Chennai to Andaman Ship Ticket Price Complete Guide

If you are searching for the chennai to andaman ship ticket price, the current official 2026–27 DSS fare starts at ₹4,115 for Bunk Class for a non-islander passenger on applicable mainland vessels. Higher accommodation costs ₹10,495 for Second Class, ₹13,195 for First Class and ₹15,905 for a Deluxe cabin on MV Swarajdweep or MV Campbell Bay. These fares exclude taxes and port charges.

The ship is a very different way to reach the Andaman Islands from Chennai. Instead of a short flight, you spend roughly three days crossing the Bay of Bengal, with accommodation ranging from a basic bunk to a private Deluxe cabin.

Important: Andaman’s capital and former Port Blair is officially called Sri Vijaya Puram. DSS uses this name in its current online voyage system.

Chennai to Andaman Ship Ticket Price at a Glance

Detail	Current information
Route	Chennai → Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair)
Cheapest listed non-islander fare	₹4,115 Bunk
Second Class	₹10,495
First Class	₹13,195
Deluxe Cabin	₹15,905
Fare period	FY 2026–27
Fare includes	Passenger accommodation; taxes/port charges extra
Typical sea journey	Around 3 days, depending on vessel and conditions
Booking authority	Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS)
Sailing frequency	Not daily; dates are published through DSS schedules
Chennai DSS office	Jawahar Building, 6 Rajaji Salai, Chennai
Best booking source	Official DSS STARS e-ticketing system

The official fare notification covers several vessel types, so the exact price depends on the ship assigned to the sailing.

What Is the Chennai to Andaman Ship Route?

The sea route connects mainland India with the Andaman Islands through government passenger vessels operated under the Directorate of Shipping Services, Andaman & Nicobar Administration.

Chennai is one of the mainland ports served by DSS, alongside Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. The schedule is not like a train timetable with departures every day. DSS says mainland-to-island schedules are promulgated monthly, so you should check the actual sailing date before arranging hotels, flights or other connections.

For a traveller who enjoys slow journeys, the ship has its own charm. You have more time to settle into the sea crossing, watch the horizon change and experience a side of the Andaman journey that a two-hour flight simply cannot provide.

What Is the Chennai to Andaman Ship Ticket Price in 2026?

The latest official DSS notification for FY 2026–27 gives different fares according to accommodation class and vessel.

Accommodation	Non-Islander Fare	Islander Fare
Bunk – MV Swarajdweep / MV Campbell Bay	₹4,115	₹1,530
Second Class – MV Swarajdweep / MV Campbell Bay	₹10,495	₹5,600
First Class – MV Swarajdweep / MV Campbell Bay	₹13,195	₹7,445
Deluxe Cabin – MV Swarajdweep / MV Campbell Bay	₹15,905	₹8,245
Bunk – MV Sindhu / MV Nalanda	₹4,515	₹1,680
Second Class – MV Sindhu / MV Nalanda	₹11,535	₹6,160
First Class – MV Sindhu / MV Nalanda	₹14,520	₹8,185
Deluxe Cabin – MV Sindhu / MV Nalanda	₹17,485	₹9,070
Seat – MV Sindhu / MV Nalanda	₹2,950	₹1,390

These are official FY 2026–27 fares and exclude taxes and port charges. The notification also shows that fares can differ between vessel types, which explains why two published fare lists may not show exactly the same amount.

For most tourists, the practical starting point is therefore ₹4,115 one way in Bunk Class, while a Deluxe cabin on some vessels can reach ₹17,485.

Does the Ship Ticket Include Everything?

Not necessarily.

The official DSS fare notification specifically states that the listed fares are excluding taxes and port charges. Therefore, don’t assume that the amount displayed in a fare table will always be identical to the final amount payable during booking.

How Long Does the Chennai to Andaman Ship Take?

Allow approximately 60–70 hours, or around three days, for the sea journey as a practical planning estimate. The actual duration can vary according to the vessel, sailing schedule, route and weather.

This is one of the biggest differences between travelling by ship and flying. A flight gets you from Chennai to Sri Vijaya Puram in a few hours, while the ship turns the transfer itself into a major part of the trip.

Weather is particularly important. DSS explicitly states that sailings are subject to prevailing weather conditions and technical reasons, and schedules can change because of these factors.

When Do Chennai to Andaman Ships Sail?

There is no dependable daily Chennai–Andaman ship service.

DSS states that mainland shipping schedules between Sri Vijaya Puram and Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Chennai are published monthly. The current official enquiry system lets travellers search the source port, destination port and journey date to see available voyages.

That makes one rule especially important: do not book your entire Andaman holiday around an assumed ship date. Check the official voyage schedule first.

The sailing may also be rescheduled because of weather or operational issues.

How to Book a Chennai to Andaman Ship Ticket

The safest option is to book through the Directorate of Shipping Services’ official STARS e-ticketing system rather than relying on an old travel blog or an unofficial reseller.

DSS provides online booking for mainland, inter-island and foreshore voyages. Its current e-ticketing system also provides access to voyage information, availability and fare details.

Official DSS website and STARS booking information

What ID Do You Need?

You need valid government-issued photo identification.

More importantly, the ID details entered during online booking must match the original ID you carry when boarding. DSS warns that discrepancies can result in a penalty of 10 times the ticket’s base fare.

DSS also limits online booking to a maximum of five passengers per transaction, with a maximum of two transactions per registered user per day.

What Baggage Can You Carry on the Ship?

This is one of the useful details that often gets missed in generic Andaman travel guides.

For mainland vessels, DSS currently permits accompanied personal luggage of up to:

• 55 kg or 5 cubic feet for Bunk Class passengers
• 125 kg or 10 cubic feet for Cabin Class passengers

Anything above the free allowance may attract excess baggage charges. Commercial quantities are also subject to applicable charges and rules.

If you are travelling with large suitcases, check the baggage conditions before leaving for Chennai. A cheap Bunk ticket becomes less attractive if you arrive with far more luggage than the permitted allowance.

What Time Should You Reach the Chennai Port?

Don’t treat the ship like a flight where arriving shortly before departure is acceptable.

DSS requires passengers to report two hours before the scheduled sailing time. Embarkation gates close 30 minutes before departure for mainland, inter-island and foreshore sectors. Late passengers can be refused boarding.

Carry your original ID and ticket details together so the verification process is straightforward.

How to Reach the Chennai Ship Departure Point

The DSS Chennai office is listed at Jawahar Building, 6 Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600001. However, don’t assume that the administrative office and the actual passenger embarkation point are the same location for every sailing. Follow the port and embarkation instructions attached to your specific voyage.

Starting point	Practical option
Chennai airport	Taxi/cab to the designated port or embarkation point
Chennai Central area	Taxi, app cab or local transport depending on sailing instructions
Chennai railway station	Cab is generally the easiest choice with luggage
Chennai DSS office	Jawahar Building, 6 Rajaji Salai
Andaman arrival	Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly Port Blair

The final embarkation instructions should always take priority because port operations can change.

What Is the Ship Journey Actually Like?

The first few hours can feel exciting because the journey still has the energy of a departure. Once Chennai fades into the distance, the pace changes completely.

A Bunk ticket is the budget option and is best suited to travellers who care more about reaching the islands economically than having privacy. Cabin categories make more sense for families, older travellers or anyone who expects a three-day sea journey to be tiring.

Don’t plan the voyage like a sightseeing cruise. This is a passenger transport service, and conditions at sea can change. Bring entertainment, personal essentials and anything you normally need during a long overnight journey.

And remember that the ship’s schedule is not guaranteed to the minute. DSS explicitly warns that weather and technical circumstances can affect sailings.

Rules, Safety and Important Things to Know

A few rules can save you a lot of trouble.

Carry the original ID used during booking. A mismatch between the booking information and your physical ID can lead to a significant penalty.

Arrive two hours early. The boarding gate closes 30 minutes before departure, so arriving at the last minute is risky.

Expect schedule changes. DSS says voyages remain subject to weather and technical conditions. If a voyage is cancelled, DSS provides for a full refund under its contingency rules. A delay of six hours or more can also qualify for a full refund under the stated conditions.

Check cancellation rules before booking. Normal mainland cancellations can involve charges depending on how close you are to sailing, while special rules apply to cancelled or rescheduled voyages.

Don’t rely on old fare tables. DSS revised passenger fares for FY 2026–27, so articles showing older ₹3,000–₹4,000-era fares may no longer represent the current fare structure.

What Surprises First-Time Ship Travellers?

The biggest surprise is usually how much planning the sea journey requires.

A flight lets you choose from many daily departures. A government passenger ship works differently. The sailing schedule is published separately, berths are limited, and a weather-related change can affect your wider itinerary.

Another easily missed point is the baggage allowance. Bunk and cabin passengers have different free baggage limits, so accommodation class affects more than where you sleep.

My practical tip: keep at least a little flexibility on both sides of the voyage. If your Andaman hotel, return flight or island tour has zero room for a delay, flying is usually the safer choice.

Chennai Ship or Flight to Andaman: Which Is Better?

The ship makes sense when the journey itself is part of the experience and you want to avoid paying for a flight.

Flying makes more sense when your holiday is short. For example, current Air India listings show Chennai–Port Blair flights available on multiple dates, although fares vary considerably by date and booking time.

Choose the ship if:

• You have several days available for travel.
• You want the lowest official sea fare.
• You enjoy long-distance sea travel.
• You are comfortable with a flexible schedule.

Choose a flight if:

• You have only a few days in Andaman.
• You have fixed hotel or tour bookings.
• You cannot comfortably absorb a weather-related delay.
• You prefer speed and convenience.

Sample Chennai to Andaman Travel Budget

The following is a planning example rather than a fixed package price.

Expense	Approximate planning amount
Ship Bunk, one way	₹4,115+
Ship Second Class, one way	₹10,495+
Ship First Class, one way	₹13,195+
Ship Deluxe, one way	₹15,905+
Taxes/port charges	Additional
Chennai local transport	Variable
Food and personal expenses	Variable
Andaman accommodation	Variable

For a budget traveller, the Bunk fare is clearly the cheapest entry point. But remember that the official fare excludes taxes and port charges, so use the DSS booking system for the final payable amount.

Nearby Andaman Planning: What Should You Book Next?

Once the ship schedule is confirmed, build the rest of your trip around it.

Most first-time visitors use Sri Vijaya Puram as their starting point before moving toward destinations such as Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep or other island attractions. Give yourself enough time between the ship’s arrival and any separate ferry or activity booking.

For your own travel website, useful internal links here would be:

• Andaman travel guide
• Best places to visit in Andaman
• Andaman trip cost
• Port Blair/Sri Vijaya Puram sightseeing guide

These should link to your existing relevant pages rather than creating new URLs solely for SEO.

Price & Schedule Volatility: Check Before You Travel

This is particularly important for this topic.

The Directorate of Shipping Services revised passenger fares for FY 2026–27, and its official website provides an online voyage enquiry system for checking schedules, fares and berth availability. Sailing schedules are also subject to weather and technical conditions.

Before paying for non-refundable hotels, flights or tours, check the official DSS system for your exact sailing.

Check DSS voyage schedule, fare and berth availability

For assistance, DSS lists a toll-free support number of 1800-345-2714 and a help desk at (03192) 245555.

FAQs About Chennai to Andaman Ship Ticket Price

What is the Chennai to Andaman ship ticket price in 2026?

For FY 2026–27, the official non-islander fare starts at ₹4,115 for Bunk Class on MV Swarajdweep or MV Campbell Bay. Second Class is ₹10,495, First Class ₹13,195 and Deluxe ₹15,905, excluding taxes and port charges.

How much is a Deluxe cabin from Chennai to Andaman?

The official 2026–27 fare is ₹15,905 for a Deluxe cabin on MV Swarajdweep or MV Campbell Bay. On MV Sindhu or MV Nalanda, the listed non-islander Deluxe fare is ₹17,485, before taxes and port charges.

How long does the Chennai to Andaman ship take?

Plan for roughly three days at sea, although the actual voyage duration depends on the vessel, route, operating conditions and weather. It is considerably slower than flying.

Does the Chennai to Andaman ship run every day?

No. Mainland-to-island sailings are scheduled rather than operated as a daily service. DSS says the schedule for Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam services is promulgated monthly.

Where can I book an Andaman ship ticket from Chennai?

Use the official Directorate of Shipping Services STARS e-ticketing system. DSS also provides an online enquiry service where travellers can check voyage schedules, fares and berth availability.

How much luggage is allowed on the Andaman ship?

For mainland vessels, DSS permits up to 55 kg or 5 cubic feet of accompanied personal luggage for Bunk Class passengers. Cabin passengers can carry up to 125 kg or 10 cubic feet, subject to the stated rules and excess baggage charges.

How early should I reach the port for the ship?

Passengers should report two hours before the scheduled sailing time. Embarkation gates close 30 minutes before departure, so arriving late can result in being refused boarding.

Can bad weather delay the Chennai to Andaman ship?

Yes. DSS states that sailings are subject to prevailing weather conditions and technical reasons. The administration has specific refund provisions for cancelled voyages and qualifying delays of six hours or more.

Final Verdict

The Chennai to Andaman ship ticket price makes sea travel an attractive option for travellers who have time and want a different way to reach the islands. In FY 2026–27, a non-islander Bunk fare starts at ₹4,115, while better accommodation ranges from ₹10,495 to ₹17,485 depending on class and vessel.

The important part is not just finding the cheapest fare. Check the exact sailing date, understand the baggage allowance, arrive two hours early and leave some flexibility for weather or operational changes.

For the most accurate price and berth availability, always verify your specific journey through the official DSS enquiry and booking system before finalising your Andaman itinerary.