You do not need to be a scientist, professional explorer or experienced sailor to visit. Antarctica is open to tourists, and every year travelers reach the region aboard expedition ships, sailing vessels and specialized flights.
But an Antarctica trip works differently from a conventional vacation. There are no regular tourist cities or roads, and you cannot simply book a hotel and explore independently. Most visitors travel as part of an organized expedition.
If you are wondering how to travel to Antarctica, here are the most important things to know before planning your journey.
Can Tourists Go to Antarctica?
Yes. Tourists can visit Antarctica.
Most tourism takes place during the austral summer, generally from November through March, when conditions are more suitable for expedition travel.
One of the most popular regions is the Antarctic Peninsula and the nearby South Shetland Islands. Travelers come here to experience glaciers, icebergs, penguin colonies, seals, whales and remote polar landscapes.
You normally visit with an expedition operator that organizes transportation, accommodation and activities in the region.
How Do You Get to Antarctica?
For trips to the Antarctic Peninsula, two important gateways are Ushuaia in Argentina and Punta Arenas in Chile.
From Ushuaia, travelers can cross the Drake Passage by sea.
From Punta Arenas, it is possible to fly to King George Island and continue the expedition from there.
MoreTime Expeditions offers several formats, so travelers can decide whether they want the Drake Passage to be part of their adventure or prefer to cross it by air.
A full sailing expedition starts in Ushuaia and crosses the Drake Passage toward the Antarctic Peninsula region. After exploring Antarctic waters, the yacht sails back across the Drake.
Unlike a large Antarctica cruise, a sailing expedition takes place with a small group aboard a much smaller vessel.
This creates a different relationship with the destination. You live aboard the yacht, experience the Southern Ocean directly and travel much closer to sea level.
Smaller vessels can also operate on a different scale from large cruise ships, providing greater flexibility to explore bays and anchorages where conditions allow.
For travelers who want to feel like participants in an Antarctic expedition rather than passengers on a cruise, sailing is worth considering.
Can You Fly to Antarctica?
Yes.
Travelers can fly from Punta Arenas in Chile to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands.
With a MoreTime Expeditions Fly & Sail program, you arrive on King George Island and then board the sailing vessel to explore the Antarctic Peninsula region by sea.
The aircraft is used to cross the Drake Passage. You do not fly between sightseeing destinations during the expedition.
This option is particularly useful if you have limited time or prefer to avoid several days of open-ocean sailing.
You can also combine the two approaches by crossing the Drake once under sail and flying the other direction.
Can You Travel to Antarctica Without Taking a Cruise?
Absolutely.
Although many people initially search for an Antarctica cruise, a large cruise ship is not the only way to visit.
A small-group sailing expedition offers fewer passengers, greater flexibility and a much closer connection with the polar environment.
Instead of returning to a large ship after each activity, you live aboard the sailing vessel throughout the journey. The ocean, weather and changing Antarctic landscape remain part of the experience every day.
A sailing vessel can also use wind power when conditions allow, making it an attractive option for travelers interested in a smaller-scale approach to Antarctica travel.
Can You Stay Overnight in Antarctica?
Yes, although accommodation options are very different from those in a normal tourist destination.
On most sailing expeditions, your cabin aboard the vessel is your accommodation throughout the journey.
There are also opportunities to experience life at an Antarctic station.
MoreTime Expeditions offers an Antarctic Science Camp at Bellingshausen Station on King George Island. Participants stay in the station environment, meet people connected with polar work, observe penguins and explore the surrounding area. Depending on conditions, Zodiac outings may also be possible.
The camp itself is a land-based experience and does not involve sailing.
Do You Need Sailing Experience?
No.
Previous sailing experience is not required to join a professionally crewed Antarctica sailing expedition.
The crew operates the vessel and manages navigation, while guests experience life aboard and explore the Antarctic region as part of a small expedition group.
What you do need is some flexibility. Antarctic weather can change quickly, routes may be adjusted and flights or activities can be affected by local conditions.
That unpredictability is a normal part of polar travel.
Do You Need a Visa for Antarctica?
Antarctica is not a country and does not issue tourist visas in the conventional sense.
However, Antarctic travel is governed by international agreements and national regulations, and expedition operators handle the relevant permissions for organized journeys.
You may still need visas or entry documents for the countries you travel through on your way to Antarctica, such as Argentina or Chile. Requirements depend on your nationality and itinerary, so these should be checked before departure.
Is It Safe to Travel to Antarctica?
Antarctica is an extreme and remote environment, which means expedition travel requires professional planning.
Weather conditions can change rapidly, medical facilities are limited and routes may need to change for safety reasons.
This is why choosing an experienced expedition operator and following the instructions of the captain, crew and polar guides is important.
It is also sensible to leave some flexibility around your international flights, particularly when your Antarctica trip includes a flight to or from King George Island.
When Can You Travel to Antarctica?
The main visitor season runs from November to March.
Early summer offers extensive snow and impressive ice landscapes. December and January bring very long daylight hours and active penguin colonies.
Later in the season, particularly February and March, whale encounters become increasingly common in Antarctic waters.
The best time to visit Antarctica depends on what you most want to see and experience.
Can You Combine Antarctica With Patagonia?
Yes.
Since most trips to the Antarctic Peninsula begin in southern Argentina or Chile, Antarctica can naturally be combined with Patagonia.
MoreTime Expeditions offers Patagonia as an optional extension to selected journeys.
For travelers coming from Europe or North America, this can turn the long journey south into a larger adventure combining Patagonia's mountains and wilderness with the glaciers, wildlife and ocean landscapes of Antarctica.
So, Can You Travel to Antarctica?
Yes — and there are several ways to do it.
You can cross the Drake Passage under sail in both directions, fly to King George Island and explore aboard a sailing vessel, or combine one Drake crossing with one flight.
You can also experience another side of Antarctica by staying at the Antarctic Camp at Bellingshausen Station.
For travelers who want an alternative to a conventional Antarctica cruise, MoreTime Expeditions offers small-group journeys focused on sailing, flexibility and a closer connection with the polar environment.
Contact MoreTime Expeditions to compare upcoming Antarctica expeditions, Fly & Sail programs and Antarctic Camp experiences, check available dates and cabins, and find the right way to travel to Antarctica.