Andaman Honeymoon Plan: Real ₹2.5L Budget for 10 Days
Most travel blogs float an Andaman honeymoon under ₹1.5L and gloss over ferry costs, permit fees, and actual resort pricing—leaving couples scrambling at the airport. The reality: ₹2.5L per person is a comfortable 10-day honeymoon that includes decent mid-range accommodation, internal flights, activities, and meals without constant guilt. We've built this number from actual Indian traveler data, not wishful thinking.
1. Flight Costs: DEL/BOM to Port Blair and Back
Your biggest ticket is always the flight. Direct flights from major Indian cities to Port Blair (Veer Savarkar International Airport, code PBH) run year-round, but pricing swings by season.
Mid-range airlines (Air India, IndiGo) from Delhi cost ₹22,000–₹32,000 return in the off-season (May–July, September–October) and ₹28,000–₹40,000 in peak honeymoon months (December–January, April). Mumbai flights track slightly higher; Bangalore and Chennai often match Delhi pricing once you account for one-way repositioning.
Booking splits matter. A round-trip Delhi–Port Blair booked 6–8 weeks ahead typically undercuts two separate bookings by ₹2,000–₹4,000 per person. Budget airlines occasionally dump fares below ₹18,000, but those routes often have early morning or late-night departures.
| Departure City | Off-Season Return (₹) | Peak Season Return (₹) | Best Booking Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 22,000–28,000 | 28,000–40,000 | 6–8 weeks ahead |
| Mumbai | 24,000–30,000 | 30,000–42,000 | 6–8 weeks ahead |
| Bangalore | 20,000–26,000 | 26,000–38,000 | 6–8 weeks ahead |
| Chennai | 18,000–24,000 | 24,000–36,000 | 6–8 weeks ahead |
Avoid booking exactly 3–4 weeks before travel; airlines jack up prices once demand data hardens.
2. Accommodation: Resort vs. Homestay Reality
This is where most couples either blow their budget or regret skimping. Port Blair, Havelock Island, and Neil Island each have different pricing tiers and trade-offs.
Port Blair homestays run ₹2,500–₹4,500 per night; mid-range resorts (3-star equivalent) ₹5,000–₹8,500. Havelock and Neil Island flip that—homestays are scarce and often family-run (book via local contacts or late-stage reviews), while resorts dominate: ₹4,000–₹6,500 for basic beachside huts, ₹8,000–₹15,000 for proper cottages with a/c and water views.
For a 10-day honeymoon, split it like this:
- 2 nights in Port Blair (arrival, acclimation, admin—why spend premium here?)
- 4 nights in Havelock Island (Radhanagar Beach, snorkeling, water sports)
- 3 nights in Neil Island (quieter, cheaper, fewer crowds)
- 1 night back in Port Blair (departure comfort or flight-delay buffer)
Port Blair homestays (₹3,000/night × 3 nights = ₹9,000). Havelock mid-range resort (₹7,000/night × 4 nights = ₹28,000). Neil Island homestay or basic resort (₹4,500/night × 3 nights = ₹13,500). Total stay: ₹50,500.
Couples overspend by:
- Booking 5-star resorts on every island (₹20,000+/night; ₹100,000+ just for beds).
- Staying only in Havelock (ferry hassles, higher costs, less island variety).
- Ignoring homestay reviews (you'll land in a damp room with no hot water).
3. Ferries, Permits, and Internal Transport
Here's what generic guides skip: the Andaman ferry system is complex, and permits add ₹500–₹1,500 per island depending on nationality.
Ferry costs (Port Blair ↔ Havelock ↔ Neil):
- Port Blair to Havelock (one-way): ₹300–₹550 by government ferry (bookable via Directorate of Shipping online), ₹1,200–₹1,800 by speed boat (private operators).
- Havelock to Neil (one-way): ₹200–₹400 government ferry, ₹800–₹1,200 speed boat.
- Return journeys mirror these.
For comfort and reliability (honeymooners shouldn't stress about ferry delays), budget speed boats: Havelock round-trip = ₹3,200 (₹1,600 × 2), Neil round-trip = ₹2,400. Ferry total: ₹5,600.
Permits:
- Indian passport holders need a Protected Area Permit (₹500–₹1,000 per person per island for Havelock and Neil). Some resorts bundle this; confirm before booking.
- No visa extensions required for Indian citizens; this is domestic travel.
Taxis and scooters on islands cost ₹400–₹600/day. Rent a scooter for Havelock and Neil (₹300–₹400/day) for 5 days = ₹1,600.
Transport subtotal: ₹5,600 ferries + ₹1,000 permits + ₹1,600 scooter = ₹8,200.
4. Food, Activities, and Water Sports
Andaman restaurant pricing is a shock. A mid-range dinner (fish curry, rice, soft drink) costs ₹600–₹1,000 per person. A honeymoon isn't the time to haggle over street food.
Breakfast at your resort: ₹400–₹600. Lunch (beachside shack or restaurant): ₹700–₹1,200. Dinner: ₹900–₹1,500. Add coffee, snacks, and a splurge meal (₹2,000+). Daily food budget: ₹3,500–₹4,500 per couple.
For 10 days: ₹70,000–₹90,000. Round to ₹80,000.
Activities and water sports:
- Snorkeling (Havelock): ₹1,200–₹1,800 per person (boat, guide, equipment).
- Scuba diving (Havelock PADI center): ₹8,000–₹12,000 for a 2-dive package.
- Elephant Beach speedboat + water sports: ₹1,500–₹2,000 per person.
- Radhanagar Beach sunset picnic (private setup, ₹3,000–₹5,000).
- North Bay glass-bottom boat (Port Blair): ₹800–₹1,200 per person.
- Cellular Jail sound & light show (Port Blair): ₹200–₹400 per person.
Pick 5–6 activities over 10 days. A reasonable mix: snorkeling (₹3,600), scuba (₹20,000), speedboat + beach picnic (₹5,000), glass-bottom boat (₹2,000), light show (₹800). Activities: ₹31,400.
5. Visa, Travel Insurance, and Hidden Costs
Indian passport holders don't need a visa for Andaman (it's India). Your passport must be valid for 6 months post-return.
Travel insurance (₹5,000–₹10,000 for 10 days, covering medical emergencies and flight delays) is non-negotiable. A honeymoon mishap—dengue, a bad fall, a missed flight—can cost ₹50,000+. Use Trip reality check to assess your risk tolerance.
Hidden costs:
- Airport transfers (Delhi/Mumbai → home): ₹1,500–₹3,000.
- Luggage (checked bag on return if you buy souvenirs): ₹1,500–₹2,500.
- Tipping, tips on activities, thank-you gifts: ₹3,000–₹5,000.
- Sunscreen, medicines, first aid (Andaman sun is relentless): ₹1,500–₹2,000.
Buffer: ₹10,000–₹15,000.
6. The ₹2.5L Breakdown Per Person
Here's the honest bottom line:
| Category | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Flight (Delhi return) | 25,000 |
| Accommodation (10 nights, split) | 50,500 |
| Ferries & permits | 8,200 |
| Food (10 days) | 80,000 |
| Activities & water sports | 31,400 |
| Travel insurance | 7,500 |
| Airport transfers, luggage, tipping, misc | 12,000 |
| Total per person | ₹214,600 |
| For two | ₹429,200 |
Rounding to ₹2.5L per couple (or ₹1.25L per person if splitting costs) gives you ₹20,000–₹30,000 breathing room for:
- An upgrade to a beachfront cottage for one night (anniversary dinner included).
- A full-day private boat charter for dolphin spotting.
- Coral Spa treatment or couples' massage (₹6,000–₹10,000).
- Restaurant splurges without mental math.
Use the Trip budget calculator to adjust for your flight city, resort preference, and activity picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book Port Blair ferries in advance, and can they sell out?
Government ferries (cheaper, slower) can be pre-booked 4 weeks ahead via the Directorate of Shipping website (www.shipmail.gov.in). Private speed boats (faster, pricier) rarely sell out but are pricier during peak season (December–January). Book ferries 2–3 weeks before arrival to lock in schedules; don't assume walk-up booking will work in December.
Is it cheaper to fly into Port Blair and out of Havelock, or vice versa?
It's cheaper to fly standard in/out of Port Blair. Havelock has no airport; some travel agents sell "helicopter transfers" as a workaround, but these cost ₹15,000–₹25,000 one-way and aren't worth it. Just ferry between islands. A one-way flight saving rarely beats ferry costs and hassle.
What's the actual cost difference between a resort and a homestay, and which is safer for honeymooners?
A mid-range resort costs ₹7,000–₹10,000 per night; a verified homestay ₹3,500–₹5,500. Resorts have standardized amenities, front-desk help, and predictable water/electricity. Quality homestays (book only with 4.7+ ratings and recent reviews) are charming and save ₹3,000–₹5,000 nightly, but you forfeit 24/7 support. For a first honeymoon, we'd split the difference: 3 nights in a resort (safety net) and 4 nights in a homestay (experience).
Should I buy international forex in advance, or use ATMs in Port Blair?
Port Blair has 24-hour ATMs (HDFC, ICICI, Axis, SBI) on every main street. You don't need forex. However, carry ₹5,000–₹10,000 cash (small notes) for tips, small vendors, and emergencies. Use Forex & bargain check to compare ATM fees if your bank charges abroad withdrawal.
What's the best time for a honeymoon to Andaman: December, April, or October?
December–January (peak season, ₹28,000–₹40,000 flights, crowded beaches) and April (hot, ₹22,000–₹26,000 flights, pre-monsoon calm) are best for water sports and snorkeling. October–November (monsoon tail, ₹20,000–₹24,000 flights, fewer tourists, occasional rain) suits couples who prefer quiet and budget. Avoid May–September (monsoon, water sports shut down, choppy seas). If you want calm water without crowds, book October or November.
Ready to Plan Your Andaman Honeymoon?
A ₹2.5L budget per couple isn't a luxury spend—it's a realistic, comfortable honeymoon that ditches the stress of penny-pinching. You'll get decent resorts, proper ferries, real snorkeling and scuba, and meals you won't regret. Skip the guilt, skip the generic five-island rush, and actually relax.
Start building your day-by-day itinerary now with real costs plugged in. Adjust flight dates, swap islands, add or remove activities—all in one place. Generate your free AI itinerary →