Antarctica Express Air-Cruise

An affordable air-cruise to Antarctica with a possible visit to Cape Horn.

New release: 2025-26 air-cruise collection

For the 2025-26 season, we’re offering 39 new air-cruises on our small boutique ships!

Antarctica Express

Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Departure city

Ushuaia, Argentina

Itinerary Type: Air-Cruise

  • Icon of Sailing
    Sailing
  • Icon of Flight Return
    Flight Return

Ship options

For complete Air-Cruise pricing details review our brochure.

Itinerary at a Glance

Our Antarctica Express Air-Cruise was designed for travelers looking for a quick and affordable Antarctica expedition. This trip offers you the chance to visit Cape Horn, cruise the Drake Passage, land in Antarctica, and fly back.

  • Day 1: Start of the Air-Cruise Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, at the pier. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn.
  • Day 2: Cape Horn and Drake Passage After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honor of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th-century British explorer.
  • Days 3: Drake Passage As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica.
  • Day 4: Drake Passage and Antarctica After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Exploration will continue well into the evening taking advantage of the long Antarctic daylight.
  • Day 5: Antarctica and scheduled return flight Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay. A 2-km (1.25-mile) walk takes you through Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station to the aircraft. Bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).
  • Day 6: End of the Air-Cruise After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.

Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.

Group transfers in Punta Arenas, between the hotel and airport, as described in the itinerary desciption.

One night stay with breakfast in Punta Arenas at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel or similar on day five, which is the day of the scheduled return flight from Antarctica.

Special access to Explorers House for guests in Punta Arenas.

Ship cruise and one-way flight between King George Island, Antarctica, and Punta Arenas, Chile, as indicated in the program description.

Daily buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, as well as wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship.

Loan of waterproof boots for landings in Antarctica, contingency plan, and IAATO passenger fee.

All guided shore excursions, as well as lectures and entertainment on board.

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2025-26 Season Brochure Revealed

As specialists in small-ship Antarctic expeditions, we provide you with boutique on board accommodations and intimate adventure experiences for an unmatched exploration of the last continent.

Video preview

Photo Album: Antarctica Express

Two travelers facing the white landscape of Antarctica

Enjoy a day in Antarctica exploring the landscape.

A group of Gentoo penguins in Antarctica. Photography by Philip Stone.

Enjoy the privilege of seeing penguins, whales, seals, and many species of birds in their native habitat on your Antarctica cruise.

Zodiac cruising in Antarctica

Enjoy a day exploring Antarctica on a Zodiac boat on our most affordable air-cruise.

Direct Flight to Antarctica

Fly from Antarctica back to Punta Arenas, Chile, and avoid one crossing of the Drake Passage.

Visit the legendary Cape Horn on an Antarctica Express Air-Cruise with Antarctica21.

Visit legendary Cape Horn during your Antarctica Express Air-Cruise.

Choose Your Ship

The Antarctica Express Air-Cruise is available on all three of our expedition ships. Review which ship is best for your trip.

Ocean Nova

Sturdy and nimble, this ship was built to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland and is ideally suited for Antarctic expeditions.

For complete Air-Cruise pricing details review our brochure.

From %min_price% USD pp based on DBL Cabin

Save $1,500 per person on a select number of Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise departures during our 2024-25 season. Book now to secure an exclusive expedition credit!

Discover our newest collection of fly and sail expeditions to Antarctica

Your ideal base for small-ship exploration in Antarctica

Magellan Explorer

Featuring a modern design and innovative technologies, this expedition vessel was custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises.

For complete Air-Cruise pricing details review our brochure.

From %min_price% USD pp based on DBL Cabin

Magellan Explorer in Antarctica. Photography by Sandra Walser for Antarctica21.

Explore the Last Continent on board Magellan Explorer, our small ship custom-built for Antarctic air-cruises.

For the 2025-26 season, we’re offering 36 new air-cruises on our small boutique ships!

Veranda Cabin on board Magellan Explorer. Photography by Tom Arban.

Enjoy views of the unforgettable landscapes from your bed.

Optional Trip Extras

For your air-cruise, you can choose a few additional add-ons to enhance your expedition experience with us. Review our Trip Packages, Extra Services & Promotions page for more information. On the Antarctica Express Air-Cruise, you can add the following optional packages and activities to add to your booking:

  • Hotel and Transfer Package
Antarctica21 flight landing in Antarctica.

Arrive to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile in just under 2 hours.

Cabo de Hornos hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile. Photography by Tom Arban.

Hotel and Transfer Package: This package is available pre-expedition and post-expedition and includes group airport transfers, 1-night hotel accommodation, breakfast, and a drink voucher.
For pricing, please inquire at the time of reservation.

Testimonial

‘’Expedition leader and staff more than exceeded my expectations – so qualified, intelligent, passionate and patient. By the end of our few days, they felt like old friends. I’ll really miss them and the environment they created for me and my family. The other staff on the boat, turning down our rooms, feeding and serving us. Made me feel like royalty or a celebrity or both. I couldn’t have asked for more.’’

Lucy M. – Traveler from USA

Classic Antarctica Expedition, December 2021

Testimonial

‘’This was an exceptional travel experience throughout and so much better than we had expected. The expedition staff was the most passionate of any cruise I have been on and lectures of their personal experiences in the Antarctic were one of the highlights of our time on the ship.’’

Hilary S. – Traveler from USA

Antarctica & South Georgia Expedition, February 2022

Testimonial

‘’Extraordinary experience. The Staff was exceptionally friendly and service oriented. The trip exceeded expectations and would highly recommend it.’’

Samuel S. – Traveler from USA

Classic Antarctica Expedition, February 2022

Ready to Start Planning?

Antarctica is like no other place on Earth and we invite you to explore it with us. Complete this short form to receive a customized quote from our team and start planning your Antarctic air-cruise today!

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