Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Top Cities/Places to Visit on a Budget
- Tourist Circuits and Sample Routes
- Best Activities on a Budget
- Festivals and Events
- Handy Budget Itineraries
- Budget Tips and Cost Breakdown
- How to Reach the Andamans on a Budget
- Accommodation: Budget Stays by Area
- Local Food, Shopping, and Culture
- Tips by Traveler Type + Packing & Safety
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Andaman and Nicobar Islands blend emerald forests, powdery beaches, and a powerful history centered around the Cellular Jail in Port Blair. The good news: you don’t need a luxury budget to enjoy them. With smart ferry choices, local eateries, and well-timed travel, you can snorkel in clear lagoons, hop between islands, and watch coral reefs shimmer—without overspending.
This complete budget guide covers where to go, what to do, transport hacks, realistic costs, and itineraries that keep your spends in check while maximizing island time.
Top Cities/Places to Visit on a Budget
Port Blair (Base + History)
- Cellular Jail + Light & Sound Show (moving retelling of India’s freedom struggle).
- Corbyn’s Cove (easy sunset beach), Chidiya Tapu (golden-hour views).
- Anthropological, Samudrika, and Fisheries Museums (low entry fees).
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)
- Radhanagar Beach (often ranked among Asia’s best; free to visit).
- Elephant Beach nature trail and shore snorkeling (budget-friendly).
- Scooter rental for flexible, low-cost beach hopping.
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
- Bharatpur Beach (good for glass-bottom rides and casual snorkeling).
- Laxmanpur Beach sunset; Natural Bridge at low tide.
Ross Island/Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island + North Bay (Day Trip)
- Colonial-era ruins draped in banyan roots on Ross; snorkeling and water sports at North Bay.
Baratang (Day Trip or Circuit)
- Limestone Caves and Mud Volcano. Go early to manage queues and costs.
Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur (North Andaman)
- Less touristy, cheaper stays; nature-forward experiences like Kalipur Beach and Saddle Peak trek (Diglipur).
Tourist Circuits and Sample Routes
Classic 5–6 Days: Port Blair – Havelock – Neil – Port Blair
- Focus: Beaches, light snorkeling, history.
- Transport: Govt. or private ferries; scooters on Havelock/Neil.
North Explorer 7–8 Days: Port Blair – Baratang – Rangat – Diglipur
- Focus: Offbeat, cheaper stays, treks, quieter beaches.
- Transport: Buses/shared jeeps for the Andaman Trunk Road section.
Long Weekend 3–4 Days: Port Blair + Havelock
- Focus: A taste of beaches and Cellular Jail; keep transfers minimal to save money/time.
Best Activities on a Budget
- Beaches and Sunsets: Free and spectacular (Radhanagar, Laxmanpur, Chidiya Tapu).
- Shore Snorkeling: Rent gear (INR 150–300) at Elephant Beach/Bharatpur; go with a buddy.
- Glass-Bottom Boats: INR 800–1,200 at Bharatpur/North Bay for non-swimmers.
- Intro Scuba (DSD): Shop around; INR 3,500–5,500 with photos in off/shoulder seasons.
- Museums and Jail: Low entry fees (Cellular Jail ~INR 30; Light & Sound ~INR 300, categories vary).
- Trekking: Short nature trails (Elephant Beach); longer treks like Saddle Peak (permit + guide recommended).
- Island Hopping: Combine Ross + North Bay day trip to save on boat costs.
Festivals and Events
- Island Tourism Festival (usually January, Port Blair): Cultural shows, food stalls, local crafts.
- Subhash Mela (around 23 January in select islands/towns): Fairs, performances.
- Beach/Monsoon-themed local events may occur seasonally; confirm dates locally as schedules vary year to year.
Handy Budget Itineraries
3 Days (Port Blair + Havelock)
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair, Cellular Jail + Light & Sound, Corbyn’s Cove.
- Day 2: Early ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar Beach; scooter rental for sunset hopping.
- Day 3: Morning trail to Elephant Beach (snorkel); return ferry to Port Blair; depart.
5 Days (Port Blair – Havelock – Neil)
- Day 1: Port Blair museums + Jail show.
- Day 2: Havelock beaches; optional budget scuba deal.
- Day 3: Elephant Beach snorkeling; evening ferry to Neil.
- Day 4: Neil’s Natural Bridge (low tide), Bharatpur glass-bottom; Laxmanpur sunset.
- Day 5: Ferry back to Port Blair; depart.
7–8 Days (Add Baratang or North Andaman)
- Days 1–3: Port Blair + Havelock.
- Day 4: Neil Island.
- Day 5: Port Blair buffer + Ross/North Bay.
- Days 6–7: Baratang caves + onward to Rangat/Diglipur; trek or beach time.
- Day 8: Return to Port Blair.
Budget Tips and Cost Breakdown
Typical Costs (Per Person, Approx.)
- Flights (one-way to Port Blair): INR 4,000–8,000 from Chennai/Kolkata in sales; INR 7,000–12,000 from Bengaluru/Delhi (book 6–10 weeks out).
- Inter-island Ferries: Govt. ferry INR 500–900; private catamaran INR 1,100–1,700 (one-way, standard seats).
- Local Transport: Scooter rental INR 500–700/day (+ fuel); autos INR 150–400 short hops; buses cheap but limited.
- Stays: Hostels/guesthouses INR 800–1,800/night (Port Blair/Havelock/Neil); North Andaman often cheaper.
- Meals: Local eateries INR 150–300 per meal; mid-range INR 400–700; seafood platters cost more—share to save.
- Activities: Cellular Jail INR ~30; Light & Sound ~INR 300; glass-bottom INR 800–1,200; intro scuba INR 3,500–5,500.
Daily Budgets (Excluding Flights)
- Shoestring: INR 1,500–2,500 (dorm/guesthouse, buses/scooter split, street/local meals, free beaches).
- Value: INR 2,500–4,500 (private room, scooter hire, 1–2 paid activities).
- Comfort on a Budget: INR 4,500–7,000 (nicer stays, fast ferries, a dive or two).
Money-Saving Strategies
- Travel in shoulder seasons (Oct–Nov, Feb–Apr) for cheaper rooms and activities; May is hot but value-friendly.
- Use government ferries when schedules suit; book early at counters to snag lowest fares.
- Base yourself longer on fewer islands to cut transfer costs.
- Share scooters and dives; group rates often apply.
- Eat where locals eat—look around Aberdeen Bazaar (Port Blair), Govind Nagar (Havelock), and near Bharatpur (Neil).
- Carry cash; ATMs exist but can run out on smaller islands.
What Not to Spend On
- Multiple premium speed ferries if govt. ferries align with your plan.
- Unnecessary water sports add-ons; pick 1–2 top experiences.
- Collecting shells/coral (illegal) and overpriced trinkets—choose certified souvenirs only.
How to Reach the Andamans on a Budget
By Air (Best for Most)
- Direct flights to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi (seasonal/connecting).
- Hack: Price-watch midweek; pack light to avoid baggage fees.
By Sea (Cheapest Fare, Highest Time Cost)
- Occasional passenger ships from Chennai/Kolkata/Visakhapatnam; 3–4 days one-way; basic cabins.
- Not ideal for short trips; schedules limited and subject to change. Confirm current availability well in advance.
Permits and Entry
- Indian nationals: No special permit for notified tourist areas.
- Foreign nationals: Restricted Area Permit (RAP) norms can vary; commonly issued on arrival in Port Blair for specific areas. Check latest official advisory before travel.
- Tribal reserves are strictly off-limits. Follow all restricted-zone guidelines.
Accommodation: Budget Stays by Area
Port Blair
- Neighborhoods: Aberdeen Bazaar, Delanipur, Goal Ghar for walkable eats and buses.
- Price cues: INR 1,000–2,200 for simple AC rooms; hostels from ~INR 800 in season.
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
- Stay zones: Govind Nagar Villages No. 2–5 for budget stays near dive shops and eateries.
- Beach access with basic huts/guesthouses; expect INR 1,200–2,500 for budget doubles.
Neil (Shaheed Dweep)
- Near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur for beaches on foot/bicycle; INR 1,000–2,000 typical budget range.
North Andaman (Rangat, Diglipur)
- Government tourist lodges and homestays often cheapest; book locally where possible.
Tip: Many properties offer better walk-in or cash rates in shoulder months.
Local Food, Shopping, and Culture
Food
- Seafood thalis, fish curry with rice, prawn fry; also common South/North Indian staples.
- Vegetarian-friendly: Plenty of dal, sabzi, dosa, and paratha options.
- Save by eating at mess-style places and small family-run kitchens.
Shopping
- Aberdeen Bazaar (Port Blair) for spices, wooden crafts, and printed tees.
- Buy only certified shell/craft items; removal of coral/shells from beaches is illegal.
Culture
- Melting pot of communities—Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Nicobarese, Karen, and more.
- Respect local customs; dress modestly in villages; avoid photographing security areas or tribal reserves.
Tips by Traveler Type + Packing & Safety
Families
- Choose fewer island hops; prioritize wide, calm beaches (Radhanagar, Bharatpur).
- Pre-book ferries and ground transfers to minimize waits.
Honeymooners
- Travel shoulder season for quieter beaches and value rooms near the shore.
- Time sunsets at Laxmanpur or Chidiya Tapu; pick one splurge (dive or candlelight dinner).
Friends/Backpackers
- Share scooters and rooms; cook simple breakfasts to cut costs.
- Join group dives/snorkel trips for discounts.
Packing Essentials
- UPF clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, reusable bottle, dry bag, light rain jacket (monsoon).
- Basic meds, motion-sickness tablets for ferries, photocopies of ID.
Safety & Responsible Travel
- Swim only within marked zones; heed currents and lifeguard flags.
- No plastics/littering; no touching corals or marine life; drones require permission.
- ATMs/data can be patchy—carry adequate cash and offline maps.
FAQs
Q: What’s the cheapest time to visit Andaman?
A: Shoulder months (Oct–Nov, Feb–Apr) balance reliable weather with lower rates. May and parts of September can be very budget-friendly but warmer or with brief showers.
Q: Are government ferries cheaper than private ones?
A: Yes. Government ferries usually cost INR 500–900 versus INR 1,100–1,700 for private boats. They sell out early; book at counters in advance.
Q: Do I need any permits?
A: Indian nationals don’t need permits for standard tourist zones. Foreign nationals may require a Restricted Area Permit, commonly issued on arrival for approved areas. Always check the latest rules before travel.
Q: Is Andaman good for vegetarian/vegan travelers?
A: Yes. Most eateries serve dal, sabzi, rice, dosa, idli, and breads. For vegan diets, confirm cooking oils and dairy use.
Q: How many days are enough on a budget?
A: Three to five days cover Port Blair + one island. A week allows Havelock, Neil, and a Baratang or Ross/North Bay day trip without rushing.
Conclusion
Andaman on a budget is absolutely doable. Focus on a streamlined route, rely on government ferries where possible, eat local, and prioritize free or low-cost experiences like beaches, sunsets, and museums. With the right timing and a few smart swaps, you’ll get the best of Port Blair’s history, Havelock’s legendary sands, and Neil’s reef life—without overshooting your spend.
