What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Antarctica, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advice for Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 10 April 2025
Latest change, in the source's words:This travel advice was reviewed for accuracy and reissued without significant updates.
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
The UK government's travel advice for Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory has no section on this topic. Read the full advice on GOV.UK.
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The British Antarctic Territory has guidelines for visitors based on the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. If you are travelling with a tour operator or scientific unit, check how they plan to follow these guidelines.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex marriage has been legal in the British Antarctic Territory since 2014. Further information on getting married is on the British Antarctic Territory website.
The UK government's travel advice for Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory has no section on this topic. Read the full advice on GOV.UK.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Antarctica has 2 seasons: Antarctic summer and Antarctic winter. Winter starts in late April and lasts until early October. It can get to minus 40°C or colder. There is very little sunlight, with it being almost permanently dark during the height of winter.
The Territory is inaccessible during winter. Most research stations are without staff during this time.
What to pack
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
We have no plug or voltage data for Antarctica yet.
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Antarctica.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.