How Much Does an Andaman Trip Really Cost in 2026?
Complete Budget Breakdown
Planning an Andaman holiday in 2026? Discover realistic costs for flights, hotels, ferries, food, and water sports across Budget, Comfortable, Premium, and Luxury options.
Understanding the True Cost of an Andaman Holiday
Calculating an Andaman trip cost requires looking past fixed price tags. As local ground operators based in Port Blair, Gallivanting Tours regularly sees travellers caught off guard by misleading headline prices. A brochure advertising a "₹19,999 Andaman Holiday" often omits critical expenses like inter-island private ferries, peak-season hotel surcharges, activity entry permits, or return flight tickets.
An Andaman holiday isn't a single-destination city trip—it is an island-hopping voyage across the Bay of Bengal. Your total expenditure is determined by six structural variables: group composition, duration, seasonality, transport modes, accommodation standards, and activity preferences.
To budget accurately, split your expenditure into six clear components: Total Andaman Trip Budget = Flights + Land Cost (Hotels + Transfers) + Inter-Island Ferries + Food + Activities + Personal Expenses / Upgrades
Defining the Four Travel Styles
Accommodation: Non-AC or basic AC guest houses, homestays, 2-star properties.
Transport: Rental scooters, shared auto-rickshaws, government ferries.
Dining: Local eateries, thali joints, small beach shacks.
Activities: Self-guided beach visits, standard snorkelling.
Accommodation: 3-star hotels, properties with swimming pools, breakfast included.
Transport: Private AC sedan/SUV, Economy/Premium ferry seats.
Dining: Mid-range beach cafes, multi-cuisine hotel restaurants.
Activities: Introductory scuba diving, glass-bottom boat rides.
Accommodation: 4-star and 5-star boutique beachfront resorts, spa facilities.
Transport: Private AC vehicles, Royal/Luxury ferry seats.
Dining: Resort fine dining, specialized seafood establishments.
Activities: Certified scuba diving, mangrove kayaking, photo sessions.
Accommodation: Iconic 5-star properties (Taj Exotica, Barefoot) in villa/pool-villa categories.
Transport: Luxury transfers, Business Class catamaran suites or private speedboats.
Dining: Curated multi-course meals, private beach dinners.
Activities: Private yacht charters, private dive instructors, exclusive tours.
2026 Andaman Cost Breakdown Matrix
The table below outlines typical land-based expenses per person (assuming double occupancy for accommodations) for a standard 5N/6D itinerary covering Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island. All figures are in INR (₹).
| Category | Budget | Comfortable | Premium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night / room) | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 | ₹4,000 – ₹7,500 | ₹8,500 – ₹16,000 | ₹22,000 – ₹45,000+ |
| Local Ground Transport (Total/person) | ₹1,200 – ₹2,500 | ₹3,500 – ₹5,500 | ₹6,000 – ₹9,500 | ₹12,000 – ₹20,000+ |
| Inter-Island Ferries (3 Sectors/person) | ₹1,500 – ₹2,100 | ₹3,600 – ₹4,800 | ₹5,200 – ₹7,500 | ₹9,500 – ₹10,500 |
| Food & Meals (per person / day) | ₹400 – ₹700 | ₹900 – ₹1,600 | ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 | ₹4,000 – ₹7,500+ |
| Water Sports & Excursions (per person) | ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 | ₹4,500 – ₹8,000 | ₹9,000 – ₹16,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹60,000+ |
| Miscellaneous & Buffer (per person) | ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 | ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 | ₹4,000 – ₹7,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 |
| Est. Total Land Cost (per person) | ₹11,500 – ₹18,000 | ₹25,000 – ₹38,000 | ₹50,000 – ₹78,000 | ₹1,25,000 – ₹2,20,000+ |
Line-by-Line Breakdown of Island Expenses in 2026
1. Inter-Island Ferries
Inter-island ferry costs are fixed and mandatory for any itinerary beyond Port Blair.
Economy / Premium Class: ₹1,100 – ₹1,400 per person per sector.
Deluxe / Royal Class: ₹1,500 – ₹2,250 per person per sector.
Business Class (Nautika Pro / Makruzz Royal): ₹2,900 – ₹3,400 per person per sector.
₹400 – ₹830 per sector. Note: Tickets open 2–3 days prior, with primary preference given to Andaman residents. Unreliable for fixed tourist schedules.
2. Accommodation Pricing
Hotel rates vary based on location, proximity to the beach, and booking season.
3. Local Ground Transportation
Due to island geography, transport operates on fixed union pricing for point-to-point transfers.
Airport pick-up/drop ₹400–₹600; city sightseeing (Cellular Jail, Corbyn's Cove, Chidiyatapu round trip) ₹1,500–₹2,500 per cab.
Jetty to resort transfer ₹400–₹900; Radhanagar Beach round trip ₹1,200–₹1,800; full-day cab charter ₹3,000–₹4,000. Scooter rentals ₹500–₹800/day + petrol.
Jetty transfer ₹400–₹600; 3-point beach tour (Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Natural Bridge) ₹1,500–₹2,200 per cab.
Port Blair to Baratang (Limestone Caves) private cab round-trip costs ₹4,500–₹5,500 per vehicle.
4. Food & Dining
5. Water Sports & Experience Prices (2026 Direct Pricing)
6. Special Upgrades & Photography
₹5,000 – ₹12,000 per setup (including 3-course dinner for a couple).
₹5,000 – ₹12,000 per session (Havelock or Neil beaches).
7. Seasonality & Pricing Fluctuations
Baseline standard tariffs apply. Calm seas, clear underwater visibility.
Mild weather, lower crowds; hotel discounts of 10%–20% are common.
Heavy rain and wind can interrupt inter-island ferries and water sports. Hotel rates drop by 30%–50%.
Flights — Why They Must Be Budgeted Separately
Airfare to Port Blair (Veer Savarkar International Airport - IXZ) should always be treated as an independent variable from your local island package.
| Mainland City (Origin) | Flying Time | Return Fare Range (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata (CCU) / Chennai (MAA) | 2.0 hrs | ₹10,000 – ₹16,000 |
| Bengaluru (BLR) / Hyderabad (HYD) | 2.5 hrs | ₹14,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Delhi (DEL) / Mumbai (BOM) | 3.5 hrs | ₹16,000 – ₹28,000+ |
Booking Window: Booking 60–90 days ahead typically secures the lowest slab fares. Booking within 15 days of travel during peak winter can double airfare costs.
Holiday Spikes: Long weekends (Diwali, Christmas, Republic Day) see steep price increases across all routes.
Baggage Allowance: Standard economy tickets usually include 15 kg checked baggage per passenger.
Realistic Sample Budgets (2026 Estimates)
Note: All budgets listed below are total costs for the entire party (excluding flights unless explicitly stated). Includes GST (5%).
Budget A: Couple — 4N/5D (Comfortable Category)
Itinerary: 2N Port Blair, 2N Havelock Island.
Stay: 3-star hotels with breakfast.
Transport: Private AC transfers; Makruzz/Nautika Premium Class ferry tickets.
Activities: Shore scuba dive for 2, Elephant Beach boat trip + basic snorkelling.
Estimated Land Cost: ₹42,000 – ₹48,000 total per couple
Estimated Flight Cost (from MAA/CCU): ₹22,000 – ₹28,000 total per couple
Total Estimated Trip Cost: ₹64,000 – ₹76,000 per couple
Budget B: Couple — 5N/6D (Comfortable Category)
Itinerary: 2N Port Blair, 2N Havelock, 1N Neil Island.
Stay: 3-star beach-access resorts.
Transport: Private AC cab transfers; private catamaran ferries across 3 sectors.
Activities: Intro boat scuba dive for 2, glass-bottom boat ride.
Estimated Land Cost: ₹52,000 – ₹60,000 total per couple
Estimated Flight Cost (from BLR/DEL): ₹28,000 – ₹38,000 total per couple
Total Estimated Trip Cost: ₹80,000 – ₹98,000 per couple
Budget C: Couple — 6N/7D (Comfortable Honeymoon)
Itinerary: 2N Port Blair, 3N Havelock, 1N Neil Island.
Stay: Mid-range romantic resorts with pool/beach access.
Inclusions: Boat scuba dive, 1 private beach candlelight dinner, flower bed decoration.
Estimated Land Cost: ₹68,000 – ₹78,000 total per couple
Estimated Flight Cost (from DEL/BOM): ₹32,000 – ₹42,000 total per couple
Total Estimated Trip Cost: ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,20,000 per couple
Budget D: Family of 4 — 5N/6D (2 Adults + 2 Kids under 12)
Itinerary: 2N Port Blair, 2N Havelock, 1N Neil Island.
Stay: Family rooms / adjoining rooms in 3/4-star resorts with breakfast.
Transport: Private AC Ertiga/Innova vehicle; private ferry tickets.
Estimated Land Cost: ₹82,000 – ₹95,000 total for family
Estimated Flight Cost (4 Tickets from BLR/BOM): ₹55,000 – ₹80,000 total
Total Estimated Trip Cost: ₹1,37,000 – ₹1,75,000 for family of 4
Budget E: Premium Couple — 6N/7D (4-Star Beachfront Category)
Stay: Premium beachfront cottages / villas (SeaShell, Barefoot, Coral Reef).
Transport: Private AC SUV; Makruzz/Nautika Royal Class ferry tickets.
Activities: Guided boat scuba diving with underwater video, mangrove kayaking, private photography session.
Estimated Land Cost: ₹1,25,000 – ₹1,55,000 total per couple
Estimated Flight Cost: ₹32,000 – ₹45,000 total per couple
Total Estimated Trip Cost: ₹1,57,000 – ₹2,00,000 per couple
Budget F: Luxury Couple — 6N/7D (5-Star Luxury Category)
Stay: Deluxe Luxury Villas / Private Pool Villas (Taj Exotica, Barefoot).
Transport: Luxury private vehicle; Nautika Pro Business Class cabins or private speedboats.
Inclusions: Private instructor boat dive, private mangrove excursion, high-end spa session.
Estimated Land Cost: ₹2,80,000 – ₹3,80,000+ total per couple
Estimated Flight Cost: ₹35,000 – ₹50,000 total per couple
Total Estimated Trip Cost: ₹3,15,000 – ₹4,30,000+ per couple
Why One ₹50,000 Andaman Package May Not Really Cost ₹50,000
When comparing Andaman holiday packages online, matching headline figures directly can lead to unexpected expenses. A low initial quote may exclude crucial trip components.
- Inter-Island Ferry Tickets — Can add ₹7,000 – ₹10,000 for a couple
- Private Cabs vs. Shared Tempo Travellers — Point-to-point drop-offs instead of full-day availability
- Activity Costs — Scuba diving, sea walking, or boat transfers left as "optional extra" charges
- Peak Season Hotel Surcharges & Mandatory Gala Dinners — December/January visits
- Entry Fees & Forest Permits — Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Elephant Beach permits
- Mandatory 5% GST & Local Driver Allowances
- ₹50,000 quoted rate
- Uses budget hotels far from the beach
- Includes only basic government ferries (unconfirmed seats)
- Offers shared bus transfers
- Excludes scuba diving and dinner meals
- Real Cost after adding private ferries, local cabs, activities, and taxes: ₹72,000+
- ₹50,000 quoted rate
- Covers confirmed 3-star hotels with breakfast
- Includes private AC sedan transfers
- Confirmed Makruzz private ferry seats
- All permits & GST included
- Real Final Cost: ₹50,000
What Should You Spend More Money On?
Where You Can Safely Save Money
Where NOT to Cut Costs
"A cheap package that excludes ferries, cabs, and activities isn't cheap at all. The real cost is revealed at the jetty."
Per person land cost for a 5N/6D trip
The sweet spot for most travellers
For honeymooners and luxury seekers
Lowest fares for flights and premium ferry seats
📚 Useful Resources for Budgeting Your Trip
🗺️ Customised Andaman Packages ⛴️ Andaman Private Ferry Booking Guide 🏝️ Complete Havelock Island Guide 🏝️ Neil Island Sightseeing and Stay OptionsReady to Build a Realistic Andaman Budget for 2026?
If you already know your dates, number of travellers, and preferred travel style, Gallivanting Tours can help you build a realistic itinerary around your actual budget.
Chat with a Local Specialist on WhatsAppFrequently Asked
Questions
A 4N/5D Andaman trip for a couple typically costs between ₹38,000 and ₹52,000 for a Comfortable trip (excluding mainland flights). Budget travellers can manage around ₹22,000–₹32,000, while Premium/Luxury trips range from ₹80,000 to ₹2,50,000+ depending on resort choices.
Most transparent destination management companies exclude flights from the base package because flight prices fluctuate wildly depending on departure city, booking lead time, and season. Direct round-trip flights from Chennai or Kolkata cost ₹10,000–₹16,000, while flights from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru range from ₹16,000–₹28,000 per person.
Beginner scuba diving in Havelock costs ₹3,500 to ₹5,500 per person. Sea walking costs around ₹3,500–₹3,800, parasailing costs ₹3,000–₹4,500, and jet skiing costs ₹600–₹1,200. Budgeting ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 per person covers 2 to 3 major water activities.
Private catamarans like Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, and ITT Majestic charge between ₹1,100 and ₹1,800 per person for standard Economy/Premium classes per sector. Upper class, Royal, or Business cabins range from ₹2,100 to ₹3,400 per sector.
Food costs vary by island. Budget meals at local dhabas cost ₹200–₹400 per meal. Mid-range cafes and seafood restaurants in Havelock cost ₹600–₹1,200 per person per meal, while luxury resort dining averages ₹2,000–₹4,000 per person per meal.
A 6N/7D luxury Andaman honeymoon with 5-star beachfront resorts (like Taj Exotica or Barefoot), private boat transfers, candlelit dinners, professional photography, and scuba diving ranges between ₹1,80,000 and ₹3,50,000 for land expenses per couple.
The off-season (monsoon months of June through August) offers hotel discounts of 30% to 50%. However, sea activities may face weather disruptions. The shoulder months of September and May offer a good balance of lower prices and decent weather.
While UPI and cards work in main hubs in Port Blair and larger resorts on Havelock, network connectivity on Neil and remote beaches can be spotty. Carry ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 in cash per couple for local auto-rickshaws, beach vendors, small seafood joints, and tips.
Plan your Andaman trip with complete transparency.
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