Which country should I depart from to travel to Antarctica?
What are some things to consider when deciding from which country to travel to Antarctica?
First, you have to fly to a country near Antarctica, then take a ship or plane to get there. The three most popular departure countries for Antarctica are:
From left to right: Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand
From simple deduction, it seems the only conclusion is that "New Zealand is the closest to us." However, is it really the best choice? What advantages do more distant countries like Argentina and Chile have?
Choosing among these three options, there are several things to consider: Visa, Price, Trip Duration, and Journey Richness.
1. Visa
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The 3 countries have different visa requirements for passport holders of different nationalities. For example, in Argentina, visitors from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau can enter visa-free, while Taiwan and Malaysia require a certain number of working days (excluding weekends) to apply for a visa. For Taiwan, even though Argentina has opened e-visa applications to Taiwanese since January 2020, it's recommended to check Argentina's national holidays before filling out the application form and apply in advance to avoid delaying your flight.
2. Trip Duration & Price
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Price of Antarctic cruise tickets usually increases in proportion to the total number of days of the trip.
On duration, a trip from New Zealand takes about five days of sailing to Antarctica because it has to cross the Ross Sea, so the total time required for the trip is more than 20 days. Chile is the main departure point for flights to Antarctica, flight time from there is the shortest such that traveling time is reduced to 8 days. The in-between option is Argentina, since crossing the Drake Passage only takes about two days, so the most classic Antarctic Peninsula trip only takes ten days in total. In addition, due to its geographical advantage, Argentina is the closest departure country to Antarctica among the three countries, so there are more flights departing from here than from New Zealand and Chile, making Argentina the first choice for most tourists.
On price, itineraries departing from New Zealand are the longest and most expensive, typically around $30,000 USD. Second on the list are cruises departing from Argentina, with a classic ten-day itinerary typically ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 USD. A three-island itinerary should budget at least $16,000 USD. Finally, itineraries departing from Chile, though the shortest due to their flight to Antarctica, are comparable in price to three-island itineraries, starting at around $15,000 USD.
3. Journey Richness
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If time permits, you are recommended to consider visiting neighboring countries before or after your Antarctic trip.
In terms of flight days, while New Zealand is closer to Asia, it will take about three extra days to cross the Ross Sea compared to flying to South America. For the same number of days, choosing to travel to Antarctica from Argentina or Chile allows you to use the extra days to explore other South American countries, such as feasting on beef in Argentina, savoring seafood and visiting wineries in Chile, or exploring attractions in neighboring countries, such as Machu Picchu in Peru and the Sky Mirror in Bolivia.
In summary, before deciding which country to depart from for Antarctica, you just need to confirm the visa information, choose the number of days and price that suits your trip, and whether you want to visit other neighboring countries. Then, you can make an informed decision regarding these 3 country options. Or consult with us via Facebook, Instagram or Email, to help you make the most suitable choice.
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