Mark Stratton

Quick Guide: Flying to Antarctica

Flying to Antarctica

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By ExplorEarth Editor

JULY 01, 2024

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Flying to Antarctica

There are varying ways to embark on an Antarctic expedition cruise. However, one of the first considerations is whether to fly to the Peninsular or cruise the Drake Passage. If you do choose to fly, this is known as a fly cruise.

Most Antarctic cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile. These cruises typically last from 10 to 20 days; however, by avoiding the Drake Passage, you can save time and embark on a shorter cruise.

Ushuaia is the southernmost port in South America and is used to traverse the infamous Drake Passage. Meanwhile, Punta Arenas, also a gateway to the Chilean Fjords, is typically used as an airport to fly to King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsular.

Many cruise and tour operators offer fly-cruise packages to King George Island, and from there, you board a cruise ship to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. Once you arrive at the tiny airstrip at KGI, you will hike to meet a zodiac, which will then take you to your expedition ship.

Antarctica Fly-Cruise FAQ

Is it more expensive to fly to Antarctica?

As operators will mainly be chartering a plane to take you to Antarctica, it is more expensive, however, as an overall package price, flying saves days at sea on the Drake Passage, so the fares may equal out the same, but the fly-cruise will be shorter with less days on the ship.

How long is the flight to Antarctica?

The flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands typically takes around 2 to 3 hours, depending on weather conditions and the specific flight route taken by the aircraft.

Karen Hollands

What is the downside of flying to Antarctica?

For many travellers, traversing the Drake Passage is part of the experience of visiting Antarctica. The panorma of the Antarctic landscapes coming into view and the very experience of the Drake. Will we get the 'Drake Lake or the 'Drake Shake'? Some say certain ships, are more stable on the crossing too, such as X-BOW designed hulls.

The other consideration is weather. It is far less-likley for a ship to stay in port due to weather than for a flight to get delayed. In fact, most operators have a 3-4 day contingency for hotel and shedules in case of weather delays to flying, which are increasingly likley as weather patterns are changing. Several fly-cruises will be cancelled altogether each season due to weather delays. So check your T&Cs.