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

So, you’re planning your dream trip to Antarctica, but don’t know how to get there. There are two options: set sail on a 48-hour journey across the Drake Passage by ship, or hop on a charter and fly over. I’ve had the luxury of traveling to this magical part of the world both ways, and below are my experiences of each. 

A New Way to Get to Antarctica 

In recent years, expedition cruise lines have begun offering itineraries that give guests the option to skip the two-day excursion at sea, and instead take a two-hour flight over the Drake Passage. This can be an excellent choice for travelers who don’t have time for a multi-week adventure, are intimidated of turbulent winds and rough water, or are prone to motion sickness. 

This past March, I went on this very trip. As part of the itinerary aboard Silversea’s Silver Endeavour — currently the world’s largest ice-class expedition yacht — I took the flight over the Drake Passage to Antarctica. 

The adventure began at The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, where all Silversea guests enjoyed a comfortable night’s rest prior to boarding the 3.5-hour flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. There, we spent the night at Hotel José Nogueira, located less than a block from Punta Arenas’ main square. The hotel was built as a private home in 1890 and is considered one of the oldest buildings in Patagonia. 

The following morning, we returned to the airport and boarded our jet bound for King George Island, part of the South Shetland Islands. In just under two hours, we landed on a gravel runway. A quick 10-minute Zodiac boat ride later, and there I was, ready to meet the beautiful Silver Endeavour. I even caught my first glimpse of penguins — a fantastic welcome to Antarctica.

I found the scenery to be the most thrilling aspect of flying over the Drake Passage. The topography was absolutely stunning, and I felt lucky to witness the formations and glaciers seen by few people in this world.

Exploring Antarctica by Sea

On board the Silver Endeavour, I enjoyed a full five days of exploring Antarctica. We ventured out in the mornings and afternoons included lunch and a nap. If someone needed a break from the activities, they could enjoy a spa treatment or try to spot whales while on the deck’s hot tub. Every evening, the expedition team leader would discuss what we saw that day, teaching us about the land and wildlife, and setting expectations for the next day. Then, at dinner, we’d share drinks and dance or play games with new friends. 

When it was time to return to King George Island for our flight back to Punta Arenas, the captain announced we would instead cross the Drake Passage by ship. Our plane wasn’t able to fly through the major storm heading our way. 

I was expecting some pretty tall waves, but the adventure was not as scary as I had imagined. Once we safely arrived at Puerto Williams, Chile, I boarded the final plane back to Punta Arenas. On this trip, I learned the best memories happen when your detailed plans journey off course. I’m happy I was able to experience both, and while there are more benefits to flying than crossing the Drake by ship, what’s most important is that both are considered safe. 

Julie Jones is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in custom small and expedition ship journeys. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Jones by contacting her at julie@topflight.travel.