Routes · Antarctica

Madrid to Antarctica by fly-cruise from Punta Arenas

Madrid → Punta Arenas → King George Island (fly-cruise) → Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic fly-cruise Best season (general guide): Dec–Feb

For travellers from Spain who want to see Antarctica without two rough days on the Drake Passage, a fly-cruise is the alternative. The scheduled part of the trip ends in Punta Arenas, a windswept Chilean port on the Strait of Magellan, reached from Madrid with connections through Santiago or another hub. The expedition operator then flies its passengers on a charter to King George Island in the South Shetlands, where the ship is waiting offshore.

Punta Arenas is a good place to spend a day or two before the charter. Its plaza, its mansions from the wool-trading era and its waterfront are easy to explore on foot, and penguin colonies on nearby islands can be visited on day trips when they're running. The charter flight to King George Island depends on clear weather at a gravel runway, so operators often build waiting days into the schedule. Once aboard, the voyage heads south through the islands toward the Peninsula, with landings planned day by day.

Fly-cruises mostly run in the heart of the austral summer, from December to February, when daylight is longest and the airstrip on the island is most usable. Antarctic voyages aren't sold by any of our connected partners, so we show the expedition section only as a notice. Flights to Punta Arenas and services in the city are linked as usual. Confirm the charter dates with your operator before booking anything else.

Charter passengers are usually limited to a strict baggage allowance, so pack light, waterproof layers rather than heavy suitcases. If the charter is delayed, the extra night in Punta Arenas is part of the plan, not a setback.

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