How to visit Antarctica (2026)

Dreaming of the ultimate adventure? Learn how to visit Antarctica with expert tips on cruises, costs, the best time to go and expectations.

There are few places left on Earth that truly feel untouched — and Antarctica is one of them. A vast, icy wilderness of towering glaciers, sculpted icebergs and extraordinary wildlife, this frozen continent sits at the very bottom of the world, remote, dramatic and utterly unforgettable. Learning how to visit Antarctica isn’t your typical holiday; it’s an expedition. It’s the kind of journey where you trade city skylines for endless white horizons and swap traffic noise for the crackle of shifting ice.

But how do you actually visit Antarctica? When should you go? How much does it cost? And what is it really like to set foot on the coldest, windiest, driest continent on Earth? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know — from choosing the right cruise and understanding permits, to what wildlife you’ll see and how to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. If Antarctica has been sitting at the top of your bucket list, this is where your journey begins.

How to visit Antarctica

When planning how to visit Antarctica, you will need to start with choosing a tour. The only way to visit the world’s Southernmost continent safely and reliably is by choosing an Antarctica tour company and the right tour and cruise for you. 

Here are a few things to consider before you book.

Best time to visit Antarctica

The best time to visit Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer which runs from November to March this will bring plenty of wildlife opportunities and the most sunlight. When looking at how to visit Antarctica, the first cruises tend to reach Antarctica around the end of October when the ice is beginning to open up on glaciers to allow ships through. The warmest month in Antarctica is January with temperatures reaching up to 0 degrees. 

Best way to get to Antarctica

For most travelers, knowing how to visit Antarctica means joining an expedition cruise — and honestly, that’s part of the magic. You don’t just arrive in Antarctica; you sail into it, watching the landscape transform from open ocean to towering icebergs and snow-covered peaks.

1. Expedition Cruise from South America (Most Popular Option)

The most common and accessible way to reach Antarctica is by expedition cruise departing from Ushuaia, Argentina — the southernmost city in the world.

From here, ships cross the legendary Drake Passage, a two-day stretch of ocean separating South America from Antarctica. It has a reputation for rough seas (the “Drake Shake”), though sometimes it’s surprisingly calm (the “Drake Lake”). Either way, it’s a rite of passage for many travellers.

Most itineraries visit the Antarctic Peninsula, known for dramatic scenery, accessible landing sites, and incredible wildlife — including penguins, seals, and whales.

2. Fly + Cruise (Skip the Drake Passage)

If the idea of two days at sea doesn’t appeal to you, you can choose a fly-cruise option. These trips depart from Punta Arenas, Chile. You’ll fly across the Drake Passage to King George Island, where you board your expedition ship.

This cuts several days off your journey and avoids rough seas entirely.

3. Longer Expedition Routes (For the Ultimate Adventure)

For those wanting something even more remote, some ships depart from Hobart in Australia or Christchurch, heading toward East Antarctica or the Ross Sea region.

Where to visit in Antarctica

• Antarctic Peninsula
  The most popular and accessible region for first-time visitors when looking at how to visit Antarctica. Expect dramatic mountain backdrops, vast glaciers, frequent zodiac landings and incredible wildlife encounters including penguins, seals and whales. Most cruises from South America focus on this area as this is home to the best tourist attractions in Antarctica.

• South Shetland Islands
  Often your first stop after crossing the Drake Passage, these rugged islands are known for busy penguin colonies, research stations and striking volcanic landscapes. A highlight here is Deception Island, a flooded volcanic caldera with black sand beaches and remnants of old whaling stations.

• Lemaire Channel
  Nicknamed “Kodak Gap,” this narrow, iceberg-filled passage is one of the most scenic sailing routes in Antarctica. Towering peaks and mirror-like reflections make it a photography favourite, weather permitting.

• Paradise Harbor
  A calm and protected bay offering breathtaking glacier views and peaceful waters. It’s a popular landing site for kayaking, zodiac cruises and occasional research station visits.

• Port Lockroy
  A historic British research station turned museum and post office. Visitors can send postcards from Antarctica while sharing the island with a lively gentoo penguin colony.

• Ross Sea
  A remote and rarely visited region in East Antarctica, ideal for seasoned expedition travellers. Highlights include historic explorer huts and views of Mount Erebus, the continent’s active volcano. Expeditions here are longer and far more adventurous.

How expensive is visiting Antarctica?

Depending on where you want to go, expenses will always be a part of the key factors you should consider when looking at how to visit Antarctica. If you’ve prepared well and saved specifically for your Antarctica tour, then you may not need to mind your budget all that much. However, it’s still better to think of your options so you can save money or at least keep to your budget and know how much does a trip to Antarctica cost.

Antarctica tour costs around $10,000 per individual, with the cheapest costing $5,000 for an excursion that can last for up to 10 days. Why is it so expensive? Ships that go to the White Continent need more fuel to operate, not to mention that fuel prices there are also way higher. And because there are no ports in Antarctica, these ships should put everything on board. Other expenses are for the tour operators and guide, who can explain the continent to tourists, and the ship’s maintenance.  

You can search online and find other ways to save money during your journey. Some other tips are included in subsequent reminders. 

Activities in Antarctica

Depending on the tour you signed up for and what the ship has onboard, your daily activities can include kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, and others. The best thing to do is properly talk with the tour operator to know what you can and can’t do before booking and learning how to visit Antarctica.

You can make a list and write down what you want to do in Antarctica. Then, put them in order to know what you want to do the most and adjust to the others when they are not available. Say, for example, you don’t mind not kayaking, but you really want to see the wildlife; then you can choose a tour that focuses more on onshore excursions and observation. 

Activities Antarctica travel companies offer include:

• Kayaking
• Shore excursions
• Hiking
• Attending lectures
• Scuba-diving
• Camping
• Crossing the Drake Passage
• Zodiac cruising
• Explore Deception Island
• Whale watching
• Photography
• Going to science research stations
• Mountaineering
• Climbing Mount Vinson
• Swimming
• Wildlife watching
• Cross-country skiing
• And many others

What to expect on your Antarctica cruise

Before going into a ship, you’ll need to know what they have inside so you can plan your activities better. Your itinerary may be your guide on what you can do, but taking advantage of what’s inside the ship should also not be out of the picture.

Here are some of the facilities your ship may have:

• Lecture theatres – Experts explain and present to the tourist what Antarctica is all about in these lecture theatres. These lectures will help you understand and appreciate just how big of a deal it is that you get to have this experience. Some tours can even bring professional photographers who will give you tips on taking great shots of the world around you.
• Outdoor decks – Former research vessels have wide outdoor decks that can be used to observe your path while traveling. These research vessels may have laboratories for scientific purposes. Some decks are enclosed with panoramic windows showcasing the outside. These closed decks are perfect for observing the Drake Passage and polar storms.
• Cabins and suites – Cabins often come in different variations. It can be single, double, or triple, depending on your taste.
• Private bathrooms – If you don’t want to wait to clean yourself, then getting a private bathroom is the best thing to do. Luxury cruises even have a hot tub in private bathrooms.
• Observation lounges – While the ship travels, you can learn more about Antarctica with these observation or conference lounges. These presentations can also help you be prepared for your adventures. 
• Clinics –  Because there are bound to be accidents while onboard, minor or not, clinics are essential – especially for a tour that lasts for days. So, your ship will have a clinic that is equipped for emergencies.   
• Gift shops – Standard expedition ships have gift shops where tourists can get their last-minute mementos. It’s convenient for the tourists and helpful to the ship operator.
• Gyms – If you don’t want to miss out on days of training, then luxury ships with gyms are perfect for you. 

How much does it cost to visit Antarctica?

This can really depend on which company you’re visiting with but the average cost to visit Antarctica is $10,000. However, more and more economical cruise options are becoming available and prices begin at around $5000 per person. 

Start Your Antarctica Adventure

Going to Antarctica may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do your research and plan ahead of time so you can experience everything that you want to go through and commit it to memory. Pick your Antarctica tour company and go on your most-awaited adventure! 

How to visit Antarctica F.A.Q