The Antarctic - How to get there

By Air:

It is possible to fly directly to the Antarctic from some of the neighbouring countries.

Flights from Punta Arenas, Chile take about 4½ hours and use Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. They fly into the Patriot Hills camp which offers accommodation for 60 guests in large insulated tents. There are limited, basic hot water showers and all power is generated by either wind or solar. There is a doctor on site.

Flights from Cape Town, South Africa take about 5½ hours and also use Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. They fly into the Russian airbase at Novo, where there a couple of camps providing accommodation in either large insulated tents or wooden lodges. There are better amenities here, including dining hall, kitchen, shower and toilets, along with a cafeteria.

Flying from the UK:

Flying to Ushuaia, Argentina from the UK, there are no direct flights to Ushuaia and most are routed through Buenos Aires. You will also often be routed through Europe i.e. Madrid, Paris etc. making the trip a 2 stop flight that can take 24 hours or more to complete. Bearing this in mind it is worth considering a proper stopover in Buenos Aires, to recover from the international flight and to take in the sights and sounds of this exciting city, before continuing your onward journey to Ushuaia. Fares range from around £1,000 if you book well in advance, but can increase significantly during busy periods.

Flying to Cape Town, South Africa from the UK, there are direct flights available through British Airways, BMI, Virgin Atlanctic and South African, and the flight takes between 8-10 hours. Prices start from about £800 but do get more expensive during busy periods. Several airlines, including Emirates, Ethiad, KLM, and Lufthansa, offer indirect flights starting at around £650; however this increases the travelling time to around 12-16 hours or more.

Flying to Punta Arenas, Chile from the UK, LAN Airlines, Chile’s national carrier, and Iberia offer flights starting from around £1,000 via Madrid. They usually involve a couple of stopover and take in excess of 24 hours travelling time. Other carriers include TAM Linhas Aereas.

Where to book:

We hold an ATOL, and you are welcome to book your flights with us. Please discuss your ideal dates and departure airport with our sales staff, and we will send you a selection of airlines, flight times, and prices. You can then choose whether to book your flights through us, or to make your own arrangements. If you book your own flights, we will still include both your arrival and departure airport transfers.

By Sea:

The vast majority of people visiting The Antarctic do so by expedition cruise ship. Most leave from Ushuaia in Argentina and take around three days, depending on weather conditions, to make the Drakes Crossing to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Other departure ports include Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.