Forum: travel.stackexchange.com
Tags: <extreme-tourism><antarctica>
Title: How can I visit Antarctica?
Question: A year ago I was reading some magazine, and found out that there is availability to get a trip to Antarctica. Unfortunately, there was no info about how I could get there. Do you know anything about it? Best way to get there, best route, maybe some feedback?

Answers:
sents: text: There are a few ways to visit Antarctica.
text: Remember that nothing is ever guaranteed and it's quite possible with weather that you might not make it there.
text: Cruises: Larger cruises often will get you close but not to the land.
text: You'll have the comforts of cruising.
text: These big ships may be regulated soon.
text: Smaller ships will often let you get right onto land.
text: Costs start at least $5k (for the ultra cheap).
text: Tailored Expeditions: Many companies run specialty expeditions which let you visit Antarctica exactly how you want.
text: Prices are extremely high for this.
text: Airborne: You get to fly over Antarctica.
text: This is the more ecological way to see it but doesn't have the same experience as actually walking on it.
text: This is also the cheapest option.
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/9/silent1mezzo
score: 51
sents: text: Almost all tourist methods leave from Ushuia, in Argentina .
text: You could get work on a boat, book a cruise, or take a tour with GAP Adventures, among others.
text: However, there is almost NO cheap option.
text: However, if you're after a cheaper option and have some time to spare, arrive in November.
text: It's the start of the season and many of the boats aren't full.
text: As such, they often offer 50% off the prices of trips to Antarctica.
text: It's still expensive, but a massive saving!
text: November is also a good time to visit the area, with El Calafate
text: up north being a gateway to the glaciers, mountains and national parks.
text: Perito Moreno glacier has to be seen to be believed !
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/101/Mark Mayo
score: 33
sents: text: Work in Antarctica:
text: USA vacancies : Degree Requirements M.S. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field is required.
text: B.S. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and substantial (equivalent to a masters degree)
text: experience will be considered.
text: Russian vacancies (from here ):
text: Meteorologist-aktinometrist Geophysicist - ionosphere expert, riometrist, magnetologist Aerologist and Radiolocator-technician System administrator, developer Specialist on environmental protection equipment Hydrologist Radio Engineer (modern radio communication expert) Surgeon or anesthesiologist Mechanic-technician
text: "Pisten bully Polar-300" driver, etc Electric and gas welder-driver Cook
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/19/VMAtm
score: 32
sents: text: Another approach you can take involves getting seasonal work as an unskilled laborer in support of one of the governments doing research there.
text: In particular I think Great Britain, the United States, Australia, and Russia have big Antarctic programs and thus employ a lot of civilians.
text: If you're looking for a job at one of the American stations, almost all hiring is done through Raytheon
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/64/Keyslinger
score: 21
sents: text: I believe most of the most popular route is by cruise ship and the most common departure port is Ushuaia, Argentina .
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/11/user27478
score: 13
sents: text: Become a researcher in an Earth/Planetary Science department or in a lab that studies the physics of ice.
text: The department I'm in at Brown University does send expeditions to study the dry ice valleys in Antarctica (to study parallels with Martian climate).
text: Alternatively, do research on penguins (though there are not many penguin researchers in the world).
text: E.g. the University of Washington Polar Science Center
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/2394/InquilineKea
score: 11

Summary of the answers:
There are some speciality expeditons and cruises that you could take, often leaving from Ushuaia, Argentina. You could also try to find work on a boat or supporting one of the governments doing research there.
Tailored Expeditions, working on government research, booking a cruise or taking a GAP adventures tour are different way to get to visit Antartica.The most common means of transport is a cruise ship and the most popular departure port is in  Ushuaia, Argentina .