Delhi to Andaman Complete Flight Guide — Fares, Routings, Season and Port Blair Connections in 2026
By Priya Nair (Indian-domestic travel writer specialising in beach destinations and island connections.) · Published · 10 min read
Andaman is one of India's most stunning island circuits, but the flight side trips up first-time visitors more than the snorkelling does. Here is the complete 2026 Delhi to Port Blair guide — direct vs one-stop, airline-by-airline fares, permits, ferry connections to Havelock and Neil, and exactly when to fly for the best beaches and the best prices.
What this article covers
Why Andaman is a one-airport game — Port Blair (IXZ) is your only gateway
Direct vs one-stop — the two route shapes from Delhi to Port Blair
Airlines on the Delhi-Port Blair sector and what to expect from each
Fare cycles by season — what you should actually pay in 2026
Baggage, gear and the scuba kit question
Veer Savarkar Airport — what to expect on arrival
The permit question — what you actually need in 2026
Ferry connections — Port Blair to Havelock and Neil
Best time to visit — beaches, weather and the diving calendar
Food, stay and the honest budget for a Delhi-to-Andaman week
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Delhi to Port Blair in 2026?
Yes, both IndiGo and Air India operate non-stop DEL-IXZ flights in 2026, typically as morning departures with a block time of around 2 hours 30 to 2 hours 45 minutes. Frequency varies by season — daily non-stops in peak winter, reduced or alternate-day non-stops in monsoon. Always check current schedules a month or two before travel because frequencies can shift.
How much does a Delhi to Port Blair flight cost?
Honest 2026 ranges: peak winter (mid-December to mid-February) ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 one-way; shoulder (October-November and March-mid-May) ₹9,000 to ₹18,000 one-way; lean monsoon (June-September) ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 one-way. Festive weeks like Christmas, New Year, Diwali and Pongal add 30 to 60 percent on top of the baseline.
Do Indian citizens need a permit for the Andaman Islands?
No. For Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Long Island and the main South and Middle Andaman tourist circuit, Indian nationals need only a valid government photo ID like Aadhaar or a driving licence. The Nicobar Islands are entirely closed to tourists, and tribal-reserve areas around Strait Island, North Sentinel Island and parts of Little Andaman remain off-limits.
Is there an airport at Havelock or Neil?
No. There is no civilian airport at Havelock, Neil, Diglipur, Long Island or any other tourist island. Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair (IXZ) is the only commercial airport in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. From Port Blair you take a ferry — Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika or Sealink — to Havelock (90 minutes) and onward to Neil (about 60 minutes).
What is the cheapest time to fly Delhi to Andaman?
Lean monsoon, June to September, is the cheapest with one-way fares from around ₹6,000-12,000. The trade-off is real — south-west monsoon brings rough seas, occasional ferry cancellations, lower snorkelling visibility and most dive operators pausing boat dives from mid-June to mid-September. Shoulder season in October-November or March-April is the genuine sweet spot for value plus reliable weather.
Can I take scuba diving equipment in my flight luggage?
Most personal scuba equipment travels fine in checked baggage — regulators, BCDs, fins, masks, wetsuits and dive computers are all permitted. A full personal dive kit easily runs 12-15 kg, which eats most of your 15 kg domestic allowance. Scuba cylinders are not permitted in either checked or cabin baggage on any Indian domestic airline. The practical solution is to rent gear from the major dive operators on Havelock and Neil rather than pay excess baggage fees.
Which airlines fly Delhi to Port Blair in 2026?
IndiGo and Air India operate the non-stop DEL-IXZ sector. For one-stop options via Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai or Kolkata, you have IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa Air. Air India Express runs particularly competitive one-stop fares via Chennai, and Akasa is worth checking on the Bengaluru and Mumbai transit routes for newer cabins and aggressive launch pricing.
How long does a one-stop Delhi to Port Blair journey take?
Typically 5 to 7 hours total elapsed time including the transit, depending on layover length. The most common routing is via Chennai (DEL-MAA-IXZ), with the MAA-IXZ leg running about 2 hours 15 minutes. Bengaluru (DEL-BLR-IXZ) and Mumbai (DEL-BOM-IXZ) one-stops run slightly longer total durations. The non-stop, when available, is 2 hours 30 to 2 hours 45 minutes — roughly half the elapsed time of a one-stop.