How much does it cost to visit Antarctica
Updated for 2026–27 and 2027–28 seasons
If you are wondering how much it costs to visit Antarctica, the honest answer is that it depends heavily on the operator, the ship, the trip length, and the time of year, but most expedition cruises start somewhere between $6,000 and $17,000 per person, with longer or more luxurious itineraries climbing well past $40,000. Below, I have broken down real starting prices across eight major expedition operators so you can see exactly what drives the cost up or down.
Please note: all pricing listed here is indicative lowest prices for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, rounded to the nearest thousand, and subject to change. These numbers are meant to give you a general idea of what to budget for an Antarctica trip and may not reflect current promotions, special offers, or real-time availability. Pricing and availability can change quickly, so please check with me directly for the latest options before making any decisions. Drop me a note here or email me at dee.swaminathan@fora.travel.
I am a travel advisor affiliated with Fora Travel, and I have personally traveled to Antarctica on Quark Expeditions' Ultramarine. I also help clients book Antarctica trips across nearly every major operator, so this pricing guide reflects real numbers I work with regularly.
What affects the cost of an Antarctica trip
Before jumping into the numbers, it helps to understand what actually moves the price. A handful of factors explain almost all of the variation you will see below.
Trip length. A 6 to 8 day fly-cruise will always cost less than a 20+ day expedition to South Georgia and the Falklands, simply because you are paying for fewer days at sea and fewer logistics.
Ship and cabin category. A shared triple cabin on a working expedition ship costs far less than a suite on a luxury vessel like Silversea or Seabourn.
Drake Passage vs fly-cruise. Sailing the Drake Passage both ways takes about four extra days compared to flying over it, which affects price in both directions, sometimes flying costs more per day, sometimes sailing does, depending on the operator.
Season. Early season (November) and peak season (December through February) pricing can differ, and last minute deals do exist but are unpredictable.
Add-on regions. Itineraries that include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands alongside the Peninsula run considerably longer and more expensive than a Peninsula-only trip.
Antarctica trip cost by operator
Here is a full breakdown of starting prices across the major expedition operators, based on current 2026-27 and 2027-28 season itineraries.
Please note: all pricing listed here is indicative lowest prices for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, rounded to the nearest thousand, and subject to change. These numbers are meant to give you a general idea of what to budget for an Antarctica trip and may not reflect current promotions, special offers, or real-time availability. Pricing and availability can change quickly, so please check with me directly for the latest options before making any decisions. Drop me a note here or email me at dee.swaminathan@fora.travel.
Quark Expeditions
Quark itineraries are offered across three ships in 2026, '27, and '28: Ocean Explorer, Ultramarine, and World Voyager. Activities include Zodiacs, kayaking, paddling, camping, hiking, and the polar plunge. The Ultramarine is the only ship offering helicopter touring and heli landings in Antarctica.
| Itinerary name | Number of Days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctic Peninsula: A Rare Exploration of the Weddell Sea | 12 days | $15,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctic Peninsula: Crossing the Circle | 14 days | $20,000 | First timer favorite, repeat visitors |
| Antarctic Marine Mammals: The World of Whales and Seals | 11 days | $14,000 | Wildlife focused |
| Antarctica by Helicopter: Crossing the Circle and the Peninsula | 14 days | $23,000 | First timer favorite, repeat visitors |
| Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands | 12 days | $16,000 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent | 11 days | $12,000 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North | 9 days | $13,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake | 8 days | $17,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle | 11 days | $18,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Antarctic Express: Sail South, Fly North | 10 days | $15,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill | 14 days | $27,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Epic Antarctica: The Falklands, South Georgia and Crossing the Circle | 23 days | $43,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari | 18 days | $20,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Penguins of the Far South: Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica | 20 days | $24,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Falkland Islands and South Georgia: 20-Day Wildlife Adventure | 20 days | $29,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
National Geographic - Lindblad
Lindblad uses National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Resolution, depending on itinerary and season. Activities may include Zodiac cruising, landings, hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, photography support, expert lectures, and on select early season departures, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
| Itinerary name | Number of Days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage | 10 days | $13,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Voyage to Antarctica | 12 days | $14,000 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands | 21 or 22 days | $22,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage | 8 to 10 days | $12,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Quest for the Antarctic Circle | 16 days | $19,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Patagonia, Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica Odyssey | 25 days | $41,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctica and Patagonia: Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords | 18 days | $18,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
Aurora Expeditions
Aurora's ships include Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, and Douglas Mawson. Activities typically include Zodiac cruising, guided walks, kayaking, paddling, camping, snowshoeing, snorkeling, scuba diving, ski touring, trekking, and the polar plunge.
| Itinerary name | Number of days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit of Antarctica | 12 days | $17,000 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctica Active: All Inclusive Activities | 14 days | $23,000 | First timer favorite |
| Across the Antarctic Circle | 13 days | $17,000 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctica Complete | 23 days | $37,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Ross Sea Odyssey | 26 days | $34,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent | 34 days | $43,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctica: Through the Lens | 12 days | $25,000 | First timer favorite |
| South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctic Odyssey | 20 days | Contact for pricing | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake | 10 days | $25,000 | Short itinerary / fly the Drake |
Antarctica 21
Antarctica21's ships, Magellan Explorer, Ocean Nova, Hebridean Sky, and Magellan Discoverer, offer Zodiac cruising, landings, hiking, wildlife viewing, and lectures.
| Itinerary name | Number of days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falklands (Malvinas) & South Georgia | 17 days | $11,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Falklands (Malvinas), South Georgia & Antarctica | 20 days | $16,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctica Express Air-Cruise | 6 to 7 days | $6,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise | 8 days | $16,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Inaugural Air-Cruise | 10 days | $13,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Polar Circle Air-Cruise | 10 days | $25,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Antarctica & South Georgia Air-Cruise | 18 days | $18,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Falklands Expedition | 10 days | $6,500 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
Seabourn
Seabourn's Antarctica expedition ships are Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. Activities may include Zodiac cruising, landings, hiking, wildlife viewing, expert lectures, photography programming, kayaking, and optional submarine excursions on select voyages.
| Itinerary name | Number of days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilean Fjords, Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands | 30 days | $35,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands | 21 days | $26,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| The Great White Continent | 11 days | $17,500 | First timer favorite |
Silversea
Silversea uses Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind for Antarctica. Activities typically include Zodiac exploration, shore landings, wildlife viewing, expert-led expedition programming, and comfort-focused onboard experiences.
| Itinerary name | Number of days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| King George Island to King George Island | 6 days | $17,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| King George Island to Puerto Williams | 9 days | $14,000 | First timer favorite |
| Puerto Williams to King George Island | 9 days | $13,000 | First timer favorite, short itinerary / fly the Drake |
| Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams | 10-12 days | $14,000 | First timer favorite |
| Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams (extended) | 15-18 days | $20,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams | 10 days | $18,000 | First timer favorite |
| Valparaiso to Puerto Williams | 20 days | $43,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
G Expeditions
All itineraries are on the G Expedition ship. Activities include Zodiac excursions, shore landings, expert lectures, wildlife viewing, and optional add ons such as kayaking and camping on select departures.
| Itinerary name | Number of days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctica Classic | 11 days | $9,300 | First timer favorite |
| Spirit of Shackleton | 21 days | $24,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctica Classic in Depth | 13 days | $11,000 | First timer favorite, repeat visitors |
| Quest for the Antarctic Circle | 14 days | $12,000 | First timer favorite |
| Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica | 22 days | $16,500 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
Intrepid
Intrepid uses Ocean Nova, Ocean Albatros, and Ocean Victory, depending on departure. Activities may include Zodiac cruising, shore landings, wildlife viewing, onboard lectures, and kayaking on select itineraries.
| Itinerary name | Number of days | Starting budget per person (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctic Peninsula: An Explorer's Expedition | 11 days | $10,000 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctic Peninsula: An Immersive Odyssey | 13 days | $10,300 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Christmas Season in Antarctica | 11 days | $11,900 | First timer favorite |
| Crossing the Antarctic Circle | 13 days | $14,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Antarctic Peninsula: The Classic Voyage | 12 days | $12,700 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctica Springs to Life | 10 days | $9,000 | First timer favorite |
| Antarctica's Whale Season | 11 days | $9,900 | First timer favorite |
| Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness | 11 days | $20,000 | First timer favorite |
| Best of Antarctica's Whale Season | 12 days | $22,000 | First timer favorite, repeat visitors |
| Celebrating New Year's in Antarctica | 11 days | $10,000 | First timer favorite |
| Exploring Antarctica's Spring | 11 days | $9,900 | First timer favorite |
| Extended Antarctic Circle Crossing | 14 days | $12,500 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Extended Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Circle | 21-23 days | $19,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| New Year's Antarctic Circle Crossing | 13 days | $14,500 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
| Ultimate Antarctic Circle Crossing | 15 days | $15,000 | Repeat visitors / immersive travel seekers |
The cheapest way to visit Antarctica
If budget is your main priority, a few strategies genuinely bring the cost down without sacrificing the core experience:
Choose a shorter, sail-both-ways, Peninsula-only itinerary. This is consistently where the lowest prices show up across every operator in the tables above, itineraries like Intrepid's or G Expeditions' Antarctica Classic sail the Drake Passage both ways rather than flying, which keeps costs down.
Book with a value-focused operator. Intrepid and G Expeditions consistently show the lowest starting prices in these tables, several under $10,000, while still offering the core Zodiac landings and wildlife experience.
Book a shared or triple cabin. Operators like Quark and G Expeditions offer shared cabin pricing that can bring costs down meaningfully without changing the itinerary or ship.
Travel solo and ask about room mate matching. Rather than paying a full single supplement, several operators will match solo travelers with a same-gender roommate.
Be cautious with fly-cruise itineraries if budget is the priority. Flying over the Drake Passage saves time, not money, since it typically adds the cost of a charter flight.
The most expensive Antarctica trips
On the other end, the highest prices in these tables belong to the longest, most remote itineraries, places like South Georgia, the Falklands, the Ross Sea, and full Antarctic Circle crossings on 20+ day voyages, several of which run $35,000 to $43,000 per person. Land-based ultra-luxury options, such as White Desert's fly-in camps, start even higher, from roughly $16,500 for a day trip up to over $115,000 for their most exclusive multi-week experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Most first-timer, Peninsula-only itineraries start between $9,000 and $17,000 per person, depending on the operator, ship, and cabin category.
-
Shorter, Peninsula-only itineraries that sail the Drake Passage both ways, rather than flying over it, tend to offer the lowest starting prices, sometimes as low as $9,000 to $10,000 per person with value-focused operators like Intrepid or G Expeditions. Flying the Drake typically adds cost rather than saving it, since you are paying for a charter flight.
-
Usually not entirely, but it depends on the operator. International flights to Buenos Aires or Santiago are almost never included and need to be booked separately. The connecting flight to the ship’s embarkation point, typically Ushuaia or Punta Arenas, varies more: some operators build it into the package price along with a pre-expedition hotel night, while others price it separately or offer it as an add-on. Occasionally there are also seasonal flight credits or promotional packages that offset some of this cost. Since this changes frequently by operator and season, it's worth asking directly, reach out to me and I can check what's currently included for the itinerary you're considering.
-
Per day, Antarctica expeditions are genuinely among the most expensive trips in the world, largely due to the cost of ice-class ships, permits, and the low guest-to-staff ratio required for safe expedition travel. However, the experience is also genuinely rare, with only a limited number of operators permitted to run these voyages each season
-
Shoulder season departures, typically very early (November) or late (March) in the season, occasionally carry lower prices than the December through February peak, though availability and last minute deals vary year to year.
Get help planning your Antarctica trip
Every one of these operators has real strengths depending on what kind of traveler you are, which is exactly what I cover in my How to Choose Your Antarctica Expedition guide. If you want personalized help narrowing down the right ship, itinerary, and cabin category for your budget, reach out to me directly at dee.swaminathan@fora.travel or submit the below form
Writer Bio
I'm Dee, a travel advisor with Fora Travel, specializing in adventure and polar expeditions. I'm certified with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions (LEXpert) and recognized as a Polar Pro with Quark Expeditions, so my clients get firsthand expedition knowledge. I've traveled to all seven continents and bring two decades of corporate leadership experience to planning journeys that feel seamless, intentional, and unforgettable. Ready to plan your own expedition but unsure how to go about it? I compare expedition operators, ship sizes, pricing, activity options and cabin categories based on your priorities. Tell me what matters most to you, and I’ll help narrow the choices. Fill out this form and I would love to chat!