Distance from Strait of Magellan to Antarctica: By Air Only

There is no land route from the Strait of Magellan to Antarctica—the Drake Passage separates them. The strait's southern entrance (near Cabo de Hornos, Chile) to the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula (Prime Head, Trinity Peninsula) is approximately 1,000 km (620 miles) across open ocean.

By air, from Punta Arenas (Chile, nearest city to the strait) to King George Island (South Shetlands, primary Antarctic flight hub) is ~1,300 km (800 miles), 2–2.5 hours on a charter flight (e.g., DAP Airlines, Aerovías DAP). Flights to Union Glacier (interior) or Novolazarevskaya (Queen Maud Land) are longer (~3,000+ km) and require specialized aircraft.

The 1,500-mile figure sometimes cited reflects longer routing (e.g., Punta Arenas to McMurdo via Christchurch) or older estimates. The direct maritime distance is ~600 miles; the practical air bridge is ~800 miles.