There are a few ways to visit Antarctica.
Remember that nothing is ever guaranteed and it's quite possible with weather that you might not make it there.
Cruises: Larger cruises often will get you close but not to the land.
You'll have the comforts of cruising.
These big ships may be regulated soon.
Smaller ships will often let you get right onto land.
Costs start at least $5k (for the ultra cheap).
Tailored Expeditions: Many companies run specialty expeditions which let you visit Antarctica exactly how you want.
Prices are extremely high for this.
Airborne: You get to fly over Antarctica.
This is the more ecological way to see it but doesn't have the same experience as actually walking on it.
This is also the cheapest option.
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Almost all tourist methods leave from Ushuia, in Argentina .
You could get work on a boat, book a cruise, or take a tour with GAP Adventures, among others.
However, there is almost NO cheap option.
However, if you're after a cheaper option and have some time to spare, arrive in November.
It's the start of the season and many of the boats aren't full.
As such, they often offer 50% off the prices of trips to Antarctica.
It's still expensive, but a massive saving!
November is also a good time to visit the area, with El Calafate
up north being a gateway to the glaciers, mountains and national parks.
Perito Moreno glacier has to be seen to be believed !
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Work in Antarctica:
USA vacancies : Degree Requirements M.S. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field is required.
B.S. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and substantial (equivalent to a masters degree)
experience will be considered.
Russian vacancies (from here ):
Meteorologist-aktinometrist Geophysicist - ionosphere expert, riometrist, magnetologist Aerologist and Radiolocator-technician System administrator, developer Specialist on environmental protection equipment Hydrologist Radio Engineer (modern radio communication expert) Surgeon or anesthesiologist Mechanic-technician
"Pisten bully Polar-300" driver, etc Electric and gas welder-driver Cook
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Another approach you can take involves getting seasonal work as an unskilled laborer in support of one of the governments doing research there.
In particular I think Great Britain, the United States, Australia, and Russia have big Antarctic programs and thus employ a lot of civilians.
If you're looking for a job at one of the American stations, almost all hiring is done through Raytheon
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I believe most of the most popular route is by cruise ship and the most common departure port is Ushuaia, Argentina .
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Become a researcher in an Earth/Planetary Science department or in a lab that studies the physics of ice.
The department I'm in at Brown University does send expeditions to study the dry ice valleys in Antarctica (to study parallels with Martian climate).
Alternatively, do research on penguins (though there are not many penguin researchers in the world).
E.g. the University of Washington Polar Science Center
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A year ago I was reading some magazine, and found out that there is availability to get a trip to Antarctica. Unfortunately, there was no info about how I could get there. Do you know anything about it? Best way to get there, best route, maybe some feedback?
How can I visit Antarctica?
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<extreme-tourism><antarctica>
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There are some speciality expeditons and cruises that you could take, often leaving from Ushuaia, Argentina. You could also try to find work on a boat or supporting one of the governments doing research there. Tailored Expeditions, working on government research, booking a cruise or taking a GAP adventures tour are different way to get to visit Antartica.The most common means of transport is a cruise ship and the most popular departure port is in  Ushuaia, Argentina .
Many companies organize Tailored Expeditions in a way that you can visit Antartica the way you want to.  You can get to Antartica by getting seasonal work as an unskilled laborer for government reasearch, you can book a cruise or even take a tour with GAP adventures.  To get to Antartica the most common means of transport is a cruise ship and the most popular departure port is in  Ushuaia, Argentina .