake Passage, which is a gruelling 48-hour journey, there’s a chance that you will encounter some rough sea weather.

Don’t worry though, because expedition ships are designed to charge through even the most turbulent of seas, so even though you might feel scared, the boats are absolutely fine.

If you’re prone to sea sickness you can take strong medication to help, or if you’re absolutely petrified we suggest booking a trip that has a flight to King George Island instead of boarding the cruise ship in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.

Walking On Ice

The key to crossing the icy sections of the continent are to have good quality boots.

Sometimes the tour operator will supply you with these boots, but make sure you do your research before you show up.

The guide will offer you some practical advice how to walk across icy sections. Usually those instructions consist of keeping a slow pace and short, confident steps where you plant your feet.

Harsh Climate

The main issue travellers to Antarctica will come across is the harsh climate, so make sure you come prepared.

You need to pack all the necessities before you come, because the right clothing is the most important factor in whether you will have a good time or not.

Learn to layer up, because the temperature can change rapidly, and the last thing you want is to have one giant, warm coat on when the sun comes out, meaning all you have underneath is a t-shirt.

The expedition leaders will keep an eye on the weather to help keep you safe in Antarctica.

Cruise Ship Safety

Most incidents that happen to cruise ships in Antarctica involves the pack ice, but this is an extremely rare occurrence in this day and age.

It’s important to know that your tour operator evaluates all risks and manages the trip around perceived hazards. Safety is their number one priority.

Today we’re able to predict icebergs, pack ice and unexposed hazards with forward-scanning sonar and ice radars, and all cruise ships have them in use.

Medical System in Antarctica

All tour operators have a medical team on-board for any possible health issues you may encounter.

The only thing up to the traveller to take care of is to make sure you get the proper vaccinations before the expedition.

The vaccines that you should be up-to-date on are:

• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
• Diphteria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
• Polio vaccine

The risk of acquiring of any of those diseases comes from the fact that they’re easily spread from person to person, and the close living quarters.

You will be sharing same space with people from many different parts of the world which carries an increased risk of contracting a disease.

Packing List for Antarctica

Making sure to pack everything you need for your Antarctica travels is the most vital part of your travel preparations.

Some of the tour operators will supply you with adequate waterproof jacket, pants and boots, but make sure to check with them.

Check out our detailed guide on  what to wear in Antarctica  to get you prepared.

Men And Women

• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof pants
• Boots (with the most grip)
• Thermal underwear
• Thermal socks x2
• Merino wool socks x3
• T-shirts x4
• Long sleeve shirt x1
• Hooded jumper x1
• Down jacket x1
• Wind/rain jacket x1
• Glove liners x1 pair
• Ski gloves x1 pair
• Buff bandana x2
• Sunglasses x1

Miscellaneous Items

• Camera (here’s  our list of the absolute best travel cameras on the market )
• Wide angle & zoom lens
• Spare batteries x4
• SD memory cards x4
• Waterproof cases for electronics

Travel Tips To Antarctica

• Wear layers! In some moments when you physically exert yourself you will start feeling a bit hot so then you should take off a layer. Later on when you feel cold again just put it back on – it’s important to regulate the body temperature.
• Invest in your camera equipment! This is a trip that most people only take once in their lifetime – you want to be sure to  make memorable photos of it.
• When booking your cruise make sure that somewhere it says ‘step foot on the continent’ because some cruise ships don’t allow passengers to leave the vessel!
• Think of flying to Buenos Aries before connecting to Ushuaia. It might end up a cheaper and you can arrive a day or two earlier to explore Buenos Aries.
• Buy a  good travel insurance policy ! Antarctica is so isolated and unpredictable that your travel policy should always include an emergency evacuation charge!

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How to Visit Antarctica

From how to get there to what to pack, here's what you need to know about visiting Antarctica.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

There is at least one place left on earth where you really can disconnect: Antarctica.

There is no mobile phone service. There are no town squares, no restaurants, and no tourist traps. The local "airports" are really just ice or gravel landing strips.

Antarctica is nearly twice the size of Australia and mostly covered with a thick sheet of ice. It's one of the most remote destinations in the world and the trip of a lifetime for many travelers. It's also easier to travel to Antarctica than one might think.

Lars-Eric Lindblad first took a group of 57 visitors to Antarctica in 1966. "At that time it was more or less like accomplishing a moon landing," his son Sven-Olof Lindblad said. "In those days, we were not as prepared as we are now. There were no satellite ice charts. You were not that different navigationally from the early explorers."

Even now it can be hard to really understand Antarctica. It is the coldest and windiest place on earth and, by some measures, the driest. It has no currency of its own. It is a desert with no trees, no bushes, and no permanent residents. More meteorites are found in Antarctica than in any other place in the world.

"Antarctica is about the wildest place you can go on the planet," Lindblad said.

It's also an increasingly popular place to visit. According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators , tourism more than doubled from 2010 to 2020.

"The conversation around climate change has elevated people's interest and created a sense of urgency," Lindblad said.

The Best Times to Go to Antarctica

The Antarctic travel season lasts from November through March, the Antarctic summer. Temperatures are often below freezing at this time of year, especially in the continent's interior, but they can reach as high as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The best time for penguin spotting is late December or early January. Wait too long and previously pristine penguin colonies get dirty and smelly, said Nik Horncastle , a regional specialist with Audley Travel. For peak whale watching, try February or March.

Other activities, including snowshoeing, kayaking, skiing, camping, snorkeling, diving, and visits to historic sites from earlier expeditions, can be experienced throughout the season.

How to Get to Antarctica

One of the more common routes to Antarctica is by ship via Ushuaia, a city at the southern tip of Argentina. Several companies, including Hurtigruten Expeditions , Quark Expeditions , and Lindblad's namesake Lindblad Expeditions , specialize in Antarctic and polar cruising, offering journeys that range in length from just over a week to a full month and beyond.

On board, expect to mingle with scientists, naturalists, historians, and underwater specialists. "The onboard experience is a conversation around where you are and what does this place mean," Lindblad said. Internet service via satellite is available but comes with a hefty price tag.

Antarctica is one place where smaller boats offer a big advantage. "We don't recommend a boat over 200 people," Horncastle said. "Big boats can only stop at a few sites."

That said, if you want to visit Antarctica on a traditional cruise line, many major carriers can get you there — often on vessels that adhere to that fewer-than-200-guests rule of thumb. Some more affordable lines, like Norwegian and Royal Caribbean , stick to "cruise-only" itineraries, which sail along the Antarctic coast (and offer great views in the process) but don't allow disembarkation on the continent. A number of others, though, from Viking Cruises and Disney Cruise Line to Ponant and Silversea , take passengers right into the Antarctic interior, thanks to on-shore excursions and ships with icebreaker capabilities.

Booking an Antarctica Expedition

Expect to spend between $6,000 and $50,000 to visit Antarctica, depending on the length of the trip and the level of luxury you seek.

"It's an expensive trip," Horncastle said — but there are options if you're traveling on a budget.

Intrepid Travel and G Adventures both specialize in affordable trips to Antarctica, and neither requires single supplements for solo travelers. If you don't feel the need to set foot on the continent, you can also opt for a sightseeing flight. These flights, which cut costs by flying over Antarctica without stopping there, are available from most major cities in Australia at prices that start around $1,200 per person.

To both fly over and step onto the continent, Antarctica21 combines a two-hour flight from Chile with cruises that passengers can board in Antarctica. While this option doesn't give visitors the chance to cruise the famous Drake Passage, it does save time and minimize the risk of seasickness.

"The Drake Passage is a crossing full of unpredictable conditions," said Antarctica21's Francesco Contini. "When the crossing is rough, passengers tend to be not very comfortable."

Packing List for Antarctica

• Knee-high waterproof boots
• Waterproof pants
• A warm parka
• Waterproof gloves
• Warm base layers
• Extra socks
• A tight-fitting beanie
• A warm scarf
• A camera and lenses
• Seasickness medication

How to Get to Antarctica (A Detailed Guide)

For those of you who love nature and are willing to travel to the farthest reaches of the earth to see it, visiting Antarctica has probably been on your bucket list.

Antarctica is the hardest place on the planet to get to. But, with a rise in tourism, it has never been easier to get to Antarctica, however, it still isn’t easy to get to by normal standards.

Join me as I run through everything you need to know about how to get to Antarctica so that you can begin planning a trip of a lifetime to the “white continent.”

Can You Fly to Antarctica?

Yes, flying to Antarctica is possible and you have two different options to choose from, a flying-over experience and a flying-in experience.

Flying Over

Flying Over involves flying to Antarctica and back in a day. It is essentially a day trip to Antarctica, flying over the continent and seeing the incredible landscapes from the comfort of a plane.

You’ll have an expert who knows everything about Antarctica explaining all the wonderful things you can see from the chartered Boeing 747 window.

If you are short of time and want to see Antarctica, this is a great way of doing it. But, you won’t actually get to set foot on Antarctica and experience it up close or see the wildlife that calls Antarctica home.

Charter flights for this type of experience only depart from Australia with flights operating out of Sydney, Melbourne , and less frequently from Perth.

Flights are limited, so you will need to book way in advance and be a little flexible as weather conditions can delay trips.

In order to fly and land in Antarctica you will have to book a charter flight and they operate from Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and Australia.

The great thing about flying into Antarctica is that you will get to see the interior of Antarctica which you can not see from cruise ships.

Opportunities like spending time with the Emperor Penguin colony, hiking, skiing, ice climbing, going to the South Pole, and climbing to the peak of the Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica become a reality.

Only around 500 people a year or less actually fly into Antarctica’s interior and it certainly would be an experience of a lifetime.

Other benefits of flying in include skipping the long sail and seasickness, but it does cost a lot. Expect to pay around $30,000 for a standard fly-in expedition.

You should also note that to fly to Antarctica requires some flexibility with your dates as flights only operate in good weather windows.

Cruising to Antarctica

Most people visit Antarctica by going on an Antarctica cruise as Antarctic Peninsula Cruises are the most affordable way of getting there and the most environmentally friendly too.

From South America

Around 90% of the cruise ships, aka expedition ships, leave from Ushuaia in Argentina, South America. You can also get on a cruise ship from other ports in South America such as Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, and Punta Arenas, Chile.

If you live in Europe, Africa, South America, or North America, flying into Ushuaia via Buenos Aires is your best bet.

It takes about 3 days to cross to the Antarctic Peninsula on a cruise ship. This is, of course, weather dependent as the sea can be rough. You will have to cross the Drake Passage also, which is notorious for rough seas.

Departures may be delayed to avoid dangerous seas, so some flexibility is needed, even with larger ships.

From Oceania

If you live in Asia or Oceania, then you have the option to get a ship from New Zealand or Australia. The crossing from these countries takes 7 days to reach as they are considerably further away.

However, you will get to stop off at some stunning islands such as the Campbell and Auckland islands, as well as Macquarie island too which are all teaming with wildlife.

Taking a ship from Australia or New Zealand often ends up requiring a month-long expedition and is therefore more expensive than leaving from South America.

You should also note that taking a ship from Australia or New Zealand will involve rougher seas and colder weather than from South America. You also won’t get to the Antarctic peninsula and will see less wildlife.

Fly-Cruise Option

The best and most popular way of getting to Antarctica is by doing a fly-cruise trip. It involves flying from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island, right at the tip of the Antarctic peninsula, which is just a 2-hour flight.

At King George Island, you will board a ship that then cruises around the peninsula. Fly cruise trips are great as they save you around 4-6 days of sailing and you avoid crossing the rough seas of the Drake Passage.

The fly-cruise option is ideal if you get seasick and want to miss the long crossing. But, a fly-cruise expedition is more expensive than getting a ship from South America.

Antarctica Expedition

An Antarctica Expedition can range from 5 days to one month and cost anywhere from $6000 to $98,000 per person, depending on the type of Antarctica Expedition.

There are literally close to 100 Antarctica Expedition itineraries to choose from, the most affordable and most popular of which take you down the Antarctic peninsula and via both King George Island and the South Shetland Islands.

You have the option of visiting the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the South Shetland Islands on an Antarctica Cruise, but these expeditions take longer and cost more.

The most expensive Antarctic Expeditions are to the interior. If you would like to go to the South Pole and summit the Vinson Massif, expect to pay close to $100,000 per person.

How to Get to Antarctica from the USA

There are numerous ways to get to Antarctica from the United States depending on the kind of expedition you would like to do.

To explore the interior, fly from a US hub such as LA or NYC to Punta Arenas, Chile. From Punta Arenas catch your charter flight to the interior.

For a fly-cruise option, you should also fly to Punta Arenas, Chile from one of the major US hubs and board your ship to explore the Antarctic Peninsula.

If you want to cruise the whole way via the Drake Passage, fly into Ushuaia in Argentina via Buenos Aires and board your ship from there.

How to Get to Antarctica from the UK & Europe

The best way to get to Antarctica from Europe or the UK is via South America.

Depending on how you want to get there and your expedition, you can either fly into Punta Arenas, Chile (interior or fly-cruise expedition) or to Ushuaia, Argentina (cruise-only option).

Flights operate out of London, Madrid, Paris, and Amsterdam.

How to Get to Antarctica from Canada

Getting to Antarctica from Canada involves exactly the same options as getting to Antarctica from the USA (see above).

Flights to Punta Arenas, Chile for Fly Cruise and Antarctica Interior Expeditions are available from Ottawa and Montreal.

Flights to Ushuaia, Argentina for a Cruise only expedition are only available from Toronto.

How to Get to Antarctica from Australia

Antarctic cruises from Australia depart from the port of Hobart in Australia and take around one week to get there.

Antarctica trips like this generally take about a month, as it is a week to get to Antarctica, 2 weeks of exploring the continent, and one week to get home.

Flying to Antarctica directly from Australia is very rare and availability is almost zero. If you want to shorten the trip, you are best off flying to South America.

You can fly into Punta Arenas, Chile for Fly Cruise and Antarctica Interior Expeditions from Sydney or Brisbane, or to Ushuaia, Argentina for a Cruise only expedition from Sydney only.

It is actually more affordable to fly to South America for a 10-day expedition than taking the 3 or 4-week expedition cruise from Australia. Also, you will see a lot more wildlife in the Antarctic Peninsula than in the Eastern Arctic where the cruises from Australia go.

How to Get to Antarctica from New Zealand

Antarctica cruises depart New Zealand from the port of Invercargill and are very similar to cruises from Australia. The total expedition takes 3 to 4 weeks and is only to East Antarctica which has huge icebergs but much less wildlife than the Antarctic Peninsula.

Flights to Antarctica directly from New Zealand are close to impossible. If the cruise option from New Zealand isn’t what you are looking for, then flying to South America is your best bet.

You can fly into Punta Arenas, Chile for Fly Cruise and Antarctica Interior Expeditions and to Ushuaia, Argentina for a Cruise only expedition from Auckland only.

Reasons to Visit Antarctica

There are lots of reasons to visit Antarctica and some of them will most likely be quite personal to the traveler in question.

The main reason to visit Antarctica is for an adventure of a lifetime. It truly is the least explored place on Earth. The Antarctic peninsula receives just 50,000 visitors a year and the Antarctic’s interior less than 500.

Between the stunning white landscapes, huge icebergs, giant glaciers, mountain ranges, and the waters that teem with wildlife, it is a bit of heaven on earth.

Hanging out with a King Penguin Colony, watching leopard seals and orcas hunt, as well as seeing all the other wildlife that calls Antarctica home, will be nothing short of mind-blowing.

A trip to Antarctica also involves being truly disconnected from the world and reconnecting with nature.

But, to experience all this, you have to work for it. First, you fly around the world, get on a boat, perhaps cross the infamous Drake Passage, and then live in extreme conditions to see it all.

A trip to Antarctica is life-changing and you will come home seeing the world with a new perspective. It will ignite the adventurer in you and give you a newfound respect for nature.

What to Do in Antarctica

While in Antarctica, you are not going to sit aboard a ship all the time or relax at a research station, you are going to explore it in numerous different ways. Here are some great things to do in Antarctica.

Stand-up Paddle Board Around The Shores

Taking a stand-up paddle board and cruising slowly around the edges of icebergs and the peninsula is nothing short of incredible.

It is just you, the elements, and all the wildlife that happens to swim or fly past. You might encounter seals, penguins, and whales while on your paddle board.

Kayaking With Wildlife

If stand-up paddle boarding seems a bit risky, why not go for a paddle in a kayak? You will look over snow-covered mountains, see and hear glaciers, and paddle with humpback whales and orcas if you are lucky.

Go Scuba Diving

If you are an experienced scuba diver then going for a dive in Antarctica is possible. The waters are crystal clear and you will be able to see all the different colors blues, and icebergs from underwater, and get up close to seals, whales, and penguins.

Small boats will take you to shore where you can hike around Antarctica to see spectacular sites like red waterfalls, glaciers, and lots more.

While hiking, you will also get to hang out with penguins. They are not worried about humans at all which allows you to have close-up experiences.

There are 6 types of penguins in Antarctica, including Gentoo, Adelie, Rockhopper, Macaroni, Chinstrap, and Emperor penguins. You are pretty much guaranteed to spend some time with some of them.

Learn About Antarctica At A Research Station

The research being conducted in Antarctica is about as cutting edge as it gets and there is no better way of learning about Antarctica than visiting one.

Some are open to visitors and will give you an excellent insight into the “white continent” and the discoveries being made.

Go To The South Pole & Climb The Vinson Massif

If you are going on an expedition to the Antarctic interior, you will have the opportunity to get to the South Pole and climb the highest peak in Antarctica, the Vinson Massif.

Doing one or both of these will be the physical and mental test of a lifetime, as well as an adventure that you will never forget and only a few humans have ever accomplished.

Best Time to Visit Antarctica

The only time you can visit Antarctica is between November and March, as in the other months the sea ice is too large and thick, and the sea conditions are intense, to say the least.

Choosing which month to see Antarctica depends on what you would like to see and your budget. The month of November is great for mating penguins and lots of different seal species. The landscapes are also to die for as the icebergs are at their biggest.

December to January sees 20 to 24 hours of daylight, so you can explore for longer in the day. Penguin chicks are out and there are lots of seals to be seen. The icebergs still offer great landscape photography.

February and March are all about whales, penguins, chicks, and seals, plus the ice has melted more so you are able to explore the southern reaches of the peninsula.

March is also the most affordable time to go too, combined with a tonne of whales, I’d say it is the best time to travel to Antarctica.

What to Pack For Antarctica

The key to being comfortable in Antarctica is staying warm, and dry, and having the ability to capture all the stunning things you are seeing. Here is a good packing list to follow:

• A DSLR camera with multiple lenses to take amazing shots
• Binoculars so you can spot wildlife at a distance
• Sunglasses with mirrored polarized lenses to protect your eyes
• A beanie hat for warmth
• Waterproof warm jacket
• Waterproof pants
• Merino wool jumpers
• Thick down jacket
• Waterproof boots (knee-high)
• Waterproof gloves
• Seasickness meds

Frequently Asked Questions

Is traveling to antarctica legal.

Yes, it is legal to go to Antarctica. Anyone can travel there with a tour operator, but tour operators must hold a permit.

What is the cost of traveling to Antarctica?

The cost of visiting Antarctica depends on the type of trip you do and how long it is. You should expect to spend a minimum of $8,000 including flights from home for a shorter cruise package.

Prices then go up to over $100,000 per person for special expeditions to the interior including going to the South Pole and summiting the Vinson Massif.

How long is the flight to Antarctica?

From Punta Arenas, Chile the flight to Antarctica is just over 2 hours. But, if you want to include your flight from home, add around 24 hours to that.

Why is Antarctica guarded?

Antarctica is guarded under the Antarctic Treaty as it is a unique and pristine environment that is vital to the health of the planet.

It is key to understanding our planet and is one of the only left true wildernesses without human influence left on earth.

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

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How to Get to Antarctica

Jun 4, 2018

By Gabe Scalise

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Last updated on March 22nd, 2021 at 08:33 am

How Do You Get to Antarctica?

The best way to get to Antarctica is by plane or by cruise, typically from the southernmost part of the continent. Depending on the type of Antarctica tour , you can depart from either the southern part of Argentina or Chile . Then come the questions – do you leave from Chile or Argentina? Should you skip the Drake Passage & fly from Punta Arenas? How far is Antarctica from South America? What is the best or easiest way to get there? Read on to learn how to get to Antarctica!

Fly to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas

To begin your journey to Antarctica, you first need to get to Ushuaia, Argentina , or Punta Arenas, Chile. The easiest way to do this is by flight from the capital cities. For example, after a few days on a tour of Buenos Aires or a tour of Santiago , take a flight to either Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.

We usually recommend adding at least a day in either city, so that you can visit some of the attractions they have to offer, for example, a day tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park in Ushuaia, or a city tour in Punta Arenas.

There are other connecting cities, though, for the easiest and best Antarctica trip, we recommend traveling from southern Chile and or Argentina to get to Antarctica.

Get to Antarctica by Cruise

The first and by far the most popular way to get to Antarctica is on a commercial Ushuaia Argentina cruise . These Antarctica cruises offer shore visits, land excursions, boat excursions, and more! This is typically the most cost-effective way to travel. The downfall is that it takes the longest to get there. How far is Antarctica from South America when doing a cruise? Crossing the Drake Passage can take anywhere from 2-4 days depending on the weather.

This is an adventure in its own right, and many people are interested in getting to experience crossing one of the world’s most famous and legendary parts of the ocean. This can only be done with the cruises leaving from Ushuaia towards Antarctica.

The other major advantage of the cruise leaving from Ushuaia is that some of them include other important south Atlantic islands, as the Falklands (Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South Shetland Islands.

Recommended Antarctica Cruise from Argentina

SouthAmerica.travel offers a classic commercial cruise tour to Antarctica titled the Best Antarctica Ushuaia Cruise ! This classic cruise takes care of all your worries about how to get to Antarctica by departing directly from Ushuaia, Argentina. Highlights along with this 14-day, 11-day, or 8-days Antarctica cruise include the Beagle Channel & Mackinlay Pass, Drake Passage, South Shetland, the Antarctic Peninsula, and of course Petermann Island, where you will get up close and personal with the gentoo penguins colony. Our cruise tours to the ‘White Continent’ are the best tours in the world because we can offer the highest standard of quality to all the Antarctica tour operators. Our tours include the following.

• Voyage aboard the polar vessel Ushuaia.
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee, and tea
• All shore excursions and activities
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
• All transfers
• English-speaking guides

Reach Antarctica by a Fly Cruise

The second most popular way of how to get to Antarctica is by embarking on a fly-cruise which includes a flight from Punta Arenas, Chile. This short 2-hour flight is the quickest way to Antarctica and embark on your cruise. This is more costly than crossing the Drake but it is the best choice for anyone not used to boats or several days long cruises. Also, it is great for people wanting to include Antarctica as another destination on a comprehensive South America tour .

When researching this topic, one of the key issues can be time because most people want to include other parts of South America in their itinerary.

We know this better than anyone as we plan trips from 7-days to 3 months all through the continent of Antarctica, including Argentina , Patagonia , and Chile . In another blog post on our website, we made a case for skipping the Drake Passage and flying directly to Antarctica .

After flying into Antarctica, you will board a cruise that will visit the area and give you a wide range of experiences ashore.

Pros of a Fly Cruise

• You have more time to explore
• You can avoid boats and the chance of getting seasick!

Cons of a Fly Cruise

• Potential flight delays due to weather

Recommended Fly Cruise from Chile

Antarctica XXI is the pioneer company offering Air Cruises in Antarctica. With a variety of itineraries from short Antarctica visits to longer trips including the South Atlantic Islands.

Our team has done multiple trips, both by crossing the Drake and flying. We are always eager to help guests plan their dream trip to the white continent.

Contact Us an Expert Travel Consultant

Because a trip to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you should weigh your options carefully. We’d love to discuss the best way for you to get there with you! Please contact us to get started. We can also create a custom tour that includes other highlights of South America .  The sky is the limit!

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How to Visit Antarctica: Getting There, Best Things to Do, and Tips

Watching penguins and polar bears in the Antarctic, surrounded by icebergs and snow.

Antarctica’s vast, wild landscape offers the ultimate adventure for even the most experienced travelers. Despite being one of the most remote places on Earth, getting to Antarctica isn’t as difficult as you may think. Tourism is a growing business there — you can choose from dozens of tour operators, cruise ships, and expeditions. Not sure where to start for planning? We’re here to help. If you’re ready to take the trip of a lifetime, this Antarctica guide is for you.

Table of Contents Show

How to Get to Antarctica

There are two primary ways to get to Antarctica — by boat or plane. While most travelers come by ship, flying is a faster, albeit more expensive, way to get to The White Continent. It all depends on what is available, your travel style and your budget.

Taking a boat is the most common and economical way to get to Antarctica. Approximately 90% of travelers depart by boat from Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city in South America, although it’s also possible to leave from other port towns in Argentina or Chile. The trip should take 2 to 3 days, depending on where you depart. There are cruises that leave from Invercargill and Dunedin in New Zealand and Hobart and Tasmania in Australia. This journey is far longer, taking an average of 5 to 6 days to reach Antarctica.

If you prefer not to travel by water (crossing the rough Drake Passage can make some quite seasick), you can also fly into Antarctica from Punta Arenas in Chile. This is also a good option if you’re short on time, as it only takes two hours instead of days. Flights from Punta Arenas take you to King George Island, the primary landing site in Antarctica and from there, you’ll board a ship or cruise to continue your journey.

Just note that  flights are very limited and usually only operate from December to February. And because there are no commercial flights available, you need to book your flight in conjunction with your Antarctica cruise or expedition ship. It’s also possible to fly from Cape Town, South Africa, in just 5 hours via White Desert, the only company in the world to offer luxury travel to Antarctica.

Where to Stay in Antarctica

Travelers that arrive by boat or cruise ship will stay on board during their trip, disembark during the day for excursions, and return to the ship to spend the night. Technically speaking, there aren’t hotels in Antarctica. However, if budget is not a problem, staying on land in a campsite is possible if you book your trip through White Desert or Antarctic Logistics & Experts.  Note that  you can’t book accommodation at the camps alone — to stay on land, you’ll need to get the entire package.

Desert Adventures is a tour operator that runs three luxury campsites in Antarctica. The packages cost $62,000 to $98,000 per person, including all excursions and a private jet charter from Cape Town. Antarctic Logistics & Experts has six campsites and 16 different organized tours. Their trips are also expensive, starting at $33,000 and can go all the way to $88,000, which are more focused on outdoor activities than luxury travel. The packages also include air transportation from South America.

The Best Times to Visit Antarctica

Travelers hoping to visit Antarctica have a few months to do so, as cruise ships only operate during the summer months, which, in Antarctica, is from November to April. The best time to visit is from December to February. Not only are temperatures at their highest, but it’s also when you’ll have the most amount of sunlight. For example, January is the warmest month, with an average of 32°F (0°C) and 20 hours of sun!

Mid-summer is the peak baby season when you will spot lots of newly hatched penguins and Antarctic terns, and even baby seals. However, this is also the most popular time, so you will likely share the land with other tour groups. Late summer, from March to April, is also a great time to be in Antarctica, as it’s the start of whale migration. Also, most sea ice has already melted by this point, so there are more places for your cruise to dock.

best Things to Do in Antarctica

What you get to see and do in Antarctica largely depends on the type of cruise you book. Large cruise ships, small expedition vessels, and private yachts all have their pros and cons, which is why it’s important to know their itinerary before you book.

Visit Penguin Colonies

A group of penguins on a mission in Antarctica. Photo by Michel VIARD/iStock

There are 17 different types of penguins in Antarctica which you can see on the main continent and the sub-Antarctic archipelagos of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Snow Hill Island is a great location to spot Emperor Penguins (impressive size and color make them extremely popular,) home to a colony of more than 8,000 birds. It’s also where you’ll find one of the harshest polar climates imaginable.

Gliding across the magnificent glacial fronts and icebergs by kayak is an incredible experience. You can do this almost anywhere in Antarctica, although Cierva Cove, Wiencke Island, and Paradise Bay are some of the best spots. When you kayak, grab a piece of ice from the water and suck on it to feel the air bubbles pop in your mouth.

Whale Watching

March and April are peak whale-watching months off the coast of Antarctica. During this time, you can spot fin, humpback, minke, orca, sei, southern right, and sperm whales, as well as the largest mammal in the world, the blue whale, as they migrate south to take advantage of the nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Ocean.

Zodiac Cruising

A zodiac can take you to places where a large boat can’t. These inflatable vessels can easily navigate through narrow passageways and dock at remote and isolated sites to see even more untouched sides of the continent.

The underwater world of the Antarctic is almost as impressive as what sits on land. If you’re an experienced diver, go and explore the crystal-clear waters, icebergs, and marine life, from Jellyfish, starfish, and sea snails to sea butterflies, crabs, and soft coral, in one of the most remote places in the world.

Exploring the land of Antarctica on foot is a unique way to experience its icy landscape. Deception Island and Orne Harbor (you can also kayak in the harbor or visit a nearby chinstrap penguin colony) are great places for hiking, while the snow-covered Arctic Peninsula is a popular destination for snowshoeing.

Antarctica Packing List

It’s important that you are well prepared for your Antarctica trip — there aren’t malls, shops, or retail stores to stock up on anything you forgot to bring. Even the shop on your cruise ship can sell out of necessities! However, that doesn’t mean you should stuff your suitcases with endless supplies and clothing as long as you do it smartly. Here is a list of what to pack for your Antarctica trip.

Layered winter clothing — long johns, fleece sweater, and wool socks

Everyday clothes and shoes to wear onboard

Winter parka, if not supplied by your expedition cruise

Waterproof pants

Knee high waterproof boots

Hiking boots

Warm hat, waterproof gloves, and neck gaiter

Sunglasses and sunscreen — the ozone layer is the thinnest above Antarctica, and the snow and ice create significant glare

Seasickness medication

Camera and photography gear

Wet bags and binoculars

Tips for Visiting Antarctica

A group of penguins on a mission in Antarctica. Photo by Photodynamic/iStock

Traveling to Antarctica takes more planning than other destinations due to its unique landscapes. Below are some tips to keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

Stay within the luggage limits. Most tour operators and cruise lines set strict limitations on how much you can bring with you onboard.

Do your research. There are over 70 cruise lines to Antarctica. Research the itinerary, what is included, and excursions offered to make sure you get to see everything on your bucket list.

Book in advance to secure your spot — as early as 8 to 10 months. As the travel season is relatively short, cruises can sell out.

Or book last minute! If you’re in Ushuaia already, you may be able to hop on a ship with an empty room for a fraction of the cost.

Save money for excursions. They often come with additional costs unless your package includes everything, but you’re probably only going to Antarctica once, so it’s worth splurging a bit.

Respect the wildlife. This should go without saying but do not touch or disturb any animals you come across, no matter how cute or curious they may be.

Leave no trace. The environment is not your garbage can!

Make the most of your time onboard. Many vessels offer seminars or environmental classes where you can learn about Antarctica’s history and wildlife.

While Antarctica might not be the most popular destination, those brave enough to visit it will experience a place very few people will ever see. And yes, it takes a bit of planning and preparation, but seeing the White Continent with your own eyes will truly make it worth it.

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• Travel Guide

Can You Go To Antarctica? Yes! Here's How To Visit

Can I Go To Antarctica At My Age?

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The fact that Antarctica is so remote and so pristine leads many people to assume this greatest terrestrial wilderness left on Earth is off-limits to tourism. So, can you travel to Antarctica?

Absolutely! Indeed, the White Continent grows more popular as a sightseeing and adventure destination every year, at the latest count some 73,000 annual visitors sailing Antarctica’s waters aboard 60 or more expedition vessels. Sure, it takes a fair amount of planning and preparation, but you’d be amazed how accessible the Antarctic—portions of it, anyway—actually are.

In this article, we’ll run through the basics of getting to Antarctica, typical kinds of tours, and some of the considerations for being an environmentally responsible visitor here: of paramount importance for preserving this incredible, globally precious realm. But before we look at logistics and etiquette for your expedition, let’s address a couple of questions that are often asked by prospective visitors to Antarctica.

Whilst not all Antarctica tour operators enforce age restrictions, many typically have a minimum age policy of 12 years old, although this can sometimes be as low as 8 years old. There is currently no upper age limit for visiting Antarctica. Indeed, Antarctica attracts visitors of all ages, and on most Antarctica cruises you will find a number of septuagenarians, and even the odd octogenarian.

The choice to visit Antarctica very much comes down to your own health and physical fitness levels. Just bear in mind that typically there are a couple of shore landings per day which may involve hikes on slippy, uneven terrain, and wet Zodiac landings whereby you disembark into shallow water. There is no need to participate in more strenuous pursuits such as kayaking, skiing and mountaineering as these are normally optional add-on activities.

The only real requirement is that you are able to get in and out of the smaller Zodiac boats which are used for excursions. You will also be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire shortly after booking which will be reviewed by your ship’s doctor, but this is usually just to check if you have any medical conditions that may prevent you from participating in certain activities rather than not allowing you to go. For example, having a pacemaker would mean you wouldn’t be allowed to do the polar plunge.

Relaxing onboard

Citizens of many countries do indeed need permission to travel to Antarctica. Specifically, travelers living in countries that are party to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty—which originally included a dozen signatories and now counts 56—must have a permit. That was established in the early 1990s with the adoption of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. This includes those coming to Antarctica from, for example, the United States, Canada, the U.K., China, Australia, and Germany.

This needn’t be complicated, however. In nearly all cases, your permit is taken care of by the tour operator you’re going through. So it’s basically a non-issue, unless you’re undertaking an independent expedition to Antarctica—not an especially common route, needless to say. (Can you go to Antarctica without permission? Technically, you might be able to if you reside in one of the non-signatory countries, but probably only if you get yourself to the White Continent: If you’re signing on to a cruise or flight operated out of a signatory nation, you likely will need a permit regardless of your citizenship.)

You will need a valid passport to travel to Antarctica, but because Antarctica belongs to no country you don’t need a visa to travel there per se, however any country you do pass through to get to Antarctica (such as Argentina, Chile, Australia or New Zealand) may require a visa depending on your country of origin.

Far and away the most popular jumping-off point for Antarctica is Ushuaia, Argentina, set down in Tierra del Fuego: the southernmost reach of mainland South America, and therefore just a stone’s throw—relatively speaking—to the Antarctic realm. From this port—readily reached by direct flight from Buenos Aires, and fascinating in and of itself—cruises head for the Drake Passage, the fabled oceanic frontier between South America’s Cape Horn and Antarctica. This usually takes anywhere from a day and a half to three days to cross. The notoriously rough Drake Passage is its own attraction, thanks to its wild ambience and its rich array of birdlife and marine mammals.

That said, some tourists who are (a) strapped for time and/or (b) prone to seasickness prefer to skip the voyage across the Drake Passage and embark from Punta Arenas, Chile, flying directly to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands in just 2 hours rather than 2 days at sea. From there, these “fly-cruise” customers can then join ships touring the Antarctic Peninsula, the ultimate destination for passengers sailing out of Ushuaia. It’s worth noting that this option does limit your choice of ships, itinerary and departures dates somewhat, and often proves more expensive.

Such itineraries (depending on whether you skip the Drake Passage or not) often run a week to a week-and-a-half or so. But many travelers who can afford to do so opt for longer expeditions—sometimes up to three weeks in duration—allowing them to spend more time exploring the sub-Antarctic islands, such as the Falklands and South Georgia, which serve up as extraordinary a wildlife smorgasbord as the Antarctic Peninsula—plus their own remote, windswept Southern Ocean splendor.

Charming Ushuaia port

South America ports —foremost Ushuaia (cruises) , then Punta Arenas (fly-cruises) —serve as the primary launchpad for Antarctic trips, with some 98% of visitors approaching Antarctica from its nearest continental neighbor. But it’s also definitely possible to journey to the White Continent from Oceania , via such jump-offs as Invercargill or Dunedin, New Zealand and the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, Australia . Predominantly aimed at the Ross Sea and such East Antarctica locales as Commonwealth Bay, these trips tend to involve longer Southern Ocean passages on the order of a week or thereabouts, with a total duration commonly around a month or so. Such sub-Antarctic islands in between as Australia’s Macquarie and New Zealand’s Campbell and Auckland archipelagos are often included in these sails.

Most Antarctica cruise itineraries are round-trip in nature, embarking and disembarking from the same port, but there are some notable exceptions. Fly-cruise goers who want to save time and still cross the Drake Passage may choose to fly out from Punta Arenas and sail back to Ushuaia (or vice versa). Once a season there may also be rare “repositioning” cruises beginning in Punta Arenas, Buenos Aires or Puerto Madryn (Argentina) which will end in Ushuaia, and the odd  trans-oceanic itinerary starting in Ushuaia and ending in Cape Town (South Africa).

In addition to the above ports, a number of Southern Hemisphere cities serve as departures for flights to or over Antarctica, including Punta Arenas (Chile), Sydney (Australia) and Cape Town (South Africa), amongst others.

The two aforementioned port cities of Ushuaia (Argentina) and Punta Arenas (Chile) where the majority of cruises leave from unfortunately don’t have international airports, so to get to them you’ll most likely have to fly via Buenos Aires (Argentina), or Santiago (Chile) respectively.

Whilst the international airport in Santiago—Arturo Merino Benitez (SCL)—is also used for the domestic flights to Punta Arenas making connections simple, if you fly via Buenos Aires note that the flights to Ushuaia are from the domestic airport Jorge Newbery Airfield (AEP), so a transfer is required from the city’s Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Given at least four hours should be left between flights for this transfer and subsequent check in, many travelers to Antarctica choose to include a stopover in Buenos Aires as part of their plans.

Getting to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires: Daily direct flights to Buenos Aires operate from Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas and New York (approx. 9-10 hours). Once in Buenos Aires, there are regular flights to Ushuaia (approx. 4 hours).

Getting to Punta Arenas via Santiago: There are daily, direct flights to Santiago from Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, New York and Los Angeles (approx. 8-10 hours). Once in Santiago, there are regular flights to Punta Arenas (approx. 3.5 hrs).

Punta Arenas

Getting to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires: There are daily indirect flights to Buenos Aires from Toronto and Montreal via Bogota, Miami, Panama City or Punta Cana, with extra routes via Lima or Havana also available from Toronto (all approx. 13 hours). Once in Buenos Aires there are regular flights to Ushuaia (approx. 4 hours).

Getting to Punta Arenas via Santiago: There are direct flights from Toronto to Santiago 5 times a week (approx. 10 hours). Once in Santiago there are regular flights to Punta Arenas (approx. 3.5 hours).

Getting to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires: There are direct flights to Buenos Aires daily from Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona and Rome, and 5 times a week from London (approx. 14 hours). Once there, there are regular flights to Ushuaia (approx. 4 hours).

Getting to Punta Arenas via Santiago: There are direct flights to Santiago daily from Paris and Madrid, and 4 times a week from London and Barcelona (approx. 14 hours). Once there, there are regular flights to Punta Arenas (approx. 3.5 hours).

Getting to Punta Arenas via Santiago: There are direct flights to Santiago from Auckland daily (approx. 11 hours) and from Sydney 4 times a week (approx. 12 hours). Once there, there are regular flights to Punta Arenas (approx. 3.5 hours).

Getting to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires: As there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Buenos Aires, travelers must first fly to Santiago (as above) from where there are regular flights to Buenos Aires (approx. 2 hours). Once in Buenos Aires there, there are regular flights to Ushuaia (approx. 4 hours).

Getting to Antarctica directly: Alternatively, you may avoid going via South America altogether. You might choose to cruise directly from Oceania, as a handful of cruises depart each season from Hobart in Tasmania (approx. 7 days to reach Antarctica), or Invercargill or Dunedin, New Zealand (approx. 5 days to reach Antarctica). There are flights to Hobart from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide in Australia, and flights to Invercargill and Dunedin from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand respectively. Alternatively, for those that are content with only seeing Antarctica from above for a few hours, there are also infrequent round-trip flight options from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne and Perth in Australia allowing you to see Antarctica in a day (approx. 3-4 hours to reach Antarctica).

Getting to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires: You could fly from Cape Town or Johannesburg to Luanda, Angola (approx. 4 hours) and on to São Paulo, Brazil (approx. 8 hours) before flying on to Buenos Aires (approx. 3 hours). Once there, there are regular flights to Ushuaia (approx. 4 hours).

Getting to Punta Arenas via Santiago: There are no direct flights from South Africa to South America. You could fly to Santiago from Cape Town or Johannesburg via Atlanta, Paris, London or even Sydney (approx. 24 hours). Once there, there are regular flights to Punta Arenas (approx. 3.5 hours).

Getting to Antarctica directly: In the past, Antarctic research ships have embarked upon expeditions from both Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, but currently there are no regular Antarctic cruises scheduled to depart from South Africa. However—if you have the money—you may avoid going via South America and consider flying direct to Antarctica from Cape Town (approx. 5 hours to reach Antarctica) by exclusive private jet. In contrast to the Australia day-trip flights which only allow you to see Antarctica from above, from South Africa you get to experience the real interior of Antarctica in a single day and actually land at Wolf’s Fang Runway, spending a few hours hiking, biking and picnicking on the ice before your return flight. There are also longer fly-in itineraries of 4-8 day’s duration staying at luxury camps on the White Continent.

Please note that although no Antarctic cruises currently depart from South Africa, several cruise companies do offer trans-oceanic itineraries from Ushuaia to Cape Town via Antarctica.

Cruising the Southern waters

Both large cruise ships and smaller, expedition-style vessels ply Antarctic waters. The big cruise ships provide more onboard luxuries and comforts, but less flexibility and reach; due to both environmental and logistical limitations, the biggest don’t offer landfalling options, functioning purely as “cruise-by” sightseeing. You’ll also, unsurprisingly, be rubbing shoulders with more people, as these vessels may carry more than 1,000 passengers.

Smaller expedition cruises are the preeminent choice for those with time enough to experience Antarctica by water. Indeed, many seasoned visitors contend this is the best way to see Antarctica, all else being equal. These ice-worthy ships commonly ferry under 100 passengers, and no more than a couple hundred, along the Antarctic Peninsula, and interweave thrilling landfalls and small-group Zodiac cruises as part of the daily itinerary.

Expect onboard naturalists and other guides regardless of whether you’re riding a massive cruise ship or an expedition craft.

Besides the fly-cruise itineraries that combine flights to the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula with shipboard sightseeing, there are various plane-only experiences available on the White Continent. These include time-efficient fly-overs that serve up a bird’s-eye of this spectacular wilderness without ever touching down, plus the more exclusive (and expensive) fly-in trips actually landing you in the little-visited Antarctic interior.

A very few people, relatively speaking, make that aforementioned odyssey into the heart of the White Continent. But it is possible, if you have the financial resources and requisite thirst for adventure. Fly-in trips can involve skiing, mountaineering (the Vinson Massif, Antarctica’s 16,050-foot rooftop, is a coveted goal for adventurers, particularly those looking to notch off all of the Seven Summits), and setting foot, one way or another, on the near-mythic South Pole.

Compared to the usual explorations of the Antarctic Peninsula, travels into the Antarctic interior don’t serve up much in the way of wildlife: The chief attraction is the raw scenery and the utter back-of-beyond remoteness. However, such fly-in trips are a good option for those eager to see emperor penguins in their farflung haunts; this biggest of penguin species, the only kind to overwinter in the heart of Antarctica, is only fleetingly seen on typical cruises along the Peninsula.

South pole host

So—you are indeed able to visit Antarctica, no question, armed naturally with the requisite permit. But the chance to see this dreamscape—its fluted icebergs, looming ice-shelves, seal colonies, penguin towns, ice-armored summits, whale-plowed leads and bays—comes with some heady responsibility. That’s only as it should be, given the White Continent is the last great subaerial wilderness on Earth. Everybody coming here—researchers, tour operators, guides, and tourists—must do their part to minimize impacts on the landscape and seascape and their ecosystems.

Choosing an Antarctic experience via an International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)  outfit is fundamental to responsible ecotourism. The IAATO maintains an excellent collection of online resources focused on visitor guidelines for Antarctica, well worth checking out even if you’re only in the early stages of considering such a trip.

Now you know that you can go to Antarctica, how to get there from your home country, and your options on how to visit, all that’s left to do is to book your trip to Antarctica (and any requisite insurance). Booking an Antarctica cruise can set you back anywhere between USD$6,000 and USD$50,000—a not insignificant amount—so you’ll want to know you are in safe hands, are getting the best value for your money that you can, and are going to get the experience you think you are paying for (not all ships allow you to set foot on the continent for example).

Booking a trip to Antarctica via a trusted travel agency with expertise in expedition cruising gives you access to a wider array of cruise options, more impartial advice, and greater visibility of the trips and deals available across the market than if you go directly through an operator. This often means you’ll pay less for your desired experience and provides the kind of peace of mind that can only be gained by talking with experts.

How hard is it to go to Antarctica? Not all that hard, in fact—not in this day and age. Considering the extreme isolation and overall inhospitality of the White Continent—and remembering the epic trials and travails early explorers endured to even get close to its icy margins—it’s remarkably straightforward to see this place.

A well-chosen tour operator will take care of all the nitty-gritty details, and you can focus on the once-in-a-lifetime experience: whales spyhopping amid ice floes, penguins porpoising through the water, the delicious remoteness of polar peaks and soaring ice battlements, and all the rest of the singular magic at play down here at the bottom of the world!

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Our travel guides are for informational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Antarctica Cruises makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information in our guides or found by following any link on this site.

Antarctica Cruises cannot and will not accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies, or for any consequences arising therefrom, including any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the display or use of this information.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

Get in touch with us via phone or form today and you’ll be assigned a dedicated Antarctica specialist who’ll be with you every step of the way to help you choose, book and plan the right Antarctica cruise for you. Here’s how it works:

Listen & Match

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Reserve & Relax

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Prepare & Travel

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

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• With Family
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• Emperor Penguin
• Photography
• Exploration Heritage
• Antarctic Peninsula
• Antarctic Circle
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• Weddell Sea
• Ross Sea/E. Antarctica

Poseidon Expeditions - your polar cruise operator

Flights to Antarctica

There’s more than one way to travel to Antarctica! While over 90% of travelers choose the route by ship through the Drake Passage (like many heroic explorers in history), some prefer to fly. It’s a way to shorten your trip, avoid seasickness and see Antarctica from above.

Can you fly to Antarctica?

From November to February (during the Antarctic summer) you can catch a flight to the White Continent. Don’t expect a regular flight schedule – Antarctica routes are charter flights, departing usually from cities in South America, Australia and South Africa. Be prepared for flight delays due to the unpredictable weather conditions on the Antarctic Continent. Tour operators offer one-day flights to Antarctica, options with overnight on the continent and even combined trips by plane and cruise ship. A regular Antarctic cruise starts from the southern tip of Argentina and crosses to the Antarctic Peninsula in about 50 hours. If you want to cut this experience short, you can board a flight in Punta Arenas (the only commercial airfield in southern Chile that offers flights to the White Continent) and fly to Antarctica in about 2 hours, landing at Frei Station on King George Island (one of the Chilean Antarctic research stations).

Advantages and disadvantages of fly-cruises

Flying or cruising – which should you choose? It all depends on your adventurous spirit, appetite for exploration, what you want to see and how much time you can set aside for the trip. If you want to visit Antarctica, we recommend making a list with your must-see items and then doing the research. What kind of adventure will fulfill your dreams?

Antarctica air cruises will get you there faster, allowing you to skip the infamous Drake Passage and see the White Continent from above. With no scheduled flights, you will have to book with a tour operator and choose from the available options. Travelling by plane will get you to the remote interior of Antarctica, with its bleak ice deserts and harsh weather conditions. There are even options to overnight on the continent, for example, at the Union Glacier Camp, with lots of activities such as cross-country skiing and fat-tire biking.

A small expedition ship gives you the unique opportunity to see tucked-away gems and the spectacular scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as the incredible subantarctic islands (South Georgia Island, South Shetland Islands and the Falkland Islands). Cruise ships offer all conveniences, including gourmet meals, comfortable cabins, Zodiac cruising, lectures, laundry service, kayaking and a night out camping in Antarctica.

Roundtrip flights to Antarctica and exploring can be done in a one-day trip. The flight time from Punta Arena to King George Island is around 2 hours, while a flight to the Union Glacier Basecamp would take around 4 hours. You can book a one-day tour flying to King George Island in the morning, see penguins and icebergs for lunch, and return in the evening.

• Avoid the Drake Passage:

Many travelers fear the infamous crossing on their Antarctic cruise and are worried about seasickness. Flying will let you skip this rough part of the Southern Ocean.

• Unlock Antarctica’s interior:

While cruises focus on exploring the coastlines, flights can take you to the remote interior regions of the continent. You’ll get to experience harsher weather, dramatic mountain ranges and bleak wide icy deserts. Land on a blue ice runway – an experience in and of itself!.

Disadvantages

• Expect delays:

Be prepared to be delayed. Even during the austral summer, weather conditions are unpredictable and multiple-day delays are possible.

A roundtrip flight to Antarctica with landing on the continent starts from around $6,700 per person. Overnight options start at $7,800, but can go much higher if you book multiple nights and extra activities.

• You miss out on the Drake Passage experience:

Yes, we know – this should be an advantage, but did you know that it is an adventure by itself to cross it? You can spot amazing wildlife such as whales and albatrosses, and feel like a real explorer while getting your sea legs.

How much does it cost to fly to Antarctica?

Weather on and around the White Continent is harsh and unpredictable, and only specialized aircraft with very experienced pilots are able to make the trip. Flights to Antarctica cost on average more than regular flights that cover similar distances. With only around 2-4 hours flight time, you are looking into costs starting from $6,600 for round trip flights with landing in Antarctica. One-day trips from Cape Town to Antarctica (Wolf’s Fang Camp) start at around $14,500. There are flightseeing only options (without landing on the continent) for those who just want to enjoy the Antarctic landscapes from a bird’s-eye view. Such flights depart, for example, from Sydney and start at around $800.

Antarctic Planes

British Aerospace 146 A short-haul regional airliner manufactured in the United Kingdom with a capacity of 80 people, this plane is perfectly suited for short runways and non-tarmac airstrips (crucial for Antarctica flights).

Ilyushin IL-76 TD Designed for heavy machinery delivery, this Soviet-designed plane with a capacity of 60 people copes perfectly with the Antarctic weather conditions and short, non-tarmac airstrips.

About Flight Delays

While flights to Antarctica depart usually on time, delays are possible due to the unpredictable weather conditions. Some trips fly travelers to their Antarctic cruise departure port (King George Island). Flight delays can cause cruise delays and, in rare cases, cancellations. But these are extreme situations! Most of the time travelers are only delayed for a few hours, which does not affect the overall expedition. Should your flight to Antarctica arrive late, cruise operators have contingency plans in place.

Alternative Ways to get to Antarctica

Want to feel like a real expeditioner and discover the White Continent like many historic explorers before you? Cruise aboard a ship! Today’s cruise ships are perfectly suited for small expeditions and let you enjoy the beauty of Antarctica in comfort and style. Some cruises even cross the Antarctic Circle. A large deck gives you plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing.

While you sail the open ocean you can join workshops on history, wildlife, geography and photography hosted by our onboard specialists. In the coastal areas, you can explore aboard small Zodiac boats that bring you closer to wildlife (without disturbing it!). For adventurous travelers, some cruises offer kayaking and the opportunity to camp one night on the shores of Antarctica in warm sleeping bags under the sky of the Southern Hemisphere.

Check out our expedition schedule for the upcoming season and find your Antarctic dream cruise !

Which Antarctic adventure you choose depends on you. If you want to experience the harsh interior, an Antarctica flight trip may be your best choice. You’ll also get to see the continent from above. If you want to explore wildlife, icebergs and the beautiful beaches of the subantarctic islands, then a cruise is the better option. Flights start from $6,600 for a roundtrip ticket. In comparison, prices for a 10-day Antarctic Peninsula cruise with all meals and excursions included start at around $10,000 (or even cheaper, if you’re lucky enough to book with a special offer or early bird discount).

Can you fly to the Antarctic?

Yes, you can take a charter flight to Antarctica. There are no regular commercial flights.

When is the best time to fly to Antarctica?

Flying to Antarctica is only possible during the austral summer (November to February), when the weather permits landings on the continent.

Which airlines fly to Antarctica?

There are no commercial Antarctic flights. Tour operators offer charter trips, Antarctica air cruise and tour packages.

Do airplanes have scheduled landings in Antarctica?

There is no regular flight schedule. Charter planes fly to Antarctica (organized by tour operators) and travelers need to be prepared for delays if weather conditions are unfavorable.

Can You Go To Antarctica? Yes! How To Get To Antarctica

Among the first questions prospective polar travelers consider “ Can you visit Antarctica? ” Yes, you can visit Antarctica, being mindful of any Antarctica travel restrictions . 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 via Antarctica cruises from Argentina, Australia and New Zealand or Antarctica flights from Chile.

IN THIS POST – How to Get to Antarctica: Can You go to Antarctica? 10 Reasons to Visit Antarctica Get to Antarctica by Ship Flights to Antarctica Get to Antarctica From Your Home Passport & Visa Requirements The Best Way to Get to Antarctica More Resources

Can You Go To Antarctica?

Yes, you can visit Antarctica. In fact, Antarctica has never been more accessible to travelers.

Do you need permission to go to Antarctica? Travelers do not need permission to go to Antarctica, but tourism operators must hold a valid permit. First, a bit of background on why it is legal to visit Antarctica.

Antarctica is not a country. The continent is protected by the Antarctic Treaty, which preserves it for peaceful and scientific use. The treaty and related agreements ensure that all human activity is carefully managed and planned, including environmentally sensitive tourism. As of 2023 the treaty has 56 signatory parties. 

Tourism operators in Antarctica submit stringent permit applications annually. If their planned activities meet all criteria, they are authorized and granted a permit. Traveling with an authorized operator means your permit has been secured for you.

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Do you need a visa to visit Antarctica? Because no country owns Antarctica, a visa is not required to travel there.

How many tourists visit Antarctica each year?   During the 2022-2023 season, more than 32,000 travelers visited Antarctica. Will you be next?

How to Get to Antarctica

The two primary routes travelers use to get to Antarctica are cruising to Antarctica or flying to Antarctica. Below we present everything you need to know about each method. 

Wondering why people want to visit Antarctica. View our top 10 reasons to visit Antarctica now.

Get to Antarctica by Ship

The most common and most affordable way to get to Antarctica is to book an  Antarctica cruise . Over 90% of all visitors travel to Antarctica aboard a small ship. Learn more about the cost to go to Antarctica .

Specially outfitted operators run a fleet of purpose-built Antarctica expedition ships taking travelers to Antarctica. They take care of all the logistics from permits to schedules and itineraries. Shore landings and activities on the continent are an important part of the experience. See our tips on how to choose an Antarctic cruise .

Cruise to Antarctica From South America

The distance from the tip of South America to Antarctica is about 600 miles. The countries closest to Antarctica are Argentina and Chile. Most of the travel to Antarctica occurs from these countries in South America.  Most cruises begin in Ushuaia, Argentina but some start in other port towns in Argentina and Chile. 

Cruises to Antarctica range from 10-24 Days.  Antarctica cruises from South America are popular because they access the most popular regions including the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands.   

Ushuaia to Antarctica Cruises

Ushuaia to Antarctica is the most popular cruise route. Ushuaia is 680 miles to Antarctica and the closest port making it the primary hub for cruises.

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in South America before Antarctica. It is in the Terra del Fuego province of Argentina and is generally recognized as the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia is well worth a visit. We recommend travelers going to Antarctica arrive a day or two early.

Ushuaia Antarctica cruises offer the largest variety of itinerary and ship options. The shortest and most affordable Ushuaia cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula. Some cruises from Ushuaia strive to reach farther south the Antarctic circle. More comprehensive Antarctica cruises from Ushuaia include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. 

During the height of the season the port of Ushuaia can host 3-5 Antarctica expedition ships each day. Overall, there may be more than three dozen ships visiting Antarctica from Ushuaia each season. Don’t worry the ships coordinate schedules so ports and landing sites do not become overcrowded. This diverse fleet offers travelers the widest choice of ships, cabins and availability. 

Other Argentina to Antarctica Cruises

While most cruises begin in Ushuaia there are other routes from Argentina to Antarctica. Each year a handful of Argentina Antarctica cruises embark from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. To reach Port Stanley travelers must fly from mainland Argentina, usually Buenos Aires.   

Chile to Antarctica Cruises

Chile is known for its cruises with flights to Antarctica. But there are some cruises from Chile to Antarctica each year. Chile Antarctica cruises typically embark in the southern Patagonia city of Punta Arenas. 

A Chile to Antarctic voyage will travel through the Chilean Fjords passing by Cape Horn before venturing into the Drake Passage. If you choose a Chilean Antarctic trip it is also possible to combine it with travel to Patagonia or a Chile vacation .

Cruises From Australia and New Zealand to Antarctica

Each year a handful of specialty cruises voyage from New Zealand and Australia to Antarctica. These are true expeditions and take longer than cruises from South America. Just crossing from New Zealand or Australia to Antarctica can take five days or more. The highlight of an Antarctica cruise from Australia or New Zealand is a visit to the Ross Sea. 

The most common embarkation ports for journeys from New Zealand to Antarctica are Invercargill and Dunedin. Cruises from Australia to Antarctica typically depart from Hobart, Tasmania.

Some Antarctica cruises depart from Australia, visit the White Continent, and then return to the same port. Others begin in South America and end in Australia, or reverse. Either way, these cruises are much longer than cruises from South America. Antarctic cruises from Australia and New Zealand range from 25-35 days.  

Voyages will visit sub-Antarctic islands such as Macquarie Island, the Auckland Islands or Campbell Islands. These remote outposts are rich in birdlife and wildlife. They serve to break up the longer ocean crossing.

How to Get to Antarctica by Boat FAQ’s

The Antarctic Peninsula lies just over 680 miles (1100 kilometers) from Ushuaia, Argentina in South America.

The Antarctic Circle is about 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) from Ushuaia, Argentina in South America. 

The voyage from Ushuaia to Antarctic takes about 48 hours by small ship. Antarctic Peninsula cruises will make this crossing each way. So, a typical 11-day cruise will include 4 days crossing at sea and 7 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. 

Most Antarctica cruises are 10-13 days. Some cruises are 14-20 days. The longest Antarctica cruise is 36 days long.

Most cruises to Antarctica leave from Ushuaia, Argentina. Cruises also leave from Punta Arenas-Chile, Port Stanley-Argentina, Hobart-Australia, Dunedin -New Zealand.

The Antarctic continent is about 1650 miles (2655 kilometers) from Australia. The Ross Sea is about 2200 miles (3,500 kilometers) from Australia. 

The crossing from Australia to Antarctica can take up to 7 days depending on weather.

The Antarctic continent is about 1500 miles (2415 kilometers) from New Zealand. The Ross Sea is about 1800 miles (2900 kilometers) from New Zealand.

The crossing from New Zealand to Antarctica can take up to 5 days depending on weather.

The closest country to cruise to Antarctica is Argentina. 

You cannot see Antarctica from South America. Don’t laugh, people ask. 

Flights to Antarctica

Flying to Antarctica from Chile avoids crossing the infamous Drake Passage and makes the overall trip shorter. Antarctica air cruises are the second most popular way to get to Antarctica. 

Flights to Antarctica are a great option for travelers short on time or concerned about seasickness. A flight to Antarctica takes about two hours, saving two days of cruising. Since most cruises make the crossing twice, flying can shave four days off the overall travel time. Cruises with flights to Antarctica range from 7-17 days long. 

When considering cruises with flights to Antarctica, there are not as many options of ships and itineraries. The season for Antarctica flights is shorter, beginning in December and ending in February. There are not as many flight departures as standard cruises from South America.

Many trips with flights depart and return to the same location. Others will fly one way to or from the Antarctica Peninsula and cruise the other direction. Our experts are here to discuss the details of flights to Antarctica and help you choose the best Antarctic flight. 

There are no commercial flights to Antarctica.  Antarctica air cruise itineraries utilize one-way or round-trip flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the Antarctica Peninsula where guests board a ship. Flights to Antarctica utilize the airstrip at the King George Island Antarctica airport. This landing site is associated with Chile’s Frei Station.

Fly to Antarctica from Chile

Punta Arenas, Chile, is the primary departure point for cruises with Antarctic flights. These trips fly over the Drake passage, landing on King George Island near the Antarctic Peninsula. Travelers then embark the ship in Antarctica.

Most trips will explore the Antarctic Peninsula, then fly back to Chile. Some venture further to Antarctic Circle, South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands. Some trips fly one way from Chile then cruise back or reverse. 

How to Fly to Antarctica FAQ’s

Yes, you can fly to Antarctica , but only in conjunction with an organized tour or cruise. There are no commercial flights to Antarctica.

There are no commercial airports in Antarctica. Flights to Antarctica utilize landing strips associated with scientific research stations.

The only way to fly to Antarctica is part of an organized tour or cruise. Flights with cruises depart from Chile.

The flight to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile is about 2 hours.

Travelers get around in Antarctica by small expedition ship. Travelers also get around via zodiacs, kayaks, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and trekking. 

The closest country to fly to Antarctica from is Chile.

No it is not possible to see Antarctica from Chile.

How to get to Antarctica from Your Home

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.

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.

Get to Antarctica From Your Home: Get to Antarctica From the U.S.A. Get to Antarctica From Canada Get to Antarctica From Australia Get to Antarctica From New Zealand Get to Antarctica From the U.K. & Europe

How to Get to Antarctica From the United States

• 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. 
• 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

• To Hobart: To get to Antarctica on a cruise departing from Australia you will need to travel to Hobart, Tasmania. Popular flight routes to Hobart depart from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
• 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.
• 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 New Zealand

Most travelers from New Zealand will fly to South America to get to Antarctica from there. If you are on a specialty New Zealand cruise to Antarctica there are numerous options, depending on your departure port. See details below to get to Antarctica from New Zealand.

• To Invercargill or Dunedin: To get to Antarctica on a cruise departing from New Zealand you will need to travel to either Invercargill or Dunedin. Travelers on New Zealand’s South Island may drive to their embarkation port. There are flights to Invercargill and Dunedin from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
• To Buenos Aires : To get to Antarctica from New Zealand on a cruise departing from Argentina travelers need to fly to Buenos Aires. There are four direct flights each week from Auckland, New Zealand, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. From Buenos Aires fly to Ushuaia to board your ship.
• To Santiago : To fly to Antarctica from New Zealand, travelers will first fly to Santiago, Chile. Flights from Auckland, New Zealand, 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

• 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.
• 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. 

How to Get to Antarctica From Argentina

To get to Antarctica from Argentina, travelers will first fly to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires, Argentina has two airports. International travelers will arrive at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Then connect from Buenos Aires to Uhsuaia. Flights to and from Ushuaia (USH) operate out of the Jorge Newbery Airpark domestic airport (AEP). So a transfer between airports in Buenos Aires is required.

We recommend the airport shuttle service, Manuel Tienda Leon. Find their colorful booths in the airport to book a transfer for about $30 USD. Shuttles depart every 30 minutes from the EZE arrival terminal.  A taxi can be arranged and may be quicker but more expensive. 

The opposite transfer is required on the return trip. We advise travelers to allow at least four hours between flights for this transfer and check in. Many travelers will consider a stopover in Buenos Aires as part of their Antarctica travel package.

How to Get to Antarctica from Chile

To get to Antarctica from Chile, travelers will first fly to Santiago. International travelers will arrive at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport (SCL). Then connect from Santiago to Punta Arenas. Flights to and from Punta Arenas also depart from this airport making connections easy. Many travelers will consider a stopover in Santiago as part of their Antarctica plans.

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 typically 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. In the United States, visa services can answer detailed questions and expedite applications for visas to Argentina and Chile.

What is the Best Way to Get to Antarctica?

The best way to get to Antarctica is by  small ship cruise  across the Drake Passage, or by plane to meet your ship in Antarctica. There are no right or wrong ways to get to 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, or 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.

MORE ANTARCTICA RESOURCES : Antarctica Travel Guide Antarctica Cruises Luxury Antarctica Cruises Falkland Islands & South Georgia Cruises Cruises with Flights to Antarctica 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

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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.

Let Our Travelers Explain What Is So Special About Antarctica

The Antarctic cruise was something else; it was an unbelievable experience. The crew were superb. Thanks, AdventureSmith, for getting me into such a grand adventure. I have too many stories.

Antarctica is an out of the world experience. It is nothing like anywhere. Neither was there an experience like this before nor can there be similar one after.

I was blown away by the experience. Antarctica is truly a magical place. By far, the quality and variety of food beyond exceeded my expectations. Camping on land was incredible!!!

One of the best trips I have ever taken. You are only going to Antarctica once most likely, so you want to get it right. I felt like we really did and that was made possible by excellent guidance from Nick and excellent service from all involved on our travels. We were told National Geographic was second to none in terms of naturalist and that was very true. Antarctica was simply amazing. Nothing can compare and you simply have to see it to believe it.

The first time I stepped onto Antarctica, I just closed my eyes and tried to envision the globe and where I was on it at that very moment; definitely a wow moment and a wow trip! Since I prefer masses of wildlife to masses of humanity, I had a wonderful experience. Be prepared to be amazed!

The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a...

The Antarctic cruise was something else; it was an unbelievable experience. The crew were superb. I have no negative impressions to relate. The scenes of Antarctica from the Professor Malchanov were breathtaking, not to mention in the landings on the peninsula and numerous islands. The gear (coat and rubber boots) was perfect; I never got cold. Penguins were encountered at just about every stop. We saw a couple of seals, too, and a few whales at sea. Those birds are incredibly photogenic and there must have been thousands of pictures taken by my fellow passengers. Thanks, AdventureSmith, for getting me into such a grand adventure. I have too many stories.

Featured in this Traveler Review

• Antarctic Explorer

Overall trip experience was great, since it had an equal measure of all components-comfortable stay, good food, insights on the continent, well organised landings and great care taken by the expedition head and his team. All the landings were unique in their own way, had different elements of surprise every time. Whale watching from the ship-out of the world experience.

Accommodations Review

Accommodations were convenient and well maintained. Only the camping tent could have been a little larger to accommodate two campers.

Crew & Guides Review

The enthusiasm and professionalism was par excellence. Alex the team leader was very knowledgeable about the continent and its various facets and his alertness and information got us more benefits from the trip. All others were equally competent and knowledgeable. Lyn, Osi, Gerard, Scott, Phil, Mike and others-each had so much energy and enthusiasm to share their knowledge, help and guide us that made your trip so memorable.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

All info was given in detail. There were regular emails from Nick which helped me a lot. The change in airline schedule was informed in advance so that alternates could be booked. The info about ground transport was also useful.

Traveler Advice

Antarctica is an out of the world experience. It is nothing like anywhere. Neither was there an experience like this before nor can there be similar one after. Anyone who like nature should visit it! Do not have any doubt or inhibition, everything will be smooth. Enjoy and soak in the experience as it seeps in!

• Antarctic Peninsula Aboard Expedition
• MS Expedition

I was blown away by the experience. Antarctica is truly a magical place and Oceanwide did an excellent job in showing it to me. The staff and crew were beyond helpful and enthusiastic about their work. By far, the quality and variety of food beyond exceeded my expectations. Safety was paramount and everyone was well taken care of. I would recommend this trip to anyone! Great variety of age, backgrounds, gender, country of origin, etc. on the boat. Everyone was friendly and talkative.

David (Expedition Leader) was very professional, informative, and friendly. He handled any situation that came up quickly and made prompt decisions. He kept everyone informed and had a positive attitude the whole time. The other staff that took us on expeditions was also wonderful (Mal, Koen, Julia, Owen, Werner, Alexis, Andreas, Regis, Daniel, and Trevor).

Itinerary Review

I enjoyed the adventure activities including camping, kayaking, and mountaineering. They allowed me to get close to nature and experience the environment first-hand. It felt like we stayed in the same place for so much of the trip and that was a bit of a disappointment. It would have been nice to see more of the peninsula and move along it each day rather than in the same area. Camping on land was incredible!!!

Meals Review

It was phenomenal! As noted previously, I was blown away by the food variety and quality.

I received great information from AdventureSmith. The only exception would be in regards to the Mountaineering activity. I was told I would need mountaineering boots for this but after purchasing them and getting on the boat, I found out I was not able to do the activity because I did not have prior experience mountaineering.

• Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Cruise
• Oceanwide Expeditions

Please note: The primary ship(s) operating the mentioned itinerary can change from year to year, so the ship this guest cruised on may no longer be sailing this exact route.

The arrangements from start to finish were seamless. The staff for the pre-cruise tours as well as on the ship were simply fantastic. Great group of travelers on the ship - we enjoyed the adventurous spirit of all on board. One of the best trips I have ever taken. You are only going to Antarctica once most likely, so you want to get it right. I felt like we really did and that was made possible by excellent guidance from Nick and excellent service from all involved on our travels. We were told National Geographic was second to none in terms of naturalist and that was very true. Not only did we see the landscape and animals but we learned about them - and from people who love them and are experts in their field. That added a richness not possible otherwise.

The Mandarin hotel prior and the National Geographic Orion were exactly as I expected and met all our needs.

The meals on the ship were consistently incredible. The variety of fresh foods and beautiful presentation never got boring.

The pre-tour guide and driver were outstanding. Our guide went above and beyond to make our experience a good one and to give us insight into his country in addition to seeing 'the sights' - it was a true cultural experience which I wanted and appreciated. The National Geographic crew from top to bottom were fantastic.

Antarctica was simply amazing. Nothing can compare and you simply have to see it to believe it. We also enjoyed our day trip to Valpairaiso. The day trip and the drive over with a stop at a local winery gave us a good flavor for the region as well as a day to adjust and get ready for the next leg of the journey.

Nick helped us for more than a year to secure the trip, work on pre-tours and help with all preparations and questions - which were many. He was also professional and responsive and educational in preparing us for the trip. Just what I wanted from a travel agency. Expert advice from people who have been there and can match your wishes and travel style to the right fit for you.

Plan far ahead and research what the actual trip experience will be like. Find the fit that best suits your personality and travel style. Be flexible. The only challenge was a very late night flight out of Santiago to Dallas. The downtime on that final day proved to longer than I would have liked. I would recommend to future travelers that they spend the night in Santiago, taking a morning flight out the following day in order to ensure a less exhaustive end to the trip. Santiago city center is worth seeing but not particularly engaging - at least at the moment. The protests have very much disrupted the flow for tourists and the effects on the city with graffiti and boarded up sites around the city are painful to see.

• National Geographic The White Continent
• National Geographic Orion
• Lindblad Expeditions

The first time I stepped onto Antarctica, I just closed my eyes and tried to envision the globe and where I was on it at that very moment; definitely a wow moment and a wow trip! Penguins, penguins, penguins, penguins, penguins! Gosh, I love them! South Georgia was fantastic. Since I prefer masses of wildlife to masses of humanity, I had a wonderful experience.

The M/S Plancius is a very nice clean ship with comfortable beds. I was impressed that they cleaned the windows many times during the voyage so that you always had a clear view from inside.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of our leaders and thought all were professional and enthusiastic. James Cresswell and Brent Houston were outstanding in their knowledge. 

Chris Harter at AdventureSmith was outstanding in answering my endless questions; also in general he was just a pleasure to talk to, easygoing and friendly.

Be prepared to be amazed!

• Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica

We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience.

They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night.

We liked the variety and the quality of the food.  There was always something new to try.  The dining room staff was very professional and personable.

Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers.

The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations.  I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about.

Transportation Review

We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency.

Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife.

• Explorers & Kings

How To Go To Antarctica? On These Trips

Now that you know how to get to Antarctica, start browsing this selection of cruises and trips with Antarctica flights for your best way to get there. Contact our experts to learn more about how to get to Antarctica. We’re here to help with a free, personalized quote and planning advice for your polar expedition.

Contact Us - Can You Go To Antarctica? Yes! How To Get To Antarctica

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You Can Travel to Antarctica—and Here’s How

Antarctica. The 7th Continent. The land mass at the bottom of the globe, completely encased in ice. Its remote wilderness featured on nature documentaries and in our science and history books. And for those reasons, it might seem somewhat abstract and hard to reach. Perhaps even impossible. But it's not.

When I tell people what I do for a living—working on an expedition ship that takes passengers from all over the world to Antarctica—I often hear a similar response, “I had no idea people can actually go to Antarctica!” And I always reply with: “Yes, people go. And so can you!”

Passengers on a hike, during a landing on the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: David Merron

Despite its seemingly impossible remoteness, Antarctica has never been so accessible to adventurous travelers. In fact, more than 45,000 people traveled to Antarctica in the 2016-2017 season from all over the world, including the United States, China, Australia, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, India, and many, many more.

As the timeless idiom indicates: knowing is half the battle. Throughout this piece, I hope to convey the knowledge that not only can you visit Antarctica from almost anywhere in the world, but just as importantly, how you can do it.

You can travel to Antarctica! Here's how.

A common question I hear from people whose excitement is palpable after they've learned how accessible Antarctica can be, is: “How do I even get there?” That answer might not immediately seem straightforward. Maybe some of us have heard of researchers flying on military aircraft from New Zealand, or month long sailing adventures from South Africa or Australia. But the easiest way to get to Antarctica is simple. All you need to do is reach Buenos Aires, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile. Both are cosmopolitan cities with international airports and regular service to the rest of the world.

The majority of Antarctic voyages depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, a three-and-a-half-hour direct flight from Buenos Aires. Throughout the summer, the Port of Ushuaia embarks and disembarks expedition vessels bound for the southern wilderness as seamlessly as any harbor in the Virgin Islands, the Mediterranean, or Alaska.

Voyages departing from Ushuaia, Argentina access Antarctica by sea. They traverse the infamous Drake Passage, a 600-mile (1,000 kilometer) body of water that separates South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Depending upon conditions, this crossing often takes a day and a half at sea and is a prime opportunity to view iconic wildlife such as the great wandering albatross.

Alternatively, travelers preferring to skip the Drake Passage can fly out of Punta Arenas, Chile directly to an airstrip on an island adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula. From there, they'll board the expedition ship and be standing face to face with glaciers and penguins just a few hours after departing Punta Arenas.

When can I travel to Antarctica?

Passengers stand at the hull of the ship as they cruise through sea ice. Photo: Sam Crimmin

The best time to visit Antarctica is from late spring to early fall, which in the southern hemisphere is from October to March. The first voyages of the season reach Antarctica in late spring (end of October or early November) when the sea ice opens up just enough to allow ships into the pristine glacial landscapes. Voyages operate continually from late October, until the summer comes to an end, and the wonderfully powerful Antarctic autumn begins to arrive by the middle of March.

Learn more about the unique highlights of visiting Antarctica during its different seasons here.

How long is an Antarctic expedition?

When browsing information about your Antarctic expedition, you'll find different types of “ itineraries ,” or sailing plans . These itineraries aren't concrete, per se, but guides that will shape the direction and the duration of each voyage. Among these, you will find expeditions that travel directly to Antarctica, and others that include the spectacular sub-Antarctic regions of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia.

There are a wide range of options for visiting Antarctica that can suit your schedule, from “express” expeditions with flights to the Antarctic Peninsula that get you to the continent and back in as quick as eight days, to epic explorations of sub-Antarctic islands and the continent itself, lasting three weeks or more.

The most common expeditions last approximately nine to ten days, including five full days of exploration in Antarctica. Rather than fly from South America, these voyages embrace the power and the beauty of the Drake Passage (and its rich and abundant bird life), sailing from Ushuaia. Time spent at sea varies depending on sea conditions and wind, but often take from one and a half to two days at sea, each way. The rest of the voyage is spent in the seemingly endless coastal environment of the Antarctic Peninsula.

For those with extended holidays and a thirst for a deeper exploration of this remote wilderness, there are expeditions that spend twenty or more days exploring in the Southern Ocean and its unique islands. These extended voyages include visits to the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands and the otherworldly wilderness of South Georgia, in addition to the days spent in the Antarctic Peninsula, making these expeditions the most thorough exploration of the wild environments at the bottom of the globe.

King penguins in South Georgia. Photo: David Merron

How is an expedition to Antarctica different from a cruise?

The best way to immerse yourself in the Antarctic experience is aboard an authentic expedition ship . Different from traditional cruise ships, expedition vessels are much smaller and allow travelers to not just get closer to the continent, but to actually travel into and set foot on the glacial landscapes that make it so famous.

Larger ships that do quick cruise-by's, providing only glimpses of Antarctica, often carry upward of 500 – 2,000 passengers. Alternatively, expedition ships typically carry between just 70 and 200 passengers, but never more than 200. Smaller group sizes comply with tourism regulations on the 7th Continent, and allow for a substantially wider array of activities, including daily landings on islands and the physical continent itself, and intimate, Zodiac cruises amongst icebergs and wildlife. This type of exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula is not possible on larger cruise ships.

The Ocean Endeavour, in the Lemaire Channel. Photo: David Merron

Expedition ships in Antarctica have reinforced hulls that are ice-class rated, meaning they are designed to withstand contact with bits and pieces of sea ice and small fragments of icebergs. In response to the extreme conditions of the continent, they are engineered to be entirely self-sufficient for weeks on end and able to navigate the ever-changing seascape of Antarctica's coastline, inlets, bays, and channels. In this way, expedition trips take on the spirit of exploration, much like the sailing adventures from centuries ago: everything that is needed for the voyage is prepared for in advance, allowing for pure freedom, mobility, and spontaneity to take advantage of opportune weather conditions or wildlife sightings.

When planning your visit, there is a wide range of expedition vessels from which to choose, depending on size, accommodations, and adventure options that suit your travel style. A bit of research or a phone call with a Polar Travel Adviser can help you choose what ship best fits your preferences.

What can I do while in Antarctica?

Passengers spot a whale fluke while on a zodiac cruise. Photo: David Merron

Expedition trips to Antarctica provide daily opportunities to get off of the ship and into the environment. While sailing the coastlines of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia, most voyages make landfall at least once, during which you can walk amongst penguins and seals, hike up to vantage points to take in the immensity of the wilderness, or just sit contemplatively in a cathedral of glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife. Additionally, you'll go on daily Zodiac cruises (small, inflatable watercraft that hold just 12 people) to explore beautifully sculpted icebergs, marine life including seals, penguins, and whales, and infrequently visited areas that make us all feel small in this beautifully massive environment.

For those with a thirst for something extra, there are various add-on adventure options that allow travelers to personalize their journey. These include overnight camping trips on the ice, where the true meaning of “disconnecting” can be fully understood.

Camping in Antarctica

Passenger pictured after camping overnight in the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: David Merron

Imagine setting up your sleeping bag under the midsummer night skies of Antarctica as you watch your expedition ship slowly disappear behind a neighboring island. The rumblings of glaciers and the voices of penguins become all the more audible as you realize you are out there , camping with a few dozen other hardy souls who want to brave the 7th Continent the way explorers did centuries ago. The pure Antarctic silence surrounds you as you drift into sleep, and the first thins you'll see in the morning are the nearby glaciers and tranquil waters of a protected Antarctic cove, and perhaps a penguin or two resting at the water's edge. An experience truly unique to expedition travel to Antarctica.

Stand-up Paddleboarding in Antarctica

Stand-up Paddleboarding in the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: Abbey Weisbrot

Although Antarctica has a reputation for being fiercely cold, in the summertime, the Antarctic Peninsula can be quite inviting! So inviting, that under the right conditions, visitors can navigate icy bays by stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Many people often associate SUP boarding with the tropics, but it can actually be the perfect fit for an intimate Antarctic moment. Paddling through a quiet, isolated cove can be one of the best ways to move the body while taking in the sounds of porpoising penguins and the crackling of bits and pieces of glaciers floating nearby. The waters of Antarctica are teaming with life, and intimate encounters with penguins, whales and seals gliding beneath or near your board are not uncommon.

Sea Kayaking in Antarctica

A kayaker's perspective in Antarctic waters. Photo: Quark Passenger

Sea kayaking has long been a favorite way for adventurers to explore the Antarctic. Similar to stand-up paddleboarding, kayakers can enjoy the wilderness with a quieter approach. No nearby motors to interfere with what Antarctica really sounds like. Kayakers often extend their daily adventures a bit further than SUP boards, navigating safe routes through cathedrals of grounded icebergs, and coasting quietly by shorelines dotted with thousands of nesting penguins. Occasionally, kayakers encounter marine mammals in their natural environment, like seals or whales. Marine mammals are always viewed from a safe distance, as safety is the utmost priority for all kayaking programs regardless of the operator. But the feelings kayakers feel when sharing the water with massive marine mammals is humbling, to say the least. The type of experiences that often create lifelong passions for wildlife and exploration.

Snowshoeing, beginners' mountaineering, extended hikes and the infamous polar plunge are also available as included activities on all Antarctic expeditions.

Are all trips the same? How do I choose the best itinerary for me?

No, two expeditions to Antarctica are ever the same which is what makes visiting this continent so special. Your voyage will be uniquely yours—no other expedition will have sailed the same route you sailed, experienced the same things you did, and encountered the same spontaneous opportunities that the wilderness provided. Sea ice and weather conditions are always dynamic in this environment, resulting in a fluid style of travel that takes advantage of weather windows and occasional or rare opportunities that allow ships to enter otherwise inaccessible landscapes.

You will undoubtedly see more glaciers, mountain tops, and penguins than you can count, all of which will feel so immense it will be difficult to describe. But every voyage has its additional victories, its coups, its open doors that create truly one-of-a-kind experiences that no one else will be able to replicate. Every voyage has its own life , its own pulse, its own story, and your voyage will be uniquely yours.

Why Visit Antarctica?

Since ancient Greek times, scholars and explorers were convinced there was a large landmass south. Way south. And as scientists began to realize that the world was round, that prevailing thought continued: there must be a landmass at the bottom of the globe to provide counterweight to all of the land in the north.

England commissioned Captain James Cook on multiple voyages to the Southern Ocean not only to take astronomical measurements to better understand longitude and the mathematics of the world, but just as importantly, to discover this famed and mysterious continent. Captain Cook never saw land in Antarctica, but he penetrated deep into southern latitudes, encountering endless sea ice and icebergs that led him to believe that if there was land in the region, it was surely cold, encased with ice, and nearly inaccessible.

Ernest Henry Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott, and Edward Adrian Wilson, who set out November 2, 1902, to reach the highest possible latitude the furthest south.

In the 1820's, many professional explorers, commercial sealers, and whalers found their way to the Antarctic Peninsula region. The names Bellingshausen, Palmer, and Bransfield are all dotted across the Antarctic map, as they were among the very first commanders to set their sights on the southern continental landmass proper. Throughout the next century, explorers battled with icy seas, scurvy, and a complete lack of communication with the outside world as they penetrated the various corners of this wilderness. Sir Ernest Shackleton , Sir Robert Falcon Scott, Roald Amundsen, Otto Nordenskjold, and Douglas Mawson each have their own courageous and harrowing tales of adventure of some of humanity's very first encounters with the 7th Continent.

Like these legendary explorers, some travelers today are looking to push their own limits and visit truly wild places to connect with nature and disconnect from their daily lives. Traveling to Antarctica touches on something resonant within us all—that desire to get out on the edge of what we know, and to experience something truly new. Like so many of the famous explorers before us, who traveled into the unknown, visiting Antarctica is the type of experience that will change our perspective forever. There really is nothing like the feeling of setting eyes on landscapes that very few humans have ever seen, listening to the grumblings of thousand-meter-thick glaciers as they power their way down steep coastal mountainsides, or sharing a snowy beach with an endless colony of charismatic penguins. These are the very sights and sounds that lured so many Antarctic explorers back into the unknown expedition after expedition. And they are the scenes that you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.

Yes, you can visit Antarctica!

Although Antarctica is the most remote continent on earth—more than 1,000 km from the nearest neighboring continent—you can actually visit it, and enjoy the voyage at your own pace and preference. By offering a wide range of embarkation ports, voyage durations, itineraries, and seasons, Antarctica really is within reach. The continent remains isolated from the rest of the world, with its wildlife and wild places operating as they have for millennia. But its beauty is accessible—and it's waiting for you to explore it.

To learn more about traveling to Antarctica, talk to a Polar Travel Adviser to find which expedition is right for you, or browse more resources available below:

• Antarctica: When to Go & What You'll See
• Antarctica Trip Planner
• Current Offers on Expeditions to Antarctica

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Dreaming of Antarctica: How to book the trip of a lifetime

On Earth Day, April 22, 2020, we are publishing several environmentally themed stories. They're a reminder that it's possible to travel and minimize the impact on the environment at the same time. In this story about travel to Antarctica, we are highlighting the special care that travelers must exercise there.

Antarctica, the fifth-largest continent on the planet, is the most remote, mysterious and unknown territory on earth. Constituting approximately 20% of the Southern Hemisphere, it is larger than Europe, yet unique in that it has neither a native population nor a government. Instead, portions have been claimed by seven countries: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Unfortunately, climate change has affected Antarctica significantly (as it has many other parts of the world) . Who knows if it will still exist as we know it in a few years? It's the only continent I haven't visited and I want to see it before it is unalterably changed. However, it will also require budgeting well in advance -- a trip there can easily cost $15,000 or more.

Here's how I'm planning my bucket-list trip to Antarctica, hopefully for the end of 2020 or early 2021 — at the peak of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

There's no quick way to get there

This is one trip for which there are no shortcuts , especially for travelers from North America. Most Antarctica expeditions originate in the Southern Hemisphere, so get your stash of miles ready to help offset the overall cash cost you're almost inevitably going to incur.

Where should you travel from?

Antarctica is also an inconvenient destination. (It's even inconvenient for airplanes to overfly, let alone land, which is partly why there aren't that many flights that cross oceans in the Southern Hemisphere .) The main jumping-off points for Antarctica are Patagonia, the southernmost region of Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia, nicknamed the "End of the World," is the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, which, in turn, is part of the region of Patagonia. The city is also the port from which most cruise ships depart for Antarctica. If you prefer a little less hassle, you may be able to book some luxury cruises out of Buenos Aires.

There are direct flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Many flights to USH depart from Buenos Aires' Aeroparque airport (AEP) instead of Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) -- the usual arrival airport for flights from the U.S. Buenos Aires is a wonderful city with so much to explore, and so much delicious food and wine that I highly recommend a stopover of a day or two, just to rest and stretch your legs before continuing on. As an added bonus, your dollar will stretch quite far against the Argentine peso, and your tourism dollars will help boost the struggling economy.

Flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia are typically $200 to $300 one-way, although with the coronavirus pandemic, prices have dropped as low as $67 one-way during summer peak season (November through February). The main airlines serving the route are Aerolíneas Argentinas, which is part of the SkyTeam alliance, and LATAM, which leaves the Oneworld alliance on May 1, 2020, to begin its partnership with Delta Air Lines.

Once you arrive in Ushuaia, you can board a cruise you've already booked or wait to see if a last-minute cruise cabin opens up. If you have more free time than money, waiting for a last-minute deal is a one of the most affordable ways to get to Antarctica for a fraction of the usual price.

Punta Arenas, Chile

You can fly, drive or bus down to this southern Chilean city. The main airport is Aeropuerto Presidente Ibáñez (PUQ), and you can fly direct from Santiago, the capital of Chile. If you feel like adding some extra sightseeing, there are restaurants, museums and walkable options within the downtown area. Taxis are relatively cheap and easy to hail. You can even sail from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia via cruise ship — it's a three- to four-night trip one-way.

Invercargill/Port of Bluff, New Zealand, or Hobart, Tasmania, in Australia

These cities are the jumping-off points for incredibly scenic cruise routes to Antarctica. It takes about seven days of sailing to get to Antarctica, but where's the fun in that? Cruises from Tasmania take about 23 to 35 days in all, stopping at beautifully remote spots such as Macquarie Island, the Snares and Auckland Islands and Campbell Island, rich with unique wildlife.

What will you pay for a cruise like this? On average, expect to budget a cool $25,000 per person.

Standard ways to get to Antarctica

There's no easy way to get to Antarctica, but the vast majority of visitors get to or near Antarctica by water. There are cruises to Antarctica from Chile, Australia, New Zealand and even South Africa, but most tourist expeditions depart from Ushuaia, Argentina.

Related: TPG readers share their best tips and tricks for getting to Antarctica

Prefer to fly? You can do that, but none of your usual loyalty programs will get you there on points or miles . The majority of aviation into Antarctica is into King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, where you can transfer to a cruise ship for the next few days. A direct flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island takes two to three hours one way, and allows you to skip the Drake Passage .

Unique ways to visit Antarctica

If you are a researcher, extreme marathoner or have other types of special skills or interests, you might be able to get there through some nontraditional routes.

For runners

One option is by participating in the World Marathon Challenge , where athletes run a full 26.2-mile marathon within seven days on all seven continents, including in Antarctica. Heads up: It's not cheap at more than $40,000 per person, and registration slots are extremely limited. In 2020, the World Marathon Challenge chartered a Boeing 757 operated by Titan Airways to ferry marathoners to and from Cape Town, South Africa, to Novo Station, a Russian base on the Antarctic mainland.

For shutterbugs

Some National Geographic explorers have the unique privilege of visiting the North and South Poles as part of their jobs. But Nat Geo has also partnered with Lindblad Expeditions to offer 14- to 24-day cruises for explorers who are looking for more nature-focused experiences.

As with most Antarctica trips, the cruises aren't cheap -- they range from just under $15,000 to a whopping $113,000. But the multi-week itineraries look really exciting, and include adventures such as photography expeditions with hands-on training. As a former full-time photographer, I would find one of these a dream come true.

For geoscience researchers

Scientific researchers also have an inside route to the southernmost part of the world. Geoscientists can visit Antarctica for research purposes , but you'll probably have to be there for a month or two.

For the rich

Is there anything money can't solve, at least where travel is involved? If you've got the dough, skip the plebeian routes and charter a private Gulfstream jet through White Desert Antarctica . As a bonus, you'll also be able to visit one of The Points Guy's favorite countries : South Africa.

You can book "The Greatest Day" package for a one-day trip from Cape Town, South Africa, to Wolf's Fang, Antarctica. It takes five hours one-way to arrive there. You'll pay "just" $13,500 for one person, or $150,000 for the whole jet, which seats 12 — talk about an epic party.

If a single day is too short of a trip for your taste, choose the five-day, $58,000 "Early Emperors" package which also includes round-trip flights. This package allows you to spend some quality time with baby emperor penguins.

Or you could go for broke — literally — and splurge on the "Emperors and South Pole" package, which offers exactly what it suggests: An eight-day luxury trek to the South Pole . I'm not sure how the company is juxtaposing "luxury" with "endless ice," but at $92,500 per person, I hope they have it figured out.

Related: 7 tips for visiting Antarctica before it's too late

If you're the sort of person who likes to plan every detail of your upcoming flight, Antarctica Flights offers an experience that's a lot more similar to a typical commercial travel experience, including seat maps and special flights for significant dates including New Year's. You'll get champagne to ring in the coming year.

The best time of year to visit

The best time of year to visit Antarctica is when it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer there. You'll have the best chance of seeing unique animals including baby penguins, whales, seals and a variety of bird life between the months of November and March. If you're sailing to Antarctica, you'll also have the highest likelihood of experiencing a calm Drake Passage in the summertime. Unfortunately, as with any peak season, this is also when you're most likely to run into other tourists.

Can I get there on points?

Use points to offset your cash expenses.

Again, Antarctica isn't a budget trip and most of your big expenses will have to be paid in cash. But that doesn't mean you can't use credit cards to your advantage.

Cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card allow you to use your miles to "erase" charges on your statement, and you can do the same with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Keep in mind that this isn't usually the best use for your hard-earned points, since TPG is all about redeeming points and miles for outsize value . Your best way for determining value would be to use TPG's monthly valuations guide to compare the cost of paying for your trip in cash versus using points and miles to cover those expenses.

One way to knock a few thousand dollars off the cost of your travels is by booking your positioning flights on miles. You can easily get to Argentina, Chile, South Africa or Australia and New Zealand on points. TPG has published an extensive number of deal alerts to all of these destinations in the past, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter to receive alerts , or follow us on Twitter to find out when they are published.

Book your cruise on Hyatt points

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that World of Hyatt partners with Lindblad Expeditions for luxury excursions. Lindblad's smaller vessels are perfect for travelers who want to disembark in Antarctica, because ships with more than 500 passengers aren't allowed to deposit anyone on land. Lindblad partners with National Geographic for its routes, including a handful of Antarctica sailings each year.

Unfortunately, you'll need a lot of Hyatt stays (or spend) to visit on points: Lindblad's Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent cruise costs between $14,940 and $73,100 in cash or a whopping 933,750 to 4,568,750 World of Hyatt points to book — per person.

Even though Hyatt points are worth 1.7 cents apiece by TPG's current valuations, resulting in a very reasonable cash conversion value of $15,873.75 to $77,668.75, I still think I'll be paying for my cruise in cash. After all, my Hyatt points are far more valuable when used toward, say, a stay at the beautiful Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires in the lovely Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires on my way down to or from Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.

As of now, it's unclear whether or not cruise lines will still be operating their Antarctica routes toward the end of 2020. The novel coronavirus has impacted virtually every corner of the world, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Antarctica was no exception. For now, I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best. And it seems that the cruise lines are doing so as well, since you can still purchase passage for 2020 and 2021 cruises on many websites.

Important reminders and tips

Take care of the environment

The pristine environment of Antarctica is vulnerable to climate change and human presence, so be sure to follow the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) guidelines for your visit. If walking on the continent is important to you, book a cruise on a smaller vessel; you won't be allowed to disembark on Antarctic ice if you arrive on most ships carrying 500 or more passengers. Even if you sail on a smaller ship, only 100 people are allowed on shore at any given time, with a 1:20 guide-to-passenger ratio required.

You will also need special permits to enter any protected areas , so be sure to complete any necessary paperwork before departure.

Travel insurance

Even if you never purchase travel insurance and rely exclusively on your credit card's trip protection benefits when you travel, TPG strongly recommends purchasing an independent travel insurance plan for a trip of this magnitude. In the event that you need emergency evacuation or to cancel at the last minute, it will be a relief to know that your finances won't take a hit.

Plan ahead for motion sickness

Last summer, I took a sunset cruise in Santorini with some friends for a post-wedding party. As we were boarding, we heard the captain apologetically telling the previous passengers, "Sorry for the choppy waters today." I don't usually get seasick, but I was really grateful I'd taken some prophylactic Dramamine 45 minutes prior.

As you can see from the video, the motion of the boat was fun for a couple of hours — for some of us — but it would be brutal for two days for any traveler unaccustomed to this amount of motion. I ended up having a great time that evening, but many of the other guests did not and it took them the rest of the evening to recover.

Back on the subject of Antarctica, have you heard of the infamous Drake Passage ? Travelers say that it's no joke. The waters between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, known as the Drake Passage, are the convergence point for the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans and are unavoidable if you're sailing between South America and Antarctica. The Drake Passage produces some of the choppiest waters in the world. It isn't a quick pass-through, either: The Drake Passage takes about two days to navigate — in each direction . So even though you'll be in a far larger vessel than my small Santorini yacht, it's a good idea to plan ahead for potential motion sickness.

Most reports I've read on the Drake Passage say that it's not that bad if you hit it at the right time. But this is the ocean we're talking about, and two or more days going through choppy waters will take a physical toll on any landlubber.

If you are also unsure of your sea legs, bring whatever works best for you: Medication, motion sickness patches, acupressure point bands. For the amount of money you're spending on getting to Antarctica, the last thing you want to do is feel miserable and exhausted when you get there.

Consider using a travel agent

Many TPG readers pride themselves on pulling together their dream trips on their own. But when it comes to Antarctica, even seasoned travelers can benefit from the services of a professional travel agent.

TPG contributor Daniel Hank told TPG's Melanie Lieberman that "in the case of Antarctica, I totally needed that help." Hank used ExpeditionTrips , which is considered one of the foremost travel companies for Antarctica journeys, although there are many other travel companies and specialists who can help you ensure that your once-in-a-lifetime experience goes without a hitch. Travel Leaders , for example, can connect you with an Antarctica travel specialist near you.

How I want to go, and how I plan to pay for my trip

Personally, I'm planning to keep things simple. I've decided against planning a November trip. My birthday falls at the end of January, so that's probably my top choice for a departure time: What a memorable way to ring in a new year.

I will probably use my United Airlines miles to book a cheap award flight from Texas to Buenos Aires to visit some friends for a day or two, then fly to Ushuaia. Depending on how my finances look at that point, I might try working from the End of the World for a few weeks in hopes of scoring a budget cabin on a cruise ship headed to Antarctica. I'm not planning any activities ahead of time; I just want to be there and experience whatever comes up in the moment — yes, even if it's a choppy Drake Passage.

If I had my choice, I'd love to cruise to Antarctica on one of the National Geographic routes through Lindblad. I was a professional photographer for a number of years before joining TPG, and I would love to dust off my fancy lenses and get some hands-on tutelage from nature photography professionals for a memorable excursion. But regardless of my cruise line, my camera gear will undoubtedly accompany me to Antarctica.

I have an annual travel insurance plan which has treated me very well over the two years that I've had it. I plan to pay cash for most of the Antarctica portions of my trip, using my Chase Sapphire Reserve for its excellent travel benefits. As for lodging on my way down south, I tend to rely on Hotels.com for cheaper accommodations in nonbranded hotels, although I do have a significant stash of Marriott and Hilton points as of now.

Antarctica isn't a bucket-list place for everyone; in fact, I probably wouldn't have considered visiting even five years ago. But it's almost a mythical destination, and I can't wait to go. If you've been, please leave me your best tips in the comments below and if you're also hoping to go sometime in the near future, tell me how you want to get there.

There Are Only 2 Ways You Can Fly to Antarctica

Whether visiting Antarctica is on your bucket list or you’re just curious whether you can travel to this remote part of the world, you might be wondering if you can fly to Antarctica – or perhaps if there is any other way of getting there.

You can fly directly to Antarctica, though this requires chartering a flight and  flights are very expensive as commercial airlines do not offer any flights. Because of this, most people fly to Argentina and then take a cruise to Antarctica.

Although Antarctica is known for bad weather, flights to Antarctica are safe, and more people travel there every year.

Table of Contents

• 1 Scheduled Flights to Antarctica
• 2 Chartered Flights to Antarctica
• 3 The Best Routes to Fly to Antarctica
• 4 The Best Time to Fly to Antarctica
• 5 It Costs a Lot to Fly to Antarctica
• 6 Flying to Antarctica isn’t Dangerous
• 7 How Long it Takes to Fly to Antarctica
• 8 Thousands of People Fly to Antarctica Every Year

Scheduled Flights to Antarctica

There are no scheduled flights to Antarctica.

Commercial airlines don’t offer flights to Antarctica due to the lack of consumer demand and the absence of airports in Antarctica. 

Chartered Flights to Antarctica

The most popular way to fly to Antarctica is the Fly-Cruise option. The Fly-Cruise option involves passengers flying from Tierra del Fuego to King George Island through a chartered flight.

After the two-hour chartered flight, they board a ship to Antarctica.

These chartered flights are only available as part of a package. You cannot book an individual seat on a chartered flight. These chartered flights are short, only 2 hours.

The chartered flights are also booked in conjunction with the cruise, so your flight is arranged by your cruise operator. 

The Best Routes to Fly to Antarctica

There is only one major flight route for Antarctica. But, you can choose whether to fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the Antarctic interior or by flying from King George island.

98%  of travelers fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island, and less than 1% fly directly from Puntas Arenas to the South Pole.

Most people fly to King George island since it offers unmatched scenic views of nature and wildlife.

Travelers who fly directly to Antarctica usually have specific goals like research, monitoring or are on one-time expeditions. 

Recently, companies in Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina have offered alternative routes to Antarctica.

But, these routes are not popular with tourists, and most are still directed through Punta Arenas. 

The Best Time to Fly to Antarctica

The best time to fly to Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer. The Antarctic summer starts in November and ends in March.

There are up to 24 hours of daylight during the Antarctic summer, and the local wildlife is most active.

Another benefit is that travelers are least likely to encounter problems with sea ice. Most Polar Circle cruises happen during these months too. 

Conversely, Antarctica is the most difficult to fly to during autumn and winter.

The Antarctic coastline is near impenetrable during both seasons due to heavy ice and temperatures below -60 degrees Celsius.

Virtually all cruise ships leave Antarctica by April for this reason.

The temperatures drop rapidly, with daylight becoming scarcer and sea storms intensifying. Only scientists and film crews travel to the continent during this time. 

It Costs a Lot to Fly to Antarctica

A flight to Antarctica costs an average of $30,000 or more. This figure also includes the cost of amenities and vital supplies, like hotel costs and survival gear.

Since there are no commercial flights to Antarctica, a private chartered flight is the only option.

Private chartered flights are expensive because you, and your travel companions, will be the only passengers.

Since flights to Antarctica cannot be separated from the travel agency you’re using – and there also aren’t many of them – there aren’t many ways of reducing costs.

At best, you can select a slightly different package from a  different travel agency, but costs will still be high.

Flying to Antarctica isn’t Dangerous

Flying to Antarctica is actually relatively safe.

Thousands of tourists fly to the ice-covered continent every year, with no complications. Yet, people have some safety concerns about flying to Antarctica.

Antarctica has dangerous weather. Arguably, Antarctica has some of the world’s worst weather, with fast and intense winds.

It’s not unusual for tourists to wait up to two weeks in Puntas Arenas, Chile, before the weather clears for going to Antarctica.

The fast winds of Antarctica are dangerous for planes, especially chartered turboprops, which most Antarctica cruise operators use.

Landing in Antarctica can sometimes also be challenging. A weather phenomenon called ‘whiteout’ is especially hazardous.

Whiteout is when it becomes impossible to distinguish landmarks and contours in a snow-covered Antarctic landscape.

Famously, in the 1979 Mount Erebus disaster, Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Antarctica because of whiteout.

Related: Are Small Planes Safe?

How Long it Takes to Fly to Antarctica

The average flight from Puntas Arenas, Argentina, takes 50 minutes during clear weather conditions to reach Antarctica.

If the weather conditions aren’t optimal , it can take up to 2 hours to reach Antarctica.

A scenic flight over Antarctica from either Australia or New Zealand takes an average of 6 hours and 14 minutes, depending on the type of plane used. 

Thousands of People Fly to Antarctica Every Year

74,401 travelers visited Antarctica during the 2019/2020 Antarctic summer, between October 2019 and April 2020, according to the IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators).

The IAATO is responsible for nearly all tourist flights to Antarctica.

They’ve recently reported that visits to the ice-covered continent have increased rapidly every year, sometimes doubling in a year. 

The IAATO reported that of the 74,401 visitors in the 2019/2020 Antarctic summer, 731 travelers flew to deep-field destinations, 4,679 participated in air/cruise travel programs, and at least one flight from King George island was combined with a Peninsula cruise.

There are also separate military and scientific flights to Antarctica, but these flights are not included in IAATO statistics. Figures on military and scientific flights are also not publicly available.

In conclusion, yes, you can fly to Antarctica.

The only way to fly directly to Antarctica is through a private chartered flight. These chartered flights happen almost exclusively between the Antarctic summer from November to March.

Although these chartered flights are expensive, they’re relatively safe. The other option is the Fly-Cruise package.

The number of travelers to Antarctica is also increasing every year, so it might become a significant tourist destination in the future.

Ella Dunham

Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.

Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.

Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).

Related Posts:

Simple Flying

How to fly to antarctica by private jet.

Several different jet charters fly to Antarctica.

There are no native human inhabitants in Antarctica, yet the continent receives thousands of visitors per year. Many of these visitors are scientists looking to conduct meteorological, wildlife, and astrophysical research. However, some of these visitors are travelers looking to explore the exotic land. In 2022, tourists outnumbered scientists by over 20 times, per Geographical .

Many of these tourists, and even many of the scientists, travel to Antarctica by boat. Alternatively, it is estimated that about 10% of the continent's visitors travel to Antarctica by plane, per Antarctica Guide . However, there are no commercial flights that operate to Antarctica . Therefore, many visitors must take chartered flights to the continent from either South America or Southern Africa. Let's take a closer look at how some travelers can fly to Antarctica.

Standard experiences

White Desert is one of the most well-known travel companies that run excursions to Antarctica. The company provides opportunities for both tourists and scientists from all over the world to reach the frozen continent. White Desert has several small, luxury camps in Antarcitca, and runs many adventures and excursions for visitors to enjoy.

These adventures include experiences such as the Early Emperors, which allows travelers to follow the early days of a penguin colony for up to five days, or a trip called the Greatest Day, where visitors can experience a unique day trip accompanied by a professional guide. Another adventure is called the White Desert World. This trip takes travelers to all seven continents by private plane across 21 total days and 10 stops.

White Desert also operates several aircraft to transport adventurers from other continents. One is the Airbus A340-300 with two classes, which can fly from Cape Town to Wolf Fang's Runway in under five hours. White Desert also flies a Gulfstream G550, which can fly round trip to Wolf Fang's Runway without refueling. The last aircraft that White Desert operates is a Basler BT-67. This aircraft has had more than $9 million invested in airframe upgrades and can land on both snow and ice.

Additionally, a travel experience creation company called Red Savannah offers Antarctica as a unique experience. Visitors travel to the continent by private plane which is also booked in partnership with White Desert. This nine-day adventure takes off from South Africa and allows travelers to visit emperor penguin colonies and stay in luxury campsites throughout the South Pole.

Chartered flights

Several airlines and charter companies offer guided trips to Antarctica. Lux Aviation , which is a Luxembourg-based private jet charter service, offers an experience called Midnight Sun. This experience takes up to eight guests from Cape Town and lands at Wolf's Fang runway in the Arctic. Guests can choose to accompany a guide and experience a wide range of activities on the continent in partnership with White Desert.

Additionally, Victor , a digital private jet charter, flies to several Antarctic locations. The charter licenses flights to McMurdo Station Pegasus Field (NZPG), McMurdo Station Ice Runway (NZIR), Williams Field (NZWD), Palmer Station Airport (NZ12), South Pole Station Airport (NZSP), Petrel Airport (SA47), Marambio Base (SAWB), and Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Base (TNM).

Can You Fly To Antarctica?

John Parker

Air travel has been increasing in popularity ever since it became affordable for the majority of people to participate in it. 

With the ever-increasing popularity comes more and more innovation in the world of aviation. This means that there are now more non-stop flights to far-off destinations than ever before. 

It also means that places that were once thought to be inaccessible are now becoming more popular as tourist destinations. 

This is also true of Antarctica. This article will look at whether you can fly to Antarctica.

Can you fly into Antarctica?

The short answer to this question is, yes. It is possible to fly to Antarctica and many people do so for different reasons. 

There are two main locations within Antarctica that you can fly to. These are King George Island and the South Pole. 

Although, if you are a tourist, you will likely only ever fly to King George Island rather than directly to the South Pole. 

Flights that go directly to the South Pole are often taken by researchers and expeditionists. The views at King George Island are also much more beautiful. 

Scheduled flights

At the moment, there are no scheduled flights to Antarctica.  This is because there is a lack of airports in Antarctica (as in none, at least as we know them) and avian infrastructure on the continent. 

There is also a lack of consumer interest which is necessary to be able to justify running scheduled flights. 

Charter flights

The most popular way to fly to Antarctica is via the Fly-Cruise option.  This option involves passengers flying from Tierra Del Fuego to King George Island. 

From there, a ship is boarded that takes you to Antarctica. 

These types of chartered flights are exclusively available as part of a package. It is impossible to book a single seat on one of these flights.

The flights are also booked in conjunction with a cruise.  This means that your flight will be arranged by your cruise operator as part of your trip.  

Can you fly over Antarctica?

If you just want to see the Antarctic without actually landing there, Qantas does offer the occasional sightseeing flight from Australia .

Best routes to fly to Antarctica

The only currently available route to fly to Antarctica is direct from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island. 

There are many ways to get to Punta Arenas from places all over the world.  However, this is the airport that you will need to get to if you want to fly to Antarctica.

98% of people who fly to Antarctica do it via the route from Punta Arenas to King George Island. 

The beauty of flying to King George Island is the amount of wildlife and stunning scenery that you get to view.  

The remaining 2% of travelers fly directly from Puntas Arenas to the South Pole.  These travelers are often researchers who are carrying out scientific research in Antarctica and they will travel in special planes.  

Airline operators from Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina are beginning to offer alternative routes to Antarctica. So given time, there will be more airlines that fly to Antarctica.

However, these are still not hugely popular with consumers and the majority of tourists heading to Antarctica are directed through Puntas Arenas. 

How long is the flight to Antarctica?

The flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island takes around 2 hours in total.  Considering where you are going, this is an incredibly short flight. The views are stunning. 

From the landing on King George Island, it is about a mile walk to the ship that you need to board to take you to Antarctica. 

The flight time to the South Pole is around 10 hours (plus a stopover).

The total time that it takes to fly to Antarctica depends on where you are originally traveling from. You will need to take a long-haul flight to Santiago, Chile. 

From there you can get a connecting flight to Punta Arenas which takes around 4.5 hours. 

When is the best time to fly to Antarctica?

The only possible time to fly to Antarctica is between the months of November/December and February/March.  This is during the summer months in Antarctica. 

During this time, there are up to 24 hours of daylight and the wildlife is most active during these months.  

During the summer months, you are less likely to encounter issues with sea ice that can hinder the leg of your journey that is taken by boat. 

It is also the time of year when there are the most cruises running which gives you more flexibility in terms of dates and times for your flights.  

Most cruise ships do not run during the Antarctic winter season, therefore it is almost impossible to travel to Antarctica during this time of the year .  

How much does it cost to fly to Antarctica?

Flying to Antarctica is very expensive .

With the charter airline Antarctic Airways , you can do a day trip for $6,000 per person. There is no schedule as the weather in the Antarctic is very variable and these flights only fly between December and February.

The few places that are available to fly all the way to the south pole cost between USD$54,500 and USD$100,000 per person!

This is to cover the cost of the travel as well as accommodation, vital supplies, and survival gear.  

The Antarctic is a barren land that is not very forgiving, therefore, it is expensive to visit.  Another reason flights to Antarctica cost so much is the lack of availability of flights. 

There are very few ways in which a travel agency can reduce costs for such an exclusive service.  

You may be able to reduce the cost of your flight to Antarctica by a small margin by selecting a slightly cheaper package from the tour operator, but it won’t be a significant saving.

Is it dangerous to fly to Antarctica?

Considering the terrain and environment that you are flying into, it is relatively safe to fly to Antarctica.  

There are two main factors that affect the safety of flying to Antarctica.  The main concern is the intense weather that is experienced in Antarctica. 

The wind can be extremely strong which is a disastrous weather condition to fly and land a plane in. 

Because of this, it is not uncommon for tourists to spend up to two weeks in Punta Arenas, Chile, waiting for the weather to improve.  

Another reason why people have concerns about flying to Antarctica is the lack of airports and proper runways. 

When you land in Antarctica, the plane will be set down on a patch of ice, known by the pilot, that has been smoothed out. 

The most dangerous phenomenon that can befall a plane landing on King George Island is “whiteout”. 

When a whiteout occurs, it is impossible to distinguish between landmarks and contours in the landscape. 

Final thoughts

It is possible to fly to Antarctica should you wish to do so.  However, there are many strict procedures that dictate when and how you can fly to the continent. You should also be patient as you may have to wait days for a suitable weather window.

Can you fly to Antarctica video:

Flying to Antarctica FAQs

Can a civilian fly to antarctica.

Yes, civilians can fly to Antarctica (King George Island). Many tourists then board a ship to cruise the Antarctic coast.

Why can’t planes fly over Antarctica?

Actually, planes can fly over Antarctica. There are actually occasional sightseeing flights by Qantas from Australia and Air New Zealand. Apart from that, there are few flights simply because there are no commercially viable routes.

Has a plane ever crashed in Antarctica?

There have been a number of survey and supply plane crashes in Antarctica. The worst air crash was in 1979 when an Air New Zealand DC10 on a sightseeing flight crashed into Mount Erebus killing all on board.

Do you need a passport to enter Antarctica?

You do need a valid passport for Antarctica. To even reach an airport from which you can then fly on to Antarctica you would need a passport anyway.

I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me

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How to Travel to Antarctica

Last Updated: July 27, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Angela Rice . Angela Rice is a Luxury Travel Specialist and Co-Founder of Boutique Travel Advisors, a luxury travel advising business in Phoenix, Arizona. Angela specializes in consulting and curating highly customized and unique travel itineraries for clients seeking luxury, group, and multi-generational family travel. Angela studied at Arizona State University and The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. She has prior consulting experience in accounting and business, which helps her run her business behind the scenes. Angela has been featured in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Travel Weekly, USA Today, Travel Market Report, Phoenix Magazine, and MSN. She is also a frequent guest on WBBM News Radio 105.9 FM's Travel Tuesday show. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 876,406 times.

Travelling to Antarctica is one of the most exhilarating trips you will ever take. Although it's expensive, it's truly spectacular. A trip to Antarctica is something that you and your travelling companions will never forget. It is an inhospitable and distant place, so travelling there is unlike travelling almost anywhere else. There are, however, a number of possibilities for intrepid explorers who want to witness the majesty of this frozen continent. Whether you want to take a few weeks exploring on a ship, or fly over it in a day, with some careful planning, and a generous budget, you can have the trip of a lifetime.

Travelling to Antarctica by Ship

• Most voyages to the Antarctic Peninsular region leave from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands and a few leave from Punta Arenas in Chile, Buenos Aires in Argentina, or Puerto Madryn in Argentina.

• In high seas, larger ships are the most comfortable but the strict guidelines on how many people can visit the shore will limit your opportunities for shore visits.
• Smaller ships allow for more time on shore. This is because tourist guidelines limit landings of tour groups to 100 people. [3] X Research source
• All reputable cruise operators will be registered with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), so this is good place to consult during your planning. They support environmentally friendly travel to Antarctica. [4] X Research source
• The costs for these cruises will vary, but for a ten day trip expect to pay at least $4500, whereas for the longer trips it could be from $12,750-$16,000.

• For these smaller ships, the conditions are much more treacherous than the larger cruise ships. [6] X Research source
• This is a very expensive option that could cost more than $1000 a day for each traveller. [7] X Research source

• Prices start from around $8,000 for the month.

Flying to Antarctica

• Australia is now the only place you can take these flights from. [10] X Research source
• You need to plan ahead if you want to do this and book early.
• If you want to get up and close and see the wildlife this is not the choice for you.
• Depending on your seats, tickets will cost anything from $1,000 to $8,000. [11] X Research source

• Some adventure holiday companies have deals which involve landing on Antarctica and skiing, camping and climbing. [12] X Research source
• You can fly to King George Island from Punta Arenas in Chile and stay overnight at a camp there for tourists.

• This could be a good option if you want to see the ice and wildlife up close, but don’t want to spend so much time travelling on board a cruise ship. But it won’t be any cheaper.
• Expect to pay something in the region of $10,000 to $14,000 for a two-week trip. [13] X Research source

Planning Your Trip

• During November, the pack ice starts to break up and it's mating season for the penguins and other birds.
• During December and January, the penguin chicks hatch and are fed and nurtured in the breeding grounds.
• During February and March, the penguin chicks fledge, the adult penguins molt, and the whales are easy to spot. [14] X Research source

• It is possible to get cheap last minute deals with cruise ships in places like Ushuaia in Argentina. You need to be in town, flexible, and able to set off straight away. This is a risky option, but if it works you could save quite a lot of money. [16] X Research source
• If you don't want to visit as a tourist, think of other options, such as joining a government expedition to Antarctica. For this, you'll likely need suitable technical, scientific, medical, or other relevant skills like cooking for a large group. You will also need to be considered to have a suitable background for government employment. [17] X Research source
• Another possibility is to travel as an invited part of a crew. Some people get asked to come along as journalists, photographers, artists, etc., and their trip is covered by whoever invited or sent them along. Again, this will depend on your skills.

• Read up on the gear and clothing you need. You will definitely need excellent waterproof clothing! Your cruise ship will most likely have things to hire if you don’t have them, but they might not be a great fit. [18] X Research source
• There are no vaccination requirements for Antarctica but you should be fit and in good health because medical treatment will be basic and spread thin among all your passengers. Any medical conditions that you do have should be detailed by your doctor in letter form, especially if you need to bring along medication.

• Don't go too near wildlife and don't do anything to disturb wildlife.
• Don't litter.
• Don't deface anything – all human-built structures have historical value and many huts, etc., have heritage listings. Do not engrave anything into rocks or other land features.
• Take photos and nothing else. Leave all eggs, shells, plants, rocks, fossils, soil, etc., where they are.

Expert Q&A

• Reputable tour guides subscribe to the visitor provisions of the Antarctic Treaty; review the contents of this treaty and its accompanying guidelines before you go. Thanks Helpful 54 Not Helpful 28
• Check with your federal government about how to be a 'good citizen' in the wild. (There is no local sovereignty over Antarctica and your behaviour is governed by your federal government's laws.) Thanks Helpful 19 Not Helpful 8

• Weather in Antarctica is extreme. Be prepared for intense sun, wild wind, ice, and extreme cold. Thanks Helpful 52 Not Helpful 13
• Verify with your photo equipment vendor that your photo equipment can withstand extreme weather. Thanks Helpful 43 Not Helpful 20
• Travel to Antarctica can be very expensive but if you can afford it, it is an amazing tour. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 4
• Be careful when exposed to sunlight in that area, as it has an ozone hole. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

• Appropriate clothing, footwear, and other items such as goggles, gloves, and a balaclava. Be sure to ask the tour company for its suggested list of items, as well as finding out what the tour company will provide
• Medications that you normally take with you
• Books and journals to while away travel time
• Camera and batteries, check whether they will work in the cold
• Personal snacks you'd like to have that you know the tour company won't supply
• Visitor's Guidelines for Antarctica, and the Antarctica Treaty. All this documentation can be accessed via the internet before leaving

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Angela Rice. Luxury Travel Specialist. Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.
• ↑ http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_travel_home.php
• ↑ http://iaato.org/home
• ↑ http://iaato.org/service-providers-and-operators
• ↑ http://iaato.org/yachts
• ↑ http://www.goldenfleecexp.co.fk/english/prices_en.html
• ↑ http://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Marion_Dufresne_ship.shtml
• ↑ http://adventuresallaround.com/antarctica-flights-review-sightseeing-frozen-continent/
• ↑ http://www.antarcticaflights.com.au/
• ↑ http://www.antarcticaflights.com.au/home#seating
• ↑ http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_travel_2.php
• ↑ http://matadornetwork.com/trips/how-to-travel-to-antarctica/
• ↑ http://www.usap.gov/jobsAndOpportunities/

About This Article

The easiest way to travel to Antarctica is to take a cruise ship from Argentina. These cruises generally last between 10 days and 3 weeks and will cost between $4500 and $16,000 per person. If you would prefer to see Antarctica from above, book a sightseeing flight that leaves from Australia, which will cost between $1000 and $8000. You could also fly to King George Island from South Africa, Australia, or Chile, but expect to pay at least $5000 per person. For more ways to travel to Antarctica and what to do when you get there, read on. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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While Abroad

Emergencies

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Travel Advisory January 19, 2023

Antarctica - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with updates to health information.

• Exercise increased caution in Antarctica due to environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather  and limited emergency services.
• The U.S. government is unable to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in the Antarctic Region. The closest U.S Embassies/Consulate s are in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa.  U.S. government resources in the Antarctic Region are committed to the U.S. Antarctic Program, per longstanding U.S. policy . 

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Antarctica.

If you travel to Antarctica:

• Obtain comprehensive travel, medical, and medical evacuation insurance; see our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
• Travel with a professional guide or organization such as those that are a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, or, if organizing a private expedition, be self-sufficient.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Contact the Department of State’s Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs for information at [email protected] .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Required by transit countries

May be required by transit countries.

None for Antarctica. May be required by transit countries.

Embassies and Consulates

The United States does not maintain an embassy or consulate in Antarctica. If you are in need of U.S. consular services while in Antarctica, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country next on your itinerary or nearest to you for assistance. Links to the embassies and consulates most commonly called upon to provide services are below:

• U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires, Argentina
• U.S. Consulate General Melbourne, Australia
• U.S. Consulate General Perth, Australia
• U.S. Consulate General Sydney, Australia
• U.S. Embassy Santiago, Chile
• U.S. Consulate General Auckland, New Zealand          

24/7 Emergency Contact at the Department of State: From within the United States: 1-888-407-4747 From outside the United States: 1-202-501-4444

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• Any expedition to the Antarctic Region could have an impact on the environment and its ecosystems.  To manage those risks and impacts, the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty establish certain obligations on the Treaty Parties with regard to expeditions to the Antarctic Treaty area.
• The Treaty obliges each Party to give advance notification of all expeditions to and within Antarctica, on the part of its ships, aircraft, or nationals, and all expeditions to Antarctica organized in or proceeding from its territory.
• U.S. tourists who have booked passage to Antarctica on a commercial cruise regulated by an Antarctic Treaty Party, such as those that are a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators ( IAATO.org ), normally would be covered by the vessel operator’s and/or tour company’s advance notification. Always check with your tour operator about advance notification coverage.
• Any U.S. nationals organizing a private expedition to Antarctica in the United States, or proceeding to Antarctica from the United States,  should initiate the process by notifying the Department of State at least three months prior to the intended travel to the Antarctic Treaty area.  Contact the Department of State’s Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs for additional information at [email protected] .
• Visit the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators website for more information on visitor guidelines.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Environmental Hazards:

• The greatest threats to travelers to the Antarctic Region are environmental hazards posed by the severe elements and changeable weather.
• Among the more common threats are frostbite, dehydration, eye damage from reflected glare, overexposure to the sun, and maritime accidents.
• Additionally, emergency response capabilities including search and rescue are restricted due to limited availability, long distances, and environmental hazards.

See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

Once in a country, we can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place on any level. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in Antarctica. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: Some Treaty Parties, including those that claim territory in Antarctica, may seek to apply their laws to persons in Antarctica. Furthermore, some laws remain applicable to certain persons in Antarctica and may subject them to prosecution in the U.S.  For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained in transit to/from Antarctica, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.  See our webpage for further information.

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctica Treaty designates Antarctica as a natural reserve.  Additionally, the Antarctic Conservation Act , which protects native mammals, birds, plants, and their ecosystems, applies to all U.S. citizens and expeditions that originate from the United States.

• Several areas are afforded special protections as they have been designated as having ecological, scientific, historical, or other significance.
• It is forbidden to bring any non-native species into Antarctica. This includes live poultry, pet dogs and cats, and household plants or seeds.
• It is prohibited to take or harmfully interfere with Antarctica wildlife except in accordance with a permit issued by a national authority.

Antarctica has no public hospitals, pharmacies, or doctor’s offices.  Although cruise ships and land-based expeditions should have the capacity to treat minor ailments, medical emergencies often require evacuation to a country with modern medical facilities, which could require travel over a significant distance.  There is no guarantee that transportation would be available or that weather conditions would allow for transportation, even in an emergency.

• Search and rescue resources in Antarctica are extremely limited.   Cost of search and rescue efforts are borne by the person/s in need of the assistance.  Travelers should obtain comprehensive travel, medical, and medical evacuation insurance prior to departure; see our webpage for more information on overseas insurance coverage .
• There are no public utilities, such as phone or Internet service providers, in the Region.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.  Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.  Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel .

Travel and Transportation

There is no direct air service from the United States to Antarctica.  Flights to and over Antarctica are operated from a number of countries to include Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, and others.  If you are traveling to Antarctica, please check our country information page for the country from which you are departing to get more on aviation safety standards in that country.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Antarctica should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .  Due to maritime incidents, tourists have suffered severe injuries and/or death in the Antarctic Region and when traveling between South America and the Antarctica and in the Antarctic area. 

For additional travel information

Protect Your Trip »

What to do if your flight is canceled.

Follow these steps in the event your flight is canceled.

Flight Canceled or Delayed? What to Do

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Key Takeaways

• If your flight has been canceled, you are entitled to a full cash refund per federal law.
• Using the airline's app or calling an international airline number is often the quickest way to get help.
• The DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard shows what each major domestic airline will or will not provide in the event of a cancellation or delay.

If your flight has been canceled, read on for step-by-step instructions on how to rearrange your travel plans and/or claim compensation.

What to do if your flight is canceled

1. get on the airline's app – or make an international call.

First, pull up the airline's app on your phone. Most airline apps allow you to easily rebook your flight for free, provided you can supply your six-character reservation code. Getting in line to speak with an agent and calling the airline while you wait is also a good idea (albeit slower than using an app), and social media messaging, texting or WhatsApp may prove helpful. "During times of mass travel disruption, you should try all different avenues for getting help," says Nick Ewen, director of content at The Points Guy.

Ewen also recommends a lesser-known tactic: calling the airline's international numbers. Airlines have offices in Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and more. "While it can be costly, you can often get through to an agent more quickly," Ewen says.

Note that, depending on why your flight was canceled, finding seats on a new flight may alter your travel plans considerably.

2. Book a hotel

Next, determine if you need overnight accommodations. "If you were originally booked on the last flight of the night and there are no other options, grab a hotel room near the airport before they're all taken," Ewen advises.

3. Ask for a refund

If the airline cancels your flight or it's "significantly delayed" (a term currently defined on a case-by-case basis) and you're forced to change your travel plans, the Department of Transportation requires airlines to provide a full refund. Unfortunately, getting a refund can be a lengthy and frustrating process. Most airlines will instead offer a credit for future travel, but be wary of these, since they often come with limitations such as blackout and expiration dates.

When you're able to get a refund, note that it covers the total cost of airfare only and does not include other expenses associated with your trip.

If you believe you're entitled to a refund and the airline denies it to you, you can and should file a complaint with the DOT .

4. Reference the DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard

While you're entitled to a full refund, other flight cancellation policies may vary by airline. Go to the DOT's Cancellation and Delay Dashboard to see what each major airline will and will not offer in the event of a controllable cancellation.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

What to do if your flight is delayed

In the event your flight is delayed, airlines are not legally obligated to give you a refund unless the DOT determines the delay to be "significant." But here's what you can do:

Research other flights

Investigate what other flights on that airline are headed to your destination and ask an agent if they can get you on one of them (without charging change fees). Also be sure to look into what's available on other airlines: If your original airline doesn't have any flights available on your departure date, an agent may be able to book you on a flight with a different carrier at no additional cost to you. Note, however, that airlines are not legally required to do this.

Inquire about other compensation

If you've been stranded at the airport for several hours, check in with an agent and reference the Commitments for Controllable Delays section on the DOT's Cancellation and Delay Dashboard – regardless of whether you're able to get on another flight. Some airlines may provide amenities such as vouchers for meals or overnight accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

"The main causes for flight disruptions are bad weather, understaffed air traffic control, and factors within the airline’s control,"  says Katy Nastro, a spokesperson at Going.com, formerly Scott's Cheap Flights. She explains the following:

• Weather:  This is outside of the airline's control and is the single biggest reason for why we see flight disruptions. We saw this play out over the winter holidays in 2022, and even to some extent during the 2023 holiday season. Even if the weather is accurately predicted, it cannot be controlled, which means at times flight disruptions are unavoidable.
• Understaffed air traffic control:  The U.S. air travel industry has made strides in pilot hiring year over year, but when it comes to air traffic control, we are still down roughly 1,000 fewer air traffic controllers from a decade ago. New York metro area airports specifically have felt the brunt of this deficit, so much so that airlines were permitted to reduce schedules without penalty from the summer until the end of Q4 in 2023. At its lowest, the decrease in flights in the New York metro area resulted in about 11% fewer flights per day. With less trained staff, current air traffic controllers are stretched to the limit, and schedule reductions only temporarily solve this problem. Even with aggressive hiring efforts, training takes time and will not be a quick fix.

It's almost impossible to avoid canceled or delayed flights these days. But there are a few things you can do when booking flights to lessen your chances for travel disruptions.

Keep tabs on your aircraft: On your departure date, check your flight information before heading to the airport. You can keep a watchful eye on the flight's status – including the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight – using the airline's app or a third-party app such as FlightAware Flight Tracker (which also offers a website ), FlightRadar24 or TripIt Pro.

"As an example, if you're flying from Orlando to New York, and your plane is flying in from Chicago, the initial flight from Chicago to Orlando might be delayed (or canceled) before yours is," Ewen explains. "Airlines will try to find replacement aircraft in that case, but if you can identify a potential cancellation before it officially happens, you may be able to get rebooked ahead of the other 100-plus passengers on your flight."

Consider an alternate airport: When booking your flight, you may consider flying out of a different airport than the one you typically depart from. For example, a small regional airport with limited routes may mean less travel delays and hassle overall – or it may be worth driving further to another international airport for a nonstop flight to your destination rather than opting for a connecting flight close to home.

Fly in the morning: While flight disruptions are unpredictable, historically fewer cancellations and delays occur in the morning.

Avoid weekend travel: Fly on off-peak days like Tuesday or Wednesday. You'll often find cheaper flights on these days, too.

Opt for longer layovers: If you need to take more than one flight to reach your destination, book a flight with a longer layover to provide enough time to make your connecting flight. Keep in mind that at some airports you may need to go through security or customs for your connection. For longer journeys, you can reduce the risk of missing connecting flights by planning a city stopover. For example, Icelandair offers Iceland stopovers for no additional airfare.

Consider a credit card with travel protections: You don't need to be a frequent traveler to take advantage of credit card travel protections and perks. Here are a couple options to consider:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred :  This travel credit card ($95 annually) provides coverage for delays and cancellations when used to book flights. It also provides other travel protections such as delayed baggage coverage. "Even someone who travels just once or twice a year can still get phenomenal value from this card," Ewen says.
• American Express Platinum Card :  This card ($695 annually) offers travel insurance that reimburses some nonrefundable expenses like hotel accommodations, meals and other essentials as long as the trip was purchased using the card.

When choosing a travel credit card, you should also pay attention to other benefits. Even the most basic airline credit cards can offer travel perks like discounts on in-flight purchases and waived baggage fees, while premium travel credit cards (which require a higher annual fee) can include access to an airport lounge with food, drinks and Wi-Fi. Some also provide a concierge service to rebook flights or built-in trip insurance to cover unforeseen expenses.

Purchase travel insurance: If your credit card doesn't include travel protections, consider purchasing insurance with flight coverages – even a cheap travel policy can help protect your investment. Covered reasons include a travel carrier delay and loss or theft of travel documents, among other scenarios. If you're interested in purchasing a policy, you can browse the best travel insurance companies here .

Talk to a travel advisor: "Booking directly with your travel advisor provides more leverage and support if something goes wrong," explains Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer . "We can advocate for a better outcome should there be cancellations or hiccups in the itinerary."

Charlotte French, owner of Cavatica Luxury Travel , agrees, sharing this recent example: "My clients were booked on a nonstop United Flight from Tokyo (HND) to EWR (Newark) in business class, when it was canceled (due to technical issues). The clients were waiting in line to find other options for their return flight home; however, these were very limited. In parallel, I was able to speak to the United Airlines corporate desk (as a travel advisor) and was able to secure them in business class on a flight out of Tokyo the same day."

Avoid checking luggage: Travelers who only travel with a carry-on bag and/or personal item (such as a backpack or purse) that meet carry-on size restrictions will have the most flexibility in rebooking – and will also avoid the chance of lost luggage, another common issue. Some carriers will try to move checked luggage to a later flight for you and will make every effort to keep you and your belongings together. However, when airlines don't have interline agreements with other carriers, you'll have to allow enough time to retrieve and recheck your own luggage.

The number of canceled flights recently fell to its lowest rate in at least a decade — a welcome change for air travelers, especially following COVID-19-era travel disruptions.

Still, flight cancellations will always be inevitable, especially during the busy summer travel season. Summer 2024 is shaping up to be especially busy. "It was the busiest March on record for air travel according to the TSA," explains Nastro. "It also had the tenth busiest day on record, which is pretty significant since it is not a 'peak period' and is generally considered off-season in the Northern Hemisphere. If this trend continues, we are likely in for the busiest summer on record when it comes to air travel."

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Luggage Trackers
• Is a Travel Agent Worth It? The Pros and Cons
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seatbelt Extender?
• How to Get Airport Wheelchair Assistance
• The Top Cheap Weekend Getaways

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World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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'Oh, I actually don't have any type of identification' | You can still take a domestic flight without your ID

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ensuring that you have your ID when you fly is a key priority when you travel, but what happens if you're rushing out the door and only realize once you're at the airport that you forgot your ID?

WCNC Charlotte anchor and reporter Jane Monreal spoke with a travel expert about what to do in this case.

Katy Nastro with  travel website Going described a typical situation.

"You go into your wallet and you go, 'Oh, I actually don't have any type of identification,'" she said.

⏯  Subscribe to WCNC Charlotte on YouTube to be notified of new Where’s The Money videos

Nastro said she's personally been through this scenario but says it is still possible to board your domestic flight without an ID.

According to the TSA , if you get to the airport and realize you forgot your ID, the TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process. That includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. 

WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing [email protected] . 

Nastro said when it happened to her, the TSA officer went through some of her social media.

"They asked specific questions about where I lived at a certain point in time, or what type of car I drove," she said. "It was pretty interesting to see all the information that they had on hand. But just know that it will be a longer sort of identification process when you get to security."

Nastro also said the three major airlines, including American , offer a "flat tire" policy that can cover this.

"They will allow passengers to get rebooked due to unforeseen circumstances and not having your ID on you can, in fact, be one of those sorts of unforeseen circumstances," she said.

For the latest Where’s The Money news, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.   

While digital IDs are beginning to roll out in certain states, Nastro said they are only available for passengers with TSA PreCheck .

"It's a digital ID that's stored in your, sort of, traveler profile that you pull up and use in replacement of your physical ID," she said.

An important note: this does not apply to international travel. For that, you always need a valid passport.

"You need that documentation to be able to leave the country and then come back in," Nastro said.

Nastro recommended that travelers store a digital copy of their ID securely on their devices and carry a paper copy of their passport as a backup.

Contact Jane Monreal at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook , X and Instagram .

WCNC Charlotte's Where's The Money series is all about leveling the playing field in the Carolinas by helping others and breaking down barriers. WCNC Charlotte doesn't want our viewers to be taken advantage of, so we’re here to help. Watch previous stories where we ask the question “Where’s the Money” in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded

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Travel Codex

Your Resource for Better Travel

Seabourn Antarctica Expedition on Sale: $8,999

Currently, I have a private offer for Travelcodex readers. Sail to Antarctica on the Seabourn Venture, a new generation polar class PC6 expedition ship for just $8,998 per person! $5,000 below retail price! At this price, the Southern Polar region is within reach on a luxurious Seabourn cruise. I’ve been to Antarctica on the Seabourn Venture Expedition twice in 2023 and it was the best two trips of my life. I loved it so much the first time, I went back on a second Antarctic expedition to South Georgia the same year!

With this special deal, now is the time for you and your family to set forth on a polar expedition. Tackle the Drake passage, experience up to 8 different species of Penguins, view the largest mammals on earth as Whales and Seals swim by from the decks of the ship and small Zodiacs in true luxury. Best yet, book via me and Scott & Thomas Travel to lock in these unheard of prices. Email me directly today.

Seabourn Antarctica Expedition Deal

The White Continent Antarctica expedition deals are usually only available in November when the pack ice is thick and most animals are just arriving and landings are limited. Or other deals tend to occur in early March when the sea ice starts reforming and the weather changes as winter starts to set back in. However, I have an amazing deal for both Veranda Suites or Penthouses for a single departure in December 2024. 

The Seabourn Venture with a max of 264 guests has been sailing since November 2022. With all ocean front balcony staterooms.

This specific deal is for an Antarctica Seabourn cruise with 12 days on the ship. Seabourn includes 1 night in a hotel in Buenos Aires, making it a 13 day adventure. Yet at Scott & Thomas we are adding a 2nd night at a hotel for you, making it a 14 day trip. Your personalized 6-star luxury adventure. 

Planned Itinerary

• Dec 5: Buenos Aires hotel, provided by the Scott & Thomas
• Dec 6: Alvar Icon or Alvar Palace Buenos Aires hotel
• Dec 7: Charter flight to Ushuaia and board the ship
• Dec 8-9: Days at sea
• Dec 10-16: In Antarctica
• Dec 17-18: Days at sea

Antarctica Expedition Deal Pricing

The best deal currently is $8,999 per person for a Veranda Suite. 2 guests per room. The ship’s sailing dates are from Dec 7 – Dec 19, 2024. Space is limited to a maximum of 20 guests, 10 rooms at this pricing. DO NOT miss this sale! As this is a private sale, pricing and payment restrictions are slightly different than normal. A 25% deposit is required, fully refundable until 120 days before departure with the exception of a $300 admin fee. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. You can check out the Non-package higher price on Seabourn here. Why pay more, when you can get more for less?

Veranda Suite Pictured below:

1 bedroom penthouse suite for $13,500 per person are also on sale. These rooms are currently selling for $17,498, this is a $4,000 discount, plus you get an extra night hotel room stay! This deal cannot be beat. These are true one bedroom suites with the sleeping area separated from the living room and a deck twice the size of a standard veranda room! The only downside to these huge 1 bedroom suites is that they are “accessible” suites. Meaning there’s no bathtub, just a huge walk-in shower. These suites are nearly twice the size of the veranda suite. Perfect for those who enjoy additional space. These suites can comfortably sleep 3 people, with the 3rd person discounted to $11,000. 

1 bedroom Penthouse pictured below:

Antarctica Cruise Details

The Seabourn Venture and Pursuit are both brand new ultra-luxury polar class vessels. These Antarctica Seabourn cruise ships are much smaller than the more well known Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Encore ships. Instead of hosting 500+ guests, Seabourn’s new Antarctica expedition ships hold a maximum of 264 people. I cannot stress enough how this is one of the best experiences guests can have visiting the white continent. We’re talking about an experienced cruise and expedition team which preemptively anticipates your every need.

Jump in a sea kayak and get closer to nature. Or take advantage of Seabourn two submersibles and explore the seafloor. Only Seabourn Antarctic cruises provide you with these unique experiences. 

Both Seabourn’s Venture and Pursuit expedition ships boast 6 dining rooms and bars. The cruise ship has a polar heated pool and several hot tubs. The expedition cruises are small compared to the larger ships you’ll find in the Caribbean, but this allows for an intimate experience. Not to mention, smaller ships are required if you want to land and walk/hike Antarctica.

Each cruise to Antarctica includes the following amenities :

• 1 night Pre-cruise Hotel in at the 5 star Alvear Icon or Alvear Palace Hotel
• Round Trip Charter flight between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
• Daily Zodiac tours and landings on one of the 24 zodiacs
• Digital photography workshops & professional photographers
• Expedition log to view after sailing
• Expedition Video by professional photographers and videographers. Here’s mine
• Helly Hansen Parka and day pack
• 24 hour room service
• Opportunities for frequent wildlife sightings from the ship and on shore
• Onboard expedition team providing narration and insight to all aspects of the experience
• Special guest speakers onboard

Exploring Antarctica with Seabourn

All Seabourn expeditions are landing expedition cruises. Meaning you will get off the cruise ship daily. Explore the white continent by zodiacs. Spend each day walking and exploring the white continent by foot and zodiac. Under international agreements, ships with more than 500 passengers are restricted from landing sites, with Seabourn this is not a problem.

Small ships create these once in a lifetime opportunities to see some of the rarest sights in the world. See weddell seals, orca’s, humpback whales, chinstrap, adelie, gentoo penguins and more. From the world’s largest ice bergs to dynamic mountains, there’s no place in the world like Antarctica. 

All daily zodiac cruises and landings are included, and happen multiple times daily, weather dependent. You can look forward to close encounters with animals along with sailing alongside icebergs larger than life. Zodiacs will take passengers to shore for short hikes and exploration of the 7th continent.

Each Zodiac will have a naturalist/expedition leader who answers questions and educates passengers. Back on the ship, naturalists educate and answer questions. There are other onboard activities including the polar plunge and educational seminars. Plus, music, entertainment and Seabourn luxury 6-star service with their near 1:1 staff to guest ratio.

Bottom Line

Seabourn Expedition Antarctica cruises are by far among the most comfortable ways to explore antarctica. This exclusive deal to Antarctica can save you nearly 30%. Veranda Suites start at just $8,999 and 1 bedroom penthouses are only $13,500. You can get a penthouse for less than Seabourn is selling their own Veranda rooms for! 

This deal is only valid for Travelcodex readers who book via Scott & Thomas. Contact Rocky for the best deal . Can’t travel the week for Dec 6, 2024? Rocky also has exclusive deals and offers on other 2024 last minute Arctic expeditions and 2024 and 2025 Antarctica expeditions on companies such as Quark, Swan Hellenic, Hurtigruten, Atlas and more.

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About Rocky Horan

Rocky started blogging on his own website When Doublewides Fly to share information about flying around the world on a dime. By maximizing miles and points, cheap deals, sales, backpacking, and couchsurfing Rocky has traveled to 75 countries and still counting.

Why are these emperor penguin chicks jumping from a 50-foot cliff?

The first-of-its-kind footage, taken in January 2024 via drone, captures a rare event that may become more common as sea ice declines and penguins are forced to adapt.

Like a group of teenagers crowding at the top of a cliff, waiting to see if someone will be brave enough to jump into the lake first, hundreds of months-old emperor penguins gather at the top of an Antarctic ice shelf towering roughly 50 feet above the sea.  

Motivated by hunger, the fledglings peer over the edge, as if considering whether they might survive a polar plunge from such a height.

Then one bird goes for it.  

Some of the onlookers crane their necks to watch it plummet and splash into the icy water below. Seconds later, the chick surfaces and swims away—off to fill its belly with fresh fish, krill, and squid. Gradually, other fledglings follow, tumbling and flapping wings built for traversing water, not air.

Filmmakers producing a documentary series called Secrets of the Penguins , which will debut on Earth Day 2025 on National Geographic and Disney+, captured the extraordinarily rare scene by drone in January in Atka Bay, on the edge of the Weddell Sea in West Antarctica . It’s the first video footage of emperor penguin chicks leaping from such a high cliff, according to scientists.

“I cannot believe they caught it on film,” says Michelle LaRue, a conservation biologist based at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. LaRue, who did not witness the jump, had visited Atka Bay to consult on the film crew’s third year of documenting emperor penguin behavior, from egg laying to chick fledging.

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Ordinarily, emperor penguins nest on free-floating sea ice that thaws and blows away each year, not on the ice shelf, which is firmly attached to the land. But lately, some colonies have been nesting on the shelf. Scientists theorize that the shift could be related to increasingly earlier seasonal thawing of the sea ice caused by climate change .

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the world emperor penguin population , estimated to be about 500,000 birds, as near threatened due in large part to how climate change is impacting its icy realm.   (Read more about the bleak future for emperor penguins.)

In early January 2024, in the final weeks before the sea ice broke up at the end of the Southern Hemisphere summer, filmmakers spotted   a group of chicks that LaRue thinks were likely raised on the ice shelf waddling north toward the cliff. Curious about where they were headed, the filmmakers dispatched a drone for a bird’s-eye view. Gradually, more chicks joined the dawdling group, growing in numbers until there were a couple hundred standing at the top of the bluff.

‘I’m gonna have to go’

Gerald Kooyman , a research physiologist who has spent more than five decades studying emperor penguins in Antarctica, says he has only seen such an event once—more than 30 years ago.

“Drifting snow had formed a gently sloping ramp from the sea ice onto a grounded iceberg, and a flock of departing chicks had marched up the ramp onto the berg,” Kooyman writes in his book Journeys with Emperors , published in November 2023.

“They were stopped by a 20-meter [roughly 67-foot] cliff over a sea that was sometimes open water and other times crowded with ice floes.” Over the course of a couple days, almost 2,000 chicks assembled at the ledge.

“Finally, they started walking off the cliff,” writes Kooyman, an emeritus professor with the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California.

“Not jumping or leaping, just stepping out and falling head over heels, sometimes doing two flips before hitting the water with a resounding plop.” (See more incredible photos of emperor penguins.)

This phenomenon is rare, say scientists who monitor penguins from satellites in space. Peter Fretwell , a British Antarctic Survey scientist who has studied satellite imagery of the Atka Bay emperor colony for several years, occasionally sees penguin tracks going north toward that cliff. He theorizes that the chicks in January may have followed one or two vagrant adults that “went the wrong way, basically.”

Juvenile emperors usually fledge from the sea ice, hopping just a couple feet into the ocean. But these fledglings found themselves in a tricky location for entering the water while likely feeling extremely hungry, the scientists say. Their parents had already gone to sea, sending the message that it’s time for them to fish for themselves, and the chicks had been sitting tight waiting for their sleek, waterproof adult feathers to grow in, replacing their down.

“When they get to this cliff face, they’re like, ‘Alright, I see the ocean and I need to get in there,’” LaRue says. “This does not look like a fun jump, but I guess I’m gonna have to go.”

Resilient birds

While the scientists do not think the cliff-jumping incident was directly related to climate change warming Antarctica, Fretwell says the continuing decline of sea ice on the continent may force more emperors to breed on ice shelves, therefore making the behavior more common in the future.

Scientists have been concerned about the sudden decrease in Antarctic Sea ice since 2016 and the likely dire consequences for emperor penguins’ long-term survival.

“We estimate that we could lose the whole population by the end of the century,” Fretwell says. “It’s heartbreaking to think that the whole species may be gone if climate change continues on the path that it’s on at the moment.”

LaRue remains hopeful about the emperors’ ability to adapt, and she considers the recent high dive caught on film a testament to their hardiness.

“They’re incredibly resilient,” she says. “They have been around for millions of years; they’ve seen lots of different changes in their environment. It’s a question of how rapidly they’re able to deal with the changes that are happening—and how far they can be pushed.”

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The Scooter on a Plane Dilemma: Can You Fly with Your Electric Ride?

• According to the FAA, electric scooters with lithium-ion batteries are not allowed on commercial flights.
• Over 4,000 hoverboards and electric scooters were confiscated at airports in 2019.
• There are alternative options for traveling with your scooter, like shipping it ahead of time.
• Always check airline and TSA guidelines before attempting to travel with your scooter.

Also check out: Can you take an electric toothbrush on a plane?

Why Can't You Bring Your Electric Scooter on a Plane?

Electric scooters have become the go-to personal transportation choice for many urban dwellers, but when it comes to taking them on a plane, there's a catch. The FAA has strict regulations that classify electric scooters with lithium-ion batteries as hazardous materials, making them prohibited on commercial flights.

FAA's Stance on Electric Scooters and Lithium-ion Batteries

The main concern with electric scooters on planes is their lithium-ion batteries. FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor explained, "Electric scooters with lithium-ion batteries are considered hazardous materials and are not allowed on commercial flights." The risk of fire posed by these batteries in a pressurized aircraft cabin is simply too great.

TSA Confiscation of Electric Scooters

In 2019, the TSA reported confiscating over 4,000 hoverboards and electric scooters at airport security checkpoints due to their lithium-ion batteries. Clearly, attempting to bring your scooter on a plane could lead to a frustrating and costly experience.

Alternative Options for Traveling with Your Electric Scooter

Although you can't take your electric scooter on a plane, don't fret! There are other ways to bring your scooter along for your journey.

• Shipping your scooter: Consider shipping your scooter to your destination ahead of time. This will allow you to avoid the hassle of dealing with airport security and airline restrictions.
• Renting a scooter at your destination: Many popular tourist destinations offer electric scooter rentals, so you might not even need to bring your own.

Always Check Airline and TSA Guidelines

Before attempting to travel with your electric scooter, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the guidelines and restrictions set by the airline and TSA. Make sure to double-check their websites for the most up-to-date information on what is and isn't allowed on your flight.

Electric Scooter Travel Tips

For those determined to travel with their electric scooter, here are some helpful tips to ensure a smooth experience:

• Research scooter-friendly destinations: When planning your trip, look for cities with a strong scooter culture, dedicated lanes, and rental options to make the most of your experience.
• Carry a portable charger: Bring a portable charger that's compatible with your scooter so you can keep it charged and ready for adventure.
• Invest in a travel-friendly scooter: Some electric scooters have removable batteries, making them more convenient for shipping. Consider purchasing one of these models if you plan to travel frequently with your scooter.
• Know local laws and regulations: Familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations for electric scooters at your destination to avoid any unpleasant surprises or fines.

Getting the Most Out of Your Electric Scooter Abroad

Now that you know the ins and outs of traveling with your electric scooter, it's time to ensure you have the best experience possible while abroad. Here are some additional tips for enjoying your scooter to the fullest during your trip:

• Choose scooter-friendly accommodations: Look for hotels or vacation rentals that offer secure scooter parking or charging stations to make your stay more convenient.
• Connect with local scooter communities: Search online for local scooter groups or forums in your destination city. They can offer valuable advice and tips on the best routes, sights, and scooter-friendly spots.
• Stay safe and be visible: Equip your scooter with proper lights and reflectors, and always wear a helmet to ensure your safety while riding.
• Be prepared for emergencies: Pack a small toolkit and spare parts, like inner tubes and brake pads, to address any potential issues that may arise during your trip.

Exploring Electric Scooter Tours

Another way to enjoy electric scooters while traveling is by joining organized scooter tours. These tours are led by experienced guides who know the best routes and local attractions. They can provide a fun and unique way to explore a new city while enjoying the freedom and excitement of riding an electric scooter.

Maximizing Your Electric Scooter's Battery Life

When traveling with your electric scooter, it's essential to get the most out of your battery life. Here are some tips for extending your scooter's battery life:

• Keep the battery fully charged: Charge your battery overnight or during downtime to ensure you always have enough power for your daily adventures.
• Avoid excessive weight: Overloading your scooter with heavy bags or additional passengers can strain the battery and reduce its overall lifespan.
• Maintain proper tire pressure: Underinflated tires can increase resistance, making your scooter work harder and consume more battery power. Check tire pressure regularly and adjust as needed.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: Extreme heat or cold can negatively impact battery performance. Store your scooter indoors or in a shaded area when not in use to protect the battery from extreme temperatures.

Understanding Electric Scooter Etiquette

When traveling with an electric scooter, it's important to respect local customs and adhere to proper scooter etiquette. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Obey traffic rules: Follow all traffic laws and regulations, including stop signs, traffic lights, and speed limits.
• Yield to pedestrians: Always give pedestrians the right of way, especially on shared paths or sidewalks.
• Park responsibly: When parking your scooter, ensure it doesn't block pedestrian paths, ramps, or doorways. Use designated scooter parking areas whenever available.
• Be courteous: Share the road with other riders and vehicles, and always be respectful of other people's space.

By following these guidelines and making the most of your electric scooter experience, you can create unforgettable memories while exploring new destinations. 

Traveling on an Airplane with a Mobility Scooter for Handicap Users

Air travel with a mobility scooter can be a smooth and hassle-free experience for individuals with disabilities if you know the right steps to follow. Here's a guide to help you prepare for your flight and navigate the process of traveling with a mobility scooter:

Pre-Flight Preparations

• Research airline policies: Each airline has its own set of rules and regulations for traveling with mobility scooters. Review your chosen airline's guidelines on their website or contact their customer service for specific details.
• Book your flight in advance: Inform the airline of your mobility scooter when making your reservation, and request any necessary assistance. This ensures the airline has ample time to accommodate your needs.
• Check battery requirements: Most airlines require mobility scooters to have non-spillable, dry-cell, or gel cell batteries. Lithium-ion batteries may be allowed if they meet specific requirements, but always verify with your airline before traveling.
• Prepare your scooter for travel: Charge your scooter's battery, remove any loose items, and secure movable parts. You may also need to disconnect the battery, so have the necessary tools handy.

At the Airport

• Arrive early: Arrive at the airport well in advance to allow ample time for check-in, security screening, and any potential mobility scooter-related delays.
• Request assistance: If needed, request wheelchair assistance from the airline to help navigate the airport and reach your gate. They can also help with boarding and deplaning.
• Gate-check your scooter: Mobility scooters are typically gate-checked, meaning you can use your scooter up until boarding time. At that point, airline personnel will take your scooter and stow it in the cargo hold. Make sure to retrieve a claim check for your scooter.

During the Flight

• Keep your scooter's key and claim check: Hold onto your scooter's key and the claim check throughout the flight, as you'll need them to retrieve your scooter upon arrival.
• Request assistance during layovers: If you have a layover, make arrangements with the airline for wheelchair assistance between gates and during boarding.

Arriving at Your Destination

• Retrieve your scooter: Once you've arrived at your destination, wait for airline personnel to bring your scooter to the gate. If there are any issues or delays, contact the airline immediately.
• Inspect your scooter: Before leaving the airport, inspect your scooter for any potential damage caused during transport. If you discover any issues, file a claim with the airline as soon as possible.

By following these steps and being proactive in your preparations, traveling on an airplane with a mobility scooter can be a stress-free and enjoyable experience.

FAQs about Electric Scooters and Air Travel

Can I bring an electric scooter with a removable battery on a plane?

Even if your electric scooter has a removable battery, the lithium-ion battery itself is still considered a hazardous material and is not allowed on commercial flights. Always check with your airline for specific guidelines.

Are there any airlines that allow electric scooters?

As a general rule, electric scooters with lithium-ion batteries are not allowed on commercial flights. However, it's always best to check with your specific airline for their rules and restrictions.

Can I take an electric scooter on a train or bus?

Rules for taking electric scooters on trains or buses vary by country and transportation provider. It's important to check the specific guidelines of the company you're traveling with before attempting to bring your scooter along.

What should I do if my electric scooter is confiscated at the airport?

If your electric scooter is confiscated at the airport, you'll need to make arrangements to have it shipped to your destination or home. It's best to avoid this situation by not attempting to bring your scooter on a plane in the first place.

Are there any electric scooters specifically designed for travel?

There are electric scooters on the market with removable batteries and foldable designs, making them more travel-friendly. However, lithium-ion batteries are still not allowed on commercial flights, so you'll need to ship the scooter to your destination.

FAQs for Handicap Users Traveling with Mobility Scooters

Can I take my mobility scooter on a plane?

Yes, mobility scooters can be taken on airplanes as they are considered assistive devices. Airlines usually accommodate mobility scooters, but it's important to check with your specific airline for their policies and procedures.

Do I need to pay extra for my mobility scooter?

No, airlines typically do not charge extra for transporting mobility scooters, as they are considered assistive devices. However, it's always a good idea to confirm with your airline.

How do I ensure my mobility scooter is handled properly during the flight?

Notify the airline in advance about your mobility scooter and request assistance as needed. Make sure your scooter is prepared for travel by securing movable parts, removing loose items, and disconnecting the battery if required. Upon arrival, inspect your scooter for any potential damage.

What type of battery is allowed for mobility scooters on planes?

Most airlines require mobility scooters to have non-spillable, dry-cell, or gel-cell batteries. Lithium-ion batteries may be allowed if they meet specific requirements, but always verify with your airline before traveling.

Can I use my mobility scooter at the airport?

Yes, you can use your mobility scooter in the airport up until boarding time. Airlines typically gate-check mobility scooters, so you can ride it right up to the boarding gate before it's stowed in the cargo hold.

What if my mobility scooter is damaged during the flight?

If you discover any damage to your mobility scooter upon arrival, file a claim with the airline as soon as possible. It's important to inspect your scooter before leaving the airport to ensure any potential issues are addressed promptly.

Conclusion:A Smooth Ride: Traveling with Scooters Made Easy

In conclusion, while taking an electric scooter on a plane may not be possible due to FAA regulations, there are alternative options like renting or shipping your scooter to your destination. For individuals with disabilities, traveling with a mobility scooter can be a seamless experience by following the right steps and understanding airline policies. By being proactive in your preparations and knowing the rules, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, whether you're exploring a new city on a rented scooter or navigating the airport with your trusted mobility aid. Bon voyage, and happy scooting!

Also check out: Can I take knitting needles on a plane?

• Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.).
• Federal Aviation Administration. (2019).
• Transportation Security Administration. (2019).  

Seeing the total eclipse from 33,000 feet

Despite the pilot’s best efforts, delta’s eclipse flight didn’t offer passengers the best view of totality.

Update: Days after this story published, Delta Air Lines said flight 1010 veered off the path of the totality when air traffic control denied requests to make special maneuvers intended to give passengers the best view.

SOMEWHERE OVER ARKANSAS — As skywatchers gathered across North America on Monday to peer up at a total solar eclipse, a plane full of Delta Air Lines passengers hoped to get a unique view from above the clouds.

But despite the efforts of the pilots on the route from Dallas to Detroit, a glimpse of totality proved elusive for many of the people who had reserved a spot on a flight that promised special maneuvers to get everyone a peek.

Passengers crowded near windows as the plane made a series of turns. However, the angle of the sun in the sky through much of the flight meant it was difficult to see much at all without craning your neck. Questions of “Did you see it?” bounced around the plane.

Kyle Carter, 40, a stay-at-home dad and private pilot from Orlando, said he didn’t see much of the actual eclipse during the flight, but he was happy with what he experienced.

“What I wanted to see, more than the actual eclipse itself, was just the shadow racing toward us from behind,” he said. “I did see that. You could see the darkness come towards us.”

Attorney Scot Kees and his daughter Gabrielle, 8, came from Atlanta for the flight. He said they “got a sliver” of the eclipse.

“Even though we didn’t get it completely, it was a fun community experience,” he said. He pointed out that clouds were an issue for many on the ground, so he’s not sure he would have seen more if he’d traveled somewhere else. “I’m glad we got to see what we did.”

2024 total solar eclipse

Before people on the plane flew into a few minutes of totality, the lights were dimmed and the sky outside grew darker. Flight attendants and the pilot offered a couple of heads-ups. Seat-back screens showed the scenes elsewhere along the path of totality, including Mexico, then Texas and up through Indianapolis.

Passengers got a bag of swag that included “solar eclipse” Sun Chips, a Moon Pie, eclipse glasses, and Delta-branded socks and hat that said “climbing the cosmos.”

Captain Alex Howell said in an interview after the flight landed that he didn’t look at the sun during the flight, but saw the sky turn into a “dark version of dusk.”

“The city lights came on because of the darkness,” he said.

In the lead-up to the eclipse, several airlines publicized their best-chance flights for a prime viewing spot, with more than two dozen crisscrossing the country on Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska and other operators. They were careful to include caveats and make no promises.

“While Delta flight plans have been designed to maximize time within the path of totality, this is subject to change due to factors outside of Delta’s control such as weather and air traffic control that could impact timing and aircraft,” the airline warned.

Delta operated two dedicated eclipse flights from Texas on Monday, including one from Austin. On the flight from Austin to Detroit, a couple wearing eclipse shirts got engaged after passing through totality.

“Everyone was clapping and yelling and just really happy for them,” said Delta spokeswoman Catherine Morrow, who was on the flight. The captain piped up from the flight deck to ask the outcome.

In Dallas, the airport scene was festive Monday morning. Passengers walked under a celestial-themed balloon arch to board, airline representatives handed out glasses and a Yorkie named Delilah posed for photos with her humans.

“It’s her first eclipse, how could she miss it?” said Alan Goldberg, 70, an attorney who lives in New York City and Florida. Monday was Delilah the dog’s second birthday.

Thomas Iwinski, a 34-year-old meteorologist from Detroit, flew to Dallas Monday morning to get on the flight back home that would transport passengers along the path of totality. He described the mood at the gate as “ecstatic, joyful, elated.” He rented a home in Tennessee for the 2017 eclipse but didn’t want to take a chance on clouds this time.

“It’s definitely going to be something that I’ve never experienced before,” he said.

The airline had been planning for the flights for months.

In October, an operations planning staffer mentioned the upcoming eclipse. That led to some brainstorming and spitballing, said Chris Clisham, a flight superintendent at the airline, in a phone interview.

“And dot dot dot, here we are,” he said.

The logistics sound like an SAT word problem: If the plane is traveling at 400 mph and the moon’s shadow is racing at 1,600 mph, where will they overlap? And for how long? Throw in the angle of the sun while you’re at it.

“Fortunately, even though I am a math major, I didn’t have to bring any trigonometry into this equation,” Clisham said. Flight-planning software did the heavy lifting.

The airline first announced an Austin-to-Detroit flight in mid-February, describing it as “specifically for umbraphiles to be able to spend as much time as possible directly within the path of totality.” That flight sold out in a day, so Delta quickly added another one, this time from Dallas.

Jamie Larounis, a D.C.-based travel industry analyst with UpgradedPoints.com , had no special plans to see the eclipse. He was intrigued by Delta’s first flight, but it sold out before he could snag a seat. Then he saw a news release about the Dallas flight.

“Within 30 seconds, I had it booked,” he said. “I dropped everything.”

Before the flight, he said, he dropped 107,500 airline miles to book a first-class seat on the left side of the plane, equivalent to about $1,149. Anyone who heard about the plan assumed he has an extreme interest in eclipses, but he said he is more of an aviation buff.

“They all think I’m some sort of meteorologist, am I some sort of physics whatever,” said Larounis, 34.

Melanie Elliott, 36, of Chapel Hill, N.C., was disappointed to have missed the Austin flight so she leaped at the chance to fly out of Dallas. An astronomy fan who got a degree in physics, she was wearing astronaut earrings, a solar system necklace and a star and moon ring. After the flight, she said the view of totality — as she “was like laying on the right side of the seat” to try to see — was “a little disappointing.” She said she’ll watch her next eclipse from the ground.

But there was one huge perk for her: Astronaut Scott Kelly spoke at a post-flight party in Detroit and posed for pictures with passengers.

“Scott Kelly touched my moon tattoo,” Elliott said. “Kind of worth it.”

During the last eclipse visible from North America, in 2017, photographer Jon Carmichael tried to win a spot on a special Alaska Airlines flight so he could photograph the eclipse from the sky. He lost out, but pored over flight schedules and compared them with the eclipse path to find a Southwest flight from Portland, Ore., to St. Louis.

With the help of the pilots — one of whom even cleaned the window outside Carmichael’s seat before taking off — he took about 1,200 photos that formed an iconic photo mosaic documenting the eclipse.

Carmichael, who has also photographed an eclipse from land, said there are pros and cons to being in the air. The experience on the ground is more immersive; there are temperature changes, reactions from wildlife and the view is not obstructed by parts of a plane.

But in the sky, clouds are much less likely to get in the way. And, he said, it’s possible to see the moon’s shadow moving across the earth on the ground — a view unavailable to eclipse watchers for most of human history.

“We’ve only been flying as a human race for a little over 100 years; that’s only the blink of an eye,” he said. “It really gives you a sense of the scale of the universe that we’re part of this huge incredible celestial system where you actually can see the moon’s shadow being cast onto the Earth, moving across the Earth.”

A total solar eclipse passed across the United States on Monday, April 8. See photos and videos from the path of totality and read our reporters’ coverage from scenes across the nation .

Looking ahead: Missed this one? The next eclipse visible in the United States won’t be until 2044 — and then we’ll see another shortly after in 2045. If you did watch this eclipse but without proper eyewear, here’s what to do if your eyes hurt .

The science: This eclipse appeared especially dramatic because the sun was at its most active period in two decades. In the past, solar eclipses have helped scientists learn more about the universe . Here’s everything else to know about the solar eclipse.