2 Ways to Travel to Antarctica, According to a Top Travel Advisor

Planning a trip to Antarctica is the journey of a lifetime, and top travel advisor Julie Jones (age 45, based in New York, married with two children and guiding high‑net‑worth clients with average net worth around US $5 million) recently shared her expert advice on the best ways to reach the icy continent. Here are two distinct and current routes she recommends — updated for the 2025–2026 season — with clear, specific details to help you decide.

1. Sailing Across the Drake Passage: The Classic Expedition

For decades, adventurers have embarked on a roughly 48-hour crossing of the Drake Passage, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile, aboard expedition cruise ships. Julie Jones describes it as the “traditional route,” ideal for travellers seeking a true polar adventure.

• Vessels and Operators: Small, ice-strengthened ships operated by companies like Lindblad Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, Quark Expeditions or Oceanwide Expeditions offer itineraries around the Antarctic Peninsula. Lindblad’s National Geographic Endurance and Resolution, launched in 2021, offer immersive wildlife itineraries with expert-led lectures and Zodiac excursions.
• Season and Timing: The cruise season runs November through March, with November–December offering pristine landscapes and courting penguins, December–January spawning chicks, and February–March peaking for whale watching and glacier calving.
• Experience Highlights: Ships offer 2–3 shore landings daily, with activities like Zodiac boat trips, kayaking, polar plunges, and camping on the ice. Wildlife experts share lectures onboard; destinations include Port Lockroy, Deception Island or Snow Hill Island where emperor penguins nest.
• Cost and Practicalities: Prices typically range between US $7,000–10,000 for budget expedition cruises and $30,000+ for luxury options. Most trips include gear rental — parkas, waterproof trousers, rubber boots — and cover travel insurance and medical support.

Julie Jones, who helped arrange polar journeys for families with net worths in the millions, notes that despite the longer travel time, the Drake Passage crossing is a rite of passage. “Facing the unpredictable sea, watching albatrosses at the bow, then glimpsing land after two nights at sea — that moment is unforgettable.”

2. Flying Over the Drake: The Convenient Fly‑Cruise Option

In recent years, a growing number of operators offer a fly‑cruise itinerary that eliminates the Drake Passage crossing. Instead, travellers fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in approximately 2–2½ hours, then embark on a shorter voyage of typically 6–10 days .

• Operators and Logistics: Silversea’s “bridge cruises” are a leading example — you fly into King George Island and join the ship there, entirely bypassing the sea crossing. Exodus on Quark Expeditions also offers similar fly‑in options, sometimes pairing helicopter transfers for special landings such as emperor penguin sites on Snow Hill Island.
• Ideal For:
  • Travelers short on time, with itineraries lasting just one week.
  • Guests prone to motion sickness, who wish to avoid the Drake Shake.
  • Families with children or older travellers seeking convenience.
• Trade‑offs: While faster, you miss the dramatic sea crossing and fewer days afloat mean fewer shore excursions. Weather cancellations are more impactful — flight delays can lead to cancelled embarkation. Julie Jones cautions that “flights are subject to weather; travelling flexibility is essential.” Insurance covering cancellations is mandatory.

Advisor’s Tips for Planning Your Antarctica Journey

Julie Jones shares refined recommendations tailored to particular types of travellers:

• Health & Fitness Considerations: Most voyages require only moderate fitness — the ability to step in and out of Zodiacs and walk on uneven ground. Motion‑sickness medication is recommended for the Drake route.
• Seasonal Highlights:
  • Late December–January: penguin chicks.
  • February–March: whales, seal pups, iceberg calving, and dramatic sunsets.
• Sustainability Practices: Jones values operators who follow IAATO guidelines — safe, eco‑responsible travel standards enforced by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators Luxury providers like White Desert operate private‑jet expeditions to Queen Maud Land, offering solar‑powered camps and sustainable aviation fuel—though at costs of $30,000 to nearly $200,000 per person.
• Booking Strategy: Advance booking is essential, especially for preferred cabins or children travelling with guaranteed bedding configurations. Booking early yields better price options and itinerary selection for the 2025–26 season.

Choosing Between Ship or Plane

Route	Adventure & Experience	Time Required	Motion Sickness Risk	Average Cost	Best For
Drake Passage Cruise	Epic sea crossing, wildlife, shore activities	10–22 days	High	US $7,000–30,000+	Adventure seekers, families, long stays
Fly‑Cruise via Punta Arenas	Fast access, fewer-days vessel time	7–10 days	Low	Comparable or slightly higher	Short trips, those sensitive to seasickness

Final Thoughts from the Advisor

Julie’s clients often include families with net worths in the multi‑million‑dollar bracket. She emphasizes choosing the style that best fits one’s travel preferences, time, and appetite for adventure. For guests with children aged 10–16, she often recommends a fly‑cruise for convenience; for affluent couples like her own family of four (ages 42 and 14), she leans toward classic Drake itineraries for richer memories.

Regardless of route, she insists on operators with solid environmental credentials, mandatory travel insurance including evacuation coverage, and small‑group excursions for wildlife encounters with minimal ecological impact.