Let's face it - a trip to Antarctica isn't cheap.
But when you compare everything you can see, the remote location and what an expedition of this type entails logistically, the value is fair.
A trip to Antarctica can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 per day, depending on the itinerary, the company, and the type of bunk you want to sleep in on the ship.
That’s why choosing the right ship and cabin is essential — it can make the difference between overspending or booking smartly without compromising on quality.
I offer personalized travel consulting to help you clear up any doubts and choose the best cruise based on your budget, interests, and expectations.
My fee is $100 per hour, but I guarantee you’ll recover that amount (and more) by booking wisely.
You can contact me here:
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Tours to Antarctica
Why such a difference in prices?
When you do your research for a trip to Antarctica you will be surprised to see a big difference in price from one company to another, especially considering that the itineraries are usually similar.
You leave from Ushuaia, you sail the Drake Passage for 4 days (round trip) and in total you spend about 6 days net touring the Antarctic Peninsula.
Why this price fluctuation? It is often due to two things: the amenities and services on the ship and the activities offered on land.
I am going to show you 4 very different types of trips to Antarctica to help you choose. You have to keep in mind that all the itineraries are practically the same, what changes are the services of the ships.
The cheapest expedition
Antarpply is generally the cheapest trip, the MV Ushuaia is an oceanographic ship and the only one that speaks Spanish since the company is Argentinean.
The cheapest cabins usually cost around $5,000.
I recommend it because in my opinion it is the most familiar expedition for those of us who speak Spanish and it is also usually the most economical.
Antarpply Cruise from Ushuaia >
Cruises with special activities
This segment mainly includes ships managed by the OceanWide company, which usually includes special activities such as kayaking or camping on Antarctic ice in its cruises.
The following vessels operate in this category:
- The Hondius
- The Plancius
- The Hortelius
View OceanWider itineraries:
Basecamp itinerary with activities in Antarctica >
Itinerary to the Arctic Circle >
Flight to Antarctica + boat
In this type of expeditions only Antarctica XXI offers it.
You leave in special planes (fast braking) from Punta Arenas, land at the Frei base of Chile in Antarctica and from there you start an expedition of 2 to 4 days touring the Antarctic Peninsula. The great advantage of this trip is that you avoid going through the Drake Passage.
See expeditions of Antartica XXI >
Cruise with a more luxurious ship
This category of travel has grown a lot in recent times, basically more modern ships with better services have been built.
They also have a special stabilization system that reduces swaying and the sensation of dizziness when crossing the Drake Passage.
See the itinerary of the Norwegian company Hurtigruten >
In this category you will also find the following boats:
My tips for booking your trip to Antarctica
1. Book the cheapest cabin on the ship.
You will continue to receive the exact same service, the same guides, the same destinations, the same activities, except that you are not paying a large amount for a luxury room.
And the truth is, you won't be spending much time in your cabin anyway, so save your money and book a cheap berth in good company.
2. If you are traveling alone, feel free to share a cabin.
Keep in mind that boat cabins are always designed for a minimum of 2 people.
And if you want to occupy that cabin individually, you will have to pay extra to do so.
3. Travel on the first or last departures of the ship
I discuss this better in my (Ebook) guide to traveling to Antarctica when I explain the climate and the best seasons to travel, but as a spoiler I'll tell you that the climate is so unstable in Antarctica that no one can guarantee that in January you will have a more pleasant expedition and you will be able to see more than if you do it in March.
I hope this information has been useful to you and if you want to travel to Antarctica do not hesitate to contact me.
I build your complete itinerary in a 60-minute video call. Without intermediaries.