Hello, yes, I went to Antarctica. After months of planning, maybe even years, and MANY months of saving all my pennies, I did it. Antarctica is a wild beast, and figuring out how to get there is quite a research trip. Here is my best info for anyone desiring to travel to Antarctica who isn’t a scientist or someone who might get paid to work there.
Read all the blogs!
You’re in the right place, because you’re reading one now! There didn’t used to be much info on getting to Antarctica, but it’s a destination growing in popularity. When I went in 2018, there wasn’t as much info and it required a lot of digging. It is especially difficult to find BUDGET info on getting to Antarctica.
Many blogs said they just got themselves to Ushuaia, the port city at the tip of Argentina, and waited around to hop on a boat that needed to fill the extra space for cheaper. Many of these blogs said that you could hop on a boat for 75% off the asking price. Most of these Antarctic cruises cost 10K and over, minimum, some of the best cruises can cost up to 100K.
Great news, you CAN do it for cheaper, but you have to be flexible and you have to do your digging! I had the expectations of doing it for around 3K, but the blogs I believed were a little outdated. It ended up costing around 7K for a 14 day expedition. Still incredibly reasonable AND worth every penny.
Knowing what to expect in terms of cost can really settle your stomach on that money front.
When I went, flying by the seat of my friend and I’s pants, we didn’t book our expedition in advance in hopes that we could get it cheaper on the spot. We went to every tourist company on foot, and the price we ended up paying, we could have paid in advance. It’s really about knowing the right companies. And now, you know ME so I can point you in the right direction for what you’re looking for!
I booked flights about 8 months in advance for this trip from LA to Buenos Aires, and then to Ushuaia.
Your window to visit Antarctica is limited to their summer months, think Nov-March.
I spent around $1200 for RT flights all in. Gotta do some hunting on that flight front (another thing I can help you with!)
The cheapest price we found was $6.5K for a 10 day cruise. So the $7.2k for 14 days seemed like a better deal and the stops and activities were more versatile.
Get on a charter
Some companies act really strangely about this. The BEST way to get a deal on an Antarctic cruise is to fill available spots on a charter. Large groups of people, generally from one country, will charter a ship to Antarctica, but they will nearly always have a few rooms/bunks available extra.
My biggest concern was that we wouldn’t have English speaking guides, but that wasn’t the case! The majority of the staff on the expedition cruises speak English and the charters hire translators.
If you’re racist, then this isn’t for you I guess. I loved being on a Chinese charter because not only was I learning infinite amounts about Antarctica, I was also learning a lot about Chinese customs and culture. Win win.
Get on a boat with less than or around 100 passengers
In the Antarctic treaty, the rules are that on each cruise landing on the continent, you can’t have more than 100 people on the land at a time. On those giant National Geographic ships, they carry thousands of passengers so you will get to disembark onto the land LESS frequently than if you are on a ship with less passengers. The ship I was on had 112 and I got to go out on each landing.
Camping or Kayaking
Some cruises offer both, some offer one, some offer none. Figure out what you want to do and make sure you get on a boat that offers what you want! I did camp on Antarctica which was a hilarious blast. It was light the whole time and no one slept in the little holes we dug for our sleeping bags. It snowed the entire time. We listened to ice shelves breaking. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience I’ll never forget.
The Drake Passage is no picnic
The Drake Passage is the most dangerous place in the ocean. It’s where all the storms brew and oceans meet. It takes 2-3 days to get through the Drake and it feels like you’re in a cartoon. The bed and all the furniture slides from one side of the room to the other, even when you’re in it. You literally have to hold on to something at all times when you’re walking around. Everyone gets sea sick, even with dramamine which I took every day even before we left.
You Will Get Sea Sick.
It’s not as cold as you think.
Everyone asked me how cold it was. There were days I took off my coat. I’ve been colder in Wyoming, no doubt. It can be cold, and it can get warm, and it can change fast. All I can say is, be prepared! Layer up.
Be Respectful
There are a lot of rules to know when you head to the continent. Antarctica isn’t owned by anyone and so its a world all its own. The ship crew will go through all your stuff to make sure it is clean and you have to make sure you don’t bring any trash. You have to stay on the paths so the penguins don’t die in your dumb human footprints, etc. Listen to all the rules. And respect the continent and all its wonder.
Befriend the Staff
They are the most knowledgeable people in their field, and they’re generally happy to answer your questions. My cruise had lectures every day in the Drake where each staff member talked about their field: ornithology, marine life, photography, etc. I still keep in touch with some of them and love following their journeys on social media.
Plan! And ask for help!
Honestly, if I knew what I know now, I could have saved myself a lot of effort and headache. I would LOVE to offer you my help, advice, and plans for your trip to Antarctica. From flights, and budgeting, to finding the right cruise for you. Check out my services below or send me a message! Antarctica is calling you! You only get to explore the planet once…why not visit the coolest place on earth?
Have questions? Ask away!
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