Andaman Itinerary for 2026: A Practical 5, 6 or 7-Day Island Trip Plan
The easiest way to spoil an Andaman holiday is to plan as though ferries work like city taxis. They do not. Fixed reporting times, sea conditions and jetty transfers mean an island move can consume half a day.
For most first-time visitors, the best Andaman itinerary is 5 nights and 6 days, following this route:
Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) → Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) → Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) → Port Blair
This gives you two nights in Port Blair, two in Havelock and one in Neil, ending in Port Blair before your flight. Five days works better without Neil; seven days lets you add a Havelock night or one day trip.
Below are all three options, realistic 2026 costs, ferry guidance, family-friendly changes, activities and permits.
Name note: Port Blair was officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024. Havelock Island and Neil Island are officially Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep. Ferry portals and hotel platforms may use either version, so this guide uses both where it helps with booking.
How Many Days Are Enough for an Andaman Trip?
Six days are enough for a first Andaman trip covering Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island at a sensible pace. Choose seven days if you are travelling with young children, want two water-activity days or prefer a weather buffer. In only three or four days, limit the number of islands instead of racing through all three.
| Trip length | Sensible route | Best for | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days / 2 nights | Port Blair plus one nearby island excursion | A short stopover | Too short for relaxed inter-island travel |
| 4 days / 3 nights | Port Blair + Havelock | A quick beach break | No Neil Island; limited buffer |
| 5 days / 4 nights | Port Blair + Havelock | Couples or families short on leave | Neil becomes rushed if added |
| 6 days / 5 nights | Port Blair + Havelock + Neil | First-time visitors and families | Little room for Baratang |
| 7 days / 6 nights | Core three-island route + one free or excursion day | Families, couples and divers | Costs more, but feels far less hurried |
| 8 days / 7 nights | Core route + Baratang or extra island time | Travellers wanting variety | Still too tight for a comfortable Diglipur extension |
The key is to count nights, not just calendar days. Arrival and departure days may offer only a few usable hours. A package advertised as “5 days” can mean four nights, two ferry transfers and barely three full sightseeing days.
The rule most first-time visitors miss
Spend your final night in Port Blair. Do not plan a Neil-to-Port Blair ferry and a flight home on the same day unless your ticket can be changed easily and you accept the risk. Government and private sailings can be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled because of weather or technical issues. The official Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) explicitly states that voyages remain subject to those conditions.
The Best Andaman Itinerary: 5, 6 and 7-Day Plans
The six-day plan below is the strongest all-round option. The five- and seven-day versions are then built from it, so you can shorten or extend the trip without breaking the route.
Andaman itinerary for 6 days: the recommended 5 nights/6 days plan
Day 1: Arrive in Port Blair and visit Cellular Jail
Stay in Port Blair on the first night. It removes the stress of matching a possibly delayed flight with an inter-island ferry and gives you time to settle in.
Arriving by early afternoon leaves time for Cellular Jail and its light and sound show. In September 2026, the official e-Tourist portal listed entry at ₹30 for Indians and ₹100 for foreign visitors; show tickets were ₹300 for adults and ₹150 for children aged 5–11. Hindi and English schedules differ, so check the live calendar.
If your flight lands late, move Cellular Jail to Day 5 and keep the evening free.
Overnight: Port Blair
Keep free: At least 90 minutes between hotel arrival and any timed ticket
Day 2: Ferry from Port Blair to Havelock, then Radhanagar Beach
Take a morning ferry to Havelock. Private vessels usually take roughly 1.5–2.5 hours; government schedules vary by week. Follow the ticket’s reporting time—often 60–90 minutes before departure—and carry each passenger’s original photo ID.
After check-in and lunch, reach Radhanagar Beach around 3:30 or 4 pm for the marked swimming area, a shoreline walk and sunset.
Radhanagar is a relaxation beach, which makes it ideal after a transfer.
Overnight: Havelock Island
Do not add: Elephant Beach on the same day; weather or ferry delays can make the booking unusable
Day 3: Choose scuba diving or Elephant Beach—not everything
This is your main activity day. Pick one anchor experience:
- Introductory scuba dive: Book an early slot. Basic 2026 beginner dives commonly start around ₹2,500–₹3,500 before taxes and cost more for boats or premium sites. Use a registered centre, disclose medical conditions and follow its age rules. Official tourism guidance lists 10 years for certain experiences, but operators may set a higher minimum.
- Elephant Beach: Travel about 20–30 minutes by speedboat or, when open, trek 45–60 minutes through forest. Snorkelling, sea walking and glass-bottom rides are available; rough seas can cancel boats.
- Slow beach day: Kalapathar and the Govind Nagar–Vijay Nagar stretch suit toddlers, seniors and travellers prone to motion sickness.
Keep the afternoon loose. Combining scuba, Elephant Beach and evening kayaking creates fatigue and raises the risk of missing a prepaid slot.
Overnight: Havelock Island
Weather backup: Kalapathar Beach, local cafés and a resort day
Day 4: Ferry to Neil Island, beaches and Natural Bridge
Travel from Havelock to Neil Island, usually around one to one-and-a-half hours by private ferry. Leave your luggage at the hotel and plan the afternoon around the tide, not around a generic sightseeing list.
The Natural Bridge near Laxmanpur Beach requires an uneven rocky walk and is best near low tide. Confirm the tide locally; if it falls in the morning, visit before the Day 5 ferry. Wear grippy footwear and avoid living coral.
Bharatpur suits a glass-bottom ride or light water activities; Laxmanpur is the sunset choice. Sitapur faces sunrise but does not justify an early start for everyone.
Overnight: Neil Island
Best sequence: Bharatpur → Natural Bridge at low tide → Laxmanpur sunset
Day 5: Return to Port Blair and keep a flexible afternoon
Take a confirmed ferry to Port Blair. The day stays light so a shifted sailing causes inconvenience, not a ruined booking.
With an early arrival, choose one of the following:
- Visit Cellular Jail if you skipped it on Day 1.
- Drive to Chidiya Tapu for sunset, allowing roughly an hour each way depending on traffic and your starting point.
- Visit Samudrika Naval Marine Museum or the Anthropological Museum, after checking the weekly closing day and current hours.
- Shop for compact souvenirs at Aberdeen Bazaar or Sagarika Emporium.
Do not prepay for a tightly timed boat excursion that afternoon.
Overnight: Port Blair
Why this night matters: It protects the next day’s flight
Day 6: Departure from Port Blair
Have breakfast, check the live flight status and leave for Veer Savarkar International Airport with enough time for traffic and queues. Port Blair is compact, but the airport’s small size does not make a late arrival safe during busy travel periods.
Best Andaman itinerary for 5 days: 4 nights without the rush
For a 4 nights/5 days Andaman itinerary, skip Neil Island and spend two nights in Havelock:
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Port Blair; Cellular Jail and light and sound show | Port Blair |
| 2 | Ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar Beach | Havelock |
| 3 | Scuba diving, Elephant Beach or a relaxed beach day | Havelock |
| 4 | Ferry to Port Blair; local sightseeing | Port Blair |
| 5 | Fly home | — |
Can you include Neil? Technically, yes—but it usually means one-night Havelock, one-night Neil and three transfer-heavy days. That is not the best Andaman itinerary for five days, especially for a family with kids. You will see more place names and experience less of each place.
Perfect Andaman itinerary for 7 days: 6 nights with breathing room
For 6 nights/7 days, add a third night in Havelock. It creates space for both an activity day and an unhurried beach day:
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port Blair arrival and Cellular Jail | Port Blair |
| 2 | Ferry to Havelock and Radhanagar sunset | Havelock |
| 3 | Scuba diving or Elephant Beach | Havelock |
| 4 | Kalapathar, a second dive, kayaking or pure leisure | Havelock |
| 5 | Ferry to Neil; Natural Bridge and sunset | Neil |
| 6 | Ferry to Port Blair; flexible local plan | Port Blair |
| 7 | Departure | — |
This week-long itinerary suits honeymooners, families and first-time divers. Add Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island (Ross Island) with North Bay only when a separate full day is available—not on a ferry-transfer afternoon.
Andaman Itineraries for 3, 4 and 8 Days—and When to Add Baratang or Diglipur
Andaman itinerary for 3 days
Keep all two nights in Port Blair. On Day 1, visit Cellular Jail. On Day 2, take a confirmed boat trip to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island and North Bay, or choose Wandoor and a permitted marine-park excursion when operating. Depart on Day 3.
This is more reliable than attempting Port Blair–Havelock–Port Blair in roughly 48 hours. If Havelock is your only priority, stay there for one night but book an early arrival flight, a compatible ferry and a late departure flight—and accept that one disruption may unravel the plan.
Andaman itinerary for 4 days
Use one night in Port Blair, one in Havelock and the final night back in Port Blair. Day 2 is for Radhanagar; Day 3 can hold an early activity before the return ferry if its departure time allows. Skip Neil.
Andaman itinerary for 8 days
Follow the seven-day route and add either:
- A full Port Blair day for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island and North Bay; or
- A Baratang excursion for the mangrove creek and Limestone Caves.
Baratang is a very early, long road day. The route crosses the Jarawa Tribal Reserve in a regulated convoy. Stopping, photographing, filming or interacting with members of the Jarawa community is prohibited. Follow the instructions of the police and local authorities; the reserve is not a human safari. A family with small children or a senior traveller may reasonably decide that another island day is a better use of the holiday.
When Diglipur and Ross & Smith Islands make sense
Do not bolt Diglipur onto the classic six-day trip. The road journey from Port Blair can take around 10–12 hours, and official tourism information also describes long sea connections. Ross & Smith Islands then require local transport to Aerial Bay, a boat and the applicable forest permission.
Allow at least three additional nights, preferably four, for a North Andaman route through Baratang, Rangat or Mayabunder, Diglipur and Ross & Smith. It works better as a 9–12-day Andaman travel plan or a separate trip than as a box-ticking detour from Havelock.
Andaman Itinerary with Cost: Realistic 2026 Trip Budgets
Flight dates, room category, ferry type and paid activities drive the total. Cheap headline packages often exclude at least one.
Estimated cost per person for 5 nights/6 days
The ranges below assume two adults sharing a room and travelling on the Port Blair–Havelock–Neil route. They are planning estimates, not fixed quotes.
| Expense | Budget | Comfortable | Premium/luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation share for 5 nights | ₹6,000–₹10,000 | ₹12,000–₹22,000 | ₹35,000–₹70,000+ |
| Three inter-island ferry sectors | ₹3,000–₹5,500 | ₹5,000–₹8,000 | ₹8,000–₹11,000 |
| Local cabs, autos or scooter share | ₹3,000–₹5,000 | ₹5,000–₹8,000 | ₹10,000–₹18,000 |
| Meals | ₹3,500–₹6,000 | ₹6,000–₹10,000 | ₹12,000–₹20,000 |
| Entry tickets and basic sightseeing | ₹1,000–₹2,500 | ₹2,500–₹5,000 | ₹5,000–₹10,000 |
| Optional water activities | ₹0–₹4,000 | ₹4,000–₹10,000 | ₹12,000–₹25,000+ |
| Estimated land total | ₹20,000–₹30,000 | ₹35,000–₹55,000 | ₹80,000–₹1,40,000+ |
Add airfare separately. On favourable 2026 dates, one-way fares can begin near ₹5,000–₹9,000 from Kolkata or Chennai; Delhi and Mumbai commonly cost more. Allow ₹12,000–₹30,000 per person return, and extra for holidays or late bookings.
That puts a realistic 5 nights/6 days trip including flights at roughly:
- Budget: ₹32,000–₹60,000 per person
- Comfortable mid-range: ₹47,000–₹85,000 per person
- Luxury: ₹95,000–₹1,70,000+ per person
Andaman family trip cost for four or five people
A family of four can budget ₹1.10 lakh–₹1.50 lakh for five nights with flights, basic hotels, standard ferries and limited paid activities. A comfortable trip is usually ₹1.50 lakh–₹2.10 lakh; premium choices can exceed ₹2.25 lakh.
A family of five may need two rooms or a suite. Confirm room configuration, extra-bed charges, child meals and ferry prices before accepting a quote.
Five-day and seven-day cost comparison
| Duration | Budget land cost per person | Comfortable land cost per person | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 nights/5 days | ₹18,000–₹28,000 | ₹30,000–₹48,000 | Usually Port Blair + Havelock |
| 5 nights/6 days | ₹20,000–₹30,000 | ₹35,000–₹55,000 | Adds Neil and a third ferry sector |
| 6 nights/7 days | ₹25,000–₹38,000 | ₹42,000–₹65,000 | Adds one room night, meals and local travel |
Are flights included in Andaman packages?
Not always. Many package prices are land-only even when the page targets searches for an Andaman tour package with airfare. Before paying, request an itemised inclusion sheet covering:
- Return flights and checked-baggage allowance
- Exact hotel names, room category and number of rooms
- Breakfast or other meals
- Ferry operator, route, cabin class and all three sectors
- Airport, jetty and sightseeing transfers
- Cellular Jail and boat-excursion tickets
- Scuba, snorkelling or glass-bottom ride inclusions
- Child rates and extra-bed policy
- Cancellation terms for ferries and weather-dependent activities
- Taxes, holiday surcharges and early check-in charges
If a quote merely says “all transfers included,” ask whether the cab is private or shared and whether it covers hotel-to-jetty transfers on every island.
Ferries, Flights and Hotels: How to Book the Trip in the Right Order
Government ferry versus private ferry
The Directorate of Shipping Services runs government vessels; registered private operators serve popular tourist routes. The official directory lists Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika and ITT Majestic, among others.
| Factor | Government ferry | Private ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Usually lower | Higher; cabin class affects fare |
| Booking | Official STARS portal/counter; schedules may be released periodically | Operator website or authorised booking channel |
| Comfort | Functional seating and local-service character | Reserved airline-style seating on many vessels |
| Schedule | Current DSS citizen charter lists several daily tourist-island services, but weekly voyage notices govern actual sailings | Multiple seasonal departures on major routes, subject to availability |
| Best for | Flexible budget travellers | Families, first-timers and travellers wanting simpler online booking |
In 2026, private Port Blair–Havelock seats commonly appear around ₹1,700–₹3,100 per person per sector, depending on cabin and date. Compare final cost, reporting point, baggage and cancellation terms.
Use the DSS online enquiry service for current government voyages and the STARS e-ticketing portal for eligible bookings. For private sailings, start with the official registered boat-operator directory.
Typical ferry journey windows
| Route | Broad journey estimate | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Port Blair → Havelock | 1.5–2.5 hours | Add reporting and both jetty transfers |
| Havelock → Neil | 1–1.5 hours | Not every operator runs every time slot daily |
| Neil → Port Blair | 1.5–2.5 hours | Return one day before your flight |
These are journey ranges, not a timetable. Departures change with vessel deployment, weather and technical conditions; always verify the live schedule.
The safest booking sequence
- Choose the number of nights and confirm that your last night is in Port Blair.
- Book flexible flights to and from IXZ.
- Check the full ferry chain before paying non-refundable island hotels.
- Reserve Port Blair, Havelock and Neil accommodation.
- Add timed activities, Cellular Jail shows and excursions.
- Recheck sailings 48–72 hours before each transfer and keep digital plus offline copies of tickets.
Reaching Andaman from major Indian cities
Veer Savarkar International Airport is the gateway. Official tourism lists connections with Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru and New Delhi. Search both “Port Blair” and “Sri Vijaya Puram.”
- From Chennai or Kolkata: Usually the shortest and often the most competitive air routes.
- From Bengaluru or Hyderabad: Direct services may operate on selected schedules; compare them with one-stop options.
- From Delhi: Direct and connecting flights are available, but fares can rise sharply around holidays.
- From Mumbai: Connecting itineraries are common; verify total travel time, not only the ticket price.
- From Jaipur or Ahmedabad: Most practical options involve one stop. Avoid a very tight connection if travelling with children or checked baggage.
Origin changes the airfare, not the island sequence. Every route should protect the final Port Blair night.
Where to stay on each island
- Port Blair: Aberdeen Bazaar and central neighbourhoods are convenient for Cellular Jail, museums and the airport. A remote resort makes less sense for a one-night logistics stop.
- Havelock: Govind Nagar and Vijay Nagar offer easier access to cafés, dive centres and the jetty. Radhanagar-side stays feel secluded but require longer transfers for most activities.
- Neil: A stay near Laxmanpur suits sunset and the Natural Bridge; Bharatpur is convenient for the jetty and water activities. Confirm power backup, hot water, mobile connectivity and late-meal availability rather than assuming mainland standards.
Tailor the Andaman Travel Plan to Your Family, Pace and Season
Andaman family itinerary with kids
Andaman works well with children when the plan respects heat, ferry fatigue and meals. Choose six or seven days over a packed four-day circuit.
- Keep Day 1 in Port Blair rather than attempting an arrival-day ferry.
- Choose reserved indoor ferry seats and carry prescribed motion-sickness medicine.
- Confirm the family-room layout; “triple occupancy” may mean a floor mattress.
- Use glass-bottom boats for children unwilling or too young to snorkel.
- Plan one major activity before lunch, then allow a nap or pool break.
- Use marked swimming areas, ask lifeguards about conditions and keep children close.
A relaxed family plan needs only Cellular Jail, Radhanagar, one water outing, Neil’s beaches and a flexible Port Blair afternoon.
Couples and honeymoon itineraries
Give Havelock three nights: one water activity, one sunset and one day without a transport deadline. Schedule weather-dependent kayaking early enough to move it.
Senior citizens and limited-mobility travellers
Avoid the Elephant Beach trek, Natural Bridge’s rocks and pre-dawn Baratang drive unless everyone is comfortable. Confirm lift or ground-floor access and ferry ramps; keep medicines in hand luggage. The official Travel Care page lists emergency contacts.
Solo, budget and luxury versions
Solo travellers can use shared excursions and activity-hub stays. Scooter riders need the required licence and a helmet.
A budget itinerary should reduce transfers before sleep. Compare ferries, eat locally and choose one paid activity. In five days, skipping Neil saves a room move, ferry and cabs.
A luxury itinerary still needs open time. Premium seats cannot prevent weather cancellations; three good Havelock nights beat daily resort changes.
Best time to visit Andaman in 2026
The official tourism guidance identifies October to May as the main visitor season, with calmer conditions generally favouring beach time and water activities. Weather is never guaranteed.
| Period | What to expect | Best planning choice |
|---|---|---|
| October–November | Post-monsoon greenery; occasional unsettled spells | Good shoulder-season option with a buffer |
| December–January | Popular, relatively pleasant and expensive | Book flights, rooms and ferries early |
| February–March | Often a strong balance of conditions and crowd levels | Excellent for a first trip and water activities |
| April–May | Hotter, humid and popular during school holidays | Plan early starts and midday rest |
| June–September | Monsoon rain, rougher seas and more disruption risk | Travel only with flexibility; expect activity changes |
An Andaman itinerary in December or January needs earlier booking and a larger budget. A summer itinerary in April or May needs sun protection and fewer exposed midday activities. A monsoon itinerary can still be enjoyable for slow resort time, but it is a poor choice if scuba visibility, Elephant Beach and uninterrupted island hopping are non-negotiable.
Permits, IDs and responsible travel
Indian nationals do not need a general entry permit for the usual Port Blair–Havelock–Neil tourist circuit, but should carry an original government-issued photo ID for flights, ferries and hotels. Forest areas, marine parks and certain islands can require separate permissions or tickets. The ANIIDCO entry-formality page and A&N Forest Department permit information are useful official checks.
Foreign nationals need a valid passport and Indian visa. Restricted Area Permit rules and the list of open islands have changed over time, so verify the current position with the Ministry of Home Affairs, immigration authorities and Andaman Tourism for the exact route and nationality.
Some boundaries are not negotiable:
- Do not enter prohibited tribal or protected areas.
- Never photograph, follow, offer food to or attempt contact with tribal communities.
- Do not touch or stand on coral, remove shells or feed marine life.
- Follow lifeguards and posted beach warnings; sheltered-looking water can still be unsafe.
- Avoid single-use plastic where restricted and take your waste back from remote beaches.
Frequently Asked Questions About an Andaman Itinerary
How many days are enough for an Andaman trip?
Six days and five nights are enough for a first trip covering Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. Five days is better for Port Blair and Havelock only. Seven days is ideal for families, couples and divers who want a slower pace or an extra weather buffer.
How much does an Andaman family trip cost?
A 5 nights/6 days Andaman family trip for four people generally needs about ₹1.10 lakh–₹1.50 lakh on a careful budget including flights. A comfortable plan is closer to ₹1.50 lakh–₹2.10 lakh, while peak dates, two rooms, premium resorts and several water activities can push the total above ₹2.25 lakh.
Is Andaman suitable for families with kids?
Yes. Radhanagar Beach, glass-bottom boat rides, Cellular Jail, short ferry journeys and relaxed resort time work well for families. Keep the first and final nights in Port Blair, avoid too many early starts and check age, height, medical and sea-condition rules for every water activity.
Is airfare included in an Andaman package itinerary?
Airfare is included only when the quote clearly lists flight numbers or an airfare component. Many advertised package prices cover hotels, ferries, transfers and sightseeing but exclude the flight to Port Blair. Ask for an itemised quote before comparing prices.
What is the best month to visit Andaman with family?
February and March often provide a useful balance of pleasant conditions, water activities and slightly less peak-season pressure. November and early December are also good choices. The broader official tourist season runs from October to May; Christmas, New Year and school holidays cost more.
Conclusion: Build the Route Around the Ferries
The best Andaman trip plan is not the one with the longest attraction list. It is the one that still works after a late flight, a changed ferry or a tired child.
Choose Port Blair and Havelock for a five-day trip. Add Neil Island when you have six days. With seven days, spend the extra time on Havelock or use it as a buffer before adding another excursion. Most importantly, return to Port Blair the day before your flight and confirm every ferry before locking non-refundable hotels and activities.
When your dates are ready, compare live sailings first, then build the hotel and activity plan around them. For the next step, read a detailed ferry-booking guide or compare family-friendly stays by island before paying a package deposit.
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