How To Reach Andaman From Kolkata

At a glance:

Kolkata is one of the best-placed cities in India for an Andaman trip. It sits on the same side of the country as the islands, so the flight is short and there is even a government ship that sails straight from Kolkata port. This guide lays out both routes with real durations, indicative fares and the onward ferries you will need once you land in Port Blair, so you can pick the option that fits your time and budget.

Where Is Andaman & How Far Is It From Kolkata?

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal, about 1,304 km from Kolkata by air and roughly 1,400 km by sea. Both cities run on the same clock, so there is no time difference to plan around. Indian citizens need no passport and no permit for the main tourist islands. The one thing to remember is that the islands have no rail or road link to the mainland at all, so you reach them only by flight or by ship.

How To Reach Andaman From Kolkata By Air (fastest)

Flying is how most people do this trip. Several airlines run the Kolkata (CCU) to Port Blair (IXZ) route, and the nonstop hop lands you at Veer Savarkar International Airport in a little over two hours. If nonstop seats are sold out, one-stop options via a mainland hub run daily but add several hours.

Book two to three weeks ahead for the best nonstop fares, especially in the October to March peak. Port Blair airport handles daylight operations, so nearly all flights land by early afternoon, which leaves you time to catch an onward ferry the same day if you plan it right.

How To Reach Andaman From Kolkata By Sea / Ship (cheapest)

For travellers with time to spare, a government passenger ship sails from Kolkata port (Kidderpore) to Port Blair about 3 to 4 times a month. The voyage takes roughly 55 to 70 hours, so plan for about three days at sea. Vessels on this route have included MV Nicobar, MV Nancowry, MV Akbar, MV Harshavardhana and MV Swaraj Dweep, with fares set by cabin class: Bunk (cheapest), 2nd, 1st and Deluxe Cabin. Tickets are sold through the Shipping Corporation of India and the A&N Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) e-ticketing counter, not the usual flight portals, and sailing dates are announced only a few weeks ahead.

The ship is the budget and the adventure choice in one. You trade three days for a fare that can be a fraction of a flight, but the schedule is thin and can shift with the weather, so it suits flexible travellers rather than anyone on a fixed leave window.

Flight vs Ship: Which Should You Choose?

In short: fly if your holiday is a week or less, which covers almost everyone. Take the ship only if the three-day crossing is part of the appeal and your dates are loose.

Is There A Train To Andaman From Kolkata?

No. There is no train and no road to the Andaman Islands, because they sit about 1,300 km out in the Bay of Bengal with no mainland link. A train can only take you as far as a coastal port city. The final, unavoidable leg to Port Blair is always by flight or by government ship. If a distance calculator shows a 'road' figure of around 2,000 km, treat it as a nominal on-land number only, since no drivable route actually exists.

Cost Of Travelling From Kolkata To Andaman

 • Flight (one-way): Rs 6,000 to 15,000 per person, higher during the October to March peak.

 • Government ship (one-way): roughly Rs 3,915 to 4,300 in Bunk class, up to Rs 15,145 to 16,650 for a Deluxe Cabin (non-islander fares, before taxes      and port charges).

 • Island ferries (Port Blair to Havelock or Neil): about Rs 1,000 to 2,000 per leg.

As a rough rule, a return flight plus the Havelock and Neil ferries lands most travellers in the Rs 14,000 to 34,000 range for transport alone, before hotels and activities. The ship route cuts the long-haul fare sharply but adds four to six extra days to the trip.

Best Time To Travel From Kolkata To Andaman

October to May is the window to aim for, when the seas stay calm and both flights and ferries run reliably. The southwest monsoon from June to September brings rough water that can suspend inter-island ferries at short notice, so if you must travel in those months, fly rather than rely on the ship, and keep your onward ferry plans flexible. For the full seasonal breakdown, see our best time to visit Andaman guide.

Reaching The Major Islands After Port Blair (onward ferries)

Port Blair is the gateway, not the final stop. Most itineraries head straight for Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep), and both are reached by ferry. Private catamaran ferries such as Makruzz and Nautika are faster and more comfortable; government ferries are cheaper but book out early.

Book these onward ferries in advance during the October to May peak, since the popular morning and midday sailings fill up days ahead. A ground tip from our Andaman desk: in choppy monsoon weather, the early afternoon catamaran tends to cancel less often than the first morning sailing.

If you would rather have the flights, ferries and hotels bundled and timed for you, browse our Kolkata to Andaman tour packages, which are built around these exact connections.

Permits, Travel Tips & Who Should Pick What

Do Indians need a permit? No. Indian citizens need no passport and no Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for the main tourist islands, just a government photo ID. Foreign nationals no longer need a pre-issued RAP for most islands but must register on arrival. Beyond that, a few practical calls make the trip smoother:

 • Short leave, first-timers and families: fly direct and reach Port Blair the same day.

 • Budget travellers with 3+ spare days: watch for the monthly ship schedule and book the government sailing as soon as dates open.

 • Carry a government photo ID for every traveller, including infants; it is checked at the airport and the ferry counters.

 • Book onward ferries early in peak season, and keep a buffer day if you are relying on the ship either way.

Planning the islands themselves? Start with our Andaman places to visit and things to do in Andaman guides, or see the full Andaman travel guide.