Capital of the Andaman Islands, known for the Cellular Jail, nearby islets and easy beaches.
FamousIslandHeritageBeachCity
Port Blair, now officially named Sri Vijaya Puram, is where almost every Andaman trip starts and ends. It has the Cellular Jail national memorial, colonial ruins on a nearby island, small museums and beaches within a short drive. It suits families, history lovers and first-time island visitors who want two or three easy days before or after the outer islands.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Front view of the Cellular Jail in Port BlairThe Cellular Jail national memorialA wing of the Cellular JailSnake Island seen from the Port Blair coast
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to March
The most comfortable months, about 20 to 30 degrees C with little rain. February is the driest month, with about 15 mm of rain.
April to May
Hot and humid, with average highs of about 30 degrees C and some days well above that. The sea is warm and boat trips usually run.
June to September
Monsoon with heavy rain. September is the wettest month, with rain on most days, so boat trips and water sports are often disrupted.
Sights and activities
1
Cellular Jail
The colonial prison where freedom fighters were held, now a national memorial with a museum, galleries and a watchtower. An evening light and sound show tells its story.
Distance
About 2 km from the city centre and about 4 km from the airport.
Entry
30 for Indians, 100 for foreigners. Light and sound show 300 for adults, 150 for children aged 5 to 11. Camera fee from 200.
Timings
About 9 am to 5 pm with a midday break. Closed on national holidays; some sources also say closed on Mondays. Shows run between 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm, mostly in Hindi, with English at 6.30 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
There is no road from the mainland. The only surface route is the government passenger ship from Chennai, Kolkata or Visakhapatnam, which takes about 56 to 70 hours and sails only a few times a month.
By train
There is no railway. No rail link appears in any source consulted; the islands are reached only by air or sea.
By air
Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) is in Port Blair, about 4 km from the Cellular Jail and 15 to 20 minutes from the centre. Direct flights come from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar.
Where to base yourself
Stay in central Port Blair around Aberdeen, close to the Cellular Jail and the Aberdeen jetty, so most sights are a short auto ride away.
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws cost about 50 to 200 for short rides in town; agree the fare before you start.
Local buses cost about 10 to 50 per ride and start early in the morning, but schedules are irregular.
A taxi with driver for a full day of sightseeing costs about 2000 to 3000.
Scooters and motorbikes can be rented for about 400 to 800 a day.
Boats to Ross Island and North Bay leave from the Aberdeen jetty inside the water sports complex; the Ross Island return boat is about 370 to 470 per person.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Seafood is the main draw, with a dish costing about 300 to 600 in restaurants. Simple meals cost about 80 to 150 for breakfast, 150 to 300 for lunch and 200 to 400 for dinner. A meal for two costs about 500 to 600 at plain restaurants and about 1000 to 1800 at better ones.
Try these
Fish curry (fresh local fish in a spiced gravy)
Squid fry (fried squid)
Prawn masala (prawns in a thick spiced sauce)
Vegetarian restaurants exist in town, and sources say most kinds of food and snacks are available.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,200
₹550
₹150 per person
Mid-range
₹3,000
₹1,000
₹2,500 per vehicle
Luxury
₹10,000
₹1,800
₹3,000 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
Carry a government photo ID; It is needed for boat tickets and show bookings. Tribal reserve areas are closed to visitors, and restricted places need special permission from the administration or forest department.
Safety
By day
The town is regarded as generally safe. The sun is strong for most of the year, so carry water and sun protection, and follow lifeguard and operator instructions for water sports.
At night
Town areas stay active until the evening shows finish. Outlying beaches such as Chidiya Tapu are remote, so return before dark.
Solo women
Described as generally safe for solo women with the usual precautions. The women's helpline is 1091.
Roads
Roads in town are short and slow. The drive to Chidiya Tapu takes 45 to 60 minutes. Boat trips can be cancelled in bad weather, mostly in the monsoon.
Airtel and BSNL both work in Port Blair; Airtel has 5G in town. Signal is weaker away from town and on Ross Island, and internet is slower than on the mainland.
ATMs and cash
Port Blair has the most ATMs and bank branches in the islands. Withdraw cash here before going to other islands.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town.
Medical
G.B. Pant Hospital is the main government hospital in town. There are also private clinics. Ross Island has no medical facility.
Most town sights are close together and reached by taxi or auto. Ross Island and the Cellular Jail involve a lot of walking, and the jail's upper floors have stairs only.
Children
Easy for children: short distances, museums, a science centre near Corbyn's Cove and calm beaches. Children pay reduced fees at most sights.
Wheelchair users
The ground floor and outdoor areas of the Cellular Jail are reported as wheelchair accessible, but upper floors are not. Boat boarding and Ross Island paths are difficult.
Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
Culture and responsible travel
Do not try to enter tribal areas or contact indigenous groups; this is not allowed.
The Cellular Jail is a national memorial to freedom fighters, so behave quietly and respectfully there.
Plastic is not allowed in the marine national park areas; carry reusable bottles and bring all rubbish back.
Do not touch or collect corals and shells when snorkelling or walking on beaches.
Hindi, Bengali and Tamil are the most common languages, and English is widely understood.
What to pack
Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
Sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and sandals
Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts
