How To Get To Antarctica - TourRadar

Getting to Antarctica

While most trips begin once you reach a destination, travelling to Antarctica is an adventure in itself. Before you settle on a route, it's best to find out more about what options are available to you and learn more about how to get to Antarctica. Some of the questions you'll want to ask are where you should begin the tour, from Argentina or Chile in South America? While many people opt for a cruise, you don't have to sail the entire time, you could also go for a fly and cruise. The information on this page will shed light on the options that are available to you.

Cruise

At one point, sailing was the only way to reach Antarctica and it still remains one of the more popular ways to travel as it is cheaper than flying and the most reliable option. Flights are more dependant on the weather and have a shorter season - December to February while ships operate from November to March. One of the best things about the Antarctica cruise is that the journey becomes part of the trip as well. Something else to be aware of is choosing the right ship as this will impact your experience. Larger ships are more luxurious, but smaller ones can access more landing points and wait times to go ashore won't be as long thanks to fewer travellers. Best for: First-time travellers with no time restrictions

Fly and cruise

If you're short on time, a fly and cruise tour is an excellent option and will allow you to cut several days of travel time from your trip which would normally be spent sailing through the Drake Passage. Most tours will fly you to King George Island, from there you can join a cruise ship to explore the Antarctica region, before returning to the mainland by plane again. The Drake Passage is an experience but can be quite choppy, so if you suffer from sea sickness, a fly and cruise tour is ideal. Learn more about a fly and cruise tour.Best for: Avoiding the rough waters of the Drake Passage

Fly-in

There are no commercial flights to Antartica, but it is possible to book a charter flight to the continent. If you really want to discover the region and can afford this option, a fly-in is one of the best ways to thoroughly explore the incredible and pristine landscapes of Antarctica and access remote areas few have walked across. Learn more about a fly-in option.Best for: Saving time without losing cruising experience   

Fly-over

To see the beauty of the White Continent from high above, you also have the option of taking a charter flight across Antarctica for the day. This is a good option for people that want to experience the magic of these landscapes on a softer adventure. While you won't get to set foot on the remote shores of this region, you will get an exquisite birdseye view of Antarctica and learn about the continent first-hand from an expert onboard. As this option is a day trip, it's the fastest way to experience the nature and wildlife of Antarctica. At present, the only departure point for a fly-over is from Australia. Learn more about a fly-over option.Best for: Saving time while reaching least visited parts of Antarctica