- The Antarctic season runs from about November to March
- Most voyages sail from Ushuaia in Argentina across the Drake Passage
- Fly-cruise options skip the crossing for a higher price
- Book early for the best cabins, or watch for last-minute expedition deals
- Airports
- Ushuaia (USH) via Buenos Aires (EZE); Punta Arenas (PUQ) for fly-cruises
- Flight time
- about 14h from London to Buenos Aires, then about 3h30 to Ushuaia
- Best time to go
- November-March
- Currency
- No local currency; most ships use US dollars on board
Antarctica is the trip of a lifetime for many travellers, and for good reason. Nothing quite prepares you for an iceberg the size of a cathedral, the din of a penguin colony or a humpback surfacing beside your Zodiac. There are no hotels and no towns: the only practical way for most people to visit is on a small expedition ship with a team of naturalists and guides.
This guide explains when to go, how to get there from the UK, the main types of voyage and what an Antarctic expedition costs.
Where you'll go
The Antarctic Peninsula
The vast majority of voyages head to the Antarctic Peninsula, the mountainous arm of the continent that reaches north towards South America. Its sheltered channels, such as the Lemaire Channel and Paradise Bay, offer dramatic scenery, gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, seals and whales. Landings are made by Zodiac at sites carefully managed under international guidelines.
The South Shetland Islands
Most ships pass through this island chain on the way south. Highlights include Deception Island, a flooded volcanic caldera that ships enter through a narrow gap called Neptune's Bellows, with old whaling station ruins and, on some trips, the chance of a chilly "polar plunge".
South Georgia and the Falklands
Longer voyages of around 18-23 days add the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, home to vast king penguin colonies and Shackleton's grave at Grytviken. These are often considered the finest wildlife trips on the planet.
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Some itineraries push further south to cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S, adding a few days and a real sense of achievement.
Expedition cruise deals
Prices vary enormously by ship, cabin and season. As a rough guide, a classic 10-12 day Peninsula voyage typically starts from around £6,000-£8,000 per person, excluding international flights, while fly-cruises and longer South Georgia trips cost considerably more. Check current prices, as early-booking offers and last-minute cabins can bring them down.
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula · from Puerto Madryn
from £14,000 pp
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Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
Antarctic Peninsula · from Ushuaia
from £9,600 pp
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Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters
Weddell Sea · from Ushuaia
from £12,700 pp
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Browse all Antarctica expedition deals or compare expedition cruises worldwide.
Best time to visit Antarctica
| Period | Highlights |
|---|---|
| November | Pristine snow, penguin courtship and nest building, dramatic ice |
| December-January | Peak season: up to 20 hours of daylight, penguin chicks hatching, warmest temperatures (around 0-5 °C on the Peninsula) |
| February-March | Best whale watching, fledging chicks, fewer ships and often lower prices |
There's no bad time within the season: choose between pristine ice, penguin chicks or whales. Christmas and New Year voyages sell out first.
Choose a ship with fewer than 200 passengers if you can. Industry rules limit how many people can be ashore at one site at a time, so smaller ships mean more and longer landings.
Getting to Antarctica from the UK
Most voyages start in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world's southernmost city. From London, fly to Buenos Aires (about 14 hours direct, or longer with a connection), then take a domestic flight of around 3h30 to Ushuaia. Many expedition companies include a charter flight from Buenos Aires in the package. Plan to arrive at least a day before departure in case of delays.
From Ushuaia, ships cross the Drake Passage, which takes about two days each way. It can be calm (the "Drake Lake") or very rough (the "Drake Shake"), so bring seasickness remedies. Fly-cruise trips avoid the crossing by flying from Punta Arenas in Chile to King George Island, where you board the ship, though weather can delay flights.
UK citizens don't need a visa for Argentina or Chile for tourist stays. You don't need a visa for Antarctica either: British expedition operators obtain the required permits under the Antarctic Act. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential, and most operators require it.
Life on board
Expect two or more excursions a day, weather permitting, either landings or Zodiac cruises among the ice, plus lectures by naturalists, historians and glaciologists. Some ships offer kayaking, camping or snowshoeing for an extra fee, often bookable in advance. Strict biosecurity rules mean cleaning boots and clothing before each landing.
Money and costs
Antarctica has no currency. On board, extras such as drinks, gratuities and optional activities are usually charged in US dollars, though some ships use euros or are all-inclusive. You'll need Argentine pesos or a card for spending in Ushuaia. Budget for international flights, a pre-cruise hotel night, insurance and any optional activities on top of the voyage price.
Top attractions in Antarctica
Antarctica on the map
Frequently asked questions
How long does an Antarctica cruise take?
Classic Peninsula voyages from Ushuaia usually last 10-12 days, including about four days crossing the Drake Passage. Fly-cruises can be as short as 7-8 days, while trips including South Georgia run to 18-23 days.
Is the Drake Passage really that rough?
It can be. Crossings vary from flat calm to waves of several metres. Modern ships are well stabilised, and medication helps, but if you're very prone to seasickness consider a fly-cruise.
When is the cheapest time to go to Antarctica?
Early November and late February to March are often cheaper than peak December and January sailings. Last-minute cabins sometimes appear at a discount, but you need flexibility on dates and flights.
Can I see emperor penguins on a standard cruise?
Rarely. Emperor penguins live much further south, and seeing them usually requires specialist voyages or very expensive flights into the interior. Standard Peninsula trips focus on gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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