Laters.com brings the most relevant BNPL providers for Oceania and the Southern Hemisphere to your Antarctica flight checkout. Approval is instant, and your e-ticket arrives immediately — so you can lock in an expedition departure before the season books out.
Available in Australia, New Zealand, United States
Afterpay splits your Antarctica gateway fare into four equal fortnightly payments with zero interest. For a flight from Sydney or Auckland to Punta Arenas — typically the jump-off point for Antarctic expeditions — that means spreading a significant fare across eight weeks. Approval is automatic at checkout and your booking is confirmed immediately.
Available in Australia, New Zealand, United States
Zip lets you spread your Antarctica gateway flight over a longer window than most BNPL providers, which suits the longer booking lead times that Antarctic expeditions demand. You pay a fixed instalment monthly, interest rates vary by plan, and your e-ticket is issued the moment you check out. Useful when you're booking six months out for the austral summer season.
Compare 3+ airlines to Antarctica and split your fare with Afterpay, Zip, or Klarna.
3+ airlines to Antarctica (AQ) · BNPL at checkout · Instant e-ticket delivery
Available in Australia, UK, Europe, United States
Klarna's three-instalment plan works well for travellers routing through European hubs on the way south — London or Amsterdam to Buenos Aires, then onwards to the Antarctic Peninsula. The first payment is taken at checkout, the next two are spaced 30 days apart. No interest applies when you pay on schedule.
Available in New Zealand
For New Zealand travellers flying south via Christchurch or Auckland, Laybuy spreads the fare across six weekly payments with no interest charged. Given that Antarctic expedition packages are booked well in advance, having six weeks of breathing room on the airfare portion makes the overall cost feel considerably more manageable.
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Enter your origin city, select Antarctica (AQ) as destination, pick your travel dates and passenger count, and compare airlines side by side.
Scored by our editorial team using booking data, traveller feedback, and independent research. No destination pays to be rated.
Antarctica · AQ · AQ
Value for Money
3/10
Flight Frequency
3/10
BNPL Availability
6/10
Airport Experience
5/10
Visa Ease
7/10
Destination Appeal
8/10
Editorial snapshot
Flying to Antarctica means flying to the edge of the map — literally. The real journey starts in Punta Arenas or Ushuaia, where expedition ships depart for the Peninsula. Book gateway flights at least six months out; austral summer (November to March) is the only viable window and it fills fast. BNPL covers the airfare leg well. This trip suits the meticulous planner with a serious budget and a genuine appetite for discomfort.
Score based on Laters booking data and editorial review, 2026
The Antarctic tourism season runs from November to March only — outside those months, the continent is inaccessible to visitors. November and March offer the lowest expedition fares and fewer crowds. December and January are peak season: wildlife is most active, but prices for both expeditions and gateway flights are at their highest.
| Month | Price Band | Demand | Travel note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | High | Peak summer; penguin chicks hatching, maximum daylight hours. |
| February | Peak | High | Whale sightings peak; sea ice at its most navigable. |
| March | Mid | Medium | Season closing; some discounts appear as ships wrap up. |
| April | Budget | Low | Season closed; no tourist access to the continent. |
| May | Budget | Low | Deep winter; continent inaccessible to all tourists. |
| June | Budget | Low | Polar night; only research station personnel present. |
| July | Budget | Low | Coldest month; no expedition departures possible. |
| August | Budget | Low | Still off-season; book upcoming summer expedition now. |
| September | Budget | Low | Early spring; expedition operators begin final preparations. |
| October | Mid | Low | Pre-season; some early departures begin for hardy travellers. |
| November | Mid | Medium | Season opens; best value within the active travel window. |
| December | Peak | High | Holiday season; gateway flights and expeditions sell out fast. |
Cheapest month
November — average fares around $680 one-way
Peak season warning
December and January: gateway flight fares rise 40-60% above shoulder prices. Book at least 8 months ahead.
Fares are estimates based on typical prices and may vary by date and availability.
IATA: PUQ · 3 km from Punta Arenas city centre · Primary Antarctic expedition gateway
PUQ is the main jumping-off point for air-supported Antarctic expeditions and many cruise departures. The terminal is compact and manageable, with LATAM and JetSMART operating most domestic connections from Santiago. Weather delays are frequent in spring and summer due to the notoriously unpredictable Patagonian wind conditions — build buffer time into any connection.
| Transport | Cost (approx) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | CLP 4,000-6,000 | 5-10 min to city centre |
| Shared shuttle | CLP 2,000-3,000 | 10-15 min to main hotels |
| Rental car | From CLP 35,000/day | 5 min drive to centre |
IATA: USH · 4 km from Ushuaia city centre · Key southern Argentina gateway
Ushuaia's airport serves as the primary departure point for the majority of Antarctic cruise expeditions, as it sits at the southern tip of Argentina and cuts two days off the Drake Passage crossing. Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM connect USH to Buenos Aires. The single terminal is frequently busy during the November-March season, so arrive well ahead of departure.
| Transport | Cost (approx) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi / remis | ARS 2,500-4,000 | 10 min to city centre |
| Hotel shuttle | Often complimentary | 10-15 min to most hotels |
| Walking | Free | 30-40 min to waterfront |
Check-in tips
At Laters.com checkout, you can split seat upgrades, extra baggage allowances, and lounge access on your gateway flights using Afterpay, Zip, or Klarna — useful when you're already stretching the budget on an Antarctic expedition.
Make every dollar of your Antarctic journey go further with these add-ons.
Choose a window seat on the Santiago-to-Punta Arenas leg for Patagonian mountain views.
Available with Afterpay and ZipAntarctic expeditions demand serious gear — extra baggage allowance is essentially non-negotiable.
Split across 4 fortnightly paymentsMedical evacuation from Antarctica costs tens of thousands — comprehensive cover is not optional.
Available with all providersBook a pre-expedition night in Punta Arenas or Ushuaia to buffer against weather delays.
Pay in 3 with KlarnaPre-booked transfers in Ushuaia ensure you reach the port on time for expedition embarkation.
Available with AfterpayStay connected in gateway cities; connectivity disappears entirely once you board south.
Available with ZipMost travellers reach Antarctica via its two main gateway cities: Punta Arenas in southern Chile and Ushuaia in Argentina. The majority fly into one of these from Santiago, Buenos Aires, or a long-haul hub, then join their expedition.
Sydney to Antarctica
LATAM, Qantas · 17h-22h via Santiago · Via Santiago
Pay in 4 from $238/instalmentAuckland to Antarctica
Air New Zealand, LATAM · 15h-20h via Santiago · Via Santiago
Pay in 4 from $220/instalmentBuenos Aires to Antarctica
Aerolíneas Argentinas, LATAM · 3h 20m to Ushuaia · Direct
Pay in 3 from $73/instalmentSantiago to Antarctica
LATAM, JetSMART · 3h 30m to Punta Arenas · Direct
Pay in 3 from $60/instalmentLondon to Antarctica
British Airways, LATAM · 18h-24h via Buenos Aires · Via Buenos Aires
Pay in 4 from $275/instalmentLos Angeles to Antarctica
American Airlines, LATAM · 16h-20h via Santiago · Via Santiago
Pay in 4 from $205/instalmentNew York to Antarctica
American Airlines, United Airlines · 18h-22h via Buenos Aires · Via Buenos Aires
Pay in 4 from $225/instalmentFares are estimates based on typical prices and may vary by date and availability.
No airline flies scheduled service to Antarctica itself — access is via gateway cities in southern Chile and Argentina. These carriers operate the most relevant connections to those departure points.
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Fares are estimates based on typical prices and may vary by date and availability.
Everything you need to know before booking your Antarctica flight on Laters.
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