Antarctic Travel Guide 2026-2028 Edition
Antarctica Travel Guide
2026-2028 Edition
Let's Go To Antarctica (LGA) is a travel agency specializing in Antarctic travel. Whether you're planning your first trip to Antarctica or looking for the best Antarctic cruise tickets, we offer professional advice and a one-stop service. Below are 13 frequently asked questions about Antarctic travel to help you understand every detail of your trip.
Can I book an Antarctic trip through you?
Of course. We, Let's Go To Antarctica (LGA), are a travel agency specializing in Antarctic travel. Our main business is helping clients plan and find suitable Antarctic trips, as well as South American itineraries before and after their Antarctic journeys. We collaborate with various shipping companies such as Silversea, Quark, Antarctica 21, Polar Latitude, Aurora, and Albatross. Whenever these shipping companies send us the latest Antarctic itinerary information, price updates, discounts, and occasional exclusive offers, we immediately share them with our readers on platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and newsletters.
This year, we have partnered with three highly reputable shipping companies in the industry—Quark, Swan Hellenic, and Silversea—to co-host Antarctic travel sharing sessions, securing exclusive offers for LGA readers and ensuring everyone has access to the most up-to-date Antarctic travel deals.
In addition to Antarctic cruise tickets, we also offer customized airfares, hotels, cruises to other regions, and exclusive itineraries. Please feel free to contact us for details.




When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
Because Antarctica is covered in ice and snow year-round, it's not accessible throughout the year. Tourism is only possible during the Antarctic summer—from late October to March of the following year. Different months offer different views of Antarctica:
- October:Penguins' mating season, all things awaken, the white earth...
- November – December:During the penguin incubation period, penguin mothers are busy guarding the nest.
- December:The birth and growth of penguin chicks: the most exciting time of year.
- March:The penguins are gradually leaving, leaving opportunities to observe whales and other species.


Which month is the "best" depends on what you most want to see. Most guests hope to witness the most spectacular aspects of penguin mating, egg incubation, and the birth of their chicks. Therefore, the period from the end of December to February of the following year is the most popular "best" month, spanning Christmas, New Year's Eve, and even the Lunar New Year. These three months are peak season, with limited availability and fewer promotional tickets, so it is advisable to plan ahead and increase your budget. October, November, and March are considered off-season for tourism.


What is the weather and climate like in Antarctica?
Antarctica is not as cold as many people imagine. Its summers are much warmer than the winters of many cold regions (such as Finland and Siberia). The coldest point in Antarctica during the summer is around -10°C, while the average temperature from November to February is between 0°C and 5°C.


Many shipping companies (such as Silversea, Polar Latitudes, Albatros, and Quark) provide guests with windproof and waterproof winter jackets. It's recommended to wear a Heat Tech jacket and a T-shirt underneath; without the need for hand warmers, you should be quite warm outside. Therefore, there's no need to worry too much about the Antarctic polar climate.


How do I get to Antarctica?
Independent travel is not possible in Antarctica; the main mode of sightseeing is...Cruise travelandFlight CruiseMost shipping companies on the market, for nearly 90% of their voyages, stop near Antarctica—the southernmost city in Argentina.Ushuaiaset sail.
Therefore, the simplest route planning to Antarctica is:
- Fly to Ushuaia from your home country
- Purchase a ticket to board the ship in Usshuaia for a round trip to Antarctica.


What are the differences between Antarctica cruise itineraries? What is the budget?
Antarctic tourism routes primarily take passengers to three islands—the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and the Falkland Islands. The itineraries offered by various shipping companies generally fall into three main categories:Single island tour, two island tourandTriple-Island Itinerary.






Single island tour (approximately 10–12 days)
This is the most classic Antarctic itinerary, focusing on visiting the most iconic sights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Each cruise line offers these services, with the largest number of tickets available; promotional tickets are more likely to be available during the off-season.
Departure during peak season (early December/January/February): USD 10,000 – 18,000 per person
- Day 1Boarding Day (Ushuaia)
- Day 2-3Crossing the Drake Passage
- Days 4-7Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula (multiple landing sites)
- Day 8-9Crossing the Drake Passage (return trip)
- Day 10Return to Ushuaia










Two-island trip (approximately 16–18 days)
Visiting South Georgia Island allows you to see larger [animals/animals].King PenguinOnly three to four shipping companies operate this route, tickets are limited and easily sold out, and discounts are usually not significant.
- Day 1Arrival in Ushuaia
- Day 2Boarding Day
- Days 3-6sea day
- Day 7-8Landing in the South Georgia Islands
- Day 9-10sea day
- Day 11–13Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 14–15Crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 16Return to Ushuaia




Three-island trip (approximately 20 days or more)
The Falkland Islands offer the most Antarctic sights in one trip, and you can see a variety of penguins and other species. Each cruise company operates these itineraries, but there are fewer tours compared to single-island tours, making them easier to book.
Departure during peak season (December/January/February): USD 18,000 or more per person.
- Day 1Arrival in Ushuaia
- Day 2Boarding Day
- Day 3sea day
- Day 4-5Landing in the Falkland Islands
- Day 6-7sea day
- Days 8-11Landing in the South Georgia Islands
- Day 12-13sea day
- Days 14-17Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 18-19Crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 20Return to Ushuaia


How many days do I need for a typical Antarctica trip?
To calculate the total number of days required for an Antarctic trip, simply calculate the round-trip flight time from the departure point, plus the number of days for the Antarctic journey (single island, two islands, or three islands).
Taking Hong Kong as an example, there are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Ushuaia; one must first fly from Hong Kong to the Argentine capital.Buenos AiresThen transfer to a domestic flight to Ushuaia. The total flight time from Hong Kong to Buenos Aires is approximately 30 hours, while the flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia takes approximately 4 hours. It is recommended to allow 5 full days for flight time (6 days if departing from Taiwan).
Two-island tour: 5 days of flight + 16–18 days of itinerary = Approximately 21–23 days in total
Three Islands Itinerary: 5 days of flight + 20+ days of itinerary = A total of 25 days or more


How do I choose the right Antarctica cruise line and itinerary?
Most cruise lines offer itineraries focusing on single, two, or three islands, with minor variations. When choosing a route, consider the following factors:
Price
Antarctic cruise prices can vary significantly, influenced by peak and off-peak seasons, but the biggest difference lies in the class of the cruise line. Even for a single island cruise departing in the same month, the price difference can reach USD 10,000. We recommend considering the following factors to determine your budget before letting us recommend suitable cruise tickets for you.


Expedition Team Expertise
Antarctic tourism differs from other cruise tourism in that landing on the Antarctic continent is a crucial element, requiring an experienced expedition team. Antarctic weather is highly variable and unpredictable, directly impacting the success rate of a landing. Experienced expedition teams will seek alternative landing sites when the weather is unstable; less experienced teams will be more conservative and may even cancel the landing altogether.


Ship Capacity
The Antarctic Treaty stipulates that each cruise ship can only have 100 people ashore at a time. The smaller the passenger capacity, the longer each passenger's ashore time. We only recommend choosing [certain options].Passenger capacity less than 200 peopleLarge ships, especially those carrying more than 200 people, may be unable to dock at some landing sites due to their size, causing them to miss some of Antarctic attractions.


Cruise Facilities
Generally speaking, cruise ships with a capacity of 200 passengers are relatively new and have more facilities. Most newly built cruise ships in recent years are of this size, for example:
- The Albatros Ocean Victory
- Quark's Ultramarine
- Silversea's Silver Endeavour
These ships typically feature facilities such as bars, observation decks, libraries, lecture halls, gyms, restaurants, swimming pools, jacuzzi, outdoor running tracks, spas, and saunas. "Small ships," on the other hand, are usually refurbished and converted from former Antarctic research vessels, offering basic amenities but with a relatively lower level of luxury.






Additional Activities
Each boat and each trip offers both free and paid activities, such as canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and camping. Some trips also include special activities, such as Quark's Ultramarine, which offers each passenger a 15-minute helicopter experience per day. Scuba diving is a very rare option, available on only one or two boats.
Most of the above activities have limited spots and require advance booking. Please let us know when you book your cruise ticket so we can help you book it as well.






Fill out the form and our polar travel consultant will contact you within one business day to compare the best deals from over 20 cruise lines.
When is the best time to book an Antarctica voyage?
Early Bird Offers
Early bird cruise tickets offer some of the biggest discounts on Antarctic cruises. Most cruise lines offer early bird deals for the following season a year or more in advance, with discounts reaching up to [amount missing].60% off the original priceIf you wish to book a two-island cruise, a single-island cruise during peak season, a three-island cruise, a combined sea and air cruise, or other special routes, the best time to book is by purchasing early bird discount tickets. It is recommended to book at least before departure.9 monthsBook in advance to secure your spot. Popular tours are often sold out up to six months before departure due to high demand.
Last Minute Offers
Last Minute Offer tickets are the most heavily discounted Antarctic cruise tickets. If the cruise line still has cabins available close to the departure date, they will offer discounts, with discounts reaching up to [amount missing]. 50% offAs soon as we receive the Last Minute ferry tickets from the ferry company, we will distribute them via newsletter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook.




Antarctic cruise ticket sales this quarter have been strong, with many peak season tickets already sold out. We've also received numerous inquiries about promotional tickets, as well as early bird tickets for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons. Please feel free to contact us if you have a preferred date or itinerary.
What is included in an Antarctica cruise ticket?
Basically, Antarctic cruise tickets are offeredAll-inclusive service.
✓ Includes items
- All shore landings
- Zodiac cruises
- Onboard accommodation & daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, and drinks (including alcohol) on board.
- Lectures onboard
- Waterproof expedition boots rental
- Polar Parka
- Taxes, ports, and miscellaneous fees
- Onboard baggage handling service
- Airport transfer (depending on the shipping company)
- One night in a hotel before departure (depending on the shipping company)
- Onboard Wi-Fi (depending on the shipping company)
- Emergency evacuation insurance (maximum payout USD 500,000)
✗ Projects not included
- Personal travel insurance (must confirm policy includes Antarctic coverage, with emergency medical evacuation minimum USD 250,000)
- Internet service (some new ships offer free Wi-Fi, others require an additional fee).
- Waterproof pants (it is recommended to bring your own waterproof pants or ski pants for landing).
- Tips (included on some itineraries, depending on the itinerary)
Do you have any recommendations for photography equipment for Antarctica?
If you're a photography enthusiast hoping to take close-up photos of penguins in Antarctica, you'll need at least one lens. 300mm focal lengthOnly then can you photograph penguins. On cruise ships or inflatable boats, penguins will generally keep a distance; however, when landing on islands, they sometimes come within 20 meters. It's best to bring a lens of at least 300mm for a more reliable shot, sufficient for capturing images from a distance.


Do I need a visa to visit Antarctica?
holdHong Kong Special Administrative Region PassportNo visa is required to travel to Chile or Argentina. Visa requirements may be updated; it is recommended to check the Hong Kong government website for the latest visa requirements before departure.
holdTaiwan passportA visa is required to travel to Argentina, and Taiwanese travelers should allow more time for the application process.
What should I do if I don’t speak English?
Some cruise lines offer Chinese-speaking crew services. If you require a cruise with Chinese-speaking crew, please specify this when you inquire, and we will filter cruises with Chinese-speaking crew for you to choose from.
Can I travel to Antarctica solo?
Of course, no problem. Many LGA guests have previously booked Antarctic cruises alone. Some cruise lines will pair single travelers with same-sex roommates; others require two people to book, and LGA will try to pair guests with same-sex roommates if interested in a two-person booking. If you prefer a single room, there may be an additional charge.Single room supplement fee.


The above points are essential information for Antarctic travel. We hope they help answer any questions you may have and allow you to plan your Antarctic trip with peace of mind. If you have any questions or would like to obtain more information about Antarctic travel, please feel free to contact us.