Port Blair to Havelock ferry: the basics
There is no road from Port Blair to Havelock or Neil, so every trip to the two islands starts on a boat. Two kinds of operator run the routes. The Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) runs the government ferries and sells its tickets through the STARS e-ticketing system for foreshore, inter-island and mainland services. Private companies run fast catamarans. This guide does not rank them.
Private timetables for 2025 and 2026 give about 90 minutes from Port Blair to Havelock, 60 minutes from Havelock to Neil and 60 to 75 minutes from Neil back to Port Blair. Take the departure jetty from your ticket, not from a guide. Timetables follow the weather, so check the current schedule before you go.
Our picks: tours with ferries included
Two six-day tours that include the ferries between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
6-day Andaman tour by private car with ferries
- Ferries Port Blair, Havelock, Neil
- Cellular Jail guide and light show
- Airport pickup
Hotel nights with breakfast and a private car cover Radhanagar, Elephant Beach, Natural Bridge and Chidiya Tapu.
Check availability →
6-day tour of Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island
- Ferries between the islands
- 5 hotel nights with breakfast
- Airport transfers
The route takes in the Cellular Jail with its light show, Ross Island, North Bay and Radhanagar Beach. Entrance tickets are extra.
Check availability →Andaman ferry, island hopping and transfer tours
Island trips that include the ferry between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, with live prices and availability.
Andaman ferry times and indicative fares
Typical departures and from-prices on the private catamarans. These are indicative 2026 fares, depending on the ferry and class; check the current price when you book.
| Route | Departures | Fare from | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Blair to Havelock | 06:15–07:45 (early) | ₹1,250 | About 90 minutes |
| Port Blair to Havelock | 07:30, 11:00, 12:30 | ₹1,800–1,900 | About 90 minutes |
| Havelock to Neil | 08:15–09:00 | ₹1,700 | About 60 minutes |
| Havelock to Neil | 15:00–15:45 | ₹1,500 | About 60 minutes |
| Neil to Port Blair | 09:30–10:45 | ₹1,800 | 60 to 75 minutes |
These are from-prices, and the final price at checkout can differ. For most travellers on a first trip, the early sailing to Havelock is the better pick, because it leaves the afternoon free for Radhanagar Beach.
Government ferries and private catamarans
How the two kinds of service differ.
Government ferries (DSS)
DSS published revised passenger fares for the financial year 2026/27 on 26 February 2026. Fares for residents and islanders are not tourist fares, so do not use an old resident price as a budget. The counter is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 and Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00. Online booking runs from about 00:30 to 23:30 or round the clock, so check the portal.
Private catamarans
Private operators sell their own tickets online and publish their own timetables. Check-in is 45 minutes before departure, and boarding ends 15 minutes before.
Changes and cancellations
DSS reserves the right to change timetables for weather or technical reasons. No connection is guaranteed, though that does not mean every monsoon day brings cancellations. Keep a spare day before a flight.
Weather and seasons →Which ticket for which jetty
Read the departure jetty on your ticket and plan the taxi ride from your hotel to that jetty.
Andaman ferry on the road to Baratang
Not every ferry is a passenger catamaran. The road north to Baratang crosses the Middle Strait on a vehicle ferry, and buses and cars drive onto the ramp. That trip is long: Baratang lies 100 to 110 km north of the capital, the road time is 3 to 4 hours, and waiting at the crossing comes on top. The forest permit for the Baratang caves is a separate item.
The road passes through the Jarawa reserve in a guided convoy, and stopping, photos, video and contact are forbidden. Read the Baratang guide for the convoy rules before you book.
Booking an Andaman ferry
A few steps in a sensible order.
1. Fix the dates
Decide on your nights on Havelock and Neil first. Book the ferry that fits, not the other way round.
2. Compare the departures
An early sailing is the cheapest in the table above, and a later one gives you a slower morning. Compare by departure time and by fare.
3. Check the jetty and the check-in
Your ticket shows the jetty. Allow time for check-in, which can start 45 minutes before departure.
4. Leave a buffer
Weather can shift or cancel a sailing. Do not book a ferry on the same day as an international flight.
Andaman ferries: frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Port Blair to Havelock?
Private timetables for 2025 and 2026 give about 90 minutes. Government ferries have their own schedule, so check the ticket for the time.
How much is the Port Blair to Havelock ferry?
Indicative 2026 fares start at ₹1,250 for the early sailing and ₹1,800 to ₹1,900 for later ones, depending on the ferry and class; check the current price when you book. Government fares for 2026/27 follow a revised table, and resident fares do not apply to tourists.
Is there a government ferry as well as private catamarans?
Yes. The DSS runs government ferries and sells tickets through its STARS e-ticketing system. Private catamarans run in parallel with their own timetables.
When should I arrive for the ferry?
Private catamarans ask for check-in 45 minutes before departure and close boarding 15 minutes before. Government ferries set their own times, so follow your ticket.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Timetables can change for weather and technical reasons, and no connection is guaranteed. Keep a spare day before a flight and check the current schedule before you leave for the jetty.