Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Overview of Trip Costs
- Top Cities and Places in Andaman with Typical Costs
- Tourist Circuits and Island-Hopping Routes
- Activities and Their Costs
- Festivals and Seasonal Events
- Sample Itineraries and Per-Person Budgets
- How to Reach Andaman
- Accommodation Options and Price Guide
- Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Budget Tips and Money-Saving Strategies
- Traveler-Specific Tips
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Planning an Andaman and Nicobar Islands holiday and wondering how much it will cost? This guide breaks down real-world expenses—flights, ferries, hotels, food, activities, and hidden fees—so you can build a transparent budget whether you’re backpacking, traveling as a couple, or taking the family on a beach escape.
Prices in Andaman vary by season (peak: December–January; shoulder: October–November and February–April; monsoon: May–September). Availability on ferries and popular excursions can also affect what you spend. Use the ranges below as practical planning benchmarks.
Overview of Trip Costs
What an average Andaman holiday costs
- Backpacker (hostels/guesthouses, public ferries): INR 3,500–5,500 per person per day (excluding flights)
- Comfort (good 3–4 star stays, premium ferries): INR 6,500–9,500 per person per day (excluding flights)
- Luxury (resorts, private transfers, top-tier activities): INR 12,000–22,000 per person per day (excluding flights)
Typical round-trip flight costs to Port Blair (IXZ)
- From Indian metros (e.g., Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai): INR 9,000–18,000 economy, higher in peak season
Common line items
- Inter-island ferries (one-way): Port Blair–Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) INR 1,200–2,800; Havelock–Neil (Shaheed Dweep) INR 700–1,500
- Local transport per day: Scooters INR 500–800; autos INR 200–500 per hop; cabs with driver INR 2,000–3,000
- Meals: Budget eateries INR 200–400; mid-range restaurants INR 400–800; resort dining INR 800–1,500 per person
- Entry/park fees: Most sights INR 30–300; marine parks and special islands may add boat/permit costs
Note: Prices vary by operator and season; book early around Christmas–New Year and long weekends.
Top Cities and Places in Andaman with Typical Costs
Port Blair (Gateway city)
- Must-see: Cellular Jail (entry ~INR 30; Light & Sound show ~INR 300–400), Corbyn’s Cove, Anthropological Museum (~INR 20–50)
- Day trips: North Bay (snorkeling/glass-bottom), Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island) combined boat ~INR 700–1,500 plus activities
- Hotel range: INR 1,500–6,000 (mid-range); premium INR 7,000–12,000+
Havelock / Swaraj Dweep (Beaches & diving)
- Beaches: Radhanagar, Elephant Beach (boat ~INR 800–1,500 return; activities extra)
- Diving: Intro dives ~INR 3,000–5,500; certified dives ~INR 3,500–6,000 per dive
- Stay: INR 2,500–8,000 (good resorts); luxury beachfront INR 15,000–35,000+
Neil Island / Shaheed Dweep (Laid-back & scenic)
- Spots: Laxmanpur I & II, Bharatpur for snorkeling, Natural Bridge
- Transport: Cycles INR 150–300/day; scooters INR 500–800/day
- Stay: INR 2,000–5,500 (mid-range); premium INR 7,000–12,000
Baratang & beyond (Day excursions)
- Baratang Limestone Caves/Mud Volcano full-day by road: INR 2,500–4,500 per person (shared) including permits and boats
- Jolly Buoy/Red Skin (seasonal marine park): Boats/permits typically INR 800–1,500 plus park fees
Tourist Circuits and Island-Hopping Routes
Classic 5–6 day circuit (most popular)
- Port Blair (2N) → Havelock (2N) → Neil (1N) → Port Blair (1N)
- Per-person transport (ferries + local): INR 3,000–5,500
Leisure 7-day circuit
- Port Blair (2N) → Havelock (3N) → Neil (1N) → Port Blair (1N), with a day trip to Jolly Buoy/Red Skin
- Per-person transport/permits: INR 4,000–7,500
Adventure-focused 6–7 day circuit
- Port Blair (2N) → Havelock (3N) with multiple dives → Neil (1–2N)
- Activities budget: INR 8,000–20,000 per person depending on number of dives/sea-walk/parasail
Activities and Their Costs
Water and beach activities
- Intro scuba dive (Discover Scuba): INR 3,000–5,500
- Certified dives: INR 3,500–6,000 per dive; multi-dive packages discount available
- Snorkeling (guided boat trip): INR 800–1,500; equipment rental often included
- Sea walk (North Bay/Elephant Beach): INR 3,000–4,000
- Kayaking (bioluminescence in season): INR 2,000–3,000 for 2–3 hours
- Parasailing: INR 2,500–3,500
- Glass-bottom boat: INR 600–1,200
- Jet ski/banana boat: INR 600–1,200 per ride
Sightseeing and entry fees
- Cellular Jail: INR 30 entry; Light & Sound show INR 300–400
- Museums/parks: INR 20–150 (varies)
- Marine parks/special islands: Additional boat/permit fees often apply
Tip: Choose licensed operators, confirm inclusions (gear, photos, transfers), and check age/health restrictions.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
- Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, typically January): Cultural shows, food stalls, exhibitions; most public events are free or low-cost.
- Subhas Mela (around late January in select locations): Local fairs, performances; minimal entry or free.
- Occasional beach/food festivals: Schedules vary by year; costs typically limited to food/activities purchased.
Information on dates can change annually. Check the Andaman tourism department’s latest calendar before you go.
Sample Itineraries and Per-Person Budgets
4N/5D Budget (Backpacker)
- Nights: Port Blair 2, Havelock 2
- Stay: INR 1,200–2,000 per night x 4 = INR 4,800–8,000
- Meals: INR 300–500 x 2 meals x 5 days = INR 3,000–5,000
- Ferries/local transport: INR 3,000–4,500
- Activities/entries: INR 1,000–3,000
- Total (excluding flights): ~INR 11,800–20,500 per person
5N/6D Comfort (Most couples/families)
- Nights: Port Blair 2, Havelock 2, Neil 1
- Stay: INR 3,000–6,000 per night x 5 = INR 15,000–30,000
- Meals: INR 500–900 x 2 meals x 6 days = INR 6,000–10,800
- Ferries/local transport: INR 4,000–6,500
- Activities/entries: INR 4,000–9,000
- Total (excluding flights): ~INR 29,000–56,000 per person
6N/7D Luxury
- Nights: Port Blair 2, Havelock 3, Neil 1
- Stay: INR 12,000–25,000 per night x 6 = INR 72,000–150,000
- Meals: INR 1,000–1,800 x 2 meals x 7 days = INR 14,000–25,200
- Private transfers/premium ferries: INR 6,000–12,000
- Activities/spa/special dinners: INR 12,000–30,000
- Total (excluding flights): ~INR 104,000–217,000 per person
Add flights (often INR 9,000–18,000 return) to estimate your door-to-door cost.
How to Reach Andaman
Flights
- Port Blair (IXZ) is connected to Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai and others.
- Book 6–8 weeks in advance for better fares; avoid peak holiday surges if flexible.
Ferries within Andaman
- Government ferries: Budget-friendly, limited online visibility; buy at counters in advance.
- Private ferries (e.g., Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika): Faster, online bookable; INR 700–2,800 depending on route and class.
Permits and rules
- Indian citizens: No special entry permit for tourist areas.
- Foreign nationals: Restricted Area Permit (RAP) norms may apply; typically issued on arrival. Check latest advisories before travel.
- Some islands/parks need day permits and have seasonal closures (e.g., Jolly Buoy/Red Skin).
Accommodation Options and Price Guide
Where to stay and what it costs (per night)
- Budget guesthouses/hostels: INR 1,200–2,000
- Good mid-range hotels/resorts: INR 2,500–5,500
- Premium beachfront resorts: INR 7,000–15,000
- Luxury villas/resorts: INR 18,000–35,000+
Peak season surcharges (especially late December) can add 20–50%. Monsoon months may bring deals but some water activities pause.
Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
Food
- Try seafood grills, fish thalis, coconut-based curries; vegetarian options available in most towns.
- Cost: Local eateries INR 200–400 per person; mid-range cafes INR 400–800; resort dining INR 800–1,500.
Shopping
- Popular buys: Shell crafts (avoid protected-species products), coconut handicrafts, spices.
- Budget: INR 500–3,000 for souvenirs; pay attention to sustainability and legality.
Culture and etiquette
- Respect protected areas and tribal reserves (no entry). Avoid touching corals and feeding fish.
- Cash is useful on smaller islands; ATMs and digital payments can be patchy.
Budget Tips and Money-Saving Strategies
- Travel off-peak (Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov excluding holidays) for cheaper stays and ferries.
- Bundle activities with the same licensed operator; ask for multi-activity discounts.
- Use government ferries for savings if schedules fit; book private ferries early for best fares.
- Rent scooters on Havelock/Neil for economical, flexible transport.
- Carry a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, and reusable water bottle to avoid on-the-spot purchases.
- Check if your hotel includes breakfast and jetty transfers.
Traveler-Specific Tips
Families
- Choose central stays with on-site dining; prefer morning ferries.
- Pack motion-sickness meds, sun protection, snacks, and kid-sized snorkel gear.
Honeymooners
- Splurge on one or two luxury nights in Havelock; time sunset at Radhanagar Beach.
- Consider private candlelight dinners; book in advance during peak months.
Friends/Adventure seekers
- Plan for multiple dives or a sea-kayak bioluminescence tour; pre-book popular slots.
- Split scooter rentals and opt for shared cabs for day trips to cut costs.
Packing and safety
- Essentials: Photo ID, copies of bookings, waterproof phone case, basic first aid, insect repellent.
- Safety: Follow lifeguard flags, wear life jackets on boats, and check operator credentials for water sports.
FAQs
Q: What is the average cost of a 5-night Andaman trip for two?
A: For a comfortable trip, budget around INR 60,000–110,000 for two excluding flights, or INR 78,000–146,000 including typical return airfares.
Q: Are ferries expensive between islands?
A: No. Most one-way private ferry tickets cost INR 700–2,800 depending on route and class. Booking early secures better prices and seats.
Q: Is scuba diving worth the price for beginners?
A: Yes for many travelers. Intro dives (INR 3,000–5,500) include training, gear, and a guided underwater session. Choose a reputable, certified dive center.
Q: Can I do Andaman on a backpacker budget?
A: Absolutely. With guesthouses, government ferries, scooters, and free beaches, you can keep daily spend near INR 3,500–5,500 excluding flights.
Q: When are prices highest?
A: Late December to early January and around long weekends. Book months ahead for flights and stays during these periods.
Conclusion
An Andaman holiday can be tailored to most budgets. Expect daily on-ground costs from INR 3,500 on the low end to INR 12,000+ for high-end stays, with flights adding significantly in peak season. Plan routes around Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil; book ferries in advance; and prioritize licensed operators for water activities. With smart timing and clear cost expectations, you’ll enjoy Andaman’s beaches, marine life, and relaxed island pace without budget surprises.
