Every Antarctica trip begins with the same question, and it isn’t about penguins. It’s about the Drake Passage: the 800-odd kilometres of open ocean between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, where three oceans meet and nothing gets in the way of the wind. On a good day it’s the “Drake Lake”. On a bad one it’s the “Drake Shake”, and you’ll learn more about your inner ear than you ever wanted to know.
The good news is that you have a choice. You can sail it, as explorers have for over a century, or fly over it in a couple of hours and spend your time among the icebergs instead of clutching the handrail. This guide compares every Antarctica expedition we offer, from an eight-day fly-cruise to a 20-day voyage via the Falklands and South Georgia, with who each suits and its honest drawback.
The quick answer
- If you dread seasickness or are short on time, fly the Drake on the 8-day fly-cruise.
- If you want to cross the Antarctic Circle, pick the 11-day Antarctic Circle fly-cruise.
- If you want the classic voyage, sail from Ushuaia on the Antarctic Peninsula expedition.
- If you want the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth, pick the Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica voyage.
Every Antarctica expedition compared
| Tour | Days | Price from | Physical rating | Group size | Flights included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fly the Drake | ||||||
| Antarctica Fly-Cruise: Skip the Drake from Punta Arenas – 8 Days | 8 | £13,425 pp | Medium | Not stated | No | Skip the crossing, five nights on board |
| Antarctica Fly-Cruise: Crossing the Antarctic Circle – 11 Days | 11 | £22,495 pp | Medium | Not stated | No | Fly, then sail to the Antarctic Circle |
| Sail the Drake | ||||||
| Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica Expedition Cruise – 20 Days | 20 | £17,205 pp | Medium | Max 180 | No | Falklands, South Georgia and the Peninsula |
Prices are per person, twin share, live from our tour pages (updated October 2026). The lowest price can apply to a later departure, so check the dates you want on each tour page.
Also available: the Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise from Ushuaia (12 days), with dates on request for the next season.
Ask us which Antarctica trip fits →
Fly or sail: the honest trade-offs
Flying takes about two hours from Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia to King George Island in the South Shetlands, where you board the ship. You trade two days at sea each way for more time in Antarctica, or simply a shorter trip. The catch: flights depend on Antarctic weather, so delays can happen, and you miss the sense of arrival that comes with sailing in.
Sailing from Ushuaia usually takes around two days each way. The crossing can be calm or rough, but it’s also when you see albatrosses gliding alongside, attend lectures, and watch the first icebergs appear. Many people say it’s part of the adventure. Others say that from their cabin floor.
Fly-cruises from Punta Arenas
Antarctica Fly-Cruise: Skip the Drake
Antarctica Fly-Cruise: Skip the Drake from Punta Arenas – 8 Days
- 8 days
- From £13,425 per person
- Starts and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Physical rating: medium
- Flights not included
- Departures in January, February, December
Eight days: two nights in a hotel in Punta Arenas and five on a small, ice-rated expedition ship, with charter flights to and from King George Island. Each day the expedition team leads Zodiac cruises and landings around the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, weather and ice permitting, with lectures on board. Expect penguin colonies, seals, whales and icebergs the size of cathedrals. All meals on board are included, with beer and wine at dinner.
Suits: anyone prone to seasickness, short on time, or both. The honest drawback: it’s a big price for five nights, and flights depend on the weather.
Antarctica Fly-Cruise: Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Antarctica Fly-Cruise: Crossing the Antarctic Circle – 11 Days
- 11 days
- From £22,495 per person
- Starts and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Physical rating: medium
- Flights not included
- Departures in January
Eleven days with eight nights on board: you fly over the Drake, explore the South Shetlands and the Peninsula, then sail south through iceberg-filled channels to cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33′ south, a milestone few visitors reach, before working back north for more landings. Boots and an expedition parka are provided, and sea kayaking and a night camping on the ice are available as paid options.
Suits: polar enthusiasts who want to go further south without the crossing. The honest drawback: it’s the most expensive trip here, with a single departure a season.
Sailing from Ushuaia
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica Expedition Cruise – 20 Days
- 20 days
- From £17,205 per person
- Max 180 people
- Starts and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina
- Physical rating: medium
- Flights not included
- Departures in January, February, December
Twenty days, the most complete voyage to the far south, on a modern polar expedition ship with an ice-class hull, cabins with views and two outdoor hot tubs. From Ushuaia you sail to the Falkland Islands for albatrosses and rockhopper penguins, then to South Georgia, where hundreds of thousands of king penguins crowd the beaches and Shackleton’s story is everywhere, before the Antarctic Peninsula. All meals on board are included, with a waterproof jacket and boots on loan. The ship carries up to around 180 passengers, with landings in smaller groups.
Suits: wildlife lovers and Shackleton fans with time. The honest drawback: plenty of days at sea on the open ocean, and drinks beyond tea and coffee are extra.
The Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise (12 days) is the classic voyage on the same ship: a night in Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel, the Drake Passage, then the South Shetlands and the Peninsula, with a polar plunge for the brave. Dates are on request for the next season.
How to choose
By sea legs. If you dread rough seas, fly. If you’d like the full expedition experience, sail.
By time. Eight days for the shortest fly-cruise, 11 for the Antarctic Circle, 12 for the classic voyage and 20 for South Georgia.
By wildlife. Every trip promises penguins, seals and, with luck, whales. South Georgia adds king penguins and elephant seals in vast numbers, and the Falklands add rockhoppers and albatrosses.
By budget. None of these is cheap. Antarctica is expensive to reach and to operate in, and ships are small. Live prices are in the table above.
When to go
The season runs in the southern summer, from about November to March. November brings pristine snow and penguins courting; December and January bring long days and chicks; February and March are best for whales. The months for each trip are in its fact panel above.
You’ll need travel insurance with polar and evacuation cover. Before you travel, check the FCDO travel advice for Chile, Argentina and the Falkland Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly to Antarctica instead of crossing the Drake Passage?
Yes. The Skip the Drake fly-cruise and the Antarctic Circle fly-cruise fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island, where you board the ship.
How rough is the Drake Passage?
It varies. Some crossings are calm, others rough. Sailing usually takes around two days each way, and modern ships are stabilised, but anyone prone to seasickness may prefer to fly.
Which Antarctica trip crosses the Antarctic Circle?
The Crossing the Antarctic Circle fly-cruise sails south of 66°33′.
Can I see king penguins in Antarctica?
King penguins live on South Georgia rather than the Antarctic Peninsula, so pick the Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica voyage.
When is the best time to go to Antarctica?
The season runs from about November to March. December and January have the longest days and penguin chicks; February and March are good for whales.
Are flights included?
The fly-cruises include the charter flights to Antarctica, but not flights to Chile. None include flights from the UK, which we can arrange.
Ready for Antarctica?
Tell us whether you'd rather fly or sail and how long you have, and a Travelisto specialist will compare the expeditions with you.
Keep planning
Prices are live from our tour pages (updated October 2026). Tour details and dates can change; your specialist will confirm everything before you book.
