For Fly the Drake cruises, departures are from Punta Arenas in Chile or Ushuaia. Reaching Punta Arenas from these cities usually involves flying to Santiago, Chile, after a long-haul flight through Europe or North America. Total travel time is generally 28 to 36 hours.

It is recommended to arrive at least one day before your cruise starts to account for any delays and to prepare for your expedition. While return flights can be scheduled for the same day the cruise ends, choosing an evening departure is safer to avoid timing issues.

Flights should be booked well in advance due to limited connections and high demand during the November to March cruise season.

Most Arctic expedition cruises to Svalbard start in Longyearbyen, Norway. From Singapore, Jakarta, or Kuala Lumpur, the typical route is via major European hubs such as Oslo, Copenhagen, or Amsterdam, followed by a connecting flight to Longyearbyen. Total travel time usually ranges from 20 to 28 hours, depending on the city of departure and flight connections.

Travelers often need to overnight in Oslo or another European city before flying to Longyearbyen, as daily connections are limited.

Plan to arrive at least one day before your cruise to allow for potential delays and to adjust after a long journey. For the return, you can usually depart on the same day the cruise ends, but booking an afternoon or evening flight is recommended.

Flights to Longyearbyen are in high demand during the Arctic cruise season from May to September, so securing tickets early is advised.