Field notes
Andaman & Nicobar Trip Cost: Budget to Luxury Complete Breakdown
The Andaman & Nicobar trip cost covers flights, accommodation, inter-island ferries, activities, and food across a union territory that draws over 5 lakh Indian tourists annually. A 5-night trip can cost anywhere from ₹18,000 per person on a tight budget to ₹1,20,000 or more per couple at the luxury end. This breakdown separates all cost heads across three tiers so you can plan with accurate numbers.
How much does an Andaman & Nicobar trip cost in total?
A 5-night Andaman trip costs ₹18,000–₹25,000 per person at the budget tier, ₹35,000–₹60,000 per person at mid-range, and ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 per couple at the luxury tier. These figures exclude flights, which add ₹6,000–₹28,000 per person depending on origin city and booking window.
The three tiers differ primarily on accommodation and transport choices. Budget travellers stay in guesthouses and use government ferries. Mid-range travellers book beach cottages and private speedboats. Luxury travellers stay at properties like Taj Exotica Resort & Spa and book premium cruise cabins.
Per-couple costs at mid-range for 5 nights typically land between ₹65,000 and ₹1,00,000 including flights booked 30–45 days in advance. Food and activities add ₹5,000–₹15,000 per person across the trip.
A solo budget traveller staying in Port Blair for two nights and Havelock for three nights can keep total costs — excluding flights — under ₹20,000. That means shared guesthouse rooms, government ferry tickets, and meals at local dhabas. The trip is entirely doable on that number if you skip scuba diving.
Couples travelling mid-range should add a buffer of ₹5,000–₹8,000 for unplanned costs. Ferry delays sometimes force an extra night on an island. Activity prices at dive centres vary by season. Having that buffer avoids stress.
Related: Browse Andaman tour packages by duration and budget
What does a flight to Port Blair cost from major Indian cities?
A one-way flight to Port Blair costs ₹4,500–₹8,000 from Chennai or Kolkata when booked 30–45 days ahead. Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru cost ₹7,000–₹14,000 one-way. Peak season fares from October to May run 25–40% higher than off-season fares from June to September.
IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet operate direct and connecting services to Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) in Port Blair. Chennai and Kolkata have the shortest flight times at roughly 2 hours. Delhi and Mumbai routes involve a stop and take 4–6 hours total.
Booking 60 days ahead during peak season can save ₹3,000–₹5,000 per person on the return fare. Last-minute bookings in December and January regularly exceed ₹14,000 one-way from Delhi.
Travellers from Hyderabad and Pune typically connect through Chennai or Kolkata. That connection adds 1–2 hours to total travel time. Fares from these cities usually fall in the ₹8,000–₹13,000 one-way range during peak season when booked 30 days out.
Return fares follow the same pattern as one-way fares. Budget the same amount for the return leg. A round-trip from Delhi in December, booked 45 days ahead, typically costs ₹22,000–₹28,000 per person in economy.
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What are the accommodation costs across budget, mid-range, and luxury tiers in Andaman?
Accommodation in Andaman ranges from ₹600 per night at basic Port Blair guesthouses to ₹40,000 per night at luxury Havelock resorts. Budget options are concentrated in Port Blair. The best mid-range and luxury properties sit on Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), which is the most visited island in the archipelago.
What do budget guesthouses and hostels cost in Port Blair and Havelock?
Budget guesthouses in Port Blair charge ₹600–₹1,500 per night for a double room. Havelock budget options — mostly small beach-facing guesthouses — charge ₹1,200–₹2,500 per night. Rooms at this tier typically include a fan or basic AC, attached bathroom, and no meals.
Port Blair has the widest selection of budget accommodation. The Aberdeen Bazaar area has several guesthouses within walking distance of the ferry terminal. Staying here saves auto-rickshaw costs on departure mornings.
What do mid-range beach resorts cost on Havelock and Neil Island?
Mid-range resorts on Havelock charge ₹3,000–₹7,000 per night. Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) runs 20–30% cheaper than Havelock for comparable properties. A beach cottage with AC, breakfast included, and a sea-facing sit-out typically falls in the ₹4,000–₹6,000 range on Neil.
Neil Island suits travellers who want a quieter stay with lower costs. The island has fewer tourists than Havelock. Snorkelling at natural rock formations like Natural Bridge is free and easily accessible by scooter.
What do luxury resorts like Taj Exotica charge per night?
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Havelock Island charges ₹18,000–₹40,000 per night depending on room category and season. Barefoot at Havelock, another well-regarded property, charges ₹15,000–₹28,000 per night. Both properties include breakfast and have in-house dining, water sports desks, and private beach access.
Luxury properties on Havelock book out fast for the Christmas and New Year period. Rates during 24 December to 2 January can be 30–50% above the standard peak-season rate. Book these dates at least 3 months ahead.
According to the Ministry of Tourism's India Tourism Statistics report, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands recorded over 5.6 lakh domestic tourist visits in a recent pre-pandemic year, with accommodation capacity concentrated on Port Blair and Havelock Island.
| Accommodation Tier | Location | Nightly Rate (INR) | Typical Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse | Port Blair | ₹600–₹1,500 | Room only, fan or AC, attached bath |
| Budget guesthouse | Havelock Island | ₹1,200–₹2,500 | Room only, basic amenities |
| Mid-range resort | Havelock Island | ₹3,000–₹7,000 | AC room, sometimes breakfast |
| Mid-range resort | Neil Island | ₹2,500–₹5,500 | AC room, breakfast often included |
| Luxury resort | Havelock Island | ₹15,000–₹40,000 | Breakfast, beach access, water sports desk |
| Luxury hotel | Port Blair | ₹6,000–₹12,000 | Breakfast, pool, airport transfers |
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How much do ferries and inter-island transport cost in Andaman?
Government ferries cost ₹300–₹600 per person per sector and are the cheapest way to travel between islands. Private speedboats operated by Makruzz, Green Ocean, and Nautika charge ₹1,200–₹2,500 per person. Advance booking is essential for both — seats fill up weeks ahead during peak season.
| Route | Vessel Type | Fare per Person (INR) | Journey Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Blair – Havelock | Government ferry | ₹300–₹600 | 2.5–3.5 hours |
| Port Blair – Havelock | Private speedboat (Makruzz/Green Ocean) | ₹1,200–₹2,500 | 1.5–2 hours |
| Port Blair – Neil Island | Government ferry | ₹300–₹500 | 2–3 hours |
| Port Blair – Neil Island | Private speedboat | ₹1,000–₹1,800 | 1–1.5 hours |
| Havelock – Neil Island | Private speedboat | ₹800–₹1,500 | 45–60 minutes |
Local transport in Port Blair costs ₹100–₹300 per auto-rickshaw trip. Renting a scooter on Havelock or Neil costs ₹400–₹600 per day and is the most practical way to get around those islands.
Government ferry tickets are booked through the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) office in Port Blair or online via their portal. The online system opens bookings 30 days in advance. Seats in the upper deck cost slightly more but are worth it for the open-air view and ventilation.
Travellers prone to seasickness should opt for private speedboats. The crossing between Port Blair and Havelock can be choppy from May to September. Speedboats complete the route faster, which reduces exposure time on rough water.
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What do activities and sightseeing cost in Andaman?
Activity costs in Andaman range from zero for Radhanagar Beach to ₹25,000 for a PADI open-water diving course. Most visitors spend ₹3,000–₹8,000 per person on activities across a 5-night trip. Scuba diving is the single largest activity expense for most travellers.
- Scuba diving (fun dive), Havelock Island: ₹3,500–₹6,000 per dive at PADI-certified centres
- PADI open-water course, Havelock: ₹18,000–₹25,000 for the full certification
- Snorkelling trip (guided, with equipment): ₹800–₹1,500 per person
- Sea walk, North Bay Island: ₹3,500–₹4,500 per person
- Glass-bottom boat ride: ₹500–₹800 per person
- Cellular Jail sound-and-light show, Port Blair: ₹200–₹300 per person
- Ross Island (now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) entry: ₹50 per person
- Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island: No entry fee
Radhanagar Beach was ranked among Asia's top beaches by Time magazine in 2004. It costs nothing to visit and is accessible by scooter or shared taxi from Havelock jetty in about 30 minutes.
Elephant Beach on Havelock is another no-entry-fee spot. Getting there requires a 30-minute boat ride from Havelock jetty, which costs ₹500–₹700 per person return. Snorkelling equipment rental at the beach costs ₹300–₹500 extra.
The Cellular Jail in Port Blair is a central colonial-era prison that now functions as a national memorial. The sound-and-light show runs on select evenings and lasts about 45 minutes. Booking the show on your first Port Blair evening makes sense since most travellers head to Havelock the next morning.
| Activity | Location | Cost per Person (INR) | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scuba fun dive | Havelock Island | ₹3,500–₹6,000 | Non-certified adults, first-timers |
| PADI open-water course | Havelock Island | ₹18,000–₹25,000 | Those wanting certification |
| Snorkelling trip (guided) | Havelock / Neil Island | ₹800–₹1,500 | All ages, non-swimmers with life jacket |
| Sea walk | North Bay Island | ₹3,500–₹4,500 | Non-swimmers wanting underwater view |
| Glass-bottom boat | North Bay / Jolly Buoy | ₹500–₹800 | Families, older travellers |
| Cellular Jail show | Port Blair | ₹200–₹300 | All travellers, first evening |
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What is a realistic per-day food budget in Andaman?
A budget traveller eating at local dhabas and small restaurants spends ₹400–₹700 per day on food. Mid-range travellers eating at resort restaurants and seafood shacks spend ₹1,000–₹1,800 per day. Dining at luxury resort restaurants costs ₹3,000 or more per day per person.
A plate of fresh fish curry with rice at a local eatery in Port Blair costs ₹150–₹250. A grilled lobster at a Havelock beach shack costs ₹800–₹1,500 depending on weight. Resort restaurants on Havelock charge ₹400–₹700 for a main course.
Carrying snacks from Port Blair before heading to Havelock or Neil reduces food costs, since island options are limited and slightly more expensive than the mainland town.
Breakfast is often the easiest meal to manage on a budget. Many mid-range properties include breakfast in the room rate. If yours does not, a South Indian breakfast at a local café in Port Blair costs ₹80–₹150. Havelock cafés near the jetty charge ₹150–₹250 for the same meal.
Alcohol is available at licensed shops and resort bars. A beer at a beach shack costs ₹200–₹350. Resort bars charge ₹400–₹600 per drink. Travellers who drink regularly should factor this into their daily food budget separately.
What is the total Andaman trip cost for a 5-night itinerary at each budget tier?
A 5-night Andaman trip costs ₹18,000–₹25,000 per person at the budget tier excluding flights. Mid-range travellers spend ₹35,000–₹55,000 per person excluding flights. A luxury couple should budget ₹1,20,000–₹2,00,000 for 5 nights excluding flights, covering premium accommodation, private transfers, and dining.
Per-person cost breakdown at mid-range for 5 nights (excluding flights):
- Accommodation (5 nights at ₹4,000–₹6,000/night, split between two): ₹10,000–₹15,000
- Ferry transfers (Port Blair–Havelock–Neil–Port Blair, private speedboat): ₹4,000–₹6,000
- Activities (snorkelling, one fun dive, Cellular Jail show): ₹5,000–₹8,000
- Food (5 days at ₹1,200–₹1,800/day): ₹6,000–₹9,000
- Local transport (scooter rental, autos): ₹2,000–₹3,000
This puts the mid-range per-person total at roughly ₹27,000–₹41,000 excluding flights. Add ₹10,000–₹20,000 per person for return flights from most Indian cities to get the all-in figure.
Budget travellers can reduce the accommodation line by using government ferries instead of speedboats. Switching from private speedboat to government ferry on all three sectors saves ₹2,500–₹4,000 per person. That saving alone can fund an extra night on Havelock.
Luxury travellers should note that the accommodation line dominates the budget. Two nights at Taj Exotica at ₹25,000 per night already accounts for ₹50,000 of the couple's total. Dining at the resort adds another ₹6,000–₹10,000 per day for two people. The luxury tier is genuinely expensive and the numbers reflect that.
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When is the cheapest time to book an Andaman trip?
The cheapest months to visit Andaman are June to September, when flights cost 25–40% less and hotel rates drop significantly. Late September and early October offer the best balance — monsoon rains ease, ferry services resume, and prices stay near off-season levels for another few weeks.
Monsoon travel (June–August) carries real caveats. Ferry cancellations are common during heavy swells. Some beaches close temporarily. Scuba diving visibility drops. Travellers who go in this window should keep itineraries flexible and avoid fixed activity bookings.
For peak season travel (December–February), book flights and ferries at least 45–60 days ahead. Hotel rooms at Taj Exotica and Barefoot at Havelock sell out 2–3 months in advance during Christmas and New Year weeks.
October and November are arguably the best value months. The sea is calm, visibility for diving is good, and prices have not yet reached December peaks. Flights in October from Delhi can be ₹3,000–₹5,000 cheaper per person compared to December fares on the same route.
March and April are mid-peak months. Prices are lower than December but higher than October. School holiday travel in April pushes fares up slightly. Families travelling during school breaks should book April trips at least 30 days ahead to get reasonable ferry and flight seats.
Related: Andaman beach packages by season
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