Andaman Trip Plan and Budget: 6-Day Itinerary, Ferries, Permits

The Andaman Islands are easier to plan than most people think: fly into Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), take ferries to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) and Shaheed Dweep (Neil), and pick your beaches. This guide gives a practical 5 to 6 day itinerary, how the ferries work, current permit rules for Indian and foreign visitors, a budget table for three travel styles and the best months to go.

Updated November 2026. Prices are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes; flight and ferry fares change daily.

Quick answer: the Andaman trip at a glance

Question	Short answer
How many days?	5 to 6 days for the main islands; 8 to 9 if you add Baratang, Diglipur or Little Andaman
Where do I land?	Veer Savarkar International Airport, Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair)
Direct flights from	Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Delhi and others, depending on the season’s schedule
Permit for Indians?	No permit for main tourist islands; carry photo ID
Best months	November to April
Budget per person (5 nights)	Roughly Rs 30,000 to Rs 1,00,000+ including flights, depending on style

Know the new island names

Several islands have been renamed, and ferry tickets and signboards now use the new names. Port Blair became Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024.

Old name	Current official name	Known for
Port Blair	Sri Vijaya Puram	Cellular Jail, museums, Corbyn’s Cove, the main jetties
Havelock Island	Swaraj Dweep	Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach, scuba diving
Neil Island	Shaheed Dweep	Laxmanpur and Bharatpur beaches, natural rock bridge
Ross Island	Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep	British-era ruins, deer and peacocks

Permits: what Indians and foreigners need

Indian citizens

Indian tourists do not need a permit for the main tourist islands such as Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. Carry an original government photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence); ferry operators check IDs against the passenger list at the jetty. Some places, such as marine national park islands, charge an entry or wildlife fee. For example, the Andaman tourism department’s SOP for Cinque Island sets a wildlife permit of Rs 100 per person for Indians aged 12 and above.

Foreign nationals

According to a 2026 notice from the A&N Islands tourism department, foreign nationals do not need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit 29 islands that have been excluded from the RAP regime, and 11 more islands are exempt for day visits only, with that exemption valid up to 31 December 2027. The relaxation does not apply to citizens of Afghanistan, China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Pakistan, or to people of those origins, who still need a RAP with prior Ministry of Home Affairs approval. Myanmar citizens need a RAP for Mayabunder and Diglipur. Applications are made online through the Indian FRRO portal (indianfrro.gov.in).

Rules for everyone

• Tribal reserves, reserved forests and wildlife sanctuaries need separate permission from the competent authority.
• Defence and other sensitive areas are off limits without specific permission.
• Contact with protected tribes such as the Jarawa is prohibited. On the road to Baratang, which passes through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, vehicles move under official rules: no stopping, no photography, no feeding or interacting.
• Do not collect coral, shells or sand; it is illegal and checked at the airport.

Getting there and getting around

Flights

The official A&N tourism how-to-reach page lists regular flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru and New Delhi. Chennai and Kolkata usually have the most frequent services. Morning flights let you reach the jetty for an afternoon ferry on day one, but leave a buffer; ferries do not wait for delayed flights.

Ferries between islands

• Government ferries run by the Directorate of Shipping Services leave Phoenix Bay Jetty in Sri Vijaya Puram for the populated islands. They are cheap but slower and fill up fast; tickets for some services are sold through the DSS e-ticketing portal and at counters.
• Private catamarans run on the main tourist route (Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep) during the tourist season. They are faster, air-conditioned and bookable online.
• Short boats to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep and North Bay leave from Aberdeen (Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex).
• Helicopter services connect Sri Vijaya Puram with some islands, mainly for residents; tourist seats are limited.

Route	Approximate time on private catamaran	Indicative fare per person, one way
Sri Vijaya Puram to Swaraj Dweep	About 1.5 to 2.5 hours	Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,500+
Swaraj Dweep to Shaheed Dweep	About 1 hour	Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000+
Shaheed Dweep to Sri Vijaya Puram	About 1 to 2 hours	Rs 1,100 to Rs 2,300+

Times depend on the vessel and sea conditions, and fares vary by class and season. Government ferries are slower and much cheaper. Book private ferries as soon as your flights are confirmed during December and January.

On the islands

Hire a scooter (with a valid licence) on Swaraj and Shaheed Dweep, or use autos and taxis. In Sri Vijaya Puram, a car with driver for a day of sightseeing is the easiest option.

5 to 6 day Andaman itinerary

Day 1: Sri Vijaya Puram

• Land, check in, rest.
• Afternoon at Corbyn’s Cove beach.
• Evening visit to the Cellular Jail and its light and sound show (check show timings and book at the counter or online).

Day 2: Ferry to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock)

• Morning ferry to Swaraj Dweep.
• Afternoon and sunset at Radhanagar Beach, often listed among India’s best beaches.

Day 3: Swaraj Dweep

• Morning trip to Elephant Beach for snorkelling or a try-dive (by boat or forest trek, depending on conditions).
• Afternoon free, or a discover-scuba session with a certified dive centre.
• Evening at Kalapathar Beach.

Day 4: Shaheed Dweep (Neil)

• Ferry to Shaheed Dweep.
• Natural rock bridge at low tide, Bharatpur Beach for swimming, sunset at Laxmanpur Beach.

Day 5: Back to Sri Vijaya Puram

• Sunrise at Sitapur Beach, ferry back.
• Afternoon trip to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep (Ross Island) and, if time allows, North Bay for glass-bottom boat or snorkelling.

Day 6 (optional): Baratang or departure

• Early-morning road trip to Baratang for the limestone caves and mangrove creek boat ride, following convoy and tribal reserve rules, or
• Shopping at Aberdeen Bazaar and fly out.

Where to stay on each island

• Sri Vijaya Puram: stay near Aberdeen Bazaar or Phoenix Bay for easy access to the jetties, markets and the Cellular Jail. Corbyn’s Cove has a few quieter beachside options.
• Swaraj Dweep: the main road near Beach No. 5 to Beach No. 7 has everything from simple huts to premium resorts. Stay near Radhanagar if you want a quiet beach at your doorstep, or near the jetty market if you want food choices and dive shops within walking distance.
• Shaheed Dweep: the island is small, so any area works. Laxmanpur side suits sunset lovers; Sitapur side suits early risers who want the sunrise.

Power cuts and slow internet are part of island life, especially on Shaheed Dweep. If you need to work during the trip, check reviews for Wi-Fi and backup power before you book.

Andaman trip budget: three travel styles

These are indicative per-person costs for 5 nights, assuming two people sharing a room, and include return flights from a metro. Peak dates (Christmas to New Year) can be much higher.

Item	Budget	Mid-range	Comfort
Return flights	Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000	Rs 14,000 to Rs 22,000	Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000
Stay (5 nights, per person)	Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 (guesthouses)	Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000	Rs 30,000 to Rs 75,000+
Inter-island ferries	Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 (government)	Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 (private)	Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 (premium class)
Local transport	Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 (scooters, buses)	Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000	Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 (private car)
Food	Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500	Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000	Rs 10,000+
Activities and entry fees	Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000	Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 (snorkel, boat trips)	Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 (scuba, private boats)
Total (approx.)	Rs 22,000 to Rs 36,000	Rs 44,000 to Rs 77,000	Rs 84,000 to Rs 1,60,000+

Ways to cut the cost

• Book flights 6 to 8 weeks ahead and avoid the week between Christmas and New Year.
• Travel in November or April for lower hotel rates with decent weather.
• Use government ferries for at least one leg if your schedule is flexible.
• Rent a scooter on Swaraj and Shaheed Dweep instead of hiring taxis.
• Eat at local thali places in Aberdeen Bazaar and the island markets.

Best time to visit the Andamans

Months	Weather	Sea conditions	Verdict
November to February	Pleasant, sunny, low humidity	Calm; good visibility for snorkelling	Best overall; highest prices
March to May	Hot and humid	Calm; excellent diving visibility	Good for divers; book AC rooms
June to September	Southwest monsoon, heavy rain	Rough; ferries and water sports may be cancelled	Only for flexible travellers
October	Late rains, clearing	Improving	Shoulder season with good deals

The islands can also see showers from the northeast monsoon around November and December, so keep a buffer day in your plan.

Packing and safety checklist

• Original photo ID for every adult; birth certificate or school ID for children.
• Printouts or screenshots of ferry tickets (mobile networks can be patchy on the islands).
• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, light cotton clothes and a rain jacket.
• Cash: ATMs exist on the main islands but can run dry in peak season.
• Basic medicines including motion-sickness tablets for ferries.
• Follow lifeguard flags; currents can be strong at some beaches, and saltwater crocodile warnings are posted in some areas.
• Use only registered water-sports and dive operators; the tourism department maintains lists of registered operators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indians need a passport or permit to visit the Andamans?

No passport and no permit are needed for the main tourist islands. Carry an original government photo ID. Separate permission is needed only for restricted places such as tribal reserves, some forest areas and sanctuaries.

Is 5 days enough for the Andamans?

Yes, for Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep at a relaxed pace. Add two or three days for Baratang, Diglipur or more diving.

Which is better, Havelock or Neil?

Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) has more beaches, activities and hotels. Shaheed Dweep (Neil) is smaller and quieter. Most first-timers stay two nights on Havelock and one on Neil.

Can I visit the Andamans in the monsoon?

You can, but expect heavy rain, rough seas and cancelled ferries or water sports. Prices are lowest, so it suits flexible travellers who are fine with indoor days.

Is scuba diving safe for non-swimmers?

Many certified dive centres offer introductory dives for non-swimmers with an instructor. Answer the medical questionnaire honestly and avoid diving within 24 hours before a flight. Consult a doctor first if you have heart, lung or ear problems.

How early should I book ferries?

For December and January, book private ferries as soon as your flights are fixed. In other months a week or two ahead is usually fine.

Plan the ferries first, the rest falls into place

An Andaman trip lives or dies by the ferry schedule. Fix your flights, book ferries for the Sri Vijaya Puram to Swaraj Dweep to Shaheed Dweep loop, leave a buffer day for weather, and then choose hotels around those timings. Check permit rules and fees on the official A&N tourism and eco-tourism portals before you go, as they are updated from time to time.