Journey to Antarctica starts in Argentina. Follow our full travel route from Washington DC to Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, including hotels, food, flights, and what it takes to reach Antarctica.

From Washington DC to Argentina and the Drake Passage

Antarctica may be one of the most remote places on Earth, but getting there is an adventure in itself. Before we ever set foot on the Great White Continent, our journey took us through multiple countries, long-haul flights, iconic cities, and the southernmost city in the world.

In Part One of our Antarctica travel series, we’re sharing exactly how you get to Antarctica, where it’s located, and what it’s like traveling through Argentina—the gateway to Antarctica. From Miami stopovers and airport lounges to Buenos Aires food, luxury hotels, and the infamous Drake Passage, this is where our polar adventure truly begins.

Map of Argentina, The Drake Passage, and Antarctica

Where Is Antarctica & How Do You Get There?

Antarctica is its own continent, located at the very bottom of the Earth, separated from South America by the Drake Passage—a stretch of ocean where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. It’s known for being some of the roughest water in the world.

While it is possible to fly to Antarctica, those flights are generally limited to scientists and ultra-wealthy travelers. For most people, the only way to reach Antarctica is by expedition cruise, sailing across the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, Argentina.

Our Route to Antarctica

Our journey began in Washington, DC, and included multiple flights and stopovers:

Washington, DC → Miami (2-hour flight)
Overnight stay in Miami
Miami → Buenos Aires (9-hour overnight flight)
Two nights in Buenos Aires (two different hotels)
Buenos Aires → Ushuaia (4-hour flight)
Expedition cruise across the Drake Passage to Antarctica

What was expected to be a two-day crossing of the Drake Passage ended up taking just one day—but more on that in future posts.

Packing for Every Climate

Packing for Antarctica turned out to be one of the biggest challenges of the entire trip. We were preparing for:

Cold winter weather in Washington, DC
Warm and humid conditions in Miami
Hot summer temperatures in Buenos Aires
Completely unknown conditions in Antarctica

Somehow, we managed to pack everything we needed into just two suitcases.

Miami Stopover: Hilton Blue Lagoon & South Beach

Our first stop was Miami, where we had an 18-hour layover.

Where We Stayed

Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/miablhf-hilton-miami-airport-blue-lagoon/

We chose this hotel because:

We could use credit card points
It offers a free airport shuttle

It was a convenient and comfortable place to recharge before the long international flight.

Exploring South Beach

Since we had a full day, we Ubered to South Beach—which turned out to be much farther than expected. While it’s only about 10 miles, Miami traffic meant the ride took nearly an hour.

We explored the area, stopped at a cozy sandwich shop, and—as we always do—made time for a brewery visit.

South Beach Brewing Company

Flying First Class to Buenos Aires

A few days before departure, we were offered a reasonably priced upgrade to First Class on American Airlines. Since this was a long flight and our first time flying first class, we decided to try it.

Flying first class gave us access to the American Flagship Lounge in Miami, which includes a full-service restaurant. We enjoyed a three-course meal with wine pairing, which meant we could sleep almost the entire overnight flight.

By morning, we were flying over the Andes Mountains and preparing to land in Buenos Aires.

First Class vs Business Class – Our Take

While first class did offer slightly better service and larger seats, we didn’t feel it was a huge upgrade over business class—at least on American Airlines.

Buenos Aires: First Impressions & Practical Tips

We arrived in Buenos Aires early, dropped our luggage at the hotel, and immediately began exploring the city.

Cash Is King in Argentina

One of the first things we did was visit Western Union to pick up cash. Argentina operates heavily on cash, and Western Union offers some of the best exchange rates available.

Breakfast at Café Tortoni

Our first food stop was Café Tortoni, one of the most famous cafés in Buenos Aires.

https://www.cafetortoni.com.ar/

The portions were enormous, and we definitely ordered too much—something that seems to happen often on our travels.

Where We Stayed in Buenos Aires

Night One: Alvear Icon Hotel

https://www.alvearicon.com/

Our first night was spent at the Alvear Icon Hotel, and it was absolutely lovely. Highlights included:

A spacious and comfortable room
A massive shower and bathtub
A stunning indoor pool with panoramic city views

We really enjoyed our stay and would happily return.

One of the Best Meals We’ve Ever Had: Fogón Asado

That evening, we had what may have been one of the best meals of our lives at Fogón Asado.

This seven- to eight-course dining experience is cooked over an open fire right in front of you. It’s part meal, part performance, with chefs and servers working together in perfect synchronization.

At around $200 USD per person with wine pairing, it felt like an incredible value—something that would easily cost five times as much in the United States.

The dinner starts off with a fun cocktail and a chance to make your own authentic chimichurri.

Next you get to select your own steak knife to use for the entire meal.

Then, the show starts- with a well choreographed display of food and service.

Storm Damage & A Change of Plans

A major storm swept through Buenos Aires overnight, damaging parts of the city and closing many tourist attractions—including the famous solar-powered flower sculpture.

With plans disrupted, we did what we do best: found a brewery.

Buller Brewing Co.
https://www.bullerpub.com. Here, we tried a traditional Argentine honey lager while waiting for the city to recover.

And of course, we had to try one of Argentina’s staple foods- Empanadas.

La Carlota Empanadas Artesanales

There’s probably hundreds of places to get empanadas in Buenos Aires. We tried La Carlota and they were delicious. To get a variety we tired a cheese, spinach, and traditional meat.

Night Two: Alvear Palace Hotel & Seabourn Begin

Our second night in Buenos Aires was at the Alvear Palace Hotel, arranged by Seabourn as part of our Antarctica expedition cruise.

This marked the official start of our journey south. That evening, Seabourn offered optional excursions, including an early Tango show, designed so guests could still get a good night’s sleep before the early departure.

Traveling to Ushuaia: The End of the World

Due to storm damage at our original airport, we had to change airports, to an airport that was a little further away which meant an early morning wake-up. Our flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia was chartered by Seabourn to accommodate all cruise passengers, and included a meal service. After about four hours in the air, we finally landed in Ushuaia, often called the southernmost city in the world.

Seabourn provided a bus tour around the city while our ship was being prepared. With a few free hours, we headed into town to try local beers—officially enjoying drinks at the end of the world.

Soon after, we boarded our expedition ship, and our true Antarctica adventure began.

Lessons We Learned Traveling Through Argentina

Bring insect repellent – mosquitoes are everywhere
Expect a language barrier – English is not widely spoken
Use Ubers and taxis – but expect small cars
Don’t rent a car – traffic rules are… flexible at best

What’s Next?

This was only the beginning.

In the next post, we’ll share what it’s really like to cross the Drake Passage and what happens once you officially leave South America behind.

If Antarctica is on your bucket list, be sure to follow along—this is just the start of our journey to the Great White Continent.

Journey to Antarctica: Part One – Getting There