Flights to Antarctica
Flying is an increasingly popular way to access Antarctica, particularly if you are short on time or concerned about the sea crossing.
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What is a Fly & Cruise trip?
- It's an alternative way to reach Antarctica quickly and comfortably by flying, instead of sailing
- The advantages of flying are reaching Antarctica in just two hours – rather than two days at sea – and avoiding the Drake Passage
- Once in Antarctica you embark your ship, which acts as your floating hotel for the ‘cruise’ section of your trip, just as if you had sailed
- These trips are particularly well suited to 'time poor' travellers and anxious sailors, but are well-suited to anyone
- Regular departures are available from early December through to February on a small selection of ships
- If you would like to review all options, rather than just 'fly & cruise', read more on getting to Antarctica
Stefano says
For speed, comfort and to avoid spending a full two days at sea on the Drake Passage, these Fly & Cruise trips are hard to beat.
Stefano Silvente Antarctica Sales Specialist
Fly to Antarctica on a BAE146 whisper jet
View of Antarctica flying into King George Island
Wildlife watching among the ice
Snowshoe in Antarctica
Gentoo penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula
A humpback whale shows its flukes
Taking off from King George Island, Antarctica
Our most popular Fly & Cruise trips
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.7 out of 5
Original Fly & Cruise Luxury Adventure
Fly over the Drake Passage in just 2 hours, both to and from Antarctica. Ideal for those wanting a high comfort level, but who have limited time or are anxious sailors. An outstanding program, successfully operated for over 15 seasons.…
- 8 Days
- $15,995
For those travellers looking for seamless travel on a trip that is hassle-free and all-inclusive, this is the perfect option. Skip over the notorious Drake Passage on a comfortable two hour flight to Antarctica, then travel onboard a state-of-the-art mega…
- 10 Days
- $20,388
4.8 out of 5
Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise
Travel with the pioneers of fly & cruise Antarctic voyages, flying in both directions and bypassing a 2-day sail on the Drake Passage. Regular departure dates (Dec - Feb) to choose from. Explore Antarctica aboard a trusty 67 passenger expedition…
- 8 Days
- $11,495
4.6 out of 5
Antarctic Fly & Cruise Safari
If you’re keen to fly to Antarctica instead of sailing, this 8-day trip is ideal, with a choice of dates in December and January. Travel on outstanding modern expedition ships with a maximum of 140 passengers. Active adventurers can enjoy…
- 8 Days
- $16,795
4.7 out of 5
66 Degrees South Fly Cruise
By offering time saving flights, extended time in Antarctica and the chance to reach the Polar Circle, this 10-day voyage maximises the polar experience. Minimum travel time and maximum exploring time and all the benefits of only 76 people…
- 10 Days
- $15,995
4.3 out of 5
Antarctic Fly & Sail Combination
A rare and popular voyage which flies to Antarctica in just two hours, then sails back across the Drake Passage, maximising both expediency and experience. Spend 5 to 7 days exploring Antarctica on a small, purpose-built expedition ship, with kayaking…
- 9-13 Days
- $17,895
4.3 out of 5
Fly & Cruise the Antarctic Peninsula
For maximum time in Antarctica with flights both ways, this trip really stands out. An extended fly & cruise voyage spending eight full days actually in Antarctica onboard a small, state-of-the-art expedition ship. Optional kayaking & polar…
- 12 Days
- $23,795
Combine the spellbinding wildlife spectacle of South Georgia with the White Continent's jaw-dropping landscapes on this luxurious time-saving expedition. Cut out two days at sea by flying between Antarctica and South America in just two hours. If you're seeking seamless…
- 17 Days
- $28,700
Fast-tracking your arrival into Antarctica by flying and skipping the Drake Passage means a compressed journey of only 2 hours before embarking on your spacious and well-appointed 148 guest expeditionary ship. Touches other travellers have appreciated include the onboard National…
- 8 Days
- $11,975
Enjoy the best of both worlds by sailing south, experiencing the journey across the Drake Passage and the elation of spotting your first iceberg, then expedite your return to civilisation by plane at the end. In between, spend four days…
- 10 Days
- $11,950
If you’re undecided between sailing or flying to Antarctica, why not choose both with this combination trip? A two hour flight south provides fast access to the White Continent, then after four incredible days of exploring, you’ll sail back across…
- 10 Days
- $17,995
By sailing south across the Drake Passage then flying north in just two hours, this itinerary blends the adventure of arriving in Antarctica by ship with the speed of a quick exit. The risk of weather-related flight delays is removed…
- 10 Days
- $16,795
Combining the twin advantages of flying to Antarctica with travelling on one of the polar fleet’s smallest and most advanced vessels, this voyage is hard to beat. Added benefits include an extra day or two on the Peninsula than usual,…
- 9 or 10 Days
- $13,975
From One to One Hundred
Swoop has catered for travellers of every group size. Whether you’re adventuring solo or bringing a group of over 100. We can help.
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Solos
- Working with over 30 different ships to find you the most solo-friendly ships, with the lowest single supplements, and the best solo deals available. Discover More
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2 - 5 people
- With over 100 collective years of Polar experience our team will help you find your perfect trip, so you’re on the right ship, in the right cabin, and at the right point of the season. Discover More
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6 - 80 people
- We’ve worked with all sizes of groups, from large families to small schools. Travelling with Swoop means you’ll be the best prepared customers on the voyage and you pay nothing extra for this service. Discover More
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Large Groups
- We are experienced charter consultants that can build tailored experiences for both part and full charters of vessels. Discover More
How does a ‘Fly & Cruise’ Trip work?
As the name suggests, a ‘Fly & Cruise’ trip to Antarctica is composed of two key parts:
- A short two-hour flight to/from Antarctica at the beginning and end
- An Antarctic cruise of 4-6 days in the middle, involving daily excursions
The trip itself falls into three main parts, which we've mapped out in detail below to help provide a good understanding of how the logistics fit together:
1. Arrive in Punta Arenas
Most Fly & Cruise trips to Antarctica start in the Chilean town of Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia, which you reach by flying via Santiago, Chile’s cosmopolitan capital. A smaller number of flying trips begin in Puerto Natales, also found in Chilean Patagonia.
On arrival you’ll be met and transferred by minibus (20 mins) to your city centre hotel where everyone in the group will be staying, which is included in the price.
The afternoon and evening prior to flying to Antarctica are taken up by getting your rubber boots, a mandatory briefing and then a convivial dinner, allowing time to meet your fellow travellers.
Travellers on the Magellan Explorer and Ocean Nova ships can enjoy exclusive access to Explorers House while in Punta Arenas.
2. Fly to Antarctica
Expect an early start the next morning for the flight to Antarctica. Actual flying time will be weather dependent. As a group you’ll be transferred back to the airport where you’ll check in and wait for your flight to be called.
Once you’re airborne the charter flight takes approximately two hours to fly direct to where you land at the Antarctica airport, Chilean Eduardo Frei Station, on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, which are part of Antarctica but lie 55 miles/ 90 km from the actual continent.
Having alighted from the plane, there’s a short minibus ride from the airstrip down to the coast. Here you will board a zodiac and set off a short distance to board your expedition ship, ready for your Antarctic adventure to begin.
From this point onwards, aside from the return flight, your actual experience in Antarctica is exactly the same as if you had sailed to Antarctica.
3. Explore Antarctica
A whale approaches the zodiac © Mark Belding
Once you’re settled in to your cabin and met your expedition staff, a daily rhythm is quickly established as you get used to life on board your floating hotel. All meals are taken on board ship.
Typically twice a day you’ll leave the ship on 2-3 hour excursions led by polar experts, either visiting a penguin rookery, place of historic interest or research station, or go zodiac cruising looking for wildlife and photo opportunities. This is the best part!
You'll be kept busy while in Antarctica with early morning’s and a busy daily schedule tailored to ensuring you get the very most from your precious few days in Antarctica. Interspersed between excursions and meals, there will be time to relax and also informative lectures.
Swoop says
This Fly & Cruise formula has been successfully tried & tested over 14 seasons and in spite of the challenges of flying in Antarctica due to weather, over 80% of flights arrive on schedule.
What our customers think of Fly & Cruise Antarctica
Fly & Cruise Antarctica trips scored 4.5/5 from 413 reviews
It exceeded our expectations and I would recommend it to everyone wanting to go visit Antarctica. We had a really wonderful time. So glad we flew!
Travelled: December 2017
Lori - Texas
Fly & cruise worked very well and was a great option. All excursions were well organised and conducted safely. We enjoyed them all, especially the snowshoeing treks.
Travelled: December 2016
John - UK
Review:
About Fly & Cruise Trips to Antarctica
How much does a Fly & Cruise trip cost?
A Fly & Cruise trip starts from approx. USD $10,995 per person, depending on your preferred cabin type and ship, and based on an 8-day voyage. The higher cabin categories with private balconies start from approx. USD $22,000 per person. This price includes:
- Return charter flights between Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales and King George Island, Antarctica
- Daily guided 2-3 hour excursions by zodiac boat with guides
- Accommodation in a comfortable, modern, ensuite cabin
- Themed lectures by onboard Polar specialists
- All meals (international cuisine) & drinks with meals
- Hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas (2 nights)
- Airport-hotel transfers
Although on a per day basis a Fly & Cruise trip works out roughly 20% more expensive than a standard Antarctic cruise, the main benefits of flying - time saved and avoidance of getting seasick - more than justify the added investment.
Excluded from the trip cost: International flights to/from Punta Arenas / Puerto Natales, any additional hotel nights & arrangements in Chile, optional adventure activities (e.g. kayaking), onboard staff gratuity (approx. USD$15 per person per night on board), travel insurance, items of a personal nature (laundry, bar tab or onboard shop).
Head to our dedicated flights page to read more about flights to Antarctica.
Types of Antarctic Plane
Arriving in Antarctica
The standard plane used for the charter flights between Punta Arenas (or Puerto Natales) and King George Island is a British-designed BAE 146 which has capacity for up to 80 people and a seating configuration of 3+3.
These planes are more ‘workhorse’ than luxury, but are perfectly comfortable for the short 2 hour flight.
Their four turbofan engine configuration provides important redundancy and superior takeoff performance for short runways, both of which are key factors for flying to Antarctica.
When to Book a Fly & Cruise Trip
Demand for fly and cruise trips is high and they often get booked up well in advance. Most people book their cruise around 12-18 months in advance, before availability really starts tightening up.
For the full choice of cabins and departure dates, we strongly advise you get in touch and start the planning process early. We also provisionally hold a cabin on your behalf for several days whilst you make up your mind.
Fly & Cruise to Antarctica: FAQs
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How can I guarantee a window seat?
On most Antarctic flights it's free seating and seats aren’t allocated, however it is possible to reserve a window seat on the following Fly & Cruise trips for an additional supplement of around $500 per person for both flights:
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How do I get to Punta Arenas?
To get to Punta Arenas you first need to fly to Chile’s capital, Santiago, and from there take a domestic flight south to Punta Arenas. Santiago itself has good international connections with direct flights from New York, London & Sydney.
Heading south from the capital, there are daily flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas operated by LatAm & Sky Airlines. Tip: make sure you're seated on the left hand side of the plane flying south for wonderful views as you fly parallel to The Andes.
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What is there to do in Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas isn’t a large city, but has a fair selection of things to do for anyone wishing to arrive early, including some notable museums.
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Can I spend longer in Patagonia?
Given the time and effort to get there, we would heartily recommend adding on a few days at either the beginning or end of your trip to explore Patagonia a bit more. Punta Arenas is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, arguably the most spectacular and best known trekking mecca in the whole of South America. We can put you in touch with our sister company Swoop Patagonia who know this whole region like the back of their hand.
Why our customers love Swoop
The Antarctic Experts.
No Compromises
Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost
Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.
The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist
We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.
A full concierge service, unlike booking direct
We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.
More about Flying to Antarctica
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Discover MoreReady to plan your Antarctic adventure?
1
Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2
Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3
Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
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