How to reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands should not be a matter of concern to a tourist. The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated in the ocean of Bay of Bengal towards the south-east of the mainland of India. This secluded union territory of India is linked to the rest of India by both sea and air thus facilitating travel to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
To travel to the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is most convenient to avail the airport located at the capital city called Port Blair. From this place, one can easily travel to the important cities of mainland India like Chennai and Kolkata. Flights are operated regularly between Chennai, Kolkata and Port Blair. A few major airlines that operate such flights are Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Air Deccan.
- Jet Airways
- Indian Airlines
Jet Airways is one of the airlines service providers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The airlines connects the capital city Port Blair to Chennai. Jet Airways is considered one of the finest airways in India due to its service. Another reason why people prefer Jet Airways to Andaman and Nicobar Islands is that it is one of the oldest airways operating in India.The economy premium fare of to and from journey of Jet Airways Flight between Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Chennai is Rs 11540. Fare of different classes would be different. It is a daily flight.
The time schedule of Jet Airways Flight for Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Chennai is as follows :
| Departure Time | Arrival time |
| 0610 | 0820 |
| Departure Time | Arrival time |
| 0855 | 1055 |
Indian Airlines in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the major airways service providers as it connects the Union Territory to two metro cities namely Kolkata and Chennai.
One of the oldest among all the airlines in India, it is well known for its hospitality and efficient service. The airlines is counted amongst one of the well maintained airlines. Indian Airlines also flies under the name of Alliance Air in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Indian Airlines offers daily flights to and from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Indian Airlines flights to Andaman and Nicobar Islands land up at the airport in Port Blair.
The time schedule for Indian Airlines flights to Andaman And Nicobar Islands from Kolkata and Chennai are listed below :
| Flights from | Flights to | Departure Time | Arrival time |
| Kolkata | Port Blair | 0530 | 0730 |
| Chennai | Port Blair | 0600 | 0800 |
The time schedule for Indian Airlines flights from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Kolkata and Chennai are as follows :
| Flights to | Flights from | Departure Time | Arrival time |
| Kolkata | Port Blair | 0800 | 1000 |
| Chennai | Port Blair | 0850 | 1050 |
If you want to fly to Andaman and Nicobar Islands by Indian Airlines flight, you need to know the fare chart. Given below is the list of fare for Indian Airlines flight to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Kolkata and Chennai :
| Flights From | Flights to | Fare(Rs.) |
| Kolkata | Port Blair | 12510 |
| Chennai | Port Blair | 11540 |
The fare chart for Indian Airlines flights from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Kolkata and Chennai are listed below :
| Flights From | Flights to | Fare(Rs.) |
| Port Blair | Kolkata | 11315 |
| Port Blair | Chennai | 10460 |
By Ship
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands stand in the midst of the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, one should not miss the fascinating experience of reaching Andaman and Nicobar Islands by ship. Passenger ships connect Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam, which are major cities of mainland India with Port Blair. These ships are available on a regular basis and help one to make a tour to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
On an average, in a month, 3 or 4 ships are available from Chennai and Kolkata to travel to Port Blair. From Vishakhapatnam, one ship is available per month to travel to Port Blair.
It takes around three days to reach Port Blair by sea. A ship generally halts for around 2 days at the seaport before leaving it to start a reverse journey, that is, from Port Blair to Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam.
MV Harshvardhana Ship
There are sufficient number of ships that convey passengers to the dazzlingly beautiful islands called Andaman and Nicobar. Among them, the ship known as MV Harshvardhana cherishes a top priority. The MV Harshvardhana is dowered with the reputation of being one of the most veteran ships that plies between the destinations of Chennai and the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.
The MV Harshvardhana in India was revamped and presented with a completely new and improved appearance after the 30 years of long and tiring service provided by it. With regards to other ships, the MV Harshvardhana of India can accommodate a wee bit less passengers. As a matter of fact, 749 passengers can board the MV Harshvardhana ship for a single voyage. During the refurbishing special care was consecrated to the fact that it should be able to procure trouble free service at least till the advent of the year 2008.
How to obtain tickets at Port Blair
The ticket counter lying at a stone's throw from the Supply Line at Port Blair is the venue from where, tickets are issued with prior consent from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. This ticket Counter is under the administration of the SCI authorities.
How to obtain tickets from Chennai
Since the Sci authorities are dowered with the coveted responsibility of managing and controlling these massive ships, tickets can be purchased from the ticket outlet that comprises a wing of the SCI office at the Rajaji Salai in Chennai-1. A land mark is that it is situated opposite to the office of the Customs. This counter also does booking for cargo also.
If you desire to get mesmerized by the breath-taking locales of the Nicobar Islands and spend some quality time there in the pleasant company of your loved ones, board the MV Nancowry ship and embark upon the sojourn of a lifetime. It were the robust Negritos and Mongoloids who resided in the gorgeous islands of both Andaman and Nicobar for a span of a few hundred years.
MV Nancowry Ship
If you desire to get mesmerized by the breath-taking locales of the Nicobar Islands and spend some quality time there in the pleasant company of your loved ones, board the MV Nancowry ship and embark upon the sojourn of a lifetime. It were the robust Negritos and Mongoloids who resided in the gorgeous islands of both Andaman and Nicobar for a span of a few hundred years.
Ever since its dawn, the Nicobar islands were virtually sealed off in a cocoon which barred its occupants to establish any sort of social or economical contact with the outside world. However, with the advent of the second century, the island of Nicobar gained its rightful spot in the map of the world with some help from Claudius Ptolemaeus, the immensely successful astronomer and mathematician.
It has been conjectured that the island of Nicobar had served to be the trade hub of the illustrious traders hailing from the far-eastern nooks of the globe.
The MV Nancowry is designated as a run of the mill passenger ship that is endowed with the provision for carrying cargo as well. The MV Nancowry of India commences on its odyssey towards Port Blair from the southern city of India named Chennai. It is the Shipping Corporation of India that owns and coordinates all the proceedings of the MV Nancowry in India. The ship of MV Nancowry undertakes two voyages in a period of one month from Chennai and one voyage from Vishakapatnam in span of three months. It takes approximately 1/2 days to reach Port Blair.
To obtain tickets you are required to fill up the requisition forms that can be easily retrieved from the Inquiry Counter for free. You will also have attach relevant documents and two recent passport sized photographs with the form.
MV Nicobar Ship
The Nicobar Islands constitute a significant portion of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar, India. The is a passenger ship which is destined for the heavenly delectable location of Nicobar islands. You can also book tickets for a pleasurable journey in the MV Nicobar of India by seeking assistance from the sailing schedule. As a matter of fact, the sailing schedule is published in accordance with the Government of Andaman and Nicobar.
If you desire to make a trip to the picturesque locale of Andaman and Nicobar, you should head for the ticket counter at the supply line situated at Port Blair. This outlet is aptly managed by the officials of the SCI Authorities.
Procedure of Procuring Ticket
The procedure for purchasing tickets of the MV Nicobar in Indiais really quite simple and easy. You have to fill up the prescribed requisition form that are available at the Inquiry Counter. It is given absolutely free of charge. The passengers have to also submit a pair of recent passport sized photographs with the requisition form. The passenger is also required to provide appropriate documents to support the requisition form. There is also a provision available to you for availing any special facility. If you want to do so, inquire at the Phoenix Bay Ticketing Counter.
The MV Nicobar ship conveys passengers to the delectable land of the Nicobar islands. This voyage on the MV Nicobar will be indeed so pleasing that you will definitely desire to come back again.
MV Swarajdweep Ship
The ship that leaves for the gorgeous destination of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is entitled MV Swarajdweep. As a matter of fact, the ship designated as MV Swarajdweep is dowered with the capacity to house an astonishing 1200 passengers at a time and simultaneously carry 1500 tons of cargo as well.
To acquire the tickets you would need to procure the requisition form that is easily available from the Inquiry Counter absolutely free of charge. Before submitting the form do not forget to attach two passport sized photographs and all the various crucial documents with it. There is also a provision for you to take advantage of concessions that are available at the counter situated near Phoenix Bay.
The venue where all sorts of bookings regarding cargo are done and passenger tickets are issued is the counter that lies adjacent to the office of the Dy. Director of the Shipping and Services. The office is located at a close proximity from the Gate no.1 that leads to the Chennai Port. Another landmark is the Customs office at Salai, Chennai.
MV Akbar Ship
The MV Akbar ship has been transferring eager holiday-makers to the pristine locale of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. As a matter of fact, MV Akbar is one of the very few ships that departs from the 'city of joy', Kolkata destined for the venue designated as Port Blair.
If you wish to bask in the golden and extremely gentle rays of the sun and get drenched in the serene and placid essence of the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, MV Akbar in India is the ship you have to board.
A few details that could prove to be vital for the foreigners as well as Indian who are planning to pay a visit to the Andaman and Nicobar islands by MV Akbar of India are that a stay of 30 days is are alloted to the visitants hailing from foreign countries which can be also expanded by a margin of 15 days. But for that they would have to retrieve a special permit from the official authorities who deal with immigration.
If you happen to be an Indian, you would only require to obtain a permit if you are scheduled to visit Nicobar islands by the MV Akbar Ship. You would also require a permit for visiting the adjoining areas which are still under the influence of the tribal people. This permit can be retrieved on submission of a prescribed form to the office dedicated to the Deputy Commissioner situated in the district of Andaman.
The fare table per berth is given below :-
- 1st Class Cabin costs Rs. 4,150 for non-islanders and Rs. 1,860 for the islanders.
- Ordinary Bunk costs Rs. 1,310 for tourists and Rs. 550 for islanders.
- Deluxe Cabin costs Rs. 5,880 for the tourists and Rs. 3,280 for the islanders.
- AC Dormitory costs Rs. 2,350 for the tourists and Rs. 1,490 for the islanders.
Last Updated on: 2nd April 2013
