Fly the Drake: Antarctica Air-Cruise Expeditions

01 · Fly vs. Sail

Fly vs. Sail the Drake: Which Should You Choose?

Time saved, or the crossing itself

The classic route crosses the Drake Passage by ship — a roughly two-day sail each way that many travelers consider as much a part of the Antarctic experience as the continent itself, with albatross following the ship and the first icebergs appearing on the horizon.

Flying the Drake trades that experience for time: you land on King George Island or at Frei Station within hours, leaving more days for the Peninsula itself rather than the crossing.

Neither option is objectively better — it comes down to how much you value the sea days versus the time saved, and how you feel about open ocean.

03 · Cost

What Flying the Drake Costs

A similar starting price for roughly half the time away

Fly the Drake itineraries typically run $7,500–$12,500 per person for six to eight days, compared with $8,000–$18,000 for a standard ten-to-twelve-day Peninsula sailing — a similar starting price for roughly half the time away, once the charter flight replaces two days each way at sea.

Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on how the ship and cabin category you’re considering compare across both route types, and how much those extra sea days are worth to you. For a full breakdown, see our Antarctica cruise cost guide.

04 · Where You’ll Land

Straight into Peninsula Territory

The same region as standard Drake Passage sailings

Most Fly the Drake itineraries put you straight into Antarctic Peninsula territory — the most accessible and wildlife-rich part of the continent, and the same region covered on standard Drake Passage sailings.

Ready to see what’s sailing? Browse current departures, ships, and prices below.