How Much Does an Antarctica Cruise Cost in 2026? (Complete Price Breakdown)
Antarctica is the world's most remote travel destination — and one of the most expensive. But "expensive" covers an enormous range. A basic expedition berth starts around $7,500 per person. A luxury suite on a fly-cruise with kayaking and camping add-ons can reach $45,000. Understanding what drives that difference helps you find the right trip at the right price.
This is a real 2026 price breakdown, based on current operator pricing and the factors that actually matter.
The Core Cost: Expedition Berth Price
Every Antarctica trip is built around the expedition fee — what you pay the operator for the ship, meals, guides, zodiac landings, and crew.
Price by Tier (Per Person, 2026)
| Tier | Price Range | Ship Size | Cabin Type | Itinerary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $7,500–$9,500 | 150–200 pax | Triple/quad share | Peninsula only, 10–12 days |
| Standard | $9,500–$13,000 | 100–200 pax | Twin share | Peninsula, 10–14 days |
| Premium | $13,000–$20,000 | 100–150 pax | Private cabin | Peninsula + South Georgia optional |
| Luxury | $20,000–$35,000 | 80–120 pax | Suite | Extended itinerary, fly-cruise |
| Ultra-luxury | $35,000–$50,000+ | 20–80 pax | Private cabin/suite | South Georgia + Falklands, private charters |
What's Included in the Base Price
For most operators:
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages on board
- All zodiac (inflatable boat) landings and cruises
- Expedition parka (most operators — yours to keep)
- Rubber boots (loaned, returned at trip end)
- Lectures and presentations by the expedition team
- Excise tax and port fees
- Antarctic Treaty environmental fees
What's typically NOT included:
- Flights to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas
- Pre/post accommodation
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Kayaking, camping, mountaineering, or snowshoeing add-ons
- Gratuities for ship staff
The Full Trip: All-In Cost Calculation
Here's what you actually spend, beyond the base berth price:
Flights to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas
Most Antarctic expeditions depart from Ushuaia, Argentina at the southern tip of South America. A smaller number depart from Punta Arenas, Chile.
From Europe:
- London → Buenos Aires (EZE): £450–£900 return
- Buenos Aires → Ushuaia (domestic): $80–$200 each way (ARS-denominated fares fluctuate)
- Budget for: $1,000–$1,800 total
From North America:
- New York/Miami → Buenos Aires: $600–$1,200 return
- Budget for: $800–$1,500 total
From Australia/NZ:
- Sydney → Buenos Aires: $900–$1,800 return
- Budget for: $1,000–$2,000 total
Tip: Book flights to Ushuaia separately from international flights. Domestic Argentine carriers (Aerolíneas Argentinas, LADE) price these differently and they fluctuate enormously. Book early.
Pre/Post Accommodation in Ushuaia
You should always arrive in Ushuaia at least one day before your ship departs. Weather delays are common and you cannot miss your ship.
Ushuaia accommodation:
- Budget hostel/guesthouse: $40–$70/night
- Mid-range hotel: $80–$150/night
- Boutique lodge: $150–$250/night
Budget for 2–3 nights pre-departure, plus 1 post-arrival: $150–$500 total.
Travel Insurance: Non-Negotiable
Every reputable expedition operator requires travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage. A medevac from Antarctica can cost $50,000–$200,000 without insurance. Do not travel without it.
What you need:
- Emergency evacuation minimum $250,000 (many operators require more)
- Medical coverage
- Trip cancellation/interruption
- "Adventure activities" coverage (for kayaking, camping add-ons)
Cost: $400–$800 per person for a 2–3 week trip to Antarctica. Providers: World Nomads, Global Rescue, Battleface, InsureMyTrip.
Gratuities
Standard on all expedition ships:
- Crew gratuity: $15–$25/day per person. For a 12-day trip: $180–$300 per person.
- Some operators include this in the price — check before booking.
Add-On Activities
This is where costs climb significantly. Optional activities book up fast — reserve in advance:
| Activity | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Sea kayaking (1 session) | $200–$350 |
| Sea kayaking (full trip pass) | $500–$900 |
| Camping overnight on ice | $250–$450 |
| Mountaineering | $400–$600 |
| SCUBA diving | $400–$700 per dive |
| Helicopter flightseeing | $400–$600 |
| Stand-up paddleboarding | $150–$250 |
Gear: What You Might Need to Buy
Most operators provide the parka and boots. But you'll need your own layers:
- Merino wool base layers (top + bottom): $100–$250
- Fleece mid-layer: $80–$150
- Down jacket (mid-layer): $150–$300
- Waterproof trousers: $80–$150
- Warm gloves: $40–$80
- Hat and neck gaiter: $30–$60
- Sunglasses (UV protection critical — ice reflection): $80–$200
- Binoculars: $100–$400 (highly recommended for wildlife)
All-In Cost Examples by Budget
Budget Antarctic Trip: ~$10,500–$12,000 per person
- Expedition berth (last-minute deal, quad share): $7,500
- Flights (economy, booked early): $1,200
- Ushuaia accommodation (2 nights, guesthouse): $120
- Travel insurance: $450
- Gratuities: $225
- Gear (supplementing existing): $250
- Incidentals/alcohol: $200
- Total: ~$9,945 — round up to $10,500 with contingency
Mid-Range Antarctic Trip: ~$16,000–$19,000 per person
- Expedition berth (mid-tier ship, twin share): $11,500
- Flights (flexible economy): $1,600
- Ushuaia accommodation (3 nights, mid-range hotel): $350
- Travel insurance: $550
- Gratuities: $250
- Kayaking add-on: $700
- Gear (quality layers): $500
- Incidentals: $400
- Total: ~$15,850 — round to $16,000–$17,000
Luxury Antarctic Trip: ~$30,000–$38,000 per person
- Expedition berth (premium small ship, private suite): $22,000
- Peninsula + South Georgia + Falkland Islands itinerary
- Business class flights: $3,500
- Boutique lodge in Ushuaia (3 nights): $600
- Travel insurance: $700
- Full activity pass (kayaking + camping): $900
- High-quality photography gear upgrade: $1,000
- Gratuities: $350
- Total: ~$29,050 — round to $30,000–$32,000
How to Reduce the Cost
1. Book Last-Minute
Expedition operators discount heavily on unsold cabins, typically 1–8 weeks before departure. Agencies in Ushuaia specialise in this, and operators list deals on their own websites. Discounts of 25–50% are realistic.
Requirement: Complete flexibility. You need to be ready to travel within days of the deal appearing.
Best approach: Book flights to Ushuaia speculatively (or use refundable tickets), stay in town, and visit the agencies in person. December and January last-minute deals are rarer (peak season sells out). February–March and November have more availability.
2. Choose the Antarctic Peninsula Only
The classic 10–12 day Antarctic Peninsula itinerary from Ushuaia is the cheapest. Adding South Georgia and the Falkland Islands adds significant distance, days, and cost — typically $4,000–$8,000 more per person.
South Georgia is extraordinary — arguably the world's greatest wildlife destination — but it's a separate investment.
3. Fly-Cruise vs. Full Cruise
Classic cruise: Sail both ways across the Drake Passage (2 days each way). 12-day itinerary = about 8 days actually in Antarctica.
Fly-cruise: Fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island (2 hours), skip one or both Drake crossings. More time in Antarctica, less time at sea.
Fly-cruise costs $1,500–$3,000 more per person but gives you 2–4 extra days in Antarctica. Worth it if:
- You're prone to seasickness
- You have limited time
- You prioritise maximising Antarctica time
4. Travel Solo and Share a Cabin
Most operators offer single berths in shared cabins at a discount vs. single occupancy pricing. You'll share with a stranger (usually of the same gender, assigned by the operator). Fellow expeditioners are typically interesting people — this often works out well.
Single supplement (private cabin for one person) typically adds 25–50% to the base price. Avoid this if budget is a concern.
5. Choose the Right Month
November: Early season — lower prices, pristine snow, penguin courtship. Fewer itinerary constraints.
December: Peak prices. Christmas/New Year premium. Penguin chick hatching attracts highest demand.
January: Still peak season, highest prices. Exceptional wildlife.
February–March: Prices begin to ease. Excellent whale watching. March offers dramatic late-season light.
Best value months: November and late February–March.
2026-Specific Pricing Factors
Currency: The Argentine peso continues to fluctuate. Dollar/euro pricing is standard for most operators, but domestic Ushuaia costs are cheaper when paying in pesos. ATM access can be unreliable — bring USD cash as a backup.
Fuel surcharges: Some operators have reinstated fuel surcharges post-2022. Read the fine print of your booking contract.
IAATO fees: The IAATO fee (Antarctic environmental levy) is included in most base prices but verify this.
Demand: Antarctica tourism has grown significantly. Premium itineraries in December–January 2026/27 are booking up. Book 12–18 months ahead for peak departures. Wait for last-minute deals only if you have full flexibility.
Is the Investment Worth It?
Yes — with an important caveat. Antarctica is genuinely transformative for the right traveller: those who connect with nature, wildlife, and wilderness. Standing on the beach at Neko Harbour surrounded by gentoo penguins while a glacier calves behind you is an experience that costs however much it costs and is worth whatever that is.
It's not the right trip for someone who wants beach comfort, resort amenities, or guaranteed good weather. The Drake Passage is rough. Weather changes fast. Plans flex to conditions. The magic is in the wilderness — raw, cold, and overwhelming.
For wildlife photographers, naturalists, adventure travellers, and anyone who has ever been awed by David Attenborough's footage of the polar regions, it will be the trip of their lifetime.
Start planning your Antarctic expedition with our guides to Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, the Antarctic Peninsula, and South Georgia.