Visit Antarctica on a Budget

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	==Steps==		==Steps==
	===Preparing for Your Trip===		===Preparing for Your Trip===
−	#Update or apply for a passport. Since you will be traveling outside of the country, you will need to have a valid passport. Visit a passport agency to fill out the required documents and have your picture taken. Plan on a wait time of up to 6 weeks to receive your passport.<ref>https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Update or apply for a passport. Since you will be traveling outside of the country, you will need to have a valid passport. Visit a passport agency to fill out the required documents and have your picture taken. Plan on a wait time of up to 6 weeks to receive your passport.<ref>https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*When applying for a passport, you will need to bring proof of your identity and citizenship.		#*When applying for a passport, you will need to bring proof of your identity and citizenship.
	#*Depending on your country’s rules, you can renew your passport by mail.		#*Depending on your country’s rules, you can renew your passport by mail.
−	#Purchase affordable travel insurance. At a minimum, you will want to get an insurance plan that will cover an emergency evacuation and medical fees. Cruise companies will require you to have emergency evacuation coverage due to the remote conditions of Antarctica. You can buy this kind of insurance through various travel agencies.<ref>https://www.antarcticaguide.com/antarctica-travel-insurance/</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Purchase affordable travel insurance. At a minimum, you will want to get an insurance plan that will cover emergency evacuation and medical fees. Cruise companies will require you to have emergency evacuation coverage due to the remote conditions of Antarctica. You can buy this kind of insurance through various travel agencies.<ref>https://www.antarcticaguide.com/antarctica-travel-insurance/</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*Some cruise agencies may have a discount on travel insurance when you book a trip through them.		#*Some cruise agencies may have a discount on travel insurance when you book a trip through them.
−	#*You can also get travel insurance to cover a delayed trip, canceled trip, and lost or stolen items.	+	#*You can also get travel insurance to cover a delayed trip, canceled the trip, and lost or stolen items.
	#*Travel insurance will not cover pre-existing medical conditions.<ref>http://bit.ly/2XlhxFc>		#*Travel insurance will not cover pre-existing medical conditions.<ref>http://bit.ly/2XlhxFc>
	#*Talk with a travel agent to help you pick an insurance package that fits your needs.		#*Talk with a travel agent to help you pick an insurance package that fits your needs.
−	#Travel in November for the best deals. You’ll want to plan your vacation sometime between October and March which is Antarctica’s summer season. For general tourists, this is the only time you can reach Antarctica due to the harsh weather conditions in the winter.<ref>https://www.thomasguthmann.de/blog/antarctica-last-minute-travel-discount-offer-experience-review/</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Travel in November for the best deals. You’ll want to plan your vacation sometime between October and March which is Antarctica’s summer season. For general tourists, this is the only time you can reach Antarctica due to the harsh weather conditions in the winter.<ref>https://www.thomasguthmann.de/blog/antarctica-last-minute-travel-discount-offer-experience-review/</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*Plan your trip early in the season to see icebergs and penguins building their nests. Your ability to go to shore may be limited early in the season.<ref>http://bit.ly/2ENhfzZ>		#*Plan your trip early in the season to see icebergs and penguins building their nests. Your ability to go to shore may be limited early in the season.<ref>http://bit.ly/2ENhfzZ>
	#*Go during the middle of the season to watch sea lion pups, penguins, and other birds.<ref> http://bit.ly/2ENhfzZ>		#*Go during the middle of the season to watch sea lion pups, penguins, and other birds.<ref> http://bit.ly/2ENhfzZ>
	#*Go at the end of the season for a chance to see the whales.<ref>http://bit.ly/2ENhfzZ>		#*Go at the end of the season for a chance to see the whales.<ref>http://bit.ly/2ENhfzZ>
	===Finding a Cheap Cruise Online===		===Finding a Cheap Cruise Online===
−	#Subscribe to tour agent mailing lists for deal notifications. Some of the cruise agencies will offer promotions or discounts when they need to fill spots on their boats. Most of these discounts are short lived so you will need to act fast.<ref>https://flygirl.jezebel.com/the-time-to-go-to-antarctica-is-now-and-heres-how-for-1712071353</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Subscribe to tour agent mailing lists for deal notifications. Some of the cruise agencies will offer promotions or discounts when they need to fill spots on their boats. Most of these discounts are short lived so you will need to act fast.<ref>https://flygirl.jezebel.com/the-time-to-go-to-antarctica-is-now-and-heres-how-for-1712071353</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*Most of these deals are offered within a week to a month before the boat leaves which might be unrealistic depending on your responsibilities.		#*Most of these deals are offered within a week to a month before the boat leaves which might be unrealistic depending on your responsibilities.
−	#Check cruise agency websites for discounts. Sometimes good deals will be posted to a tour agency's website or facebook page. You can set up Facebook to send you notifications when a certain agency is offering deals on their trips.<ref>https://flygirl.jezebel.com/the-time-to-go-to-antarctica-is-now-and-heres-how-for-1712071353</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Check cruise agency websites for discounts. Sometimes good deals will be posted to a tour agency's website or facebook page. You can set up Facebook to send you notifications when a certain agency is offering deals on their trips.<ref>https://flygirl.jezebel.com/the-time-to-go-to-antarctica-is-now-and-heres-how-for-1712071353</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*Always be aware of scams or false advertisements. If receiving an email offer, always double check that the email address corresponds with the actual cruise agency. Be sure to never provide personal information through an email offer to avoid having your information stolen. If you see an offer you like, call the agency directly to confirm that the offer is valid.<ref>https://tek.io/2Xlhyce>		#*Always be aware of scams or false advertisements. If receiving an email offer, always double check that the email address corresponds with the actual cruise agency. Be sure to never provide personal information through an email offer to avoid having your information stolen. If you see an offer you like, call the agency directly to confirm that the offer is valid.<ref>https://tek.io/2Xlhyce>
	#*The largest discounts are for trips that are leaving soon, but you could also save some money by booking a cruise way in advance. If you would rather have a set in stone departure date, it might be worthwhile to just settle for a small discount.		#*The largest discounts are for trips that are leaving soon, but you could also save some money by booking a cruise way in advance. If you would rather have a set in stone departure date, it might be worthwhile to just settle for a small discount.
−	#Keep a flexible schedule. If you are lucky enough to find one of the major discounts, you will need to start heading to Ushuaia within a short amount of time. This may be difficult with a full-time job, but you could build up vacation time prior to the trip and use it when you need to.<ref>https://flygirl.jezebel.com/the-time-to-go-to-antarctica-is-now-and-heres-how-for-1712071353</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Keep a flexible schedule. If you are lucky enough to find one of the major discounts, you will need to start heading to Ushuaia within a short amount of time. This may be difficult with a full-time job, but you could build up vacation time prior to the trip and use it when you need to.<ref>https://flygirl.jezebel.com/the-time-to-go-to-antarctica-is-now-and-heres-how-for-1712071353</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*Trying to find a discount over a holiday might be a good way to reduce the number of work days you will have to take off.		#*Trying to find a discount over a holiday might be a good way to reduce the number of work days you will have to take off.
	===Finding a Cheap Cruise Option in Person===		===Finding a Cheap Cruise Option in Person===
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	#*Some cruises will only take you to the surrounding islands.		#*Some cruises will only take you to the surrounding islands.
	#*Depending on how much of the ice has melted, you may not be able to reach the continent early in the year.		#*Depending on how much of the ice has melted, you may not be able to reach the continent early in the year.
−	#Choose a smaller boat to reduce cost. The larger ships will have more amenities but will also cost you more. Going on a smaller ship also increases the time you will be able to spend on land in Antarctica because only 100 people are allowed on shore at once.<ref> https://www.thomasguthmann.de/blog/antarctica-last-minute-travel-discount-offer-experience-review/</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 11 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Choose a smaller boat to reduce cost. The larger ships will have more amenities but will also cost you more. Going on a smaller ship also increases the time you will be able to spend on land in Antarctica because only 100 people are allowed on shore at once.<ref> https://www.thomasguthmann.de/blog/antarctica-last-minute-travel-discount-offer-experience-review/</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 11 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*Smaller ships are rockier and are not recommended if you are prone to seasickness.		#*Smaller ships are rockier and are not recommended if you are prone to seasickness.
	===Saving on Travel Expenses===		===Saving on Travel Expenses===
−	#Book a roundtrip flight online. You will need to fly to Buenos Aires before making your way to the port city of Ushuaia. Booking roundtrip versus one way will help reduce your flight costs. Research online for the best deals on flights for your specific dates.<ref>http://wanderingtrader.com/antarctica-travel-tips/a-guide-to-find-cheap-antarctica-cruises/</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 12 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Book a roundtrip flight online. You will need to fly to Buenos Aires before making your way to the port city of Ushuaia. Booking roundtrip versus one way will help reduce your flight costs. Research online for the best deals on flights for your specific dates.<ref>http://wanderingtrader.com/antarctica-travel-tips/a-guide-to-find-cheap-antarctica-cruises/</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 12 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*You can cut costs on flights by booking well in advance.		#*You can cut costs on flights by booking well in advance.
	#*Book your flight for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday to save the most money on your ticket.<ref>http://bit.ly/2EO5qcA>		#*Book your flight for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday to save the most money on your ticket.<ref>http://bit.ly/2EO5qcA>
−	#*Find a flight that leaves between 5am-7am or after 8pm. These are off-peak hours and the flights are usually cheaper.<ref>http://bit.ly/2EO5qcA>	+	#*Find a flight that leaves between 5am-7am or after 8 pm. These are off-peak hours and the flights are usually cheaper.<ref>http://bit.ly/2EO5qcA>
−	#Take a bus from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Instead of flying from Buenos Aires, you can take a bus to Ushuaia with a quick stop in Rio Gallegos.The bus will take longer but it is a cheaper option than flying.<ref>http://wanderingtrader.com/antarctica-travel-tips/a-guide-to-find-cheap-antarctica-cruises/</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 13 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Take a bus from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Instead of flying from Buenos Aires, you can take a bus to Ushuaia with a quick stop in Rio Gallegos.The bus will take longer but it is a cheaper option than flying.<ref>http://wanderingtrader.com/antarctica-travel-tips/a-guide-to-find-cheap-antarctica-cruises/</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 13 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*If you are under a time constraint, it is best to take a plane.		#*If you are under a time constraint, it is best to take a plane.
	#*If you want to see the surrounding countryside, taking the bus may be an enjoyable option.		#*If you want to see the surrounding countryside, taking the bus may be an enjoyable option.
−	#Cut costs by staying in a shared hostel room. Hostels will be your cheapest lodging option while you wait to depart on your cruise to Antarctica. Hostels usually have the option of a private room or shared quarters. To minimize costs, you’ll want to rent a shared quarter space during your stay.<ref>https://money.usnews.com/money/the-frugal-shopper/2014/12/23/how-to-save-money-by-staying-in-hostels</ref>[[Image:Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 14 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Cut costs by staying in a shared hostel room. Hostels will be your cheapest lodging option while you wait to depart on your cruise to Antarctica. Hostels usually have the option of a private room or shared quarters. To minimize costs, you’ll want to rent a shared quarter space during your stay.<ref>https://money.usnews.com/money/the-frugal-shopper/2014/12/23/how-to-save-money-by-staying-in-hostels</ref>[[Image: Visit Antarctica on a Budget Step 14 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*Some hostels will offer free breakfast which can help you cut down on food costs.		#*Some hostels will offer free breakfast which can help you cut down on food costs.
	#*Some hostels may give you a discount depending on how many days you plan on staying.		#*Some hostels may give you a discount depending on how many days you plan on staying.

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