How to Get to Antarctica

For most travellers, the gateway to Antarctica is the southern tip of South America. From there, you sail through the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, Argentina, or fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island and join a ship already waiting in Antarctic waters. Both routes end the same way, aboard an expedition ship exploring Antarctica. 

Australian travellers have a third option that skips South America entirely: a direct departure from Hobart to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea, crossing the Southern Ocean straight from Tasmania. Which route suits you depends on how much time you have, your budget, which side of the continent you want to see, and how you feel about time at sea. 

This guide covers all three routes, what the Drake Passage crossing involves, what to budget, when to book, and more detail on the Hobart departure for Australian travellers. 

Most trips start in South America, the closest inhabited landmass to the continent. From there: 

• Sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, the classic route, crossing the Drake Passage by expedition ship.
• Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, a two-hour charter flight to King George Island, where you board your ship directly.

Most Antarctic expeditions depart from Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city and the traditional launch point for Antarctic travel. It has regular flights from Buenos Aires, so getting there is straightforward even if the destination isn't. 

There's also a direct route from Australia. Aurora Expeditions sails from Hobart on the Ross Sea Odyssey, crossing the Southern Ocean and bypassing South America and the Drake Passage altogether. It's a longer sea passage than the Ushuaia crossing, but it opens up a part of Antarctica most itineraries don't reach, including sites tied to early Antarctic exploration.  

The classic and most popular Ushuaia route typically follows this: 

1. Fly to Buenos Aires
2. Connect to Ushuaia
3. Board an expedition ship
4. Cross the Drake Passage
5. Arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula

This remains the classic Antarctic expedition route, and it's how most visitors experience the continent. 

The Drake Passage crossing takes roughly 36 to 48 hours each way, covering around 800 kilometres (500 miles) of open ocean between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands. It has a reputation, and most people researching this route want to know one thing: how rough is it really? 

Conditions vary. A calm crossing is called the "Drake Lake," a rough one the "Drake Shake," and most crossings land somewhere in between. Ship design matters too. Aurora's fleet uses the X-Bow hull, which cuts through waves instead of slamming over them, and it noticeably smooths the ride compared with older vessel designs. 

For many travellers the crossing becomes part of the trip: an early chance to spot seabirds and whales, sit in on expedition team briefings, and settle into ship life before the first landing. For more detail on what to expect and how to prepare, see our guide on whether crossing the Drake Passage is dangerous. 

Yes. Some itineraries let you skip the Drake Passage by flying between Punta Arenas and King George Island, joining your ship in Antarctica rather than sailing to it. Here's how that route typically works: 

1. Fly to Punta Arenas
2. Board a charter flight to King George Island
3. Join your expedition vessel in Antarctica
4. Explore Antarctica by ship
5. Return by flight

This option tends to suit travellers who: 

• Have limited time
• Prefer to avoid the Drake Passage crossing
• Want to maximise time in Antarctica itself

The main trade-off with flying is schedule risk: Drake Passage weather can delay flights in and out of King George Island, so build some buffer into your travel plans either side of the expedition. For a closer look at which approach suits different travellers, read our comparison of cruising versus flying to Antarctica. 

Yes. As covered above, Aurora's Ross Sea Odyssey sails direct from Hobart to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea, rather than via South America.  

These voyages typically:  

• Run longer than Antarctic Peninsula itineraries
• Reach some of Antarctica's most remote and least-visited regions
• Spend more days ashore for a more immersive expedition
• Include historic sites, wildlife colonies and polar landscapes rarely seen on Peninsula voyages

Aurora's purpose-built ship, Greg Mortimer, operates the Ross Sea Odyssey, giving expeditioners access to some of the most remote polar environments on the continent. 

Some Australian travellers also consider non-landing scenic flights, which depart from Australian cities and fly over Antarctica without landing. Aurora doesn't operate this type of flight. For travellers who want to set foot on the continent, kayak among icebergs and stand among penguin or seabird colonies, an expedition on the Ross Sea Odyssey gets you there rather than over it. 

There is no single “best” option. The right expedition depends on the type of experience you're looking for. To learn more about the different regions of Antarctica, read our guide: Choosing Your Antarctic Adventure.

Ready to compare specific departures?

Most Antarctic expeditions run 10 to 23 days, depending on the itinerary and whether you sail or fly both ways. 

A classic Ushuaia round trip for a Peninsula-only voyage typically runs 10 to 14 days, with longer options for itineraries that include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Fly-cruise combinations can be shorter overall since they skip the Drake transit time, though they usually cost more per day in Antarctica. 

Costs vary widely based on cabin category, itinerary length, and whether you sail or fly. In general, price scales with time spent in Antarctica and cabin comfort more than with the route itself, though flying carries a premium given the charter flights involved. For a full breakdown of what drives pricing and how to budget, see how much a trip to Antarctica costs. 

Antarctica's expedition season runs from October to March. Each month offers something different: 

October and November

• Fresh snow-covered landscapes
• Penguin courtship and nesting

December and January

• Long daylight hours
• Penguin chicks
• Peak landing opportunities

February and March

• Exceptional whale watching
• Active wildlife
• Dramatic photography conditions

For a complete seasonal breakdown, see our guide, Best Time to Visit Antarctica: Ultimate Month-by-Month Guide. 

Because Antarctica has a short operating season and limited passenger capacity, booking early is strongly recommended. 

12 to 18 months in advance

• Best cabin availability
• Greatest itinerary choice
• Access to popular departures

6 to 12 months in advance

• Good availability remains
• Some cabin categories may become limited

Under 6 months

• Availability can become restricted
• Flexibility is essential

Holiday departures, Antarctic Circle voyages and special expedition activities often sell out first. 

Once you're underway, the ship you're on shapes what the trip feels like. Aurora's expedition vessels, the Douglas Mawson, Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, carry a maximum of 130 on expedition trips, small enough that the whole ship can land together instead of rotating groups ashore in shifts. Paired with the X-Bow hull that smooths the Drake crossing, that means more time exploring and less time waiting your turn. 

Before booking your expedition, consider: 

• Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for Antarctic travel.
• Physical fitness: You don't need to be an athlete to visit Antarctica, but a reasonable level of mobility will help you enjoy landings and activities.
• Packing: Layered clothing, waterproof outerwear and suitable footwear are important for comfort.
• Documentation: Passport requirements vary by nationality and transit country.

For more, read our guide, How Can I Prepare for My First Trip to Antarctica? 

Sailing from Ushuaia, flying from Punta Arenas, or departing direct from Hobart all get you to Antarctica. What should decide which one you pick is timing, cost and how you want to spend the days getting there.