How to get to Antarctica: Essential information

  • Over 98% of visitors to Antarctica visit the Antarctic Peninsula, via the bottom tip of South America
  • The majority of travellers sail to Antarctica, making the two day sea crossing from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula
  • It is possible to fly direct to the Antarctic Peninsula, joining a ‘fly-sail’ cruise ship after a two hour flight from Punta Arenas in Chile
  • The international gateway cities for Antarctic cruises are Buenos Aires in Argentina for cruises, or Santiago in Chile for fly-sail cruises
  • There are a small number of alternative routes to Antarctica, including sailing from New Zealand to the Ross Sea or even flying direct to the South Pole from Chile or South Africa

Swoop's advice on how to get to Antarctica

How do I get to Antarctica?

Getting to Antarctica by sea

Sailing to the Antarctic Peninsula

The majority of visitors to the Antarctic travel by sea, sailing from Argentina’s southernmost port of Ushuaia to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, taking two days to sail across the Drake Passage that lies between the two continents.

As the gateway to Antarctica and the centre for the majority of the polar fleet, Antarctic Peninsula cruises offer the widest variety of choice when it comes to the size and style of ship.

Ships range in size from under 100 passengers to more than 500, with a large variety of cabin types from simple quads to cabins with balconies to luxury suites. Swoop knows every ship in the polar fleet inside and out: we’re the only polar travel agency that sends every member of its sales team to Antarctica every year, and keep our knowledge topped up with further ship inspections during the off season.

Antarctic coastline perfect reflection from cruise ship

Sailing to other destinations in Antarctica

The Antarctic Peninsula is known as the gateway to Antarctica for a good reason: cruising here allows you to visit a variety of different regions. 

A great way to get the most out of your polar voyage is by combining your trip to the Peninsula with South Georgia, with its king penguin colonies hundreds of thousands of birds strong set against a background of epic mountains. South Georgia cruises also take in the Falkland Islands, another great wildlife watching destination. 

Accessible east of the Peninsula is the haunting Weddell Sea, with its immense tabular icebergs. You can also choose to continue further south to sail below the Antarctic Circle

Finally, a small number of cruise ships approach Antarctic every year from the far side of the continent, sailing from New Zealand to explore the Ross Sea and follow in the footsteps of explorers like Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen.

King penguins on St Andrews Bay beach in South Georgia
Swoop Says background image

Daniel says

The two day voyage is the perfect way to build excitement for your grand arrival in Antarctica: meeting your fellow travellers, watching albatrosses follow your wake and excitedly scanning the horizon for your first iceberg.

Daniel Brooks Antarctica Specialist

Crossing the Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is the name given to the stretch of ocean that lies between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. For many travellers, crossing the Drake is an essential part of their Antarctic journey, accompanied all the while by albatrosses and other seabirds that glide gracefully alongside the ship.

The Drake Passage can be lively at times, thanks to the strong currents and winds generated where the Southern Ocean funnels through this narrow stretch of water. You’ll hear of two types of crossing: a benign Drake Lake and a rougher Drake Shake. While the latter can certainly generate some big waves, people also seem to enjoy talking up the fear factor: in reality you’re far more likely to encounter calm seas than turbulent ones.

Sunset over the Drake Passage crossing to Antarctica

Getting to Antarctica by ship

Our top Antarctica cruises

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

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
South Georgia, Antarctica and Falklands Explorer

Looking for an Antarctic adventure without compromising on comfort and service? This stylish 139-passenger ship, with its cavernous suites, fine dining and compelling itinerary, offers a polished Southern Ocean adventure at a fair…

  • 21 Days
  • $19,795
Classic Peninsula Voyage

Travelling aboard this modern 134-passenger ship with its 200-degree observation lounge and spacious cabins, spend 4 full days exploring Antarctica’s extraordinary icebergs and wildlife. Optional camping and kayaking, while Ushuaia hotel accommodation and a parka jacket are included in the…

  • 11 Days
  • $10,199
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
Antarctic Basecamp Adventure

The ultimate Antarctic adventure, this trip is specifically for the active traveller. Spend 7 days kayaking, hiking, camping, mountaineering and snowshoeing, all included in the price. A medium-sized expedition ship acts as your floating ‘basecamp’. An excellent deal backed up…

  • 13 Days
  • $10,550
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
Antarctic Explorer

The great strength of this trip is choice – a wide selection of departure dates and optional adventure activities available on a sleek purpose-built 138 passenger expedition ship. Spend four full days exploring Antarctica. Enjoy daily shore landings and zodiac…

  • 11 Days
  • $16,495
Antarctic Peninsula Explorer

Explore the White Continent aboard one of the polar fleet's newest additions, a state-of-the-art expedition vessel combining adventure with comfort. As well as being limited to only 130 passengers, there’s a wide range of optional activities on this classic Antarctic…

  • 12-15 Days
  • $13,395
Onto the Antarctic Ice

With three medium-sized expedition ships to pick from and regular departure dates throughout the season, this well-priced voyage is a popular option. Across striking landscapes and icy seas, your company includes penguins, seals, whales and skuas. For the adventurous, optional…

  • 10-13 Days
  • $10,050
Antarctic Peninsula Classic

Travelling on board this extremely comfortable ship, explore the highlights of the peninsula with a top class expedition team. Spacious cabins, delicious cuisine and optional adventure activities all help create this ideal marriage of comfort and…

  • 12-13 Days
  • $11,985

Flying to Antarctica

The quickest way to reach Antarctica is on a fly-sail cruise. These depart from Punta Arenas in Chile, flying on special charter flights in just two hours direct to King Georgia Island in the South Shetland Islands, which lie off the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. On arrival, you transfer directly to your expedition cruise ship. There’s no faster way to start exploring Antarctica.

If you only have a shorter time available for your trip, or are an anxious sailor keen to avoid the voyage across the Drake Passage, a fly-sail cruise makes an excellent option. However, planes are more susceptible to polar weather delays than ships, so you’ll need to be ready for flexibility if choosing this option. Fly-sail cruises also have higher operating costs than regular cruises, which makes them a slightly more expensive option.

Boarding Antarctic Airways flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island
Swoop Says background image

Nardus says

Flying to Antarctica is an incredible experience. Spotting your first icebergs from the air, landing on a remote island airstrip and then taking a zodiac out to your ship all feels like a scene from a James Bond movie.

Nardus Erasmus Polar Consultant

Our top fly & sail Antarctica cruises

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

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
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
Fly & Cruise Polar Circle

This impressive voyage combines all the comfort and speed of flying in both directions with extended time in Antarctica (7 full days), allowing you to head south towards the remote Antarctic Circle. Explore from the comfort of your outstanding purpose-built…

  • 10 Days
  • $26,995
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

Flying to the Antarctic interior & South Pole

While fly-sail cruises take in the classic wildlife and sights of the Antarctic Peninsula, a handful of flights every year offer lucky travellers to experience the Seventh Continent where few have ever walked before.

It’s possible to explore the Antarctic interior from Union Glacier Camp on the edge of the Ellsworth Mountains, which can be reached by air from Punta Arenas in Chile. A specially adapted plane is required to land on the blue ice runway here.

Alternatively, you can achieve a true travel holy grail by flying direct to the South Pole, from either Punta Arenas or Cape Town in South Africa.

Emperor penguins in the Weddell Sea with light aircraft
Customer review background image

What our customers think of travel to Antarctica

I would choose my ship again. The ship itself seemed sturdy and it more than handled the Drake Passage! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Shirley Sutton - USA

10/10 - It was the perception combination to experience both. We were lucky to have just a mild Drake Shake experience and we had an extra day in Antarctica due to weather conditions. I was completely surprised when the the expedition leader took the opportunity to take us on another outing. Above and beyond. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Julia Balogh - USA

10/10 - We did the sail first, fly back. It's good to get the Drake over with first. And everyone going to Antarctica should experience the Drake, at least once. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Barbara Alexander - Canada

We also felt the length of time was perfect for us to experience the variety of the Antarctic Peninsula and wildlife, and the 4 days of Drake Passage crossing (2 and from the Peninsula) were great for getting to know the ship, the crew, and learning about the history of the area. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Jennifer Webb - Canada

10/10 - Appreciate skipping the Drake Passage for a better experience. Most memorable moment? Cruising on the zodiacs through icebergs and glaciers, seeing wildlife right in front of us. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Shari Rosenberg - USA

10/10 - Fabulous doing the Drake Passage in and saving time with the flight out. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Sylvia Caira - USA

The ship was very smooth, gentle rolling through the Drake, no pounding, hand rails everywhere. Felt very safe on the ship. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Michael Iezzi - USA

Expedition team kept us occupied on the Drake with talks of sea birds and seals, history and humpbacks. They didn't even mind too much when we had a hard time staying awake due to sea sick meds! Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Becky Ahern - USA

10/10 - It was amazing! I didn't want to cruise through the Drake so this was perfect for me! The staff on the boat was wonderful; they were so helpful and knowledgeable. They really made sure we had a great time and every time we had to change plans it felt like we got to see something even better. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Sabrina McCarthy - USA

I loved the X-Bow which handled the wind and waves beautifully - even in the Drake Passage with 5-6 m seas and 40 knot winds gusting to 60 . I did take medication for sea days but felt great the whole time. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Janet Deisley - USA

Fantastic! Cabin was great, we loved having the balcony so we could privately go out and watch the scenery and wildlife go by. And also watch the Drake Shake waves! Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Joanne March - USA

Do and buy exactly what you guys recommend! Cross the Drake, it's worth the experience - don't fly! Take the smaller ships, less than 500 people, so you can get off the ship and actually be in/on Antarctica to get closer to the land and wildlife. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Joanne March - USA

Brilliant adventure holiday, super supportive guides on the boat, and they just kept us so busy with exploring trips every morning and every afternoon. We also got 2 easy crossing of the Drake Passage! Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

James Evans - UK

Don't hesitate, do everything regardless of whether you are tired, come fully prepared for the Drake Passage – patches, medicine bands, and you will be ok! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Edward Moder IV - USA

I was excited to see the penguins. I never had any anxiety about the Drake Passage - millions of other people have survived the crossing and I will too! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Juanita Chase - USA

I was apprehensive with the Drake Passage and was apprehensive about the long journey to the End of the World, BUT it all worked out fine and whatever difficulty we had to go through was well worth it. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Rozini Binti Mohd Amin - Malaysia

Fantastic boat! Definitely recommend. The stabilizers made the Drake Passage less rocky. The cabin was very comfortable. Food was great! Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

Midori Shibuya - USA

No one had control of the weather, but in our case the weather was nearly perfect. The travel across the Drake Passage was mild (we were told the worst day was a 3 of 10). Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

Michael Robert Perata - USA

Just get ready to cross the Drake. If you're prone to seasickness, just have medication ready. Read the full review

Travelled: October 2023

Bob Burgos - USA

Be sure to plan for the Drake Passage. It's hard to understand it and imagine what the sea is going to be like. It might have to be experienced, but just be ready (Dramamine pills, patches, and wrist bands, plus test how they will affect you before you leave for a couple days as you don't want to be overly sleepy or sick from preventative medicine). Read the full review

Travelled: October 2023

Keith Lorin Harris - USA

From the moment we arrived in Antarctica on the jet, I realized that I had landed in a world that I could have never have envisioned being in. It was certainly life changing. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Ray Applebaum - USA

The service from Swoop was unparalleled. They were extremely informative and guided me throughout the whole process of booking and preparing. I don't think anything else could have been done by Swoop to make my experience any better. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Kristen Hilt - United States Of America

I would book with Swoop in a heartbeat and have already been recommending Swoop to others. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Elisabeth Eppich - Canada

Customer Image

My advice is to review the videos that are out there on a trip to Antarctica. Read the reviews of the different type of cruises and determine what works best for you. Get in touch with Swoop and let them help with narrowing down the choices. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Terrie Mandina - United States Of America

A trip to a remote area always makes one pause to consider one's place in the universe. It re-awakened my commitment, and that of other guests, to care for our planet. I now want to come back and make a more extended visit to the Southern Ocean. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Elizabeth Hess - United States Of America

Swoop was brilliant throughout, from making the initial booking to steering us through the pre-trip preparations. Even checking that we had arrived at our hotel in Buenos Aires. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Richard & Anne Abrahall - United Kingdom

The joy of travel is to experience the unexpected. Experiencing the Antarctic is a mind-expanding event. Unless one goes there, no one can believe how vast and how wild the white continent is. This adventure should be on everybody's "bucket list". Read the full review

Travelled: November 2018

Bob Clements - United States Of America

We lost a couple of days up front due to weather-related flight issues into the Falkland Islands, however, the crew did a great job maximizing our time on South Georgia so that we hardly noticed the lost time. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2018

James Jarman - United States Of America

The level of personal experience Swoop's travel experts draw upon to make recommendations sets them apart from anyone else I've worked with.

Travelled: September 2018

Chris - USA

We were very impressed with the proactive response re the flight delay from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt. Overall very pleased with the service we received from Swoop.

Travelled: February 2018

RSW & MW - UK

Customer Image

If you have never been, there is no way of preparing for the impact of being there. The untouched, natural beauty, the mighty icebergs, the silliness of the penguins. You will be spending hours just sitting in one spot adoring the view. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2018

Zoltan & Stephen Nemeth - Florida

Customer Image

For ease and efficiency few things beat flying to Antarctica. If I'd have known it was that easy I would have gone years ago!

Travelled: December 2016

Agi - Hungary

Customer Image

Dear Swoop family, we would like to thank you for all the amazing effort you made in getting us to Punta Arenas in time.

Travelled: December 2015

Erik & Natascha - The Netherlands

Review:

How to get to Antarctica from your front door

Cruises to Antarctica sail from Ushuaia in Argentina, while fly-sail cruises depart from Punta Arenas in Chile. Neither city offers international flights, so to get to the start of your trip you will to have to fly via Buenos Aires in Argentina (airport code EZE), or Santiago in Chile (airport code SCL).

Most luxury Antarctic cruises automatically include a first night in either Buenos Aires and Santiago and charter flight down to join your ship.

Flying to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires There are multiple daily flights to Ushuaia (USH, three hours 30 minutes) with either Aerolíneas Argentinas or LATAM, from the city's domestic Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery. We recommend allowing five hours to transfer between the international and domestic airports.

Flying to Punta Arenas via Santiago From Santiago, there are multiple daily flights to Punta Arenas (PUQ three hours 30 minutes) with LATAM.

How to get to Antarctica from the USA

Flying from the USA to Antarctica via Buenos Aires

Both Aerolíneas Argentinas and American Airlines fly direct to Buenos Aires (EZE) from New York (JFK, 11 hours) and Miami (MIA, nine hours). American Airlines also fly direct from Dallas (DFW, 10 hours 30 minutes). Aerolíneas Argentinas and Delta Airlines fly direct from Atlanta (ATL, (10 hours). There are no direct flights to Buenos Aires from California.

Flying from the USA to Antarctica via Santiago

Santiago is well connected to the USA. LATAM flies direct to Santiago from New York (JFK, 10 hours 30 minutes) and Miami (MIA, eight hours) and from Los Angeles via Lima (LAX, 13 hours 50 minutes). American Airlines fly direct from Dallas (DFW, nine hours 30 minutes), Miami (MIA, eight hours 10 minutes). Delta fly direct from Atlanta (ATL, nine hours 10 minutes). 

Sunset on the Antarctic coastline

How to get to Antarctica from the UK

Flying from the UK to Antarctica via Buenos Aires, Argentina

British Airways fly 13 hours direct London Heathrow (LHR) to Buenos Aires (EZE). LATAM fly from Heathrow via São Paolo. Useful indirect flights include with Iberia through Madrid or with Air France via Paris.

Flying from the UK to Antarctica via Santiago, Chile

British Airways fly 14 hours direct from London Heathrow (LHR) to Santiago (SCL). LATAM fly from London via Madrid or São Paolo, while Iberia fly via Madrid. 

Blue iceberg in Antarctica at sunset

How to get to Antarctica from Australia

Flying from the Australia to Antarctica via Buenos Aires, Argentina

There are no direct flights between Australia and Argentina. The quickest way to complete this journey is to fly to Santiago via Sydney or Aukland and then take a connecting flight to Buenos Aires (a travel time of around two hours). 

Flying from the Australia to Antarctica via Santiago, Chile

Qantas and LATAM both operate direct flights from Sydney (SYD) to Santiago. The flights take around 12 hours 40 minutes. An alternative route is to travel via Aukland in New Zealand, which also direct flights to Santiago. 

Antarctic coastline in moonlight

How to get to Antarctica from Canada

Flying from Canada to Antarctica via Buenos Aires, Argentina

Air Canada operate a service between Toronto (YYZ) and Buenos Aires, with a stop at either Bogota or São Paulo. Wider connections are available through New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), Dallas (DFW), Atlanta (ATL) and Los Angeles (LAX).

Flying from Canada to Antarctica via Santiago, Chile

Air Canada operate the only direct flights from Canada to Santiago, departing from Toronto (YYZ, 10 hours 40 minutes). Wider connections are available through the US hub airports of New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Dallas (DFW) or Atlanta (ATL).

Iceberg in Antarctica with moody clouds

How to get to Antarctica: FAQs

  • How long does it take to get to Antarctica?

    It takes two days to sail to the Antarctic Peninsula by cruise ship from Ushuaia in Argentina, and just two hours by plane from Punta Arenas in Chile.

    Sailing to the Falkland Islands from Ushuaia takes approximately 36 hours, and a further day's sailing is required to reach South Georgia island. From South Georgia, it is two days by sea to the Antarctic Peninsula.

    To reach the Ross Sea, it takes around ten days to sailing from Queenstown in New Zealand, calling in at many Subantarctic Islands along the way. 

    It is possible to fly to the South Pole from Punta Arenas in ten hours. 

  • Where do Antarctic cruises depart from?

    Almost all Antarctic cruises depart from the tip of South America. 

    If you sail to the Antarctic Peninsula, your ship will depart from Ushuaia in Argentina. If you fly to the Antarctic Peninsula, your plane will depart from Punta Arenas in Santiago. 

    The few Ross Sea cruises depart from Queenstown in New Zealand. 

  • Do you need a visa to visit Antarctica?

    No. Antarctic is international territory so there are no immigration requirements. 

    You will need to check whether you require a visa for either Argentina or Chile, depending on where your Antarctic cruise starts. The majority of international travellers do not require a visa: check our visa page for more information. 

  • Can I visit Antarctica as a solo traveller?

    Yes. Antartica is a very popular destination for solo travellers. See our dedicated solo travellers page for more on why the Seventh Continent is such a great destination for those travelling alone. 

  • Can I add time in South America before or after my Antarctic trip?

    Yes. It's easy to make the most of your time in either Argentina or Chile. Whether you want time in Buenos Aires or Santiago, to explore wider Patagonia or range farther afield to destinations like Iguazú Falls or the Atacama Desert, we can tailor the perfect add-on to your trip.

    Our team has lived and travelled widely in the region: visit our dedicated travel page for more information.

  • Can you travel to Antarctica?

    Of course! Deciding which route to take, where you want to visit, and whether to cruise or fly are all the questions you need to answer next. 

    At Swoop, we've visited Antarctica more than 150 times and have 100 years of collective polar experience under our belts. We send our sales team out to Antarctica every year to keep our knowledge of the region and the polar fleet the best in the business – and we’ll put this expertise at your service at no extra cost to you, listening to exactly what you want from this once-in-a-lifetime trip, to find the perfect ship and itinerary at the right price for you. 

Discover more about Antarctic cruises

Why our customers love Swoop

The Antarctic Experts.
No Compromises

Depth Of Knowledge SVG

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

Expert Impartial Advice SVG

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

Ends Of The Earth SVG

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

With You SVG

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.

Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.

2
Match

Match

Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.

3
Reserve

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.

1-888-970-4570