Whenever you hear someone talking about Andaman, you’ll often hear them saying how it feels untouched and hidden, and that’s for a good reason. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands sit far out in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar than to the Indian coast, and this distance often keeps the crowds away.
There are no roads or railway lines connecting the islands to the mainland, so every escape here begins the same way, with a flight or a ship. This guide walks you through every practical way to reach Port Blair, the capital of the archipelago, so that your Andaman vacation starts off smoothly.
What Are Your Options to Reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
There are only two ways to reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the Indian mainland: by air or by sea. There is no road bridge or rail link of any kind connecting the mainland to the archipelago, so whichever way you choose, your holiday will begin either on a runway or at a jetty.
- By air: Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) in Port Blair is the single commercial airport serving the whole archipelago, handling every domestic flight coming in
- By sea: The Shipping Corporation of India runs passenger vessels from three coastal cities, though these are cargo-passenger ships rather than cruise liners.
Tribe Travel Tip: Most travellers choose to fly, since it takes a few hours instead of a few days.
How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar by Air?
Flying is by far the easiest and fastest way to reach Andaman and Nicobar islands. Here's what you need to know before booking:
- Direct flights connect Port Blair with Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru almost every day of the year.
- Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune usually rely on a one-stop connection through one of these three cities.
- IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are the main carriers operating this route.
- Flight time ranges from about two and a half hours on direct routes to six or seven hours with a layover.
- Fares tend to move with the season, with the November to February peak usually costing more than the monsoon months.
- Booking at least six to eight weeks ahead generally keeps costs down.
- A morning departure leaves you enough daylight to settle into your resort and even catch a sunset walk on your first evening.
From | Flight Type | Approx. Duration |
Chennai | Direct | 2h 15m |
Kolkata | Direct | 2h 30m |
Bengaluru | Direct | 2h 30m |
Delhi | One-stop | 5-7h |
Hyderabad | One-stop | 5-7h |
Mumbai | One-stop | 6-7h |
Pune | One-stop | 6-8h |
Tribe Travel Tip: Book your onward flight or ferry to Havelock only after your mainland flight lands, since schedules can shift with the weather.
How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar from Delhi?
If you are wondering how to reach Andaman and Nicobar from Delhi, flying remains your only realistic option, since there is no direct rail or sea link from the capital. There are no non-stop flights on this route either, so you will connect through Chennai, Kolkata, or Bengaluru, with the whole holiday taking around five to seven hours door to door. Booking a couple of months ahead usually gets you a better fare, and an early morning departure from Delhi means you still land in Port Blair with most of the day left.
How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar from Chennai?
Chennai is one of the best-connected cities for this holiday. Daily direct flights link Chennai to Port Blair in about two hours and fifteen minutes, making it the shortest air route from the mainland. Chennai is also one of only three ports from where the government passenger ship sails, so travellers who prefer a slower start to their island escape have that choice here as well.
How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar from Kolkata?
Kolkata offers a similar advantage to Chennai. Direct flights take roughly two and a half hours, and multiple airlines operate this sector daily, which keeps fares reasonably competitive through most of the year. Kolkata also has a passenger ship departing for Port Blair three to four times a month, so if you have extra days to spare, a sea crossing from here is possible too.
How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar from Hyderabad and Pune?
Travellers asking how to reach Andaman and Nicobar from Hyderabad, or from Pune, will need a connecting flight through Chennai, Bengaluru, or Kolkata, since neither city has a non-stop service to Port Blair.
From Hyderabad, the full journey usually takes between five and seven hours depending on the layover, while from Pune it can stretch closer to seven or eight hours. Choosing a short layover city like Chennai generally works out faster than routing through Delhi or Mumbai.
How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar by Ship?
For travellers who are not in a hurry, going by sea is an option worth knowing about, even if it is not the one we recommend for most vacations. The Shipping Corporation of India operates passenger vessels from Chennai and Kolkata three to four times a month, and from Visakhapatnam roughly once a month.
The crossing takes around three to four days depending on weather and sea conditions, and cabins range from bunk-style dormitories to private rooms. Tickets need to be booked well in advance directly through SCI, since seats fill up quickly during the winter season.
Departure Port | Frequency | Approx. Duration |
Chennai | 3-4 sailings/month | 3-4 days |
Kolkata | 3-4 sailings/month | 3-4 days |
Visakhapatnam | About once a month | 3-4 days |
Tribe Travel Tip: Pack motion sickness tablets if you choose the ship, since open sea crossings can get choppy outside the calmer October to May window.
Is There a Train Route to Andaman and Nicobar?
There is no railway line to the islands, and there never has been, since Andaman and Nicobar sit well over a thousand kilometres out in the Bay of Bengal with open water on every side. The nearest railway stations that connect to your onward journey are in Chennai and Kolkata, both of which are major junctions on the Indian Railways network. From either station, you would still need to take a flight or a ship for the final leg, so a train can only ever be part of your route here, never the whole of it.
What Permits Do You Need for This Holiday?
Indian citizens do not need any special permit to visit Port Blair or the main tourist circuits, including Havelock and Neil Island. However, a few tribal reserves and defence areas remain restricted. Foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit, which is issued free of cost on arrival at Veer Savarkar International Airport and is usually valid for thirty days.
If your holiday plan includes any island beyond the standard circuit, it is worth checking current restrictions with the Andaman and Nicobar Administration before you finalise your dates. Carrying a valid photo identity proof, such as an Aadhaar card or passport, is a good habit for every traveller here, since it may be asked for at the airport, the jetty, or your hotel check-in desk.
Conclusion
Once you arrive in the Andaman Islands, every minute of your travel will feel worth it; the tropical breeze combined with delicious food and sunset views will take away any amount of jet lag and get you set for a relaxing beachside holiday.
If you would prefer to skip the hassle of planning, advisors at Holiday Tribe can help you out with customised Andaman travel packages that cover everything you want to see as well as stays, transfers and optional flight assistance. Connect with us to start planning your holiday today.
