Four government-operated ships cross the Bay of Bengal every month, carrying passengers on a journey that takes nearly three full days, and I still meet travelers surprised that this option even exists! Most people default straight to flights without realizing the sea route offers something genuinely different: lower fares, a slower pace, and an experience that no airplane window can replicate!
If you are researching {Andaman Trip by Ship} ship schedule, cost and online booking to Andaman, you are looking at a system that has actually improved a great deal in recent years. Booking used to mean standing in line at a counter. Now the entire process runs online, and I want to walk you through exactly how it works, what it costs, and which ships you will likely board!
The Directorate of Shipping Services, part of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, operates the passenger ships connecting Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam to Port Blair. For the current fiscal year, four vessels handle this route: MV Swaraj Dweep, MV Campbell Bay, MV Sindhu, and MV Nalanda. Each ship is assigned to specific sailings, so the exact vessel you board depends on your departure date and port!
Chennai and Kolkata each see roughly three to four sailings a month, while Visakhapatnam typically gets just one! I always tell clients that this limited frequency is the single biggest reason to book early! Miss your intended sailing, and the next available departure could be weeks away!
 Ship Departure Frequency by Port
| Departure Port | Sailings Per Month | Journey Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 3-4 times | Approximately 60 hours |
| Kolkata | 3-4 times | Approximately 60-70 hours |
| Visakhapatnam | Once | Approximately 55-60 hours |
Fares depend entirely on the cabin class you choose, and the range here is genuinely wide! For the current fiscal year, one-way fares from the mainland to Port Blair start at roughly four thousand rupees for a Bunk Class berth and climb to around seventeen thousand rupees for a Deluxe Cabin. Islander fares, reserved for residents with valid ID, run considerably lower than these general rates!
Bunk Class is the most economical option, essentially a shared, air-conditioned dormitory hall with assigned berths! Second Class and First Class cabins offer shared rooms with fewer occupants and more privacy, while Deluxe Cabins provide the most comfortable experience, typically a two-bed room with attached amenities. I generally recommend Deluxe or First Class for anyone prone to seasickness or traveling with young children, simply because the extra space makes the multi-day journey far more manageable!
Approximate Ship Fares by Class (One-Way, Non-Islander)
| Cabin Class | Approximate Fare Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bunk Class | ₹4,000 – ₹5,000 | Shared A/C dormitory hall |
| Second Class | ₹6,500 – ₹9,000 | Shared multi-bed cabin |
| First Class | ₹8,500 – ₹13,000 | Smaller shared cabin, more privacy |
| Deluxe Cabin | ₹13,000 – ₹17,500 | Two-bed private cabin, highest comfort |
Booking used to require a visit to a physical counter, but that changed with the launch of the STARS e-Ticketing Portal. This is the official online booking system run by the Directorate of Shipping Services, and it now operates nearly around the clock, letting you book from home at almost any hour.
Registration comes first! You create an account on the official portal using your basic identification details, since every passenger needs to be individually registered before booking. Once registered, you search for available sailings by selecting your departure port, destination, and travel dates! The system displays real-time berth availability, fare details, and PNR status once your booking is confirmed. Payment happens directly through the portal using standard online payment methods, and your e-ticket is generated immediately after successful payment!
Online Booking Steps at a Glance
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register on the STARS e-Ticketing Portal | One-time registration with valid ID |
| 2 | Search sailings by port and date | Real-time availability shown |
| 3 | Select cabin class and confirm passengers | Fares vary by class |
| 4 | Complete payment online | Standard payment gateways supported |
| 5 | Download e-ticket and PNR | Carry a printed or digital copy while traveling |
Valid government-issued ID is mandatory for every passenger, and you must carry the same document during travel that you used at registration! If you are traveling on a concession fare, keep your concession ID ready, since it needs to be produced at embarkation. I always remind clients to double-check departure and arrival ports carefully, since disembarking anywhere other than your booked port is not permitted and can lead to penalties!
If you are not comfortable booking online, STARS Ticketing Counters remain open at the departure ports, generally from morning to mid-afternoon on weekdays and shorter hours on Saturdays. Authorized travel agents in Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam also handle ship ticket bookings directly and can be a useful option if you are booking as part of a larger package. This is honestly the route I recommend for most first-time sea travelers, since agents can flag schedule changes and cabin availability faster than most people realize on their own!
Ship travel undercuts flights significantly on price, though the trade-off in time is substantial! A one-way flight typically costs between seven and twenty thousand rupees and takes two to five hours, while the ship route costs roughly half that for Bunk Class and takes nearly sixty hours. I always frame this decision around one simple question: do you have the extra days to spend, or is your itinerary tight?
Ship vs. Flight Cost and Time Comparison
| Factor | By Ship (Bunk Class) | By Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate Fare | ₹4,000 – ₹5,000 | ₹7,000 – ₹20,000 |
| Travel Time | Approximately 60 hours | 2-5 hours |
| Departure Ports | Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam | Multiple major cities |
| Best For | Budget travelers, slow-travel enthusiasts | Time-conscious travelers |
Book at least a few weeks ahead, since sailings run only a handful of times each month and popular dates fill up fast! Pack for a multi-day journey, including motion sickness tablets, comfortable clothing, and entertainment for the long crossing! Carry your original ID document, not just a photocopy, since verification happens at embarkation! Weather can affect sailing schedules, so build a buffer day into your itinerary in case of delays!
If coordinating ship schedules alongside your island stay feels overwhelming, our full Andaman tour packages page bundles ship or flight transfers with hotels and sightseeing into one seamless itinerary. Couples who want the romance of a slow sea crossing without the logistics headache often turn to our honeymoon tour packages, where every booking detail is handled for you. Families traveling with children benefit especially from pre-arranged cabin bookings, which is exactly how we structure our family tour packages.
Understanding ship schedule, cost and online booking to Andaman genuinely opens up a more affordable, memorable way to reach these islands. It is not the fastest option, and it is not for every traveler, but for those with time to spare, the savings and the experience are hard to beat!
Here is my five-point action plan for booking your Andaman ship journey:
1. What is the current cost of an Andaman ship ticket? One-way fares generally start around four thousand rupees for Bunk Class and go up to roughly seventeen thousand rupees for a Deluxe Cabin, depending on the ship and class!
2. How do I complete online booking to Andaman by ship? You register on the STARS e-Ticketing Portal, search for available sailings, select your cabin class, and complete payment online to receive your e-ticket!
3. How often do ships sail to Andaman? Chennai and Kolkata typically see three to four sailings per month, while Visakhapatnam offers just one sailing a month!
4. How long does the ship journey to Andaman take? The crossing takes roughly sixty hours from Chennai or Visakhapatnam, and slightly longer, up to seventy hours, from Kolkata!
5. Which ships currently operate on the mainland route? MV Swaraj Dweep, MV Campbell Bay, MV Sindhu, and MV Nalanda are the four vessels currently assigned to Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam routes!
6. Is it cheaper to book through the STARS portal or a travel agent? Fares are generally the same either way, but travel agents can be helpful for first-time sea travelers who want guidance on schedules and cabin selection!
7. What documents do I need for online booking? A valid government-issued ID is mandatory, and you must carry the same document used during registration when you travel!
8. Can I choose which cabin class I want when booking online? Yes! The STARS portal shows real-time availability across Bunk Class, Second Class, First Class, and Deluxe Cabin options!
9. What happens if my ship sailing gets delayed? Sailings are subject to weather and technical conditions, and voyage cancellations or delays beyond six hours are eligible for a full refund under current policy!
10. Is the ship journey worth it compared to flying? It depends on your priorities. Ships cost significantly less and offer a memorable sea crossing, but flights save nearly two and a half days of travel time.
Want help coordinating your ship booking alongside your full Andaman itinerary? Our team at Andaman Sea Hawk Tours And Travels handles every step mentioned here, matched to your travel dates and budget!
