If you are wondering where to leave for your short vacation, let your trail of thoughts lead you to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The place is set a little far from the Indian mainland and yet is an important part of India when it comes to the flourishing of tourism in India. Many people opt this location as their apt location for their tour and if you still don’t know anything about Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there is a lot to know behind the success of tourism in this place. A trip to Andaman is worthy from any destination such as Chennai, Kolkata or Vishakapatnam, when it comes to choosing the best packages that are feasible and affordable.
These days, more and more people are choosing the services of travel operators for planning out the trips as they come up with carefully crafted travel itineraries. The ideal days needed for knowing and enjoying the famous and well-known tourist attractions in Andaman and Nicobar tails long to only about five to six days as per the travel experts like Andaman Tour Travel who have great service record when it comes to serving travellers from all over India. Situated about 1188 Kilometer away from the closest point in the Indian mainland, this Island which is more beautiful with its closer connection with the Bay of Bengal is your place to explore with immense possibilities!
How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this place can be reached by the two prominent modes of transportation available in India. There are no trains from Indian mainland connecting to this Island which is a union territory of India. One can fly from India or take a voyage by ship to reach this Island.
If you are so much intrigued into taking a ship, then there are three options to leave from the Indian mainland. You can reach at Haddo Wharf at Port Blair where the seaport of Andaman is situated. To get a ship to Port Blair you will have to go to Chennai, Kolkata or Vishakapatnam/Vizag for your tour. From Chennai and Kolkata, about three to four ships are sailing to Andaman, i.e., at least a ship sail from these ports once in every week. From Vizag, there is only one ship in a month that leaves for Andaman.
If you are so much intrigued into taking a ship, then there are three options to leave from the Indian mainland. You can reach at Haddo Wharf at Port Blair where the seaport of Andaman is situated. To get a ship to Port Blair you will have to go to Chennai, Kolkata or Vishakapatnam/Vizag for your tour. From Chennai and Kolkata, about three to four ships are sailing to Andaman, i.e., at least a ship sail from these ports once in every week. From Vizag, there is only one ship in a month that leaves for Andaman.
From Kolkata
The distance to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Kolkata by sea is about 1255 Kilometer and it takes about 70 hour to reach here. So, you will have to spend on the ship for about 3 to 4 days. The fares will be around 2,000 INR to 8,000 INR depending on the facilities you choose for your accommodation. The ships by the Shipping Corporation of India to Andaman starts from the address Shipping House Number 13, Strand Road, Kolkata-17 and it is from the bookings are accepted.
From Chennai
You will have to cover a distance of 1190 Kilometer by sea for your journey via a ship from Chennai. The time taken to reach Andaman from Chennai is around 60 hour and approximates to about three days spent at the ship. There are dorm rooms to luxurious ones that can be availed from here which costs from 900 INR to 10,000 INR depending on the accommodation mode selected. There are two places in Chennai from where you can book your tickets for your Andaman tour. Either go to the office at Gate No.1 of Chennai Port, Opposite Customs Office, Rajaji Salai, Chennai-1 or to Port Trust, Rajaji Salai, Opposite Customs Office, Chennai-1 at Madras.
From Vishakapatnam/Vizag
The distance from Vizag to Andaman is 1200 Kilometer by ship and takes about 56 hour to reach, making it a journey of about 3 days. You will have to spend about 2,000 INR to 10,000 INR depending on the accommodation facilities selected. The Shipping Corporation address to get the reserved tickets is M/S A.V Bhanoji Rao Garuda Pattabhiramayya & Co. Ltd. Post Box No-17, Vishakapatnam.
As there are no online booking options available for Andaman trips, visiting the office and getting a ticket in advance is the only option if you want a ship voyage.
The fastest and easiest way to reach Andaman is by air and there are direct flights from the major cities in India like Chennai and Kolkata. The Vir Savarkar’s Airport in Andaman is at a distance of 2 Kilometer from Port Blair city. Some people will face health issues in link with seasickness and travelling by air is the best mode for them to reach Andaman for their trip. There are many travel packages available at affordable airfares.
From Chennai
About 63 flights embark on a journey to Port Blair from Chennai on every week on a daily basis. It takes about 2 to 3 hour to reach Port Blair by travelling for a distance of 1367 Kilometer. There are flights from 5.05 am to 12.05 pm from Chennai International Airport at GST Road of Meenambakam and it costs around 3,000 INR to 4,000 INR. People travelling from Bangalore can reach Chennai to get this flight. Those planning to fly from places like Pune, Hyderabad and Vishakapatnam also have to take the options via Bangalore to get the flight. Those travelling to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the places like Cochin, Coimbatore and Mumbai can reach here and get the direct flight from Chennai or there are connecting flights from these places that go via Chennai.
From Kolkata
From Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport situated at Dum Dum in West Bengal, it takes about 2 to 2.30 hour to reach Port Blair by covering an aerial distance of 1304 Kilometer. It costs from 3000 INR to 6000 INR for a flight ticket from here and the flights starts from 5.30 am. For those travellers from Delhi and Ahmedabad travelling to Andaman, taking a flight from Kolkata is the easiest option once they reach here by flight, train or by road for the tour around Andaman.
