Key takeaways
- Flights: no nonstop from Kerala — connect through Bengaluru or Chennai to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair).
- Ferries: Port Blair to Havelock takes about 1.5 hours and Havelock to Neil about 1 hour on the fast ferries.
- Government ferries: book on the DSS portal, report 2 hours before sailing; gates close 30 minutes before.
- Island names: Port Blair is now Sri Vijaya Puram, Havelock is Swaraj Dweep and Neil is Shaheed Dweep.
To plan an Andaman trip from Kerala, fly to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) via Bengaluru or Chennai, spend a night in Port Blair, then take a fast ferry to Havelock (about 1.5 hours) and on to Neil (about 1 hour), returning to Port Blair before your flight. Five nights covers the main islands comfortably. The details below come from the Andaman and Nicobar administration and the ferry operators.
The new island names
| Old name | New name | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Port Blair | Sri Vijaya Puram | September 2024 |
| Havelock Island | Swaraj Dweep | December 2018 |
| Neil Island | Shaheed Dweep | December 2018 |
| Ross Island | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep | December 2018 |
You will see both names on tickets and signs; the airport is Veer Savarkar International Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram.
Getting there from Kerala
The Andaman administration lists regular flights to Sri Vijaya Puram from Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and New Delhi. From Kochi or Calicut, the usual route is one stop via Bengaluru or Chennai. Indian citizens need only a photo ID — no permit.
How the ferries work
- Government ferries (DSS): booked online on the Directorate of Shipping Services’ e-ticketing portal. Give your ID details when booking and carry the same original ID. Report 2 hours before sailing; gates close 30 minutes before departure.
- Private fast ferries (such as Makruzz, Nautika and Green Ocean) sail from Port Blair’s Haddo jetty. On Makruzz’s timetable, Port Blair to Havelock takes 1 hour 30 minutes and Havelock to Neil 1 hour.
- Sailings can be cancelled at short notice in rough weather, so keep your last night in Port Blair before the flight home.
The Cellular Jail light-and-sound show
The show at the Cellular Jail tells the story of India’s freedom fighters. Hindi shows run at 5:50 pm and 7:50 pm daily, and the 6:50 pm show is in English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (Hindi on other days). Tickets are ₹300 for adults and ₹150 for children aged 5 to 11, booked on the Andaman e-Tourist portal.
A simple 5-night plan
- Night 1 — Port Blair: Corbyn’s Cove and the Cellular Jail show.
- Night 2 — Port Blair: Ross Island and North Bay for a glass-bottom boat and snorkelling.
- Night 3 — Havelock: ferry across; sunset at Radhanagar beach.
- Night 4 — Neil: natural bridge and Laxmanpur sunset.
- Night 5 — Port Blair: ferry back, ready for the flight home.
See our Andaman family tour and Andaman honeymoon package.
Best time to go
October to May is the season, with December to March the busiest. From mid-May to September the monsoon brings rough seas and ferry cancellations.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Kerala to Andaman?
No. Fly from Kochi or Calicut to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) with one stop, usually via Bengaluru or Chennai.
How long is the ferry from Port Blair to Havelock?
About 1 hour 30 minutes on a fast ferry such as Makruzz; government ferries can take longer.
Do Indians need a permit for Andaman?
No. Indian citizens need only a photo ID, which must match the ID given when booking ferries.
What is Port Blair’s new name?
Sri Vijaya Puram, since September 2024. Havelock is Swaraj Dweep and Neil is Shaheed Dweep.
Ferry schedules and fares change often. This article reflects official sources checked in September 2026.
