Planning time off for Antarctica is not like planning time off for most trips. The journey itself is long before you even set foot on the continent, and the itinerary you choose determines almost everything else about how many days you need to block off.
Fly-cruise (Drake by air, Peninsula only)
The shortest way to experience Antarctica. A charter flight replaces the two-day Drake crossing in each direction, and some itineraries are as short as 8 days total including travel. For time-constrained travelers this is the most efficient option, but flight-dependent itineraries carry their own risks: weather at King George Island can delay or cancel flights, sometimes by a day or more.
- Voyage length: 8-10 days
- Total time needed: 10-14 days including international flights and buffer days
Standard Peninsula voyage (sail both ways)
The most common itinerary. Two days crossing the Drake each way, four to six days on the Peninsula. Most 10-day voyages fit into a two-week vacation with careful planning, though international flights eat into that window quickly.
- Voyage length: 10-12 days
- Total time needed: 14-16 days including international flights and buffer days
Antarctic Circle crossing
Longer itineraries push further south to cross the 66th parallel. The additional sailing time adds days, and these voyages typically run 14-18 days.
- Voyage length: 14-18 days
- Total time needed: 17-21 days
South Georgia, Falklands, and Antarctic Peninsula
The grand slam of Southern Ocean itineraries. South Georgia alone requires several days, and the combination of all three destinations produces some of the longest expedition voyages available. These trips are not for the time-constrained.
- Voyage length: 18-23 days
- Total time needed: 22-27 days
A note on international flights
Most Antarctica voyages depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, with most fly-cruises departing from Punta Arenas, Chile. Getting to either city from North America or Europe typically involves at least two flights and a full travel day in each direction. Buenos Aires and Santiago are the most common connection points (Buenos Aires for Ushuaia, Santiago for Punta Arenas.) Many travelers choose to spend a night or two there on the way down, which is worth considering as part of your total trip planning.
Last reviewed: June 17, 2026
