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Fast FactsHow to get thereIt is possible to reach Port Blair, the capital of this union territory by Indian Airlines flight from either Madras or Calcutta.It is also possible to reach Port Blair by ship from Madras, Vishakhapatnam or Calcutta. Ships of the Shipping Corporation of India ply on this route every one of two weeks. The journey is four days long and not the most interesting or comfortable. But it is cheap. Passage and accommodation in a cabin is available for about Rs 3,000. SCI has an office on Strand road in Calcutta, phone: 033-2482354. And in Madras at Jawahar building, Rajaji road, phone: 044- 5220841. The flight from Calcutta leaves on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0530 hours IST and reaches Port Blair at 0730 hours IST. The air fare is Rs 5,305 for Indian passport holders and US $ 175 for foreign passport holders. The flight from Madras leaves on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 0530 hours IST and reaches Port Blair at 0730 hours IST and the air fares is Rs 5365 for Indian passport holders and US $ 175 for foreign passport holders. It is essential to carry your passport with you, even if you are an Indian passport holder so you are allowed entry into the islands. Indian Airlines usually charges even NRIs with an Indian passport the dollar fare. To avoid paying the difference it is advisable to write a local address and not mention that you are visiting from USA.
Where to stayThe Andaman islands have opened up quite a bit in the last few years and there is a fair selection of hotels to stay at. If you are looking for luxury accommodation then try:
For the cheaper accommodation try:
In the month of August you are likely to get some discounts on the rates of all of these hotels. Getting AroundIt is easy to hire motorbikes or scooters from the main Aberdeen Bazaar for Rs 125 per day. Taxis can be hired at the main taxi stand in Aberdeen Bazaar. They charge Rs 20-25 for trips around town and about Rs 50 to Corbyn’s Cove and it is probably possible to fix a per day rate with them. Be sure to bring a valid international driving license.Foreign passport holders can go to Havelock Island, Long Island, Neil Island, Mayabunder, Diglipur and Ranghat in the Andaman chain. Day trips are allowed to a host of other islands in the Andaman archipelago. Accommodation at any of these other islands is usually restricted to one hotel or guest house and it is usually government owned. The tourist office at Port Blair will help you. If you have an Indian passport then you can journey south to the Nicobar Islands. Car Nicobar, Nancowrie and Campbell Bay are great places to go to. Absolutely stunning. On these islands like the remote Andaman islands accommodation is limited to one guest house. Most of these islands have army barracks, where if you have some connections you can at least get some hospitality if not a bed. It is possible to move between these islands by SCI ships Travel regulations for foreign passport holders visiting the Andaman IslandsA maximum stay of 30 days is allowed. Permits can be obtained by contacting Indian consulates abroad. The other option is to go to the Foreigner’s Regional Registration office in Calcutta, Bombay or Madras on arrival in India and they should be able to arrange it within a day or two. The addresses:
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