Antarctica Getting There

Flights & Ushuaia, Argentina

Most travelers will fly via Buenos Aires and onwards to the southern-most city in the western hemisphere, Ushuaia, Argentina, a coastal community tucked between the rugged Andes mountains and the sea that serves as your embarkation point. We strongly recommend you arrive in Ushuaia the night prior to embarkation to avoid any issues with potential flight or luggage delays. Like the flights themselves, we can help arrange a hotel stay or you are welcome to book that directly. No inbound transfer service is provided, however it is easy to hail a taxi. Most hotels are located about 10-20 minutes from the airport. The dock is about 10-15 minutes from the airport.Embarkation typically starts at 4 PM on Day 1 of the expedition. The ship generally leaves the port by 6 PM. Plan to be at the ship no later than 5 PM to be safe.

A complimentary group transfer from the ship to the airport is included at the end of the trip. This is generally done between 8:30 AM – 9 AM the last day of your cruise. Departure flights should be booked no sooner than 12 noon on the last day of the cruise, or later.

Most flights to Ushuaia (USH) originate from Buenos Aires on a local airline, Aerolíneas Argentinas. There are also some flights between Santiago and Ushuaia. Buenos Aires is a leading city of the world and we highly encourage you to extend your trip to stay here for 2 or 3 nights if your schedule permits. We can help arrange city discovery tours and hotels.

If flying direct between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, try to book flights that both arrive and depart from the Buenos Aires international airport (EZE) onward to Ushuaia, versus arriving EZR and departing onward from the domestic airport (AEP). This saves you a considerable transfer of between 1 and 3 hours between the airports.

AWR can help arrange Ushuaia & Buenos Aires hotels, and/or your local and international flights.

Argentina Entry Fees

Citizens of the U.S., Canada and Australia arerequired to pay a fee when entering Argentina.

The government of Argentina will collect an entry fee as the following:

  • $131 US for U.S. Citizens – Valid for multiple entries over 10 years
  • $70 US for Canadian Citizens – paid for each entry
  • $100 US for Australian Citizens – paid for each entry

The entry fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE).
The payment of this fee is not a Visa since Argentina does not require a Visa to citizens of these countries when traveling for leisure or business travel.
Once paid by U.S. citizens, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with U.S. Visa reciprocity.

Americans may pay in U.S.dollars, Argentina pesos, by credit card, or with traveler’s checks.

NOTE: (Canadians and Australians must pay a per-entry fee.)

If you have any questions or for complete details about this entry fee, visit the U.S. Department of State website at: https://www.usembassy.gov/argentina/

Getting to the ship, the M/V Plancius

On Day 1 of the cruise, it is your responsibility to make your own way to the boat, so please proceed on your own to the pier. Embarkation is between 4pm and 5pm on the day of ship departure. We recommend that you arrive a day earlier in Ushuaia to have some additional time in case of flight delays and lost luggage on the day of arrival. Please note that the vessel will sail at 6pm and will not be able to wait for missing passengers or luggage.

There is only one pier in Ushuaia located in the main port on Maipu Avenue. The entrance to the pier is opposite of Lasserre street, the Government building and the Hotel Albatros. Passengers must be able to show their Boarding Pass, otherwise access can be denied by port authorities. It is only a few minutes from the airport. A taxi will currently cost approximately US$8.00.

Should you not be able to find the pier, you can always contact our port agent: Navalia S.R.L., 25 de Mayo 260, P.B. Of. 3, 9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Ask for Diego or Patricia.  Phone: +54 (2901) 435 616.  Please see below for more information about Navalia S.R.L.

Ground transportation in Ushuaia from the vessel to the airport is provided by the ship after disembarkation on the last day of the voyage between 8:30 – 9:00am.

Notes regarding Argentina air travel

Passengers flying to and within Argentina should note that there a number of prohibited items on planes. Policia Aeronautica at the Argentine Airports do not allow passengers to carry the following items with their hand luggage: knives, Swiss Army knives or similar knives, scissors, needles, cutting tools or other potentially dangerous items. If passengers need to carry items of the sort you can do so in the luggage that is checked in at the airline counter.

Free baggage allowance on AR flights: on the domestic flights there is currently a free baggage allowance of up to 15 KG.

We advise that you to re-confirm you return flight at least 2 or 3 days before departure, if possible, to see if the schedules have changed.

Departure taxes to be paid in cash:

If departing Buenos Aires International airport Pistarini:
ARS 6,05 – for destinations in Argentina
USD 18 – for destinations outside Argentina

If departing Buenos Aires national airport Jorge Newbery:
ARS 6,05 – for destinations in Argentina
USD 18 – for destinations outside Argentina

If departing Ushuaia airport Malvinas Argenina :
ARS 6,05 – for destinations in Argentina
USD 13 – for destinations outside Argentina

Ground transfer details between airports Pistarini (EZE) and Jorge Newbury (AEP):

If you need to transfer directly from Ezeiza (EZE) – International airport to AEP Aeroparque Jorge Newbury – city airport we strongly recommend you book an official taxi from Manual Tienda Leon. Right after customs, you should see a counter from Manuel Tienda Leon and you can pay there. These taxis are safe. Try to avoid random taxis outside the airport.

Costs for transfers between EZE and AEP:
Taxi:  approximately US$48 – journey time approximately 60 minutes or more
Bus : approximately US$ 14 – journey time approximately 70 minutes or more
All rates are subject to change.

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