Antarctica is a travellers paradise! I loved my trip there and will recommend to anyone. But you might have heard it's not cheap! Well that's not totally true. Like many things in life there are always ways to cut corners and get things cheaper so we're here to do that on this post! []
You may have read my story of how I lived in a tent in the mountains of Poatina in Tasmania, working 7 days a week and 10 - 12 hour days on farms just to afford my trip to the white continent. Well I lived my dreams and did it. Yes I landed in Antarctica and completed my quest to visit all seven continents. But I didn't actually do it the cheapest way possible! I booked my place in a cabin on the boat months in advance. I booked it in Melbourne, Australia in April 2010 and ended up going in November 2010. I needed something big to look forward too and I was chuffed when I had it booked and just worked and counted down the days until my adventure. I paid around $5,000 Australian Dollars at the time, BUT that's NOT how to book a cheap trip to Antarctica...read on...
How to do Antarctica for cheap?
Bear in mind this is a tip for travellers and backpackers only - not for workers or scientists etc. Waiters, barmen, captains and expedition staff can of course all go to Antarctica and work at the same time but you want to be doing it as a backpacker.
Five key words: DON'T BOOK ANYTHING IN ADVANCE!
If you really want to make sure you get to Antarctica for cheap you have to wait. Do not book anything in advance - the price will be a lot higher as the travel companies need to make the money early on. Then in a last minute rush they need to sell the empty beds so they bring down the price - it's only natural for them to do that. If you happen to book it in advance I'd estimate the bare minimum you could get it for is about $4,000 US. So hold off, Yes the first step is don't book anything!
Here is how to get a cheap Antarctica trip booked
Step two would be to head to the city of Ushuaia in Argentina. It sits on the island of Tierra Del Fuego and is the southernmost city in the world. After a bit of sightseeing, head to the many travel agents in the city centre and check for cheap last minutes deals. There will be lots of offers and you will be surprised at how cheap you can pick one up for and leave the next day.
If you book yourself on a boat to leave to Antarctica the next day you will get it for as cheap as $3,000 US Dollars! How's that for a saving!!
Here's why it's so cheap:
Most of the boats heading to the cold continent are not full - the empty beds need filled up and the company would rather get some money last minute for them than have them float away empty and that's how you do it. That's how and why you can easily book a cheap trip to Antarctica.
So head to Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina and book your trip to Antarctica for the very next day! Or if that boat really is full, you'll only have to wait a few days. There is always space for more. Antarctica only attracts 30,000 tourists a year (the rest of the visitors are scientists or working there or on boats). It's not high on most people's list and it's not cheap but treat yourself to it and you'll love it! I paid $5,000 US Dollars (also a special offer at the time) and it was worth every penny or cent. Imagine if you get it for $3,000 US! You will have the time of your life.
So I've sold Antarctica to you!! Now all you need to do is head to Ushuaia in Argentina and book your trip on the spot for the next day. It's not just the quality terrain, landscape and beauty of the white continent...the amount of awesome travellers you meet on board the ship is phenomenal. We even had a massive "cabin party" in our cabin bedroom on the last night! And I met my girlfriend in Antarctica. If I have to go to the bottom of the world to meet the girl for me, it must be a special place. (A story for another day on Don't Stop Living).
Don't forget to take warm clothes, a camera and your enthusiasm for travel. Everyone who has ever been to Antarctica has raved about it - there is no place on the planet like it. Safe travels!
You may have read my story of how I lived in a tent in the mountains of Poatina in Tasmania, working 7 days a week and 10 - 12 hour days on farms just to afford my trip to the white continent. Well I lived my dreams and did it. Yes I landed in Antarctica and completed my quest to visit all seven continents. But I didn't actually do it the cheapest way possible! I booked my place in a cabin on the boat months in advance. I booked it in Melbourne, Australia in April 2010 and ended up going in November 2010. I needed something big to look forward too and I was chuffed when I had it booked and just worked and counted down the days until my adventure. I paid around $5,000 Australian Dollars at the time, BUT that's NOT how to book a cheap trip to Antarctica...read on...
How to do Antarctica for cheap?
Bear in mind this is a tip for travellers and backpackers only - not for workers or scientists etc. Waiters, barmen, captains and expedition staff can of course all go to Antarctica and work at the same time but you want to be doing it as a backpacker.
Five key words: DON'T BOOK ANYTHING IN ADVANCE!
If you really want to make sure you get to Antarctica for cheap you have to wait. Do not book anything in advance - the price will be a lot higher as the travel companies need to make the money early on. Then in a last minute rush they need to sell the empty beds so they bring down the price - it's only natural for them to do that. If you happen to book it in advance I'd estimate the bare minimum you could get it for is about $4,000 US. So hold off, Yes the first step is don't book anything!
Here is how to get a cheap Antarctica trip booked
Step two would be to head to the city of Ushuaia in Argentina. It sits on the island of Tierra Del Fuego and is the southernmost city in the world. After a bit of sightseeing, head to the many travel agents in the city centre and check for cheap last minutes deals. There will be lots of offers and you will be surprised at how cheap you can pick one up for and leave the next day.
If you book yourself on a boat to leave to Antarctica the next day you will get it for as cheap as $3,000 US Dollars! How's that for a saving!!
Here's why it's so cheap:
Most of the boats heading to the cold continent are not full - the empty beds need filled up and the company would rather get some money last minute for them than have them float away empty and that's how you do it. That's how and why you can easily book a cheap trip to Antarctica.
So head to Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina and book your trip to Antarctica for the very next day! Or if that boat really is full, you'll only have to wait a few days. There is always space for more. Antarctica only attracts 30,000 tourists a year (the rest of the visitors are scientists or working there or on boats). It's not high on most people's list and it's not cheap but treat yourself to it and you'll love it! I paid $5,000 US Dollars (also a special offer at the time) and it was worth every penny or cent. Imagine if you get it for $3,000 US! You will have the time of your life.
So I've sold Antarctica to you!! Now all you need to do is head to Ushuaia in Argentina and book your trip on the spot for the next day. It's not just the quality terrain, landscape and beauty of the white continent...the amount of awesome travellers you meet on board the ship is phenomenal. We even had a massive "cabin party" in our cabin bedroom on the last night! And I met my girlfriend in Antarctica. If I have to go to the bottom of the world to meet the girl for me, it must be a special place. (A story for another day on Don't Stop Living).
Don't forget to take warm clothes, a camera and your enthusiasm for travel. Everyone who has ever been to Antarctica has raved about it - there is no place on the planet like it. Safe travels!
About the Author:
To find articles like a Cheap trip to Antarctica visit the brilliant nomadic lifestyle website of Jonny Blair for ongoing advice and stories.
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