Antarctica Wildlife & Polar Travel Guide

The cheapest way to get to Antarctica is by flying from Punta Arenas (PUQ airport), Chile, to St. George Island (TNM airport) one way, then the opposite way taking a cruise over five days. The minimum total cost from Punta Arenas is about USD$5000 on the Antarctica Express Air Cruise.

Yes, you need a passport to enter Antarctica in addition to the country from which you access Antarctica. Most travelers pass through Argentina or Chile before arriving at the Antarctic continent, and you will likely need a visa to enter these countries in addition to your passport, depending on your nationality.

Yes, you can. About 90% of all travelers arrive in Antarctica by cruise ship, and the remaining 10% arrive by air. The vast majority of travelers arrive in the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina, aboard a ship designed for polar travel. Only a few highly privileged individuals have the opportunity to visit the White Continent. There were 122,072 visitors in the 2023-24 season, with the majority coming from the United States, followed by China, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

If you have specific departure dates in mind, these may guide your decision, as availability for Antarctica cruises can be quite limited. If not, you may want to consider the following factors, among others:

Ship size - Some travelers prefer the intimacy of small group travel, which often means more time with the guide, more efficient embarkation/disembarkation, and a cozier feel on board. Ships with fewer passengers also tend to offer more adventure options such as scuba diving, kayaking, and camping. Other travelers prefer the relative spaciousness (cabins still tend to be small on most boats!) and added facilities (Jacuzzi, gym, pool, etc) of the larger boats. Often, though not always, the larger ships tend to have more luxury amenities.

Itinerary - Many of the ships offer a similar range of itineraries. However, some offer more variety than others. If you have a special interest such as visiting South Georgia, crossing the Polar Circle, or traveling to the Falkland Islands, let our trip coordinator know.

Cost - The cost of Antarctica voyages varies tremendously. If you are working within a specific budget, let our trip coordinators know so we can match you with the best cruise. Cabin size, itinerary length, ship amenities, etc. can all affect the cost. Once we know your priorities, we can help you choose from the best Antarctica cruises!

Special interests - Some ships offer special Antarctica cruises for divers, kayakers, climbers, campers, photographers, etc. If you have a special interest, please let us know.

Each Antarctica ship has its own type of electrical outlets, depending on the country where it was built. Many of the ships are originally from Russia and use 220 volts, 50 cycle electricity with two round prongs. Ask your Trip Planner for details on the vessel you are taking once you have booked.

Although you do not need to be in excellent physical condition to join an Antarctica cruise, you do need to be in overall good health. These remote areas do not have access to modern medical facilities. You should not join an Antarctica cruise if you have a life-threatening condition or one that requires extensive medical attention. However, a cruise to Antarctica does not need to be physically demanding. You need to be able to balance on a vessel in rough seas, and get in and out of Zodiacs if you wish to participate in shore excursions. You may opt-out of the shore excursions and choose instead to view the wildlife and landscape from the deck. Onshore, most ships offer at least one easy walk that allows participants to experience the destination without going far from the landing site.

Travelers come from all over the world, although most speak English fluently. They may range in age from children to seniors, with most travelers in their 30s to 60s. Some cruises to Antarctica do not permit children under the age of 12, and families should not expect many children on any of the departures.

It depends. Some ships have a minimum age requirement ranging from 8 to 12. Other ships leave it up to the parents to decide if the cruise would be appropriate. The dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife can be fascinating for children. However, the long voyages at sea can become tiresome for even the best child travelers. It is unlikely that there will be other children on board for your kids to play with, so be sure to bring plenty of entertainment options. You may also want to consider upgrading to a larger room or suite on your cruise to Antarctica to give your kids more room to spread out. Since there is no access to medical facilities, children with chronic conditions such as severe asthma, diabetes, etc. are not advised to travel.

Absolutely! Most cruises to Antarctica have special single rates or can arrange a shared room at no additional cost. The majority of Antarctica visitors still travel as couples or families, so these trips can be a bit lonely for some solo travelers. However, the relatively small groups and long voyages on board allow travelers to easily meet others with similar interests. Solo travelers should also take a look at our exclusive Solo Traveler Departures.

Tour rates do not include international flights unless indicated. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately, and this also gives you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. You are welcome to book these on your own, or we can certainly help you arrange these flights with an airfare consolidator who specializes in South America flights.