Antarctica Travel Forum

Two of us will be traveling to Antarctica on the Orlova in mid-December 2007. Our origination city is in the eastern U.S. Our tour company recommends an overnight in Buenos Aires, but a quick check on airline travel web sites revealed that we can get to Ushuaia without the overnight in BA. Even if doing so means an overnight in Ushuaia on top of the one already planned (probably much needed for rest), it seems as if we could save nearly $1,000 in airfare and hotel by NOT staying in BA. Our goal for this trip is Antarctica, not playing tourist in South America. Any comments from travelers who have done it either way -- with and without an overnight in BA?

Not knowing exactly where you leave from on the eastern seaboard, your flight to BsAs would be about 8 hours, with another ~3.5 down to Ushuaia. Since you are heading mostly south and a little west, you will gain 2 hours in time zones.

So it will be a long day, but not impossible. Ushuaia is a nice quiet town, easy to rest and get your feet back under you.

look at this, too :-)
http://www.caribbean-airlines.com/

sorry I made a mistake...
From US to Buenos Aires there are Continental, United, AA and Delta flights. Delta has a flight from Los Angeles via Atlanta, the all arrive before noon to Ezeiza Airport, BsAs ha two airports, flights to Usuhaia are mainly done from Aerolineas, check at their site www.aerolineas.com.ar
First flight from US (Miami by AA) arrives at 7:20, before you get out at passport control it could take also an hour and actually the only flight from Ezeiza to Ushuaia is at 8:50 and there three flights from Aeroparque between 5:30 till 10:40, maybe not every day but must be a flight in the afternoon (from AEP)... try to inform which day but remember that from today till next December anything could change, that why you have been suggested to sleep one night in BsAs...

LAN www.lan.com has connection flight from Seattle to Usuhaia via Miami (Alaska/American airlines) and Santiago, the whole trip will be almost 30 hours, better to sleep in an hotel then on airplane...

I wouldn't necessarily recommend an overnight stopover in Buenos Aires, if there's no appeal to you to visit the city, then I would recommend that you just continue on to Ushuaia. A couple of recommendations. Make sure that you leave some time (a few hours) between your arrival in Buenos Aires, and your departure to Ushuaia - this would allow for some relaxation before getting on a plane again. If possible, you can also try to fly into Jorge Newberry airport in Buenos Aires - most of the international flights land at the Ezeiza airport, however there are some that land at Jorge Newberry. If you land at Ezeiza, you will need to find transportation between airports. The ride is about 45 minutes, and would be one less thing to worry about. (Although the drive between airports gives you a brief glimpse of the character of the city). The ride isn't that expensive (for some reason I remember $49 US, but I'm not sure), so it isn't really worth trying to find a specific flight to Jorge Newberry that will cost more per ticket than you'd save.

For a variety of reasons, the time that it took from leaving for the airport, to arriving in Ushuaia was 32 hours - making it a long trip - but well worth it. I enjoyed Ushuaia, it's a scenic little town with a few attractions worth checking out.

As for not wanting to play tourist in South America? Why not? South America holds a number of unique attractions that are incredible, and there's nothing wrong with playing tourist when travelling (heck, I sometimes play tourist when I'm at home!). Antarctica is an amazing destination, but don't forget to check out the scenery along the way - sometimes those are the memories that linger longest.

Greetings, my husband and I were on the Orlova same time previous year. It is a marvellous trip and we are planning to go again!! We stayed in BA for 2 nights prior at the Claridge and had a terrific time, in fact we returned to BA just recently....if you have the time please don't deny yourself the opportunity to see it.....we too got caught up in the airline strike. Since you are paying a lot of money for the trip, you may as well add a day either way, it can make or break your entire vacation!!! There is always something to explore and discover around every corner!!! I happen to enjoy Ushuaia also - i also returned there this year and it was extremely difficult not to jump onto a ship leaving for Antarctica, but I settled for a beagle channel cruise which we enjoyed. The one hint I would like to offer, is not to stay too long in Ushuaia after the Antarctica trip - since whilst it is nice, the scenery is good etc, for me, everything paled in comparison to Antarctica!! I wish you luck and fair seas - my trip to Antarctica changed my life !! for the better !! Heather