Ins and outs
Getting there
Veer Savarkar airport, 3 km south of Port Blair, has flights from Kolkata and Chennai. You can get an auto-rickshaw into town for Rs 30-50 if you bargain, or leave the airport compound and take a bus. Ships from the mainland dock at Haddo Jetty where you can get taxis but they invariably overcharge.
Port Blair and around
Make sure you confirm reservations. Problems can occur from mid-Apr to mid-May and during the Tourism Festival.
Air
Indian Airlines flies daily from Kolkata and Chennai, plus Jet Airways, Kingfisher and Indigo fly from Chennai. The new extended runway may permit flights to/from Delhi. Transport to town: frequent buses pass the airport entrance (Rs 5-6). Autos should charge Rs 30 per person; agree fare first. Some hotels send taxis. Flights are best booked a few weeks in advance (earlier for Apr-May). However, due to stricter enforcement of the 30-day stay regulations, officials may find you a seat to fly out even at the last moment. If stuck, try for tickets from Island Travels, Jet Airways or Indian Airlines, and ask to be placed on the priority waiting list. You can also request your international carrier to get Andaman’s tickets, preferably months ahead. Reconfirm on arrival in India, and after you get to Port Blair. Avoid mid-Apr when the summer holiday rush starts. Indian Airlines, G55 Middle Pt, behind PO, T03192-234744. Jet Airways, 189 Main Rd, Junglighat, T03192-236922.
Bicycle
Hire from shops between Aberdeen Bazar and the bus stop (about Rs 5 per hr) but you need to be very fit to manage the hilly island.
Bus
Local
State buses leave from the bus station near Aberdeen Bazar, T03192-232278. Computerized tickets are issued 0600-1900. There is a regular service to villages and districts. From Port Blair, buses go to Wandoor Jetty hourly 0530-1800, last returning at 1830 (1 hr), To Corbyn Junction buses every 30 mins (Rs 5), change to an auto (Rs 20) for the last 2 km to the cove. To Chiriya Tapu buses leave at 0500, 0730, 1030, 1200 (1 hr) but often late;
returns 10 mins after arrivals; last at 1900.
Long distance
Bus is the quickest to the far north, and the only way of reaching Diglipur (which involves crossing 3 creeks) the same night (0400, 0430, 10 hrs, Rs 170), via Baratang. Others to Mayabunder (0500, 0945, 8 hrs, Rs 130) miss the last ferry to Kalighat (1630) which connects to Diglipur. Direct buses to Rangat leave at 0545 and 1145 (7 hrs, Rs 95). Private buses, to Rangat daily at 1100 (6-7 hrs, Rs1 30-180), and Mayabunder, often noisy video bus. Buy tickets a day ahead from agents around the bus stand.
Ferry
Inter-island and harbour ferries
Most inter-island and harbour ferries operate from Phoenix Bay Jetty. Sailings appear in the Daily Telegrams newspaper (or ring Shipping Corp of India for times, T03192-233347). There are 2 decks and some snacks available on board. Daily to Havelock, at 0600, 1230 and (irregularly) 1400 (Rs 195); journey time is 2½ hrs if direct, or 4½ hrs if the boat goes via Neil Island. The Line Ferry leaves Port Blair at 0700 on Mon, Wed and Sat calling at Neil, Havelock, Strait Island, Long Island and Rangat (Rs 80, 7-8 hrs). To Diglipur via Aerial Bay Jetty, Tue evening and Fri morning, 14 hrs. Little Andaman (Hut Bay), daily at 0600 (Rs 25/70, 6-7 hrs). There are also less frequent services to Narcondam and Barren.
Boats to Ross Island daily except Wed, 0830, 1000,1230, tickets Rs 75 bought from the Directorate of Tourism. From Chatham Jetty to Bamboo Flats and Dundas Pt, hourly, 0600-2025 (2 hrs).
Mainland ferries
These sail between Haddo Jetty, Port Blair and Kolkata (66 hrs) and Chennai (60 hrs) run to a schedule of sorts 3 to 4 times a month. Also Vishakapatnam (56 hrs) once a month. Tentative schedules for the month are usually available at the end of the previous month; times of departure and arrival appear about a week before in the local papers. Last-minute changes are made depending on weather conditions and tides. Tickets are issued 7 days ahead but are not sold on the day of sailing. They can be difficult to get. Foreigners often stand a better chance than Indians, as there is a separate foreign quota available from booking office at Phoenix Jetty. Apply with 3 photos. The Directorate of Tourism has a tourist quota of 12 bunk-class berths for each sailing from Port Blair to Kolkata and Chennai. Put your name down well in advance. A few days before sailing, collect a form which entitles you to claim a berth from the Shipping Corporation of India a day or so before tickets go on public sale. End Apr/start May, 50% of tickets are reserved for the ‘teachers’ sailings’ and finding a ticket out becomes almost impossible.
Ships vary, but prices per person are: Deluxe Cabin (2 beds, shower), Rs 7,631; 1st/A Class (4 bunks, shower), Rs 6,341; 2nd Class (for 6), Rs 5,031; Bunk Class, Rs 1,961. The ships are 25 to 65 years old! Meals are available but it’s a good idea to carry some snacks. A kiosk sells biscuits, cigarettes, mineral water, soft drinks. Disembarkation can be chaotic and a free-for-all.
Motorbike
TSG (TS Guruswamy), Moulana Azad Rd, T03192-232894. GDM, T03192-232999, further up the same road, has good Kinetic Hondas, Rs 150 per day. Check insurance papers.
Rickshaw and taxi
Taxis charge Rs 20 within town, Rs 100 for Corbyn’s Bay and Haddo Jetty. They may refuse to use meters and are overpriced. Give autos Rs 10 for central areas of town, Rs 20 if it’s a bit further; to the airport should be Rs 30.
Train
Railway Reservations Office, near Secretariat, T03192-233042, 0800-1230, 1300-1400. Supposedly separate queues for Kolkata and Chennai, but a total free-for-all in a small building – best avoided. Buy tickets in advance on the mainland if possible.
Port Blair videos
