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Antarctica

Please note that if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have advised against all (or all but essential travel) to your destination, we cannot provide cover.
Click here to visit the FCDO's Foreign Travel Advice webpage.

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Quick Facts

Official name: Antarctica
Capital city: N/A
Official language: Varies by station (English, Russian, Spanish, and others)
Population: No permanent residents – up to 5,000 in summer, around 1,000 in winter
Currency: None – supply-based, though some stations accept USD for small purchases
Time zone: No official time zone – stations use their home country’s time
Driving side: N/A (specialist vehicles only)
Climate: The coldest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth

Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean. It’s nearly twice the size of Australia and 98% of its surface is covered by ice. The continent stores most of the planet’s freshwater, and while it has no permanent population, thousands of scientists and support staff live here seasonally in research bases.

Antarctica is dominated by an ice sheet averaging 2 km thick, with mountain ranges, glaciers, and the South Pole at its heart. It’s a place of extremes: temperatures can plunge below -80°C, and winds on the coast can reach 200 km/h. Summers bring 24-hour daylight, while winters are dark and brutally cold. The continent also features active volcanoes, such as Mount Erebus, making it one of the most unique landscapes on Earth.

There are no commercial flights or ferries directly to Antarctica - almost all travellers arrive via expedition cruises from South America (most commonly Ushuaia in Argentina) or occasionally flights from Chile or New Zealand. Travel is tightly controlled to protect the fragile environment, with operators needing approval under the Antarctic Treaty System and IAATO. Once there, travel is limited to specialist vehicles or small expedition boats. Tourism has increased but remains carefully regulated.

No visas are issued specifically for Antarctica, as no single country owns it. The Antarctic Treaty, signed by over 50 nations, governs all activity here. Visitors must join an authorised expedition or research trip, and normal passport and visa rules for nearby transit countries (such as Chile or Argentina) apply.

There is no independent economy. Research stations are supplied directly from their home countries, and all tourism costs are prepaid. Some bases occasionally accept US dollars or cards for souvenirs, but there is no need for cash while in Antarctica itself.

Medical facilities are extremely limited, with only basic care available at research stations. Serious illness or injury usually requires evacuation to South America or New Zealand, which can be delayed due to weather. Travellers must carry comprehensive insurance including medical evacuation cover. Cold-related injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia are real risks, and even in summer, conditions can be harsh. For the latest safety information, consult the FCDO travel advice before planning your trip.

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Antarctica

Quick Facts

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