It's a great idea to fly over the rough seas of the Drake Passage and start the voyage directly in Antarctica.
Flying to Antarctica saves you a full two days compared to taking a ship through the Drake Passage.
The flights depart from Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia (Chile). After 2.5 hours, you will land on sub-Antarctic King George Island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago.
Your journey begins with a flight from Punta Arenas. You’ll fly on a BAE 146 over Tierra del Fuego and across the Drake Passage—which lies south of Cape Horn—to the airport on King George Island in the sub-Antarctic South Shetland Archipelago. From the plane, you’ll walk about 1 km to your ship. Here, you’ll board your ship and continue cruising south along the Antarctic Peninsula. The flight takes about 2–2.5 hours.
You can find the trip presented on the map here: Antarctic Express.
Who are Skip-the-Drake expeditions to Antarctica suitable for?
Antarctic expeditions usually start in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, located in the Argentine part of Tierra del Fuego. From here, you will cruise further south along Cape Horn and into the infamous Drake Passage. Here, where the Atlantic, Pacific, and the cold waters of the Southern Ocean meet, strong currents are created that can lead to rough seas and heavy swells.
"Drake Shake or Drake Lake?" – that is the question! It's about whether you'll be shaken up by the Drake Passage or whether it will be as calm as a lake. (By the way: I myself have experienced the Drake Passage as a lake several times.)
While the typical cruise (including the crossing of the Drake Passage) from/to Ushuaia takes about 1.5–2 days to reach the South Shetland Islands, King George Island can be reached by plane from Punta Arenas, Chile, in two to two and a half hours.
However, you won’t actually save any time this way. While the trip from Ushuaia to Antarctica (and back) takes 1.5 days, the flight itinerary to Antarctica from/to Punta Arenas includes one night’s hotel stay before the trip and one night’s hotel stay after the trip. Among other things, these serve as a time buffer in case of schedule changes or delays due to weather conditions, for example.
Between us: Great respect for nature is important in Antarctica, but no one needs to be afraid. Not even of the Drake Passage. For a true Antarctic experience, the Drake Shake is part of it ;-).
Yours, Stephanie Gräf
The map illustrates a sample route.
Skip the Drake: Travel with direct flights to Antarctica from/to Punta Arenas
18.101 €
Midsummer in the Antarctic Ice
15.287 €
Penguin chicks in the Antarctic midnight sun
13.460 €
Antarctic Express – Southbound by sea & northbound by air
12.052 €
Antarctic Express – Flying south and sailing north
20.970 €
Fly In & Out Antarctica
15.503 €
Fly In & Out: Sailing Expedition to Antarctica
16.560 €
Antarctica Bridge Expedition, including flights | MS Silver Endeavour
14.396 €
Fly & Cruise: Classic Antarctica | MS Magellan Explorer | MS Magellan Discoverer
7.016 €
Fly & Cruise Antarctica Express | MS Magellan Discoverer | MS Magellan Explorer
22.496 €
Fly & Cruise to the Antarctic Circle: MS Magellan Explorer | MS Magellan Discoverer
Fly&Cruise Antarctica and South Georgia | MS Magellan Explorer
27.695 €
Fly&Cruise Antarctic Express: Antarctic Circle | MS Ocean Explorer | MS World…
Many flights to Antarctica take only about two hours between Punta Arenas and King George Island—compared to the roughly two days it can take to cross the Drake Passage by sea. From the airplane window, the landscapes of Patagonia first pass by, then the view opens up to the Southern Ocean. For many travelers, the expedition by ship begins on King George Island. Exactly what your own “Skip the Drake” trip will look like depends on the package you choose:
Antarctic Flights: What options does Inventia offer?
Generally speaking, the trips listed above include those that involve flights both ways, as well as those that combine flights and ferry crossings. In addition, there are longer expedition itineraries in which the flight to Antarctica is just one part of a more extensive journey.
Round-trip flight: Fly the entire length of the Drake Passage
With this option, you’ll fly between South America and King George Island on both the outbound and return legs. This eliminates the days at sea required for the Drake Passage crossing, allowing the time spent on board to be dedicated to the actual Antarctic expedition. This option is available in a wide variety of formats: as a compact trip lasting just a few days, as an expedition that crosses the Antarctic Circle, or on small ships and sailing yachts with only 8 to 12 guests.
Recommended trips, for example: Midsummer in the Antarctic Ice, Fly In & Out Antarctica , and Fly & Cruise Antarctica Express: Flight over the Drake Passage
One leg by air, one leg by sea
With other tours, you’ll experience the Drake Passage one way by ship—with on-board presentations and the chance to spot albatrosses, other seabirds, and, with a little luck, whales—while the flight in the opposite direction replaces the long sea crossing. Depending on the itinerary, you’ll travel south by ship first and return by plane, or vice versa.
Recommended trips, for example: Antarctica Express – Southbound by Sea & Northbound by Air, Antarctica Express – Southbound by Air & Northbound by Sea, and Fly & Cruise Antarctica Express
Combination Trips with Additional Destinations
On longer combination trips, the flight may also serve only as a substitute for one leg of a more extensive expedition. On the trip to South Georgia, this applies to the southbound leg across the Drake Passage; afterward, the expedition continues by sea, passing through other destinations such as Elephant Island and South Georgia, before returning to South America.
Recommended Trip: Fly & Cruise to Antarctica and South Georgia
What to Expect on Your Flight to Antarctica
Depending on the direction of travel, the transfer from the flight to the expedition ship takes place on King George Island. Which regions are explored by ship afterward or beforehand varies depending on the itinerary:
- The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands —these are the highlights of most “Skip the Drake” voyages. Depending on the route and conditions, you can expect Zodiac excursions among icebergs and along glacial landscapes, as well as possible shore excursions to penguin colonies and historic sites.
- Southern Polar Circle – select tours take travelers beyond the Southern Polar Circle at approximately 66°33′ S.
- South Georgia – on the longer combination tours, destinations such as the former whaling station Grytviken or large king penguin colonies are included.
Which Antarctic flight package is right for you?
If you have limited time, the compact fly-cruise trips are a good option. If you’d like to experience the Drake Passage for yourself from a ship, trips that combine a flight and a cruise are ideal. For trips in particularly small groups, small expedition ships and even a sailing yacht with a maximum of eight guests are available. If you’d like to go further south, choose trips to the Antarctic Circle; longer expedition routes even combine the flight to Antarctica with a visit to South Georgia. The inventia program also includes comfort-oriented “Skip the Drake” trips. We’d be happy to discuss with you which option best fits your available time and priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Flight to Antarctica Over the Drake Passage
Can you fly to Antarctica?
Yes. On the fly-cruise trips offered here, charter flights connect South America with King George Island. Depending on the trip, the expedition by ship begins and/or ends there.
How long is the flight to Antarctica?
Flight time varies depending on the trip and flight itinerary. For many of the trips offered here, it ranges from about two to two and a half hours. You can find the specific flight time listed with each offer.
Is it possible to fly directly from Germany to Antarctica?
No—there is no direct flight from Germany to Antarctica. The journey always involves a layover; for the trips offered here, this is usually in Punta Arenas or Ushuaia in South America. The actual charter flight to Antarctica departs from there. Upon request, we can handle the flight arrangements for your international travel.
How much does a trip to Antarctica cost, including airfare?
For all the offers listed above, the charter flight is included in the total price. The total price depends on factors such as the duration of the trip, the route, the ship, the cabin category, and the scope of services. You can find the current prices directly in the offers above; we’re also happy to advise you personally on how this fits into your budget.
What happens if the charter flight can't take off due to weather conditions?
Flights to and from King George Island are subject to local weather conditions. For this reason, the itineraries include time buffers and specific guidelines for potential delays. Depending on the trip, for example, the time spent on land or on board may be extended. You can find the specific guidelines in the description of each individual package.
Why do regular scheduled flights rarely pass through Antarctic airspace?
There is no general ban—individual scheduled flights may, under certain conditions, extend deep into Antarctic territory. However, such routes remain the exception. Special operational requirements apply to flights in the South Polar region, including provisions for alternate airports, emergency planning, and the provision of supplies to or evacuation of passengers following a possible alternate landing.
What sets "Skip the Drake" apart from a sightseeing flight over Antarctica?
Sightseeing flights, such as those offered from Australia, fly over Antarctica without landing and return to their point of departure. With “Skip the Drake,” however, the flight is part of the actual Antarctic journey: it connects South America with King George Island, where, depending on the direction of travel, the expedition begins or ends by ship.
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