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Amidst the mighty waters of the Bay of Bengal lies a gem covered in several beautiful islands.
The enthralling and captivating beauty of the beaches and lagoons captures the attention of every tourist. Andaman in itself is a package for every fellow traveler, be it in nature or the activities it offers.
Given the remote nature of the island, if you are wondering how to reach Andaman & Nicobar Islands, then we've got you covered. While flights are the most common means to reach the islands, there are various ships that ply from various port cities in India for a few days of the month.
How to reach Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Listed below are a number of ways how to reach the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
1. How to reach Andaman & Nicobar islands by air
The best mode of transportation to travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is by flight. Andaman has a very popular airport called Veer Savarkar named after a renowned freedom fighter. It is the only commercial airport located in Andaman.
If you are traveling by air you will have to get down at the Veer Savarkar Airport in Port Blair. You can board a plane straight to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Bengaluru, and Visakhapatnam. These are the straight routes, in case you are boarding from elsewhere, you will have to take a hopping flight and reach Andaman.
Most domestic flights like Indigo Airlines, Air India, Vistara, spice jet, and Go air are available to Andaman. A flight from Chennai will be the fastest route from India. The Flight might take around 2- 3 hours to reach your dream city. The Delhi route is the longest with 5 hours of travel.
2. How to reach Andaman & Nicobar by sea
Passenger ships from all the port cities of India sail to the beautiful islands of Andaman daily. Traveling by sea you can get down at Haddo wharf port in Andaman. Since it takes 3-4 days to reach the destination it is not a very suggested mode of transport to reach Andaman. The main ships that connect to Port Blair are MV Nancowry, MV Nicobar, MV Harshvardhana, MV Swaraj Dweep, and MV Akbar.
The rates of tickets vary depending on the ships and class your board. The passengers can book their tickets from the respective ports in advance.
3. How to reach Andaman by train
One cannot reach Andaman by rail since it is an island. However, the nearest railway station to Andaman is Chennai Central in Tamil Nadu. After reaching Chennai Central you can take a flight, or a ship to reach Andaman.
4. How to reach Andaman by road
There are no roadways connecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to other parts of India. You can opt for a flight or ship. However, you can travel around the Island by car. But still, a boat is a very common means of transport here.
Intrastate travel in Andaman
Commuting within the islands comes with various options. On landing in Port Blair via flight or ship, there are various ways to get around the islands. These are some of the methods to ply within the state:
By Ferry:
Moving in and around the islands requires one to hop on a boat or ferry. It is also the most common method of hopping from one island to the other. There are both government and private ferries available. However, it is always wise to book your ferries in advance since the rush for ticket bookings is high especially during the peak tourist season.
By Cabs:
You can hire a cab/taxi and move from place to place. Though this is a convenient way of moving about, it is more expensive than other modes of transport.
By autos:
You can find plenty of tuk-tuks/autos plying around the islands. Hiring an auto is cheaper than cabs but it is not the most comfortable. The roads are not as smooth and make for a bumpy ride.
By two-wheelers:
One of the cheapest means of traveling within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is hiring two-wheelers like scooters or bikes. A certain level of expertise is required to drive around in two-wheelers since the roads are not well maintained.
FAQs
1. How can I go to Andaman and Nicobar from Mumbai?
You can take a flight or train from Mumbai to Chennai. Here, you can board a direct flight from Chennai International Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair.
2. How we can go to Andaman and Nicobar islands?
You can reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by either boarding a direct flight from Kolkatta or Chennai. Or you can reach the islands by boarding a ship from any one of the port cities in India.
3. How many airports are there in Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
There are four airports in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The main airport is the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. This is also the only International airport on the island. The other three airports are military airports.
4. Can we go to Andaman by ship?
Yes, one can reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by ship. The waterways are connected to some port cities in India like Kolkatta, Chennai, and Vishakhapatnam. You can board a ship from one of these ports and reach the Haddo Wharf in Port Blair.
5. Do Andaman and Nicobar have railway stations?
No, there is no railway station in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the Indian Government approved the first railway line to be built on the island last year to connect Port Blair and Diglipur. 6. Which Indian city is near Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
The city of Vishakhapatnam in Kerala is the city closest to the Andaman and Nicobar Island.
7. What is the best time to visit Andaman?
The best time to visit Andaman is between the months of October and May. The weather during this time is warm and pleasant. It is also ideal to indulge in various activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, sightseeing, island hopping, and other outdoor activities. The monsoon months with heavy rains and strong winds make it hard to move around the islands and take part in other activities.
8. How much does it cost to have a scooty ride in Andaman? It cost about ₹500 - ₹1000 for 24 hours to rent a scooty or bike in Andaman. This is comparatively cheap compared as compared to cabs/taxis. And hence renting a two-wheeler is a better option to ply around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
9. How can I go to Andaman from Bangalore?
You can reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Bangalore by taking a bus or flight from Bangalore and halting at Chennai at the Chennai International Airport. From here, you can board a flight on one of the airways Spicejet, Vistara, or Jet Airways, and reach the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair.
10. How can I go to Andaman from Chennai?
You can board a direct flight from Chennai International Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. It takes about 2h15m from the flight. GoAir, Indigo, Jet Airways, and Vistara are some flights that ply on a daily basis from Chennai to Port Blair.
11. How much does it cost to go to Andaman by ship?
The fares for ship differs from the city where one boards the transportation. However, it can cost approximately ₹2000 to ₹10,000 depending on the time and city from where one book and boards the ship.
12. How much time does it take from Chennai to Andaman by ship?
The time taken for the voyage from Chennai to reach Andaman is roughly between 3 - 4 days or 60 hours.
Final Words
If you are curious about how to reach Andamans and Nicobar Islands, then rest assured you can find multiple options to choose from. However, the most recommended mode of transport is by flight since it sometimes takes days to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by sea. For people prone to motion sickness, it can even turn into sea sickness. Hence this mode of travel is not given priority for the various drawbacks it has.
From the beautiful beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the endless expanse of white sandy beaches and azure waters, the Andaman is beaming with mesmerizing vistas of the sea and evergreen forests. Taking a holiday on this beautiful island will surely renew your love for traveling as you explore the nooks and crannies of this stunning coastal paradise.
Visit The Tarzan Way to curate your own Andaman experience now.