How to get to Antarctica
Whether you’re visiting the Antarctic Peninsula or heading for the South Pole, discover the different routes by sea and air to visit the Seventh Continent.
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Planning your Antarctic cruise: costs explained
- Antarctica is a remote destination with small expedition ships and high operating costs, so trips here are more expensive than traditional cruising destinations
- Prices of Antarctic cruises vary widely according to the trip length, ship style and time of year, but classic itineraries can start from around US$7800
- Different cabin types on the same ship can have different prices, while optional adventure activities like kayaking can cost extra
- Flying to Antarctica to join a cruise is more expensive than sailing there, with fly & cruise trips typically costing around 20% more.
- Booking in advance as far as possible will always get you the best deals on the ship, cabin and departure you want
Swoop says
Price and budget are always important, but value for money is very different. That's why we take the time to understand what you want from your Antarctic experience to make sure that you get as much as you possibly can from your once in a lifetime trip.
Ian Young Antarctic Sales Manager
How much does a typical Antarctic cruise cost?
Antarctic cruise prices vary depending on the ship, cabin type and date of travel. To help guide your planning, we’ve created this sample price range for the 2025/26 season. All prices are per person in USD, based on sharing a twin occupancy cabin.
Classic Antarctica Peninsula cruise (10–11 days):$7,800–$66,500
Fly & Cruise voyage (8 days): $11,500–$82,300
South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctica cruise (18–23 days): $17,600–$98,000
Antarctic Circle cruise (12–14 days): $18,800–$57,600
Ross Sea cruise (30–35 days): $35,000–$72,000
Antarctic Interior & Flights to the South Pole (6–9 days): $63,000–$105,000
What our customers think of Antarctica cruises
Truly the trip of a lifetime, it exceeded all expectations (and they were inevitably high). The place gets right into your very soul. Fantastic wildlife, birds and animals we will not see anywhere else, Leopard Seals close enough to the Zodiac to touch (but not recommended!) Read the full review
Travelled: February 2019
David Irwin - United Kingdom
I was pleased with the services from Swoop. The most important of these being the cruise that was recommended, which was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to maximize the opportunities to go onshore and we did. The Swoop staff were very organized and followed through on everything, ensuring that I knew what and when things needed to be completed.
Travelled: January 2018
Karyn & Richard - California
It was the perfect choice. For the price we paid we definitely feel the trip delivered. Also don't forget: this is not a luxury cruise, this is an expedition.
Travelled: January 2018
Zoltan & Stephen Nemeth - Florida
Review:
What factors affect the cost of an Antarctic cruise?
Five key factors affect the final cost of your Antarctic cruise:
- When you’re travelling to Antarctica
- Whether you sail or fly to Antarctica
- The type of Antarctic cruise ship
- Whether you’re travelling solo or in a group
- If you add any optional adventure activities
Swoop's long-standing partnerships with all of the Antarctic ship operators means that we've got unrivalled access to the best pricing available. We'll listen to exactly what your requirements are to find the best trip and best value for you – and all at no extra cost.
When to go to Antarctica
The Antarctic cruising season runs from the end of October to November, and each month of the year offers a slightly different experience – and price.
The middle of December to February is considered as high season, when days are longest and the wildlife is at its most active. This peak period means prices are higher, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Prices in November and March can be as much as 20% cheaper, depending on the ship. These shoulder season months offer better light for photographers, nesting penguins in November and Antarctica's best whale watching in March.
How to get to Antarctica
While most travellers cruise direct to the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Drake Passage from the tip of South America, it’s also possible to fly direct and join an expedition cruise ship there (a Fly & Cruise trip), or to fly one way and sail in the other (a Fly/Sail trip).
While flying to Antarctica in just two hours saves time over a two day voyage, they require extra flexibility and are more expensive than a standard cruise, due to the high operating costs of flights to Antarctica, which require specialist aircraft and highly experienced pilots.
Costs vary, but as a rule of thumb you can expect to pay around 20% more for a Fly & Cruise trip than a cruise that sails to Antarctica.
Style of ship
Which ship you sail on will affect the final cost of your Antarctic cruise, with vessels ranging in size from fewer than 80 passengers to over 250.
While all Antarctic cruise ships offer their guests comfortable adventure, their individual styles range from luxury ships with a wide variety of amenitees and gourmet dining, all the way to a simpler expeditionary style in converted research vessels.
There can also be a great range in cabin styles and prices – from luxury suites, to those with balconies or even simple cabins with portholes. We know every ship inside out, so can help find the right one at the right price for you.
Travelling solo
Antarctic cruise prices are based on people sharing a twin cabin, but these trips are equally popular with solo travellers. Somewhere between 10-20% of passengers travel on their own.
Most solo travellers choose to share a cabin (shares are always same sex). Some ships have triples or quads that make cheaper, as well as highly sociable, options.
Alternatively, it's usually possible to pay a single supplement, which is typically around 140-170% the cost of a single berth in a twin cabin, depending on the ship. Some ships also have a limited number of dedicated single cabins that cost roughly the same price, but note that these tend to book out very early.
Family & group travel
We’re increasingly seeing more families and other groups heading to Antarctica, but pricing up the many child policies, discounts for kids and teenagers, and triple and quad occupancy cabin savings can be very complicated, as they can vary greatly from ship to ship. Our expertise can guide you smoothly through the maze to make sure your family adventure is also as budget-friendly as possible.
Swoop is also adept at putting together trips for large groups, and can use our wide network of connections across the polar fleet to put together itineraries for special interest groups and whole or part-ship charters at the most competitive prices anywhere on the ice.
Optional adventure activities
Most Antarctic expedition cruises include a number of optional adventure activities, ranging from kayaking and camping to mountaineering or snorkelling. Restricted group sizes means that these activities must be booked in advance when confirming your cruise, and they usually require an extra payment.
Prices vary, but as an example, a one-off padding session in a kayak typically costs $350-400, while a full programme with multiple kayak outings can be between $600-2000.
For those who only want a taster of the different activities without committing in advance, there are also some cruise itineraries that include a selection as part of the set cost.
Swoop says
Some expedition cruises automatically include items like internet and alcoholic drinks in the price, while others charge extra. We’ll guide you exactly what inclusions and exclusions are on board your preferred ship – as well as advising on tipping at the end of your trip.
Calculating Antarctica cruise costs: FAQs
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Will my Antarctic cruise cost less if I book directly with the ship operator?
No. Your cruise will cost exactly the same whether you book directly or through Swoop.
We believe there are strong benefits to booking through a specialist agent like us:
- We offer a far broader choice of voyage options beyond a single ship or operator and can offer impartial advice on your many options
- Our in-depth firsthand knowledge of every ship, means we can match the perfect ship and departure to what you want to get out of your Antarctic adventure
- Swoop offer a full travel service, including assistance with flights, hotels, transfers and even extending your trip in Argentina or Chile
- After booking, your dedicated customer service operator will be there to support you all the way up in the run up to your trip until the moment you get home
- Exclusive pre-departure webinars hosted by our team will help getting you prepared and excited for your adventure
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Are discounts available on any departures?
Some operators offer discounts on their trips, and with Swoop's long-standing relations across the polar fleet, we always have access to the best prices at any given time for your adventure, including discounts that may not be publicly advertised.
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What's typically included in the cost of an Antarctic cruise?
On any Antarctic voyage the following are typically included:
Included
- Accommodation on full board basis
- All guided landings and excursions while on board
- A programme of lectures by leading experts
- Loan of a pair of rubber boots
Depending on which ship you choose, some or all of the following may also be included:
- Complimentary parka jacket (to keep)
- Flights to/from Antarctica
- Pre- and post voyage hotel accommodation
- Additional activities such as snowshoeing, camping and photography workshops
- Alcoholic beverages with meals
- Internet
Optional extras on select trips
- Adventure activities including kayaking, snorkelling, paddleboarding and mountaineering
Additional costs, not included
- Return flights from the start and end points of your trip
- Travel insurance
- Drinks and souvenirs on board ship
- Discretionary tip to the staff (approx. $15-20 per person per day)
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Why does an Antarctic cruise cost so much?
There’s no way around it, any trip to Antarctica is expensive and this is simply down to the remoteness of the destination and the costly logistics to get there.
Ice-strengthened ships are very expensive to build and maintain, along with there's the ship's staff to look after it, which can easily total more than 80 people).
Fuel is another significant operating cost and is much more expensive to purchase in the remote areas where the ships refuel due to the added transportation costs.
It's undoubtedly a costly endeavour but in all our years of travelling to Antarctica Swoop has never had anyone return from a trip who didn’t think that it was worth the investment.
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Is price always the best criteria for choosing the right Antarctic trip?
Price is always important but needs to be considered in the wider context of what you are looking to achieve. To ensure that you end up choosing exactly the right Antarctic voyage for you, many other factors need to be taken into account.
This is where a specialist like Swoop is invaluable by taking the time to listen and understand what’s most important important to you, and then handpicking a small selection of carefully chosen options for you to consider that offer the best value for your money.
Our most popular Antarctic cruises
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
From One to One Hundred
Swoop has catered for travellers of every group size. Whether you’re adventuring solo or bringing a group of over 100. We can help.
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Solos
- Working with over 30 different ships to find you the most solo-friendly ships, with the lowest single supplements, and the best solo deals available. Discover More
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2 - 5 people
- With over 100 collective years of Polar experience our team will help you find your perfect trip, so you’re on the right ship, in the right cabin, and at the right point of the season. Discover More
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6 - 80 people
- We’ve worked with all sizes of groups, from large families to small schools. Travelling with Swoop means you’ll be the best prepared customers on the voyage and you pay nothing extra for this service. Discover More
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Large Groups
- We are experienced charter consultants that can build tailored experiences for both part and full charters of vessels. Discover More
Discover more about Antarctica
What to expect on an Antarctic cruise
From stepping foot on polar shores to zodiac cruises, and wildlife encounters to adventure activities, here’s what you can expect from an Antarctic cruise.
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Antarctica Cruises
We've teamed up with some of the best cruise operators so that you can choose from over 80 cruise itineraries based on your dates, budget and appetite for adventure.
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When to go to Antarctica
Choosing when to go to Antarctica is a key part of planning a cruise, with each month of the season offering a different side of the continent.
Discover MoreReady to plan your Antarctic adventure?
1
Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2
Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3
Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
1 888 970 4570
