- Classic 10-12 day Antarctic Peninsula voyages start from about £6,000-£7,500 per person, before flights
- Fly-cruises that skip the Drake Passage start from around £11,500 including flights from the UK
- Budget an extra £1,000-£2,000 for flights to Argentina, plus tips, kit and insurance
- Shared cabins, shoulder-season dates and early-booking offers bring the price down
An expedition to Antarctica is one of the biggest travel purchases most people ever make. Prices vary hugely, from a shared triple cabin on a small expedition ship to a suite on a luxury fly-cruise, and the headline "from" price is rarely what you end up paying.
Here's an honest breakdown of what an Antarctica cruise costs from the UK in the 2026/27 season, based on published prices from expedition operators and UK specialists in autumn 2026. Prices move constantly, so treat these as a guide and check current offers.
Antarctica cruise prices at a glance
| Trip type | Typical length | Price per person (twin share) | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia | 10-12 days | from about £6,000-£7,500 | Voyage, meals, landings, expedition team |
| Antarctic Circle crossing | 12-14 days | from about £8,500-£13,000 | As above, further south |
| Fly-cruise (fly the Drake) | 8-12 days | from about £11,500-£13,000 | Often includes UK flights, hotels and the charter flight |
| Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica | 18-24 days | from about £14,000-£22,000 | Long voyage with the richest wildlife |
| Luxury expedition ships | 10-14 days | £12,000 and up | Suites, more inclusions, sometimes flights |
These are typical starting prices for the cheapest cabins. Suites and balcony cabins on the same voyage can cost twice as much. Solo travellers usually pay a single supplement unless they book a shared cabin.
What's included in the price
Most expedition voyages include:
- Your cabin and all meals on board
- Zodiac landings and cruising, weather permitting
- Lectures and guiding from the expedition team
- Often a loan of rubber boots, and on some ships a parka to keep
Usually not included:
- International flights from the UK to Argentina or Chile
- Hotel nights before and after the voyage (sometimes included)
- Crew tips; some operators suggest around US$15-20 per person per day
- Drinks other than with dinner, Wi-Fi and optional activities such as kayaking or camping
- Travel insurance with expedition and medical evacuation cover
Getting there from the UK
Most voyages start in Ushuaia, Argentina. From London, you'll usually fly to Buenos Aires and connect to Ushuaia, which takes at least a day each way. Return flights typically add around £1,000-£2,000 depending on season and how far ahead you book. Many operators include a charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in their packages.
Fly-cruises usually start in Punta Arenas, Chile, with a two-hour charter flight to King George Island in the South Shetlands. You skip the two-day crossing of the Drake Passage each way, but you pay a premium, and flights can be delayed by weather.
Read our Antarctica guide and Antarctic Peninsula guide for more on the routes.
What makes one voyage cheaper than another?
- Timing: early (November) and late (March) departures are often cheaper than peak December and January sailings. Read our best time to visit Antarctica guide for what you see each month.
- Cabin type: triple and quad cabins with portholes are the cheapest way to go.
- Ship size: smaller ships (under 200 passengers) give more time ashore, because only 100 visitors can land at a site at once under IAATO guidelines. Ships carrying more than 500 passengers can't land at all.
- Itinerary: Antarctic Circle crossings and South Georgia add days and cost.
- Inclusions: some fares include flights, hotels or drinks, which makes the headline price look higher.
A realistic budget
For a classic 11-day voyage on a small expedition ship, a realistic total for one person sharing a twin cabin might look like this:
| Item | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Voyage (entry-level twin) | £6,500-£8,500 |
| Return flights London-Buenos Aires-Ushuaia | £1,000-£2,000 |
| Hotels and transfers in Argentina | £200-£500 |
| Tips, drinks and extras | £200-£400 |
| Travel insurance with expedition cover | £150-£500 |
| Polar kit (thermals, waterproof trousers) | £100-£300 |
| Total | about £8,000-£12,000 |
How to save money
- Book early: many operators offer early-booking discounts of 10-20% or more on the following season.
- Watch for late offers: unsold cabins are sometimes discounted a few months before departure, but choice is limited.
- Share a cabin: many expedition companies will pair solo travellers in a shared cabin with no supplement.
- Go in November or March: often cheaper, with their own wildlife highlights.
- Compare like for like: check what's included before comparing prices.
If you're torn between the poles, our Svalbard vs Antarctica comparison may help: Svalbard trips are shorter and usually cheaper.
Current Antarctica deals
Here are some current expedition offers from our partners. Prices are per person and change frequently.
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula · from Puerto Madryn
from £14,000 pp
View deal
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
Antarctic Peninsula · from Ushuaia
from £9,600 pp
View deal
Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters
Weddell Sea · from Ushuaia
from £12,700 pp
View dealSee all 69 dealsLive prices per person from our partners' feeds. Check the final price on the partner's site.
See all Antarctica expeditions or browse every expedition deal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get to Antarctica from the UK?
A classic voyage from Ushuaia in a shared or triple cabin, booked early for a November or March departure, is usually the cheapest option.
Are flights included in Antarctica cruises?
Usually not for classic voyages, although some include the Buenos Aires to Ushuaia flight. Fly-cruises and some UK packages include international flights.
How long does an Antarctica cruise take?
Classic Antarctic Peninsula voyages last 10-12 days from Ushuaia, including around two days each way crossing the Drake Passage.
Can you visit Antarctica on a big cruise ship?
Some large ships sail past without landing. To set foot on the continent, choose an expedition ship with fewer than 500 passengers, ideally far fewer.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasPrices and timetables are a guide and can change. This article contains affiliate links; if you book through one we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How we work.
