How much does a trip to Antarctica cost?
The short answer: for a classic 10 to 12 day voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula, most travellers spend somewhere between US$10,000 and US$20,000 per person once flights and extras are added. Simpler ships start at around US$8,000 for the cruise alone, and suites on luxury expedition ships can pass US$30,000.
A useful rule of thumb is to plan for about 1.3 times the advertised cruise fare. This guide explains where the money goes, so you can decide what is worth paying for.
Cruise fares by trip type
| Trip | Length | Typical fare per person |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia (Drake Passage crossing) | 10–12 days | About US$8,000–14,000 in a shared cabin; US$12,000–18,000 for a cabin with a window |
| Fly-cruise from Punta Arenas (flying over the Drake) | 6–10 days | About US$14,000–19,000; for example, 8-day Antarctica21 departures for 2026–27 start at US$15,995 |
| Crossing the Antarctic Circle | 12–15 days | About US$11,500–20,000 |
| Peninsula with South Georgia and the Falklands | 18–23 days | From about US$16,000; US$21,000–26,000 in mid-range cabins |
| Luxury expedition ships (suites, balconies, more included) | 10–15 days | About US$20,000–50,000 |
From my own trip, December 2024
I sailed to Antarctica in December 2024. The first thing I tell anyone choosing a trip is that there are really two kinds of ship. Small expedition ships, usually carrying up to about 150 to 200 passengers, take everyone ashore by Zodiac. Ships with up to 500 passengers may land too, but in turns, because no more than 100 people may be ashore at one site at a time. Ships with more than 500 passengers may not land at all, so you see Antarctica only from the deck. If setting foot on Antarctica matters to you, check how often your ship lands and how long each group gets ashore.
The moment I remember most is the first large iceberg we passed. It made our ship feel like a kayak, and most of it was still hidden below the water. Later, a family of orcas swam right beside the ship with the glaciers behind them.
One honest tip: the Drake Passage can change how the whole trip feels. If you are sensitive to rough seas, I would strongly consider flying from Chile and skipping the crossing.
— Reem
What changes the price
- Ship size. Ships carrying more than 500 passengers may not land at all: you see Antarctica only from the deck. On the ships that do land, no more than 100 people may be ashore at one site at a time, so a smaller ship usually means more time ashore, and often a higher fare.
- Sailing or flying. Flying over the Drake Passage saves about two days at sea in each direction, but costs more and depends on the weather in Punta Arenas and on King George Island.
- Cabin. On the same ship, a balcony suite can cost two to three times a shared porthole cabin (a lower-deck cabin with a small round window).
- Season. Seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere: November is late spring and March early autumn, and they open and close the sailing season. They can be 10 to 20 percent cheaper than the December to February peak. Christmas and New Year departures usually cost more.
- Travelling alone. A private cabin for one usually adds 50 to 100 percent to the fare. Some ships offer shared cabins for solo travellers.
Costs that are not in the cruise fare
| Item | Typical cost per person |
|---|---|
| Return flights to Buenos Aires or Santiago | About US$1,000–2,900 from Europe (published range). From Israel, flights usually connect in Europe; our estimate, checked in November 2026, is a similar range |
| Domestic flight to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas | About US$400 return, unless a charter is included |
| Hotel nights before and after, and transfers | About US$150–300 |
| Travel insurance with medical evacuation | Varies; required by the operator, which sets the minimum cover |
| Polar clothing and gear | About US$600–1,000 if you buy it; many ships lend boots and provide a parka |
| Gratuities | About US$150–600, unless included |
| Optional sea kayaking | About US$700–2,000 |
| Optional camping on the ice | About US$150–400 |
A sample budget for two
An 11-day classic voyage from Ushuaia in a shared porthole cabin, booked on a published 2026–27 fare of US$11,900 per person. Flights and insurance are illustrative estimates, not quotes.
| Item | For two |
|---|---|
| Cruise fare | US$23,800 |
| International flights (estimate) | US$4,000 |
| Domestic flights to Ushuaia | US$800 |
| Two hotel nights and transfers | US$600 |
| Travel insurance with evacuation (estimate) | US$800 |
| Gratuities | US$600 |
| Total | About US$30,600, or US$15,300 per person |
How to spend wisely
- Book early. Booking 9 to 12 months ahead often brings early-booking savings of 10 to 30 percent, and the best cabins on smaller ships go first.
- Consider the shoulder season. November and March bring lower fares and fewer ships, with fresh snow early in the season and whales later on.
- Pay for what matters to you. If time ashore matters more than a suite, a smaller ship with a simple cabin is usually the better choice.
- Leave a buffer. Arrive in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas at least one day early. A missed embarkation is the most expensive mistake on this trip.
- Be careful with last-minute deals. Discounted cabins do appear, but with fixed flights from Israel or Europe, waiting can cost more than it saves.
How private planning helps
There are dozens of ships and hundreds of departures each season, and the differences between them are not obvious from the brochures. We compare ships, cabins and departure dates around what you want to see, plan the flights with enough buffer around embarkation, and check that your insurance meets the operator's requirements before you pay.
Questions
- What is the cheapest way to get to Antarctica?
- A classic voyage from Ushuaia in a shared cabin, in November or March, booked well in advance. Fly-cruises and suites cost more.
- Is it worth paying more to fly over the Drake Passage?
- If you have limited time or are very worried about seasickness, often yes. If you have the time, the crossing is part of the experience and the fare is lower.
- How far ahead should I book?
- Ideally 9 to 12 months or more, especially for small ships, the December to January peak and the holidays.