Antarctica is indeed a challenging destination to visit, and it can get more difficult due to budget restraints. Flights to Antarctica are quite costly, but this guide will make it easier to find an affordable option for you. Within this manual, you will find travel tips and cheap itineraries to make your trip to Antarctica an economical one. Now, get started with the read to unlock a budget travel to the coldest destination on Earth.
Tips to Find the Best Flight Deals to Antarctica
Here are some ways you can make your trip to Antarctica a bit more affordable:
Plan Wayyy Too Early
While being the coldest place on earth, Antarctica is also a dream travel destination for many. With such a great demand to visit this beautiful location, it can be difficult to get an affordable seat on flights to Antarctica. Given that bookings happen 1 year in advance, you have to be attentive and alert. Keep an eye on flight tickets to Antarctica and don’t delay to seal the best deal that comes.
Find Flights to Nearby Affordable Locations
You can’t fly to Antarctica just like that. You have to first visit a nearby location and change places, and sometimes, take transport to get there. Antarctica is mostly accessed by cruise ships and flights. First, you need to fly to South America. You will find Buenos Aires in Argentina or Santiago, or Punta Arenas in Chile as great, affordable destinations to visit.
Book Last Minute Flights
Did you miss planning for your Antarctica flight, and now it’s just a few months before the ideal travel time? Don’t worry, AirFaresMatch has got you. You can ask the tour operators for any last-minute travel deals and flight discount offers to Antarctica. While rare, if you find one, you can save up to 30-70% through these offers. So, keep an eye on them.
Travel in the Shoulder Season
When wanting an affordable vacation, you should always seek the shoulder season. Hence, early November or late February will be perfect for you. You can also take advantage of student discounts if you are eligible. If you are planning to participate in winter sports and activities, bringing your own gear can save you from paying for rental equipment.
Get Cheap Airfare to Antarctica with AirFaresMatch
Want to get Antarctica flights at the most affordable price? You can only find the best deals at AirFaresMatch just by following these steps:
- Visit the AirFaresMatch website.
- Enter your flight requirements in the search section.
- Hit Search and browse through flight options.
- Filter your search for the best results.
- Select the flight that suits your needs.
- Continue filling in your passenger and payment-related details.
- Complete payment for the flight fees to confirm your booking.
By the end of these steps, you will be reserved for flying to Antarctica.
Can’t find a flight of your choice, or having difficulty booking your seat? Take the assistance of the AirFaresMatch team for a streamlined travel planning and booking experience.
What Airlines Fly to Antarctica?
There are no flights that can take you directly to Antarctica. However, you can take a flight to reach the nearby South America destinations, like Buenos Aires, Santiago, or Punta Arenas, or flights to Guyana from your location. For this trip, you can use budget airlines, like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier. Or you can also use your regional airlines to save money.
When to Book Flights to Antarctica?
You may be surprised to know that you are not the only one dreaming of visiting Antarctica. There are several in line, and the flight bookings to this destination are trickier than any other place on earth. To visit this fascinating place, people book their cruises a year in advance. So, it’s essential that you better hurry and start exploring plane tickets to Antarctica at AirFaresMatch.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
When it comes to Antarctica, it’s the best and wisest decision to travel in the summer season. And no, it’s not around those June to September months. During the summer season, the best months to visit Antarctica are from November to March. While you can call it summer, these months offer a temperature barely above 0 degrees. So, don’t forget to pack your extra layers.
Attractions to Add to Your Antarctica Itinerary!
Made your travel plans to Antarctica? Adding or swapping these budget locations with expensive ones can make your tour affordable.
- South Shetland Islands: It’s closest to South America, making it feasible and affordable to visit here. You will find penguins, seals, and seabirds here. You can easily find this location in entry-level cruises. A trip to this place will include a visit to King George Island, Half Moon Island, and Deception Island.
- Antarctic Peninsula: This destination is an easily accessible one. You will find cheaper cruise options to this place as compared to others. You can enjoy kayaking, snowshoeing, and watching wildlife here. The key attractions you can visit here are the Neko Harbor, Paradise Bay, and Lemaire Channel.
- Gerlache Strait: Most zodiac cruise ships land here. If you visit this location in February, you can spot whales here surrounded by stunning glaciers and mountain landscapes. This attraction is usually covered by cruises of 11 days or more.
- Port Lockroy: This destination is in Goudier Island and has an eminent history which you can learn about in its live museum and shop. You can spot Gentoo penguins here.
- Brown Bluff: It’s a beautiful attraction featuring volcanic cliffs and dramatic basalt rock formations. You will find a variety of penguin species, such as Gentoo and Adelie penguins. You can find this attraction in longer cruise excursions of 12-14 days if weather allows.
Wrapping Up
Let’s be real. While you may save some money by following the travel tips from this guide, a trip to Antarctica is going to cost you at least $7,000 – $9,000. If you are lucky to snag any last-minute deals, they can save you around $1000 – $2000 on a flight to Antarctica. Since no budget airline can take you to this destination, the only way to go there is through an expedition or travel organizers.
AirFaresMatch can help you plan a budget-friendly itinerary and find the cheapest airfare to Antarctica options.
Any Questions about Antarctica Flights?
There are no commercial flights from the US that fly directly to Antarctica. You have to combine different transport modes, such as flights and cruise ships, to get there.
Chile is the closest country to Antarctica, being apart by just a distance of 600 miles or 960 km.
The best time to visit Antarctica is when it’s not freezing cold, like it usually is, i.e., during the summer season between November and March, with January being the warmest.
Antarctica cruises get all booked a year in advance. Hence, the best time to start preparing for your Antarctica trip is to plan a year ahead.
No, there are no direct flights to Antarctica. However, you can take a flight to a nearby location in South America and from there take a cruise to Antarctica.
