295

The Andaman Archipelago offers various transportation options to help you explore its diverse landscapes and hidden gems. You can go island hopping by ferry, feel the wind in your hair while driving along coastal roads on a scooter, or enjoy the convenience of a taxi. There are different modes of transport to suit every traveler’s needs.

In this guide, we’ll explain all the vital information about the transportation options available on the Andaman Islands, the process for booking the bus and ferry tickets, the facilities they offer, and so much more. So, make sure to read the blog thoroughly until the end.

Complete Guide to Transportation in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Airways

Veer Savarkar International Airport (IATA Code: IXZ), or Port Blair Airport, is the only commercial airport in the archipelago and serves as an important gateway to the islands. Three more airports are on the islands, but they are used only for defense.

Buses

Long Distance Buses

Long-distance buses run between Port Blair and Diglipur through the Great Andaman Trunk Road. This route takes you through the protected area where the Jarawa tribes reside. Crossing this tribal area between Jirkatang and Baratang is possible, provided a convoy accompanies all the vehicles. If you’re traveling by bus, all the procedures will be taken care of by the driver while for private vehicles, you will have to submit a form highlighting the passenger information.

Shortly after passing the tribal area, you must also cross the backwaters by ferry at Baratang.

• Convoy timing at Jirkatang – 6 AM, 9 AM, 12 AM, and 3 PM
• Convoy timing at Baratang – 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 15:00 PM

The long-distance buses stop for breakfast, lunch, and a few quick breaks. The road conditions are poor or under construction, so a bumpy ride is to be expected. The journey can be tiring and takes more time than estimated on Google Maps, even though the drivers are fast.

The luggage space is limited on these buses. The destination names on the buses are mostly written in Hindi or English.

Government Buses

Tickets for Government buses can be purchased online or at the ticket counter. You need a valid Indian mobile number to book the bus or check the timings and route. The government buses are of the 3*2 seater type and are not air-conditioned. They are clean, comfortable, and affordable. They connect different places in the Andaman Islands, such as Baratang, Maybunder, Diglipur, Ranghat, and Port Blair.

The services are time-bound but not as frequent as on the mainland of India. It is recommended to book tickets at least two days in advance, as the seats fill up rapidly. We took the government buses from Port Blair to Diglipur. The journey takes almost the same time as the private buses.

Private Buses

Private buses can be booked online. You have the option to select your boarding points and seats as well. Booking the private buses needs to be made at least a day or two in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the holidays and weekends.

Krajalakshmitransport.in offers everyday air-conditioned seater cum sleeper buses. It departs at 6:30 AM from Port Blair to Diglipur and 9:30 PM from Diglipur to Port Blair.

Anandh offers non-AC push-back seater buses every day from Port Blair to Diglipur. The buses are scheduled to leave Port Blair at 4:15 AM, 6:40 AM, and 10 AM, and they leave Diglipur to Port Blair at 4:30 AM, 9:30 AM, and 10 PM.

SSV transport lines come in handy if you want to travel to places lying between Diglipur and Port Blair, such as Mayabunder or Ranghat. They offer non-AC deluxe (2*2 seats) and semi-deluxe (3*2 seats) buses and have a daily frequency.

City Buses

The city buses can take you to any corner of Port Blair. The buses are frequent at prominent places, while they are less frequent at more remote places.

The bus timetable is posted at the bus station (above picture) and can be found on the official website. Buses also ply on the islands of Diglipur, Havelock, and Neil. The buses are only available at certain times, making it less than ideal for tourists to explore. The frequency of buses at Havelock is much better compared to Neil Island.

GoGo Buses

The government has introduced Get On Get Off buses or GoGo bus services for the convenience of tourists visiting all the tourist attractions in Port Blair. GoGo buses cover most of the major attractions in Port Blair, including Cellular Jail, Fisheries Museum, Marina Park  Flag Point, Science Centre, Hornbill Nest, and Carby’s Cove Beach. You can buy a ticket for the whole day at INR 150 per person. The buses will wait for some time at each attraction so the tourists can disembark and explore.

Ferries To Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Regular passenger ships are available between Port Blair and the mainland of India, namely Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam. Three to four trips are made every month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair, while there is only one trip from Visakhapatnam in a month. Bookings can be made online via the official site or at the ticket counters, generally close to the jetties.

Inter-island Ferry Services at Andaman

Private Ferry Services

Private ferry services ply between the popular islands of the Andamans – Port Blair, Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). Makruzz, Nautika, and Green Ocean are private ferries that offer daily services. The private ferries run for short distances, and the journey time does not exceed three hours. Since the private ferries are fast, expect a bumpy ride when the waves are choppy.

The bookings can be made online or at their offices on the islands, generally close to the jetty. Several travel agencies also offer ferry booking services. It is recommended to book the ferries at least a day in advance on regular days and two or more days in advance during the peak season or holidays. The prices of the early morning ferries are comparatively cheaper.

Below are some of the facilities offered on the private ferries.

• They are air-conditioned, and visitors cannot stay on the deck. 
• You can purchase first and second-class tickets for the ferry.
• The food and drinks are served on the ferry.
• Dedicated luggage space is available on the deck. Carry only valuables like cameras inside the ferry. As directed by the staff, all bulky suitcases and backpacks must be kept outside.
• No Wi-Fi or charging sockets are available on private ferries.

Government Ferry Services

Unlike private ferries, which run only on popular tourist routes, Government ferries operate to other significant inhabited islands, including Ranghat and Diglipur. The schedule, ticket availability, and fare for the government ferries can be checked online from the official website. 

The ferries can be booked online or at the ticket counters close to the jetties. The online booking can be done only during the counter working hours, from 9 AM to 4 PM, excluding holidays and Sundays. For long-distance ferries, the online booking opens one month in advance; for short-distance ferries, the booking opens a week. You need a valid Indian mobile number to book online. Your passport (for foreigners) or Aadhar (for Indians) is required to book the ferry tickets, and the identity document is also checked upon boarding.

• The government ferries’ seats fill up pretty fast, as the locals use them regularly, even on weekdays. The prices are much lower for the islanders. 
• For both short—and long-distance ferries, passengers are allowed free baggage, personal belongings, etc., up to 40 Kg for cabin class, 30 Kg for bunk class, and 25 Kg for deck class. Fees are charged for carrying excess baggage.

Long Distance Ferries

Long-distance ferries take more than 5 hours to travel across the islands of Andaman. For instance, ferries from Port Blair to Diglipur take about 12:30 hours for 130 Nautical Miles. For long-distance ferries, we highly recommend only Nalanda or Sindhu. They are air-conditioned and have several games onboard.

In Bharath Seema, the seats are very compact, and the ferry is not air-conditioned. The booking was extremely misleading, as we booked the special deck class from Diglipur to Port Blair, and all the passengers were given the same seat. The ticket mentioned that berths were available for the 15-hour journey, yet the entire ferry had only seats and no berths. We slept under thousands of stars on the open deck and the hallways at night. Although it was quite an experience, we do not recommend them for families, non-adventurous souls, or during rains.

• No Wi-Fi services were provided onboard.
• The journey takes more than 10 hours for long-distance ferries.
• Water dispensers are available. You can also buy bottled water onboard.
• Some snacks like biscuits and soft drinks are available for sale.
• Tokens for dinner are issued 3 hours in advance at an additional charge.
• The restrooms in Bharat Seema ran out of water towards the journey’s end.

Short Distance Ferries

Short-distance ferries usually take about a couple of hours to the nearby islands of Andaman. The government runs short-distance ferries to Havelock, Neil, and Long Island. Unlike private ferries, which offer more rough rides, government ferries offer very smooth rides. Here are a few facilities to take note of.

• There are only 72 seats per ferry: 30 for online booking, 30 for offline tickets, and 12 for last-minute emergencies, which can be booked with valid proof, such as a doctor’s consultation certificate.
• The coach is air-conditioned and also has fans.
• Unlike private ferries, you can access the deck on government ferries.
• There is no dedicated luggage space. As directed by the officials, you can keep your luggage with you or on the deck.
• Food and drinks are not provided on the ferry. Carry a few snacks, especially if you have children.
• Wi-Fi service is not provided, but charging sockets are available.
• The cost of government ferry services costs around 600 INR per person per journey for the seat class while it costs thrice about 1800 INR per person in the private ferries for the same route.

TukTuks

TukTuks are available on various islands, including Diglipur, Havelock, and Neil. These are used by locals as well as tourists. You can book tuk-tuks in Port Blair via Ola, an online taxi service platform. Uber does not have service in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. You can also hop on a tuk-tuk and negotiate with the driver for the best price.

Two/ Four Wheeler Rentals

Many two-wheeler and four-wheeler rental services are available at Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Islands. Rental services are unavailable at Diglipur Island, located in North Andaman. Doing a Google search, “Two-wheeler rentals near me” lists the rental services and shops available close to you. 

The prices for the two-wheeler rentals usually range between INR 500 and 700 per day. Vehicles are usually rented on a 24-hour basis. INR 1000 or INR 2000 is usually collected as a security deposit for the two-wheelers. Identity proofs need not be submitted, but pictures must be taken. Refer to this detailed guide on how to rent two-wheelers in India.

If you have any queries, do drop a comment below. We will do our best to answer them. For more such informative blogs on travel, tips, and hacks, subscribe to the newsletter and follow us on social media – Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.