Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around
AIR
Two modes of air transport link Port Blair with the rest of the islands. If your budget al-
lows it, it's worth it for the views.
Port Blair with Havelock (?4100), Little Andaman (?7170) and Diglipur (?10,500), land-
ing and taking off on the water, and the runway in Port Blair
There's also the interisland helicopter service that runs from Port Blair to Little Andam-
an (?2625, 35 minutes), Havelock (?1500, 20 minutes), Diglipur (?4125, one hour) and
Mayabunder (?3375). Priority is given to government workers and the 5kg baggage limit
precludes most tourists from using this service. You can chance your luck by applying at
the
Secretariat
03192-230093)
in Port Blair.
MAP
BOAT
Most islands can only be reached by water. While this sounds romantic, ferry ticket of-
fices can be hell: expect hot waits, slow service, queue-jumping and a rugby scrum to the
ticket window. To hold your spot and advance you need to be a little aggressive (but don't
be a jerk) - or be a woman; ladies' queues are a godsend, but they really only apply in
Port Blair. You can buy tickets the day you travel by arriving at the appropriate jetty an
hour beforehand, but it's risky, and normally one or two days in advance is recommended.
You can't prebook ferry tickets until you've been issued your island permit upon arrival in
the Andamans;
Click here
.
There are regular boat services to Havelock and Neil Islands, as well as Rangat, May-
abunder, Diglipur and Little Andaman. A schedule of interisland sailing times can be
found at the website
www.and.nic.in/spsch/iisailing.html
.
is quicker but triple the cost. At the time of research,
Coastal Cruise
( 03192-241333;
www.coastalcruise.in
)
was another private operator that was set to begin a fast boat service
linking Havelock with Neil Island and Port Blair.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Hiring a car and driver costs ? 550 per 35km, or around ?10,000 for a return trip to
Diglipur from Port Blair (including stopovers along the way). Mopeds can hired from
?300 per day.
