Antarctica can be reached by boat from Ushuaia or by plane from Punta Arenas, Chile. Trips to Antarctica last between 8 and 19 days, depart from November to March, and almost all are expedition cruises with daily outings in inflatable boats to see penguins, seals, and whales. Prices range from around 14 million Argentine pesos for the classic 10-day cruise to around 45 million for the 19-day cruise that includes the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
If you're wondering how to get to the Argentine Antarctic, the most common route starts from Ushuaia, which is about 1,000 km from the Antarctic Peninsula. Crossing the Drake Passage takes about two days each way. The other option is an air cruise: a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, which avoids the Drake Passage. Here we detail both routes, the prices of Antarctic excursions, the best time to go, and seven trips with their itineraries.
To compare available options and check dates, see Tangol's Antarctic trips and cruises .
How to get to the Argentine Antarctic: routes and distances
There are no commercial flights or airports in Antarctica: the only way to reach it is by ship or charter flight with an ice runway. Tourism is regulated by the Antarctic Treaty and IAATO, the association of tour operators, so you can only travel with an authorized company. Independent travel to the continent is not possible.
There are three ways to get there. The most common departs from Ushuaia. The fastest combines plane and boat. The third, large cruise ships, do not disembark on the mainland.
How to get to Antarctica from Ushuaia by boat
Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego, is the departure port for over 90% of trips to Antarctica, and it's the answer to which excursion is best if you want to travel from Argentina. The distance between Ushuaia and Antarctica is about 1,000 km to the peninsula, according to tour operators. The crossing includes the Beagle Channel on the first day and the Drake Passage, a stretch of open sea about 800 km wide (500 miles).
The Drake Passage is crossed in about two days each way. It is the roughest part of the journey and sometimes has large waves. Along the way, you can see albatrosses, petrels, and, with luck, whales. After crossing the Drake Passage, the ship enters the Antarctic Peninsula either through the South Shetland Islands or via the Gerlache Channel.
How to get to Antarctica by plane from Punta Arenas
The alternative is an air cruise. It departs from Punta Arenas, Chile, and flies for about two hours to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. There, you board a ship, sail, and fly back. This avoids the Drake Passage, which is the biggest concern for those prone to seasickness, and saves about four days of travel.
It has two disadvantages: it is more expensive than a cruise from Ushuaia and the dates depend on the weather, because the plane only takes off in good weather.
Large cruise ships passing through Antarctica
Some large cruise ships pass by the peninsula, but they don't disembark passengers. They depart from Buenos Aires or San Antonio, Chile, and last more than two weeks. Ships with more than 500 passengers are not allowed to disembark on the mainland, and those with more than 200 passengers only visit certain sites. If you want to set foot on Antarctica, choose an expedition ship.
When to travel and how much do excursions to the Argentine Antarctic cost
The season runs from November to March, which is the Southern Hemisphere summer. Outside of those months, the sea is frozen and there are no tourist trips. Each month has something different: in late November and December there is fresh snow and the penguins build their nests; in January the chicks hatch; in February and March there are more whales.
Prices for Antarctic excursions vary depending on the date, ship, and cabin. The prices below are from Tangol, with departures in 2026 and 2027, in Argentine pesos and per person.
Antarctic travel season from Ushuaia
November and December: there is more snow and ice, and the penguins begin to nest. It is the season for the emperor penguin in the Weddell Sea.
January: It's the peak of the season, with the longest days and the penguin chicks.
February and March: the ice recedes and more whales are seen. It's a good time for kayaking and whale landings.
Prices of excursions and cruises to Antarctica
Prices are for reference only as of October 2026. Please check the current price and currency before booking.
What is included and what is not included in a trip to Antarctica
Almost all cruises include:
Cabin on board and all meals, with snacks, coffee and tea.
Excursions in inflatable boats (zodiacs) and land activities.
Talks by naturalists and the expedition team.
Rubber boots, and in some cases snowshoes, are provided free of charge.
Luggage transfer and group transfer to the airport at the end.
Port fees.
They do not include flights to Ushuaia, travel insurance, meals on land, drinks, excursions before or after the cruise, or tips, which are suggested at about USD 8 to 10 per person per day.
The 7 trips to Antarctica from Ushuaia and Punta Arenas
These seven trips cover the most common formats: the classic cruise, the air cruise, the adventure with camping and kayaking, the learning trip, the search for the emperor penguin, and the extended expedition to the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. All have suggested itineraries; the expedition leader decides the route based on weather and ice conditions.
None of them require prior experience on boats. All require good health, the ability to walk for several hours, and the ability to descend a steep staircase to the boats.
1. Classic 10-day Antarctic cruise from Ushuaia
The classic Antarctic cruise lasts 10 days and 9 nights and departs from and returns to Ushuaia aboard the ship Ushuaia. Departures are from November 2026 to March 2027.
Day 1: Afternoon boarding and sailing through the Beagle Channel.
Days 2 and 3: crossing the Drake Passage, with onboard talks. Weather permitting, on day 3 we will reach the South Shetland Islands for our first landing with penguins and seals.
Days 4-7: Exploration of the South Shetland Islands and the peninsula. Possible sites include Deception Island, King George Island, Paradise Bay, and Gerlache Strait. There are at least two landings per day.
Days 8 and 9: return via the Drake.
Day 10: Arrival in Ushuaia and disembarkation after breakfast.
It is the format most chosen by those who travel for the first time.
2. 8-day air cruise on the Magellan Explorer
The air cruise to Antarctica on the Magellan Explorer lasts 8 days and 7 nights, departing from and returning to Punta Arenas. The ship is a small, boutique expedition vessel. Everything is included, from flights to meals.
Day 1: Arrival in Punta Arenas, hotel, information session and welcome dinner.
Day 2: Flight of about two hours to King George Island and boarding a speedboat.
Days 3 to 6: Four days of sailing, with daily landings, walks and sightings of penguins, seals, whales and seabirds.
Day 7: Return flight to Punta Arenas.
Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
The season runs from November to February. The level of difficulty is medium, due to the cold.
3. 8-day air cruise on the Ocean Nova
The classic air cruise on the Ocean Nova follows the same 8-day, 7-night itinerary. The ship itself is different: the Ocean Nova is a smaller expedition vessel with triple, double, or single cabins.
The itinerary is the same: flight to King George Island on day 2, four days of sailing through channels, bays and glaciers, with daily landings in zodiacs, and return flight on day 7. The price is not published, and you have to request a quote.
4. Antarctica with camping, kayaking and mountaineering: the base camp
The Antarctic base camp adventure with Oceanwide Expeditions lasts 13 days and 12 nights. It combines ice camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, and mountaineering. All activities are included.
Day 1: Boarding in Ushuaia.
Days 2 and 3: crossing the Drake.
Days 4 to 10: Entry via the Melchior Islands. Possible sites include the Neumayer Channel, Port Lockroy, the Pléneau and Petermann Islands, and Paradise Bay, where the night is spent camping on the ice.
Days 11 and 12: return via the Drake.
Day 13: Disembarkation in Ushuaia.
This is the perfect trip if you're looking for physical activity. Departures are between November 2027 and January 2028, and the price is available upon request.
5. Discovery and learning trip in Antarctica
The 11-day, 10-night Antarctic discovery and learning trip with Oceanwide Expeditions combines exploration with lectures by naturalists. It departs from and returns to Ushuaia.
The tour includes stops at Danco Island, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, and Port Lockroy, a former British base that now houses a museum and post office. It then visits the South Shetland Islands, including Deception Island, a flooded volcano, and Half Moon Island, home to chinstrap penguins. Departures are between October 2027 and February 2028. The tour is conducted in English.
6. Weddell Sea: in search of the emperor penguin
This trip is for those who want to see the emperor penguin. The expedition lasts 11 days and 10 nights, with Oceanwide Expeditions, aboard the Ortelius. The Weddell Sea cruise enters the Weddell Sea through Antarctic Sound and searches for the emperor penguin colony by boat and helicopter.
Ice permitting, two days are spent near the colony. The flights last about 15 minutes, carry 4 to 6 passengers, and end with a 45-minute walk. Access to the colony is not guaranteed; it depends on the ice. Afterward, the ship goes to Deception Island and returns via the Drake Passage. Departures are scheduled for November 15, November 25, and December 5, 2026.
7. Expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
The expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula is the longest and most comprehensive trip. It lasts between 19 and 21 days and is undertaken on the Ortelius, which has a capacity for 108 passengers. It departs from and returns to Ushuaia.
Days 1 to 5: Beagle Channel and the Falkland Islands, with possible stops in Carcass and Saunders, and a visit to Port Stanley.
Days 6 to 12: Crossing the Antarctic Convergence and arriving in South Georgia, with king penguin colonies in Salisbury Plain, St. Andrew's Bay and Gold Harbour, and the old whaling station of Grytviken, where Shackleton's grave is located.
Day 13: South Orkney Islands, with a possible visit to the Argentine Orcadas base.
Days 14 to 17: Antarctic Peninsula, and the Weddell Sea if ice permits.
Last days: return via the Drake.
The listed departure date is December 27, 2026. The information sheet contains conflicting details about the dates and port, so please confirm them when booking.
Antarctica packages: how to put together the complete trip
A trip to Antarctica almost never begins and ends on the ship. You have to get to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas, sleep at least one night before boarding, and book your return trip well in advance. That's why many travelers put together Antarctic packages that combine the cruise with other destinations.
These are the most common combinations:
Ushuaia before the cruise: one or two nights to explore the southernmost city in the world, the Beagle Channel, and Tierra del Fuego National Park, which is about 12 km from the city center. This also provides some leeway in case your flight is delayed.
Punta Arenas, in the case of the air cruise: the package includes a hotel night before the flight, an information talk and a welcome dinner.
Patagonia before or after: El Calafate and El Chaltén are common extensions, lasting between 3 and 5 nights.
Buenos Aires or Santiago: they serve as a stopover if you are flying from another country.
If you're using a package tour, check what's included. Cruises from Ushuaia don't include flights, transfers to the ship, or overnight stays in the city. Air cruises include flights to King George Island, but not tickets to Punta Arenas.
What's a day like on board an Antarctic cruise ship?
The days on an expedition cruise follow a similar rhythm. Understanding what it's like helps you know what to expect.
Tomorrow: breakfast and first excursion, which may be a landing or a Zodiac boat trip around the icebergs. It lasts between two and three hours.
Midday: lunch on board and talk by naturalists about wildlife, ice or the history of expeditions.
Afternoon: second departure. Some trips offer extra activities, such as kayaking or snowshoeing.
Evening: dinner, review of the day and explanation of the plan for the next day.
Days spent sailing through the Drake Passage are spent without landings. They are spent conversing, on deck watching birds, or on the bridge, where passengers can join the officers if the ship allows. The itinerary is never fixed: the expedition leader changes the plan according to the wind, the ice, and any animals that appear.
What to do in Antarctica: activities and wildlife
Activities are conducted in small groups with guides and are weather dependent. Only small groups and designated landing sites are permitted.
Landings and Zodiac tours: these are the main activities. Small boats get close to icebergs, glaciers, and colonies.
Walks through the penguin colonies, at a respectful distance.
Kayaking, snowshoeing and camping are available on some trips, sometimes at an extra cost.
Wildlife viewing: penguins, seals, whales and seabirds.
Base visits: Port Lockroy, for example, is a museum with a post office.
Rules and safety when traveling to Antarctica
Antarctica is protected by the Antarctic Treaty, and IAATO operators follow rules to protect wildlife and the environment. No waste can be left behind, animals cannot be touched, and there are limits on the number of people allowed per landing.
Before you travel, keep in mind:
Health: Good health is required. Medical care on board is limited, and travel is not recommended for those with life-threatening conditions or conditions requiring daily treatment.
Insurance: Purchase travel insurance with evacuation coverage.
Seasickness: The Drake Passage can be rough. Bring medication if you need it.
Documents: The cost of a passport and visas is not included. Check the entry requirements for Chile or Argentina based on your nationality.
What to pack for a trip to Antarctica
The cold depends more on the wind than the temperature. Here's what the fact sheets recommend:
Layered clothing: a thermal base layer, a fleece layer, and a waterproof jacket and pants.
Hat, buff-type neck warmer, waterproof gloves with thin gloves underneath.
Merino wool socks and waterproof, non-slip footwear. Rubber boots are provided on Oceanwide cruises.
Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential, because the glare on the snow is strong.
Motion sickness medication and travel insurance.
How to choose a trip to Antarctica
The choice depends on how much time and money you have and what you want to see. Before deciding, define three things: how many days you can be away, whether you're worried about seasickness in the Drake Passage, and whether you prefer a relaxing trip with short walks or an active one with kayaking and camping. With those answers, the table will guide you.
What is the distance between Ushuaia and Antarctica?
About 1,000 km to the peninsula, with a Drake crossing of about two days.
What is the best time to go to Antarctica?
From November to March. Emperor penguins are sought in late November and December.
How long does a trip to Antarctica take?
Between 8 and 21 days, depending on the itinerary.
Is it possible to go to Antarctica on your own?
No. You must travel with an IAATO-authorized operator.
Is prior experience necessary?
No, but good health and the ability to walk for several hours are necessary.