The Andaman Islands are about 1,200 kilometres from Chennai across the Bay of Bengal. There are no road or rail links, so you arrive by air or sea.
By air
Direct flights from Chennai to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair (officially Sri Vijaya Puram) take about two hours. This is how nearly all holidaymakers travel. Morning flights let you catch an afternoon connection or start sightseeing on day one.
By sea
Passenger ships run between Chennai and Port Blair. The voyage takes around three days, and schedules are irregular, so it suits travellers with flexible time who want the experience of the crossing. Most holiday itineraries use flights.
Inter-island ferries
From Port Blair, ferries connect to Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) (Shaheed Dweep).
- Private ferries are faster and more comfortable, with air-conditioned seating, and take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours to Havelock.
- Government ferries are cheaper and slower, and tickets can be harder to secure in season.
- Ferries are weather-dependent and can be cancelled in rough seas, especially during the monsoon.
Planning around the ferries
- Never book your flight home on the same day you return from Havelock or Neil.
- Keep a buffer day in case of cancellations.
- Pre-book private ferry seats in peak season; we include them in your quote.
Permits
Indian citizens do not need a special permit to visit the main tourist islands of Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. Some tribal reserves and restricted areas are off limits. Foreign nationals have separate rules.
What to carry
- Cash, as ATMs and card machines on Havelock and Neil can be unreliable.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water shoes.
- Medicines, as pharmacies on smaller islands have limited stock.
See Andaman Islands in 5 to 6 days: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil and Island holidays.
When to go
When to go
When to go
When to go