Booking a Puja holiday: a calendar that works
Train tickets open 60 days ahead and the hills fill by August. When to decide, book and pay for an October trip.
Andaman: what to know before you go
Ferries, permits, money and which beaches to choose.
The Andaman Islands are among the most beautiful places in India, and among the easiest to get wrong without planning.
Ferries are the backbone of any trip. Government ferries are cheaper but sell out early; private ferries are faster and more comfortable. Seas can be rough from May to September, and ferries are sometimes cancelled. We book seats as soon as your dates are fixed and build in a buffer day.
Indian citizens do not need a permit for Port Blair, Havelock or Neil Island. Carry photo ID everywhere; it is checked at ports. Mobile signal and internet are weak on the islands, and some shops accept only cash, so carry enough.
Havelock is the best base for most families: Radhanagar beach for sunset, Elephant beach for snorkelling and glass-bottom boats. Neil Island is quieter, for a day or two of doing nothing. In Port Blair, see the Cellular Jail and its evening light and sound show.
The best months are November to April, with calm seas and clear water.
