How to Book Andaman Ferry: The Complete 2026 Guide (Private + Government)

To book a ferry in Andaman, you have four real options: book directly with one of the four private operators (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, ITT Majestic), book through a comparison platform that covers all of them, book the government ferry through the STARS e-ticketing portal, or book through IRCTC. The right choice depends on your route, budget, and how flexible your dates are.

This is the complete walkthrough — every channel, every step, every common mistake. We process 50,000+ Andaman ferry bookings on our platform and have seen every way the booking process can go wrong. The guide below is built around what actually works.

If you just want the short answer, jump to “The Short Version” below. If you want to understand every option before deciding, read straight through.

Compare prices across all 4 operators in one place at BookYourFerry.com

The Short Version

Most travellers should follow these four steps:

1. Decide your route and date — Port Blair to Havelock is the most common (90 minutes, 13+ daily sailings)
2. Compare prices across all 4 operators on a comparison platform — same route can cost Rs 1,100 to Rs 3,400 depending on operator and class
3. Pay online with credit/debit card, UPI, or netbanking — instant confirmation
4. Print your ticket and bring photo ID matching the booking name — both are mandatory at the jetty (mobile screenshots get rejected)

Total time: 5-10 minutes. The whole process is online and you’ll get a WhatsApp/email confirmation immediately.

The longer version below covers what to do if you’re booking the government ferry, what documents foreigners need, when to book ahead, and how to handle cancellations and refunds.

Where to Book Andaman Ferry: All Channels Compared

There are four distinct ways to book an Andaman ferry. Each has trade-offs, and which one is right depends on what you value.

For 95% of travellers, the choice is between a comparison platform and operator-direct. Government ferry is appealing on price but the 2-day booking window and limited tourist seats make it unreliable for trip planning. IRCTC is mostly used by people booking complete India holiday packages.

Where should YOU book?

If you’re not sure: start with a comparison platform to see all your options, then decide if it’s worth booking direct with one operator. Compare-then-decide is faster than checking four operator sites manually.

Step-by-Step: Booking Private Ferries (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, ITT Majestic)

Booking through a comparison platform like ours follows the same flow regardless of which operator you eventually pick. Booking direct on each operator’s site is similar but uses different field names.

Step 1: Search

Enter three things:

• From — Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), or Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
• To — your destination
• Date — your travel date (most operators allow booking up to 60 days ahead)

You’ll see a list of all available ferries that day with departure times, durations, classes, and prices.

Step 2: Compare

The same Port Blair to Havelock route on the same morning can cost anywhere from Rs 1,100 to Rs 3,400 depending on operator and class:

For a quick decision: 6 AM Makruzz Pearl Premium or 6:30 AM Nautika Luxury at Rs 1,250 is the best value for most travellers — fast, modern, well-rated.

If you’re tighter on budget, Green Ocean Economy at Rs 1,100 saves you Rs 150 but adds 45 minutes to the journey. If you want premium, Nautika Pro Business is a real category-creator at Rs 3,400.

Step 3: Select seats and add passenger details

Click “Book” on your chosen ferry. You’ll need to enter for each passenger:

• Full name — exactly as it appears on your photo ID. This is the most common booking mistake, and it’s strictly enforced
• Age and gender
• ID type and number — Aadhaar, passport, driving license, or voter ID for Indians; passport for foreigners
• Contact number — for WhatsApp confirmation (use the country code if booking from abroad)

Some operators (Makruzz, Nautika Pro) let you select specific seats. Others assign seats automatically and notify you 48 hours before departure.

Step 4: Pay

Payment options vary by platform:

• Credit/debit card — Visa, Mastercard, Rupay all accepted. Use credit cards over debit cards if possible — easier dispute resolution if something goes wrong
• UPI — fastest method for Indian travellers
• Net banking — slowest but works
• Wallets — Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay supported on most platforms
• International cards — accepted on most platforms with USD/EUR/GBP conversion

A small Passenger Service Fee (PSF) of Rs 50 per ticket is added by all private operators. Some platforms charge a small booking convenience fee (typically Rs 25-50). The total you pay is shown before confirmation.

Step 5: Get confirmation

Within 60 seconds of payment, you should receive:

• Email with the e-ticket attached as PDF
• WhatsApp message with booking summary (most platforms now do this)
• SMS with booking reference (optional on some platforms)

If you don’t get the email within 5 minutes, check your spam folder. If still missing, contact platform support — never assume the booking failed without checking.

Step 6: Print the ticket

This is critical: all four private operators reject mobile/screenshot tickets at the jetty. You must print the ticket on paper. There’s a cyber café at Haddo Jetty that prints for Rs 20/page if you forget, but don’t rely on it during peak season — it gets crowded.

Search and book all 4 Andaman ferry operators in one place at BookYourFerry.com

Step-by-Step: Booking Government Ferry via STARS Portal

The Andaman government runs a separate ferry network — managed by the Directorate of Shipping Services — that’s significantly cheaper than private operators. Government ferries cost Rs 400-700 between Port Blair and Havelock, vs Rs 1,100-3,400 on private operators. The catch is the booking process.

Government ferries use the STARS e-ticketing portal: dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing

Why bother with STARS?

• Half the price of private ferries — sometimes less
• Reliable through monsoon — government ferries sail when private operators cancel
• Direct PB→Neil Island route — the only operator currently doing this (private operators don’t run direct PB→Neil)
• Real local schedule — early morning slots private ferries don’t run

Why most travellers can’t actually book government

• 2-day advance booking only — you can’t reserve seats more than 48 hours ahead
• Tourist quota is small — most seats are reserved for local residents
• Seats fill within minutes of the booking window opening
• Hard-copy ticket required with the same strict enforcement
• Foreign nationals need additional checks beyond the standard RAP

How to book on STARS portal

If you want to try, the process is:

1. Visit dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing
2. Register with mobile number and OTP verification
3. Wait until exactly 48 hours before departure — that’s when the tourist booking window opens
4. Search the route and date — the page often takes 30-60 seconds to load during peak booking minutes
5. Select seats if any are available — the screen refreshes constantly as people book
6. Complete payment within the 10-minute reservation window — past this, your held seats release back to the pool
7. Save the e-ticket and print it — same hard-copy requirement as private ferries

Government ferry travel tip

If you really want to take the government ferry, stay flexible on dates and check the STARS portal at exactly 48 hours before each potential travel day. If you’re locked into specific dates, save yourself the stress and book private. The Rs 600-1,000 saving isn’t worth a missed travel day.

When to Book: Timing the Booking Window

Booking too early isn’t a problem. Booking too late definitely is. Here’s the timing that matches what we see across thousands of bookings.

Private operators

Private operators open booking 60 days in advance. If your trip is fixed, booking earlier doesn’t cost more — it just locks in your preferred time slot before others claim it.

The morning ferries (6:00 AM Makruzz Pearl, 6:30 AM Nautika, 6:40 AM Green Ocean 1) are the first to sell out. If you specifically want a morning slot during peak season, book at least 3 weeks ahead.

Government ferry

Always 2 days ahead, period. The STARS booking window opens 48 hours before departure and that’s the only time tourist quota is available.

Why earlier matters more during peak season

In December-February we see ferries hit 100% capacity 10-14 days before departure. Travellers who plan their flights but assume “I’ll book ferries when I land” frequently end up stranded — the only options left are afternoon slots that may shift by 30-90 minutes due to operational adjustments, or the 2h 15m Green Ocean Economy if budget matters more than time.

What You Need: Documents, ID & Foreign Traveller Requirements

The document requirements are strict and consistently enforced. Don’t board without these.

For Indian travellers

For foreign travellers

Foreign nationals need three things:

Special cases: Citizens of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan need prior Ministry of Home Affairs approval — not just the standard RAP.

The RAP is free but the line at the airport can be 30-45 minutes during peak season. Plan a 90-minute buffer between landing and your first ferry. Print extra passport copies — you’ll need them at multiple jetties.

Photo ID name match

This trips up more people than any other rule. The ticket name must match your photo ID exactly. Common gotchas:

• Middle names included on Aadhaar but missing from booking → boarding refused
• Diminutive name on booking (“Raj”) vs full name on ID (“Rajesh Kumar”) → boarding refused
• Spelling differences between Aadhaar and passport → use whichever matches your booking
• Married/maiden name mismatch → use whatever’s on the ID you’ll bring

Edit your booking before travel if you spot a mismatch — name corrections are typically allowed up to 24-48 hours before departure for a small fee. After that, it’s a cancellation + rebook.

Pricing & Hidden Fees

What you actually pay vs the headline price differs by a few line items. Knowing them upfront avoids the “wait, why is the total higher?” moment at checkout.

Standard add-ons across all private operators

• Passenger Service Fee (PSF): Rs 50 per ticket. Always charged. Not negotiable.
• Peak surcharge: Rs 100 per ticket from December 1 to January 31. Applies to most operators.
• Platform booking fee: Rs 25-50 on some comparison platforms. Operator-direct sites usually don’t have this.
• GST: Already included in the displayed price for most operators.

Class differences within an operator

Same operator, same date, same route — the class you pick changes the price by 2-3×. The pattern across operators:

• Cheapest class = lower deck, basic seating, no included meals
• Mid class = upper deck or premium seating, sometimes panoramic views, no meals
• Top class = forward upper deck, plush seating, complimentary refreshments on Royal/Pro Business only

Specifically, Makruzz Royal includes a sandwich + drink (only Royal class on any operator includes food). Nautika Pro Business includes barista coffee. Everyone else: buy from the onboard cafeteria for Rs 50-100.

Foreign traveller pricing

Some platforms display different prices for foreign passport holders. The actual ticket price is identical — what differs is currency conversion fees on international cards. Check the displayed currency before paying.

For full pricing details across all operators and classes: see our Andaman Ferry Prices Guide.

Cancellation, Reschedule & Refunds

Each operator has its own refund window. The differences matter, especially in monsoon when cancellations are more likely.

Two practical points:

Reschedule is often easier than cancel-and-rebook. Most operators allow one free reschedule for a small fee (Rs 150 + any fare difference). If your dates shift, reschedule rather than cancel — you keep the booking history.

Weather cancellations are full refund or free reschedule across the board. If your ferry is cancelled due to rough seas, you’ll get a full refund or be moved to the next available sailing. The catch: in monsoon, “next available” might be a different operator at a different time.

For the Makruzz cancellation policy specifically: phone, fax, and email cancellations aren’t permitted — you must use the online cancellation flow on their site or your booking platform.

Common Booking Mistakes Travellers Make

After processing 50,000+ bookings, the same handful of mistakes show up over and over. Most are preventable in 30 seconds of double-checking.

1. Booking same-day flight after the ferry

Don’t book a flight out of Port Blair on the same day as your return ferry. Buffer minimum 4-5 hours between ferry arrival at Port Blair and your flight. Better: stay overnight in Port Blair before flying.

The reason: ferries can run 30-90 minutes late even in peak season. Add 30-45 minutes for disembarking and getting through Haddo Jetty traffic. Then airport check-in time. Cutting it tight = stranded with a missed flight.

2. Mobile/screenshot ticket instead of printed

All operators reject mobile or screenshot tickets at the jetty. The “I’ll just show them my email” approach doesn’t work. Print before you leave for the jetty.

3. Photo ID name mismatch

Booking under “Raj” but ID says “Rajesh” → refused. Always book using the full name as it appears on the photo ID you’ll carry.

4. Not arriving early enough

All operators close their boarding counters 15-30 minutes before departure. Counters close even earlier in peak season. Arrive at Haddo Jetty 60 minutes before departure (75-90 minutes during Dec-Feb peak).

5. Booking Nautika and getting the wrong vessel

Nautika has two operational vessels — Nautika and Nautika Pro Business Class. The Pro is significantly more premium (and expensive). When booking, confirm the vessel name in your confirmation email. If you booked the Pro, the e-ticket should say “Nautika Pro” — if it just says “Nautika”, you got the original.

6. Forgetting to reconfirm Makruzz

Makruzz specifically asks travellers to call and reconfirm one day before departure (03192-236677). Other operators don’t require this in peak season but may in monsoon. Check the confirmation email for any operator-specific reconfirmation instructions.

7. Carrying single-use plastic

Single-use plastic is banned across the Andaman Islands — including ferry terminals. Plastic water bottles get confiscated at security check. Bring a reusable bottle.

8. Booking same name for two passengers

If you’re booking two travellers, each gets their own passenger entry with their own name + ID. Booking “Family of 4” under one name doesn’t work — every passenger needs their own ticket and ID.

9. Skipping the e-ticket print at the airport

Travellers flying into Port Blair sometimes plan to print the ticket “in town” before heading to Haddo Jetty. There’s no convenient print shop between the airport and the jetty. Print at the airport business centre or use the cyber café at the jetty itself. Don’t assume there’s an option in between.

10. Booking refundable fares only when they matter

Refundable fares cost 5-10% more but become essential when:

• Travelling June-September (monsoon cancellation risk)
• Tight onward connection (flight, train, hotel)
• Trip booked 30+ days ahead (more chance of changes)

For peak-season trips with a flexible buffer day, standard fares are fine.

Booking from Abroad: Foreign Traveller Notes

Most of the booking process works the same for international travellers. A few things to know specifically.

Currency and payment

• All major comparison platforms accept international Visa/Mastercard
• USD, EUR, GBP, AUD displayed on most platforms — check the currency before paying
• Conversion is at your card’s rate (typically 2-3% above mid-market)
• UPI is India-only — international travellers can’t use it
• Some operators offer payment via Razorpay International — this works with most foreign cards

Email confirmation timing

Confirmation usually arrives within 60 seconds, but international travellers sometimes see it delayed by 2-5 minutes due to email server differences. If nothing arrives in 10 minutes, contact support — don’t assume it failed.

RAP timing

Foreign travellers must collect their Restricted Area Permit at Port Blair Airport on arrival. The line is 30-45 minutes during peak season. Plan your arrival accordingly:

• If your flight lands at 11 AM, don’t book a 1 PM ferry from Haddo Jetty
• 90-minute buffer is the minimum; 2 hours is safer

Language at the jetty

Counter staff at all four operators speak English. The service quality varies — Makruzz and ITT Majestic counter staff are more consistently English-fluent. If your booking has any complications, having the email confirmation printed in English (most platforms default to this) helps.

Pre-trip recommendations

• Travel insurance — covers ferry cancellations specifically (rare to claim but cheap)
• Local SIM with WhatsApp — most operators send confirmations and updates via WhatsApp
• Cash for the cyber café — Rs 20/page printing if you forget your ticket
• Light layer — AC cabins are cool. Not Arctic, but a thin cardigan helps

After Booking: What Happens Next

You’ve paid, you have the e-ticket. Here’s the timeline from booking confirmation to actually being on the ferry.

Immediately after booking

• Email + WhatsApp with the e-ticket (PDF attachment)
• SMS with booking reference (optional, not all platforms)
• Your booking is confirmed but seat allocation may not be final yet

48 hours before departure

• Many operators send seat allocation via SMS, WhatsApp, or email
• Makruzz specifically opens seat selection 48 hours before departure
• Check this notification — sometimes seats change without it being obvious

24 hours before departure

• For Makruzz: call 03192-236677 to reconfirm if you haven’t already
• For all operators: double-check the e-ticket print is legible and hasn’t smudged
• Confirm transportation to Haddo Jetty (15-20 minutes from Port Blair Airport by taxi)

Departure day

• 75-90 minutes early during Dec-Feb peak season
• 60 minutes early during regular periods
• Bring printed ticket + photo ID + RAP (foreigners)
• Pack heavy items in hard-shell luggage (operators throw bags during loading)
• Avoid single-use plastic — banned territory-wide

At the jetty

1. ID + ticket check at the operator counter (15-20 minutes before boarding closes)
2. Luggage drop — handed to ground crew, stored in hold (no access during journey)
3. Boarding — vessel-specific. Makruzz boards via QR scan, others by manual ticket check
4. Find your seat — if assigned, the seat number is on the ticket. If unassigned, first-come-first-seated within your class
5. Departure — seas are calmer at morning slots. The crossing is approximately 90 minutes for fast catamarans (Makruzz, Nautika, ITT) or 2-2h 15m for Green Ocean

After arrival

Pickup transfers, hotel transport, and onward ferries can be booked separately. If your trip is PB → Havelock → Neil → PB, book all three legs in advance — connecting ferries don’t always have last-minute availability.

Plan your full Andaman trip ferry-by-ferry at BookYourFerry.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book a ferry in Andaman?

The fastest way is through a comparison platform that books all four private Andaman ferry operators in one place. Search your route and date, compare prices across Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, and ITT Majestic, pay online with card or UPI, and print the e-ticket. The whole process takes 5-10 minutes. For government ferries, use the STARS e-ticketing portal at dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing — but only 2 days in advance.

Can I book Andaman ferry tickets online?

Yes, you can book Andaman ferry tickets entirely online. All four private operators (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, ITT Majestic) accept online bookings up to 60 days in advance, with payment via card, UPI, or net banking. Comparison platforms like BookYourFerry let you compare and book all of them in one place. Government ferries also book online via the STARS e-ticketing portal, but only 2 days ahead with limited tourist seats.

How do I book government ferry in Andaman?

Government ferry bookings happen through the STARS e-ticketing portal at dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing. The booking window opens exactly 48 hours before departure for tourist quota. Register with your mobile number, search your route on the day the window opens, select seats fast (they fill within minutes), and complete payment within 10 minutes. Government ferries are roughly half the price of private operators (Rs 400-700 PB-Havelock) but tourist seats are extremely limited.

How early should I book Andaman ferry tickets?

Book 3-4 weeks ahead for peak season (December-February), 2-3 weeks for October-November, and 1-2 weeks for March-May. Christmas-New Year requires 4-6 weeks. Off-season (June-September) generally needs only 1 week, though refundable fares are recommended due to monsoon cancellation risk. Private operators open booking 60 days in advance, so booking earlier doesn’t cost more — it locks in your preferred time slot.

What documents do I need to board an Andaman ferry?

You need a printed ticket (mobile screenshots are rejected) and a valid photo ID matching the booking name exactly. Accepted IDs: Aadhaar, passport, driving license, or voter ID. PAN card is not accepted. Foreign travellers also need their passport plus a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which is issued free at Port Blair Airport on arrival and valid for 30 days. Citizens of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan need prior Ministry of Home Affairs approval.

Can I cancel or reschedule an Andaman ferry ticket?

Yes, cancellation and reschedule are possible but the refund depends on timing. More than 48 hours ahead: small cancellation fee (Rs 100 for Makruzz). 24-48 hours ahead: 40-50% refund typically. Less than 24 hours: no refund. Weather cancellations from rough seas get full refund or free reschedule across all operators. Reschedule is usually easier than cancel-and-rebook — most operators allow one free reschedule for Rs 150 plus any fare difference.

What is STARS e-ticketing portal?

STARS is the Andaman government’s e-ticketing portal at dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing for booking government ferry tickets. It’s run by the Directorate of Shipping Services. Government ferries are significantly cheaper than private operators (Rs 400-700 vs Rs 1,100-3,400 for PB-Havelock) and run reliably through monsoon. The catch is the booking window opens only 48 hours before departure with very limited tourist quota seats that fill within minutes.

Do I need a printed ticket for Andaman ferries?

Yes, a printed ticket is mandatory for all private Andaman ferry operators (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, ITT Majestic) and government ferries. Mobile tickets, screenshots, and PDF on phone are all rejected at the jetty. The cyber café at Haddo Jetty prints tickets for Rs 20 per page if you forget, but during peak season the queue can be long. Print before leaving for the jetty.

Are Andaman ferry tickets refundable?

Andaman ferry tickets are partially refundable depending on cancellation timing. Most operators offer 50-60% refund 24-48 hours before departure, partial refund up to 72 hours, and zero refund within 24 hours. Refundable-fare options cost 5-10% more but are essential for monsoon travel and tight onward connections. Weather cancellations always get full refund regardless of fare type.

Which is the best site to book Andaman ferries?

For most travellers, a comparison platform is best because it shows all four operators on one screen — saving you the time of checking each operator’s site individually. Operator-direct sites (makruzz.com, gonautika.com) sometimes have early-bird discounts. IRCTC Tourism is best if bundling with India Rail. Government ferries must be booked through the STARS portal. The right answer depends on your priorities: comparison for breadth, operator-direct for early-bird deals, government for cheapest fares.

This guide is updated for 2026 based on 50,000+ bookings processed across all four private Andaman ferry operators plus government ferries. Last updated: May 2026. Prices and policies verified at publication — confirm with the operator before final booking.

Compare Andaman ferry prices across all 4 operators in one place at BookYourFerry.com