Antarctica Travel Guide 2025 - 2028: The Complete Guide for Planning Your Trip
Planning a trip to Antarctica is exciting but also overwhelming. This guide gives you everything you need to know about visiting the 7th Continent, including the best months to go, how to get there, cruise itinerary differences, cost breakdown, and expert travel tips based on real experience. Let’s Go To Antarctica (LGA) is a travel agency that specializes in Antarctica trips, cruise bookings, and flight arrangements. We help travelers plan and book their dream journey to the 7th Continent with clear guidance and smooth, end-to-end service. Whether you are preparing for your first Antarctica trip or looking for the right cruise for your next adventure, our team provides expert advice and personalized support to make your planning easy and stress-free.
- Can you help me book an Antarctica cruise?
- When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
- What is the weather and climate like in Antarctica?
- How do I get to Antarctica?
- What are the differences between Antarctica cruise itineraries? What is the budget?
- How many days do I need for a typical Antarctica trip?
- How do I choose the right Antarctica cruise line and itinerary?
- When is the best time to book an Antarctica voyage?
- What is included in an Antarctica cruise ticket?
- Do you have any recommendations for photography equipment for Antarctica?
- Do I need a visa to visit Antarctica?
- What should I do if I don’t speak English?
- Can I travel to Antarctica solo?
To answer all your questions on your dream voyage to Antarctica, we have uploaded videos about Antarctica travel on social media platforms, likeInstagramandFacebook. We hope that through this detailed, seasonally-updated Antarctica travel guide, we can answer your questions and provide you with the latest and most practical Antarctica travel information, so that you can have a more complete picture in planning your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica trip.
1. Can you help me book an Antarctica cruise?
Of course! Let’s Go To Antarctica (LGA) specializes in Antarctica trips, cruise bookings, pre & post departure tours and flight arrangements.
Our main focus is helping travelers find and reserve the right Antarctica cruise based on their needs and preferences. We work closely with leading cruise companies such as Silversea, Quark, Antarctica 21, Polar Latitudes, Aurora, and Albatros. Whenever there are updates on routes, prices, discounts, or limited-time offers, we share the news across our Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and email newsletter.
We also host travel seminars with well-known cruise partners, offering our guests exclusive insights and special booking advantages.
In addition to Antarctica cruises, we can help arrange flights, hotels, pre & post departure tours and tailor made travel plans. Feel free to contact us anytime for more details.
[WhatsApp] +852 6099 5439. https://wa.me/85260995439
[Line] @581qabdb. lin.ee/kxwRP0I
[Wechat] @letsgotoantarcticawc
For latest Antarctica deals and updates, follow us on our social media.
WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DOASr0xS4ye97qADVdwHCL
Newsletter: https://www.letsgotoantarctica.com/lastminuteoffer
LGA Antarctica Travel Seminar co-hosted with Quark Expeditions
LGA Antarctica Travel Seminar co-hosted with Silversea
2. When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
Antarctica’s southern geographical location and permanent glacier cover dictate its visiting period. One can only visit during the Antarctic Summer, from Late October to March the following year. During this period, scenery in Antarctica differs.
October: Penguins Mating
November to December: Penguins Incubation
January to March: Baby Penguins Hatching and Growth
March: Penguins Leave and Whales Return
The “best” month to visit Antarctica depends on the scenery and wildlife you want to see. Many travelers hope to experience the most active wildlife season, which happens during the penguin mating, nesting, and hatching periods. Because of this, late December to February is considered the most popular time to visit. This period also overlaps with Christmas, New Year, and sometimes Lunar New Year, making it the peak travel season. During these months, cruise cabins are more competitive, and discounts are less common. The off-season months are October, November, and March. These months offer fewer crowds and more promotions, but travelers who prefer peak season should plan early and prepare for a higher budget.
3. What is the weather and climate like in Antarctica?
Antarctica is not as cold as visitors may imagine. Antarctic Summers are warmer than Northern Winters in many cold zones like Finland and Siberia. Coldest Temperatures would be around -10°C, while average temperatures from November to February range from 0°C to 5°C.
Many cruise lines, including Silversea, Polar Latitudes, Albatros, and Quark, provide guests with windproof and waterproof expedition jackets. Just layer the jacket with a warm inner layer and a T-shirt, and you’ll be comfortable outdoors. You don’t need to worry too much about the cold. The cruise lines equip you with everything you need for the polar climate.
4. How do I get to Antarctica?
Travelling to Antarctica independently is not possible. Major ways to explore are Cruises and Flight Cruises (Air-cum-Cruise). You must travel to a departure point in southern countries like South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, then fly or take a cruise to Antarctica. Most Cruise Lines (nearly 90% of all trips) start their journey from Ushuaia at the Southernmost tip of Argentina, which is closest to Antarctica.
Therefore, the Simplest route is to:
Fly to Ushuaia from your home country
Board a cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctica then back to Ushuaia
5. What are the differences between Antarctica cruise itineraries? What is the budget?
Antarctic cruises visit three main areas: Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and Falkland Islands. Most itineraries fall into three main types: Single-island (Peninsula only: 10-12 days), Dual-island (Peninsula + South Georgia: 16-18 days), and Triple-island (All three: 20+ days).
Below, we’ll explain the key features of the 3 main Antarctica itineraries. For detailed day-by-day schedules and other special routes, we will share separate articles soon. Please stay tuned!
Antarctic Peninsula
South Georgia Island
Falkland Islands
Single-Island (10 days) Highlights:
Classic Antarctica itinerary focusing on the most iconic Antarctic Peninsula sights
Offered by all cruise lines; most cabin availability
More promotional deals in off season
Budget (varies by operator):
Off season (Oct/Nov/late Feb/Mar): USD 7,000–15,000 per person
Peak season (Dec/Jan/early Feb): USD 10,000–18,000 per person
Day 1: Embarkation
Day 2-3: Crossing Drake Passage
Day 4-7: Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula
Day 8-9: Crossing Drake Passage
Day 10: Return to Ussuriiska
Mikkelsen Harbour
Neko Harbour
Lemaire Channel
Deception Island
Elephant Point
Dual-Island (16 days) Highlights:
Visit South Georgia to see King Penguins
Only 3–4 Cruise Lines offer this; limited cabins, sells out fast
Smaller discounts
Budget:
USD 18,000+ per person (all months)
16-day Dual-island Itinerary Sample:
Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia
Day 2: Embarkation
Day 3-6: At Sea
Day 7-8: Land on South Georgia
Day 9-10: At Sea
Day 11-13: Land on Antarctic Peninsula
Day 14-15: Crossing Drake Passage
Day 16: Return Ushuaia
South Georgia Island
Tens of Thousands of King Penguins can be seen on South Georgia Island.
Triple-Island (20 days) Highlights:
Visit most Antarctica sights in one trip; more diverse penguins and wildlife in the Falklands
Longer duration
Offered by all Cruise Lines but fewer sailings and sells out faster than single-island
Budget (varies by operator):
Off season (October/November/March): USD 15-30k per person
Peak Season (December/January/February): USD 18k or above per person
Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia
Day 2: Embarkation
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4-5: Landing on Falkland Islands
Day 6-7: At Sea
Day 8-11: Landing on South Georgia
Day 12-13: At Sea
Day 14-17: Landing on Antarctic Peninsula
Day 18-19: Crossing Drake Passage
Day 20: Return Ushuaia
Falkland Islands
6. How many days do I need for a typical Antarctica trip?
To estimate the total number of days needed for an Antarctic Trip, simply add the round-trip flying time from your origin and your itinerary duration.
Take Hong Kong as an example, there is no direct flight from Hong Kong to Ushuaia. One have to fly from Hong Kong to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, then transfer to Ushuaia. It takes at least 30 hours to fly from Hong Kong to Buenos Aires, i.e. about 2 days, while around 4 hours to fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Therefore, to travel from Hong Kong and Ushuaia, including transfers, etc., I would recommend reserving 5 full days of flight time. If you are traveling from Taiwan, I would recommend 6 full days. [North America: 4 full days, Europe: 5 full days]
Some Antarctic cruises include one pre-departure hotel night in Ushuaia, such that you can arrive one day earlier and embark on the ship the following day. If your ticket does not include a pre-trip hotel, we still recommend you arrive in Ushuaia one or two days prior to embarkation to avoid unforeseen circumstances that might prevent you from boarding.
Total duration from Hong Kong: Single-island: 5 + 10–12 days = 15–17 days; Dual-island: 5 + 16–18 days = 21–23 days; Triple-island: 5 + 20 days = 25+ days
Formula: Round-trip flight days + Cruise days = Total trip days
7. How do I choose the right Antarctica cruise line and itinerary?
Most Antarctica cruises follow one of three main routes: Single-Island, Dual-Island, or Triple-Island journeys. When choosing the right cruise line and itinerary, it’s important to consider several key factors: price, the experience of the expedition team, ship capacity, onboard facilities, and any extra activities offered.
Price
Cruise prices can vary a lot depending on the season and the quality of the ship. Even within the same month, the cost of a Single-Island itinerary can differ by USD 10,000. While newer and more luxurious ships are generally more expensive, it’s also important to consider the other factors below. Once you have an idea of your budget, we can recommend the cruises that best match your needs.
Expedition Team Expertise
Antarctica cruises are different from ordinary cruises, landing on the Antarctic continent is key for the cruise experience. An experienced expedition team is thus important to ensure safe, successful landings despite unpredictable weather. For instance, more experienced teams might seek alternative sites to maximize landing chances, while less experienced teams may be more conservative, and cancel landings for safety. Therefore, an experienced expedition team is very important.
Ship Capacity
The ship’s capacity determines the landing time of clients. Under IAATO rules, only 100 passengers per ship can land at the same time.
Because of Antarctica’s landing rules, ship size affects how much time you can spend on shore. For ships with more than 100 passengers, guests are split into multiple groups, which means each group gets a shorter landing time. For ships with around 200 passengers, guests are usually divided into two groups. One group lands first while the other goes on a zodiac cruise, then they switch. For ships with fewer than 100 passengers (often called “small ships”), all passengers can land at the same time and stay on shore for the full duration.
We do not recommend ships with more than 200 passengers. Larger ships offer shorter landing times and may also miss certain sites because of size restrictions at some landing areas. For a better experience, we recommend choosing ships with fewer than 200 passengers.
For your reference, we have personally traveled to Antarctica on Quark’s World Explorer, a 200-passenger ship. Passengers were divided into two groups for each landing. During our one hour on shore, we had more than enough time to enjoy the scenery and take photos and videos, since the walking area at most landing sites is quite limited. In our experience, one hour per landing is generally sufficient.
Cruise Facilities
You may wonder whether small ships are always the best choice because they offer the quickest and longest landing time. However, landing time is only one part of the experience. On-board facilities are also an important factor to consider. Generally, larger ships (around 200 passengers) tend to be newer and more modern, as most newly built expedition ships are designed with this capacity.
Albatros'Ocean Victory
Quark'sUltramarine
Sliversea'sSilver Endeavour.
They offer: bars, observation decks, libraries, seminar rooms, gyms, restaurants, pools, jacuzzis, running tracks, spas, korean sauna, casinos, etc.
Small ships are typically converted former research vessels. They have basic amenities but are not as luxurious as the larger ships.
Aurora'sGreg Mortimer andSylvia Earle.
Antarctica 21'sMagellon Explorer
Polar Latitudes'Seaventure
Poseidon'sSea Spirit
A ship like Magellon Explorer features basic amenities like restaurants, panoramic lounge and bar, outdoor BBQ area, library, and gym.
Additional Activities
Most additional activities have limited spots and need to be reserved early. If you’re interested, please let us know when you make your booking so we can secure your place in advance.
There are limited spots for most additional activities, and they require early reservation. If you are interested, tell us when you make your reservation so that we can book them for you in advance.
The above are major considerations when choosing a shipping company and itinerary, if you have any questions on the selection of shipping companies and itineraries, please feel free to contact us for more information.
8. When is the best time to book an Antarctica voyage?
Once you’ve decided on your travel dates and budget, it’s best to book your tickets early.
Early Bird Offers
Some of the largest discounts (up to 40% off) are released 1+ year in advance. Early Bird deals are ideal for popular itineraries like dual-island, peak-season single/triple-island, fly-cruise, or special routes. We recommend booking at least 9 months ahead, as popular itineraries typically sell out half a year prior. Early bird offers are usually the best deal, since later campaigns seldom provide better discounts.
If you choose a single-island or off-season triple-island itinerary, it depends on the number of travelers. If your group has 4+ people, you should book early bird tickets at least 9 months ahead to secure a place. If your group is <4 people, either take the Early Bird discount or try to wait for last minute offers.
Last Minute Offers
Last Minute Offers are Antarctica cruise tickets with the largest discounts after early bird. Should a cruise line still has unsold cabins close to departure, they offer them at promotional prices, up to 50% off. As soon as we receive such offers from cruise lines, we will immediately share them via our newsletter, IG, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Generally, once released, these discounted tickets sell out within a day. Due to the very limited number of Last-Minute cabins and fewer room type options, they are not suitable for group travelers.
Additionally, not all off-season itineraries offer last-minute deals. High-class cruise lines or ones with strong sales performance rarely offer such promotions.
This season’s peak tickets sold out very early. Many are inquiring about last-minute and 2026–27 / 2027-28 early bird deals. Therefore, if you are interested in these cruises, contact us for your preferred dates and book early.
9. What is included in an Antarctica cruise ticket?
Take simply, All Inclusive Service.
Ticket Includes:
All shore landings
Zodiac cruises
Onboard accommodation & daily housekeeping
All onboard meals, snacks and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Lectures onboard
Waterproof expedition boots rental
Polar Parka
Taxes, ports, and miscellaneous fees
Luggage handling services onboard
Airport transfers (varies)
Pre-departure hotel (varies)
Onboard Wi-Fi (varies)
Emergency evacuation insurance (up to USD 500,000)
Not included:
1. Personal travel insurance
Make sure the insurance plan covers Antarctica
Make sure Medical evacuation limit exceeds USD 250,000 (varies by cruise lines)
2. Internet
Free on some new ships; Paid on others
3. Waterproof or Skiing pants
Wear during Antarctic landing, bring own or buy in Ushuaia (if no luggage space)
4. Gratuities
Included in some itineraries, varies
10. Do you have any recommendations for photography equipment for Antarctica?
For photography lovers who want close-up shots of penguins, a lens of at least 300mm is recommended. From the ship or zodiac, penguins are usually far away, so a longer lens helps capture detailed images. On land, penguins may walk as close as 5 meters, or even closer, but a 300mm or longer lens still allows you to take both distant shots and beautifully compressed close-up photos.
Only a long lens can capture this kind of compressed close-up.
11. Do I need a visa to visit Antarctica?
For HKSAR Passports, it is visa-free to visit Chile or Argentina. Yet, visa requirements might update from time to time. Thus, please check updates from the HKSAR Immigration Department website for the latest requirements.
Visa-free access or visa-on-arrival for HKSAR Passport:https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/visa_free_access.html
For Taiwan Passports, an entry visa is required for Argentina, but not Chile. Do apply early if needed. For more visa information, please check with your country’s respective passport issuing department, or contact us for further information.
12. What should I do if I don’t speak English?
Some cruises have Chinese-speaking staff. Specify when inquiring—we’ll filter options with Chinese support. There are also German-speaking, French-speaking (Ponant), or bilingual cruises at your disposal, we will help select the best cruises based on your language preferences.
13. Can I travel to Antarctica solo?
Absolutely! In the past, many LGA clients booked and travelled to Antarctica solo. Some cruise lines pair solo travelers with same-gender roommates. While others require double occupancy. If you are interested in double-occupancy itineraries, LGA may assist in matching same-gender roommates. Solo occupancy of a twin cabin may incur a single supplement fee.
This guide covers essential Antarctica travel knowledge and reminders. We hope these information helps ease your planning. For questions or more info, contact us anytime.
[WhatsApp] +852 6099 5439. https://wa.me/85260995439
[Line] @581qabdb. lin.ee/kxwRP0I
[Wechat] @letsgotoantarcticawc
Set foot on Antarctica. It's no longer out of reach.
Let's Go to Antarctica!
Comments (0)