Getting There and Away

Written by Finn Weber, Karen Price, Rahul Sharma
11/08/2025
Captivating sunset view over Port Blair harbor with a docked ship casting a serene reflection on the water.
Nabil Naidu, Pexels

Port Blair is served by Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), the sole airport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and has several important jetties including Haddo Jetty for private ferries, Phoenix Bay Jetty for government ferries, and Aberdeen Jetty for local boat services.

By Air:

The most common and convenient way to reach Port Blair is by air. Direct flights are available from major Indian cities such as Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Visakhapatnam. Flight durations typically range from 2 to 5 hours from mainland India. For example, a direct flight from Chennai to Port Blair takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, with one-way fares starting around ₹4,039. Flights from Kolkata also take about 2 hours and 15 minutes, with one-way fares from around ₹4,303. Flights from distant cities like Delhi or Mumbai may involve layovers, extending travel time to 4-10 hours. Return fares can start from approximately ₹8,424. There are currently no direct international flights to Port Blair.

By Sea:

Regular passenger ship services connect Port Blair with mainland Indian cities including Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam. These voyages are significantly longer, typically taking 3 to 4 days (50-60 hours) depending on sea conditions. Sailings are less frequent, with generally three to four per month from Chennai and Kolkata, and one per month from Visakhapatnam. Ticket prices for ships can range from INR 2,000 to INR 10,000, varying by cabin class. It is advisable to book ship tickets at least a month in advance from designated offices, as online services may not be widely available.

No Train or Bus Connectivity from Mainland:

It is not possible to reach the Andaman Islands by train or bus from mainland India.

Inter-Island Ferries:

Once in Port Blair, one can travel to other islands like Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) via ferry services. Both private ferry operators (such as Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean) and government ferries are available. Private ferries typically offer faster and more comfortable journeys compared to government ferries. Ferry tickets for routes like Port Blair to Havelock Island or Neil Island generally range from INR 950 to INR 3100, depending on the class and operator. The journey from Port Blair to Havelock Island typically takes around 2.5-3 hours by government ferry, while private ferries may be faster. For popular routes like Ross Island, round trips can cost between ₹300 and ₹500.

Check out our other pages on Port Blair Andaman & Nicobar Islands

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