5-Day Budget Travel Itinerary for Andaman & Nicobar Islands

 

 5-Day Budget Travel Itinerary for Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Perfect — I’ll plan a practical, budget-friendly 5-day Andaman (mainly Port Blair → Havelock/Swaraj Dweep → Neil/Shaheed Dweep) trip for you (flights excluded). I’ll include cheap hostel options, daily vegetarian food estimates and nearby veg restaurant suggestions, exact places to visit with likely ticket/ferry/activity prices (with sources), simple routes (how to get there by local transport / walk), and a final cost estimate in ₹.



Quick assumptions I used

  • You arrive / depart Port Blair (Veer Savarkar Airport).

  • You prefer cheapest decent hostels (shared dorms) and will use local transport / walk.

  • Prices are approximate (ferry/company/tour prices change); I cite official/good sources for the most important numbers below. If you want me to switch to a specific ferry (Makruzz vs Govt.), I can update numbers.

Key facts & sources (most important items)

  • Cellular Jail entry: Indians ₹30; Light & Sound show adult ticket ~₹300. (andamantourism.gov.in)

  • Govt ferry fares Port Blair ↔ Havelock: seat/chair classes ~₹630–₹875; private high-speed ferries (Makruzz/Green Ocean) typically ₹800–₹1,800 one-way depending on class. Book in advance. (Andaman Ferry Ticket)

  • Ross Island + North Bay day trips (speedboat + snorkeling/parks) frequently sold as combos; prices range ~₹900 (basic speedboat) to ₹2,500 (combo packages). Snorkeling at North Bay often ~₹1,000 (gear included). (Andaman Ocean Tours and Travels)

  • Radhanagar Beach (Havelock) — free entry; top attraction (no ticket). (Go2Andaman)

  • Budget vegetarian food: local veg meals/thali ~₹200–₹500 each; plan ~₹600–₹900/day for 3 veg meals (depending on place). (Go2Andaman)

Cheapest hostel suggestions (Port Blair base)

  • Zostel Port Blair — popular backpacker hostel (budget dorms; book on Hostelworld / Zostel). Good location for jetty/markets. (Tripadvisor)

  • Typical dorm cost (estimate): ₹600–₹1,200 / night (seasonal). Book early for weekends/peak season.

Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) budget stays:

  • Guesthouses / hostels near Havelock jetty: dorms / budget rooms ₹700–1,500 / night (book on Hostelworld/booking sites).

Daily vegetarian food & recommended veg places

  • Estimate: ₹600–₹900 / day (3 simple veg meals at local cafes/thali places).

  • Port Blair veg options: Annapurna Cafeteria, Icy Spicy, Shree Bikaner (pure veg) — cheap and local. (TripXL)

  • Havelock veg options: Shakahaar (pure veg), local cafes (dosa/thali) — slightly costlier than Port Blair. (andamanexperts.com)

5-Day Detailed Itinerary (day-by-day + routes + costs)

Day 0 — Arrival info (if arriving late day 0)

  • Arrive Port Blair → take a taxi/auto to hostel (Zostel / budget hotel). Taxis from airport ~₹350–₹500 to town (approx). Walk around Aberdeen Bazaar / Corbyn’s Cove if time permits.

Day 1 — Port Blair: Cellular Jail + Light & Sound show

  • Morning: Cellular Jail museum (visit museum, memorial).

    • Entry (Indian): ₹30. (andamantourism.gov.in)

    • How to get there: take a local auto/taxi from Aberdeen/market (Port Blair city center is compact — most hostels are 10–20 min). Walkable if staying nearby.

  • Afternoon: Explore Chatham Saw Mill / Marina Park / Corbyn’s Cove (short local auto rides).

  • Evening: Cellular Jail Light & Sound show (book ticket in advance; show ~5:50 PM or 6:50 PM options).

  • Why Day 1: Good orientation to Andaman history and nearby walks.

Estimated Day 1 costs: Entry ₹30 + Show ₹300 + local transport ₹200 + food ₹600 = ~₹1,130

Day 2 — Port Blair: Ross Island + North Bay (full-day speedboat trip)

  • Book a Ross Island + North Bay combo from Aberdeen Jetty / Water Sports Complex (many operators sell a combined trip).

    • Typical inclusion: speedboat transfers, entry to Ross Island, snorkeling activities at North Bay (optional extras).

    • Price range: ₹900 (basic) — ₹2,500 (package with snorkeling & guide). Budget pick: ₹900–1,200 if you skip many extras; mid-range pick around ₹2,000–2,500 includes snorkeling. (Andaman Ocean Tours and Travels)

  • Ross Island: short walk, ruins, light forest, old British buildings. Easy walk from Ross jetty.

  • North Bay: snorkeling/glass-bottom boat/sea-walk options. Snorkeling gear often ₹1,000 (approx.). (Tripadvisor)

  • Route: Walk/taxi to Aberdeen Jetty → speedboat → Ross Island (30–40 min) → North Bay (15 min).

Estimated Day 2 costs: Trip ₹1,200 (mid-budget) + snorkel ₹1,000 (if choose) + food ₹700 + local transport ₹200 = ~₹3,100 (with snorkeling) or ~₹1,900 (without).

Day 3 — Move to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) + Radhanagar Beach (Beach No.7)

  • Morning: Ferry Port Blair → Havelock. Options:

    • Govt ferries (seat/chair) ~₹630–₹875 one-way (seat/chair class), or

    • Makruzz / private high-speed ferries ₹800–₹1,800 depending on class and season. Book early. (Andaman Ferry Ticket)

  • After arrival at Havelock jetty → rent a cycle or take shared auto to Radhanagar Beach (approx 20–25 min; autos/ taxis available).

  • Radhanagar Beach: free entry, top sunset spot (open day hours). Relax, swim, beach walk. (Go2Andaman)

  • Stay night at budget guesthouse/hostel near Havelock town.

Estimated Day 3 costs: Ferry ₹1,200 (mid) + transport on island ₹300 + food ₹700 + hostel ₹900 = ~₹3,100

Day 4 — Havelock: Elephant Beach or Scuba / Relax at Radhanagar

  • Option A (budget): Elephant Beach via local boat — great for snorkeling (book from Havelock jetty or local operators). Boat + snorkel package ~₹800–1,500 depending on operator.

  • Option B (splurge): Discover Scuba (first-time dive) or full scuba package — costs vary a lot; basic trial dive often ₹3,000–5,000+. (If you’re on a strict budget, skip scuba this trip.)

  • Afternoon: More beach time (Radhanagar) or rent a scooter to explore island.

  • Route: tuk-tuk/boat from Havelock jetty → Elephant Beach (boat 20–30 min) or jeep/auto for scooter routes.

Estimated Day 4 costs: Boat/snorkel ₹1,000 (budget) + food ₹700 + local transport ₹300 + hostel ₹900 = ~₹2,900 (budget option)

(If you take a scuba trial, add ₹3,000–5,000.)

Day 5 — Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) day trip → return to Port Blair

  • Early morning: Ferry Havelock → Neil or Port Blair ↔ Neil schedule varies; many travelers do Havelock → Neil → Port Blair routing. Ferry one-way to Neil: ₹800–1,500 (private) / govt fares vary. (Go2Andaman)

  • On Neil: visit Bharatpur Beach (snorkel/clear waters), Laxmanpur/Cyclone Point (sunset), Natural Bridge. No major entry fees (beach access free).

  • Late evening: Return to Port Blair by ferry (check timing, many ferries in daytime; plan well).

  • If ferry timings don’t match, you can return to Havelock and then to Port Blair same day (but plan bookings carefully).

Estimated Day 5 costs: Ferries ₹1,600 round (estimate) + local transport ₹300 + food ₹700 = ~₹2,600

Summary cost breakdown (estimated, per person, budget traveler)

(Hostel dorms, basic ferries/one mid-range ferry, one snorkeling, local food & transport)

  • Accommodation (4 nights dorm) — ₹600/night average × 4 = ₹2,400

  • Ferries & island transfers (Port Blair↔Havelock roundtrip + Neil daytrip + local boat trips) — ₹4,500 (estimate; depends on ferry class & operator). (Andaman Ferry Ticket)

  • Ross Island + North Bay trip (mid) — ₹1,200–2,500 (choose basic or combo). (Andaman Ocean Tours and Travels)

  • Food (veg) — ₹700/day × 5 = ₹3,500. (Go2Andaman)

  • Activities & snorkel (North Bay / Elephant Beach) — ₹1,000–2,000 (if you snorkel once). (Tripadvisor)

  • Local transport & taxis (approx.) — ₹1,000

  • Cellular Jail (entry + Light & Sound) — ₹330. (andamantourism.gov.in)

  • Buffer / misc (permits, tips, small shopping) — ₹1,000

Estimated total (budget, per person):

  • Low-budget plan (skip scuba, pick govt ferries & cheapest combos): ~₹12,000 – ₹15,000

  • Mid-budget plan (mix of Makruzz/private ferries, 1 snorkel, mid tours): ~₹18,000 – ₹25,000

These totals do NOT include your roundtrip flight to Port Blair. Ferry & activity choices change prices a lot — book ferries early (Makruzz / Govt. DSS/MakeMyTrip/Go2Andaman) to lock fares.

Simple route instructions / how to move in each place (short)

  • Port Blair city: Most hostels near Aberdeen / Aberdeen Jetty / Bazaar. Walkable to markets; taxi/auto for Cellular Jail. For island trips go to Aberdeen Jetty (Water Sports Complex) for Ross/North Bay boats. (Andaman Ocean Tours and Travels)

  • To Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): Ferry from Phoenix Bay / Haddo / Port Blair jetties to Havelock Jetty (book Makruzz or Govt). From Havelock Jetty, take shared auto/scooter to Radhanagar (~20–25 min). (makruzz.com)

  • On islands: rent cycle/scooter or take shared autos. Boats to Elephant Beach or snorkeling are on the jetty; book via local counters.

Booking & practical tips

  1. Book ferries in advance (Makruzz sells out in peak season). Government ferries cheaper but limited seats. (Andaman Ferry Ticket)

  2. Light & Sound tickets should be booked online via Andaman tourism site. (andamantourism.gov.in)

  3. Carry ID (original) — required at ferry check-in.

  4. If you want to scuba (PADI trial), book earlier — slots limited.

  5. Peak season (Nov–Feb) gets busy and prices rise.

  6. If strictly on a ₹12k budget, pick govt ferries, skip scuba, choose basic Ross/North Bay package and cheap hostels.


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