Cab Services in Andaman

Andaman isn’t your typical travel destination. The islands are spread across hundreds of kilometres of open sea, connected by ferries and once you’re on an island, the only way to move around is by cab, scooter, or auto-rickshaw.

Miss your cab to the jetty and you miss your ferry. Miss your ferry and you lose a full day.

Transport here isn’t an afterthought, it’s the backbone of your trip. This guide breaks down everything: island-by-island cab availability, route-wise fares, how to book, and how not to get overcharged.

1. Airport Transfer Cabs (Port Blair)

The most commonly needed service. Veer Savarkar International Airport is located about 2–3 km from the city centre.

• Within city limits: ₹400–₹500 per cab (one way)
• Outside city limits / distant hotels: ₹1,200–₹1,500 per cab

Pre-booking is essential if your flight lands late evening. Airport taxi queues thin out quickly after 8 PM.

2. Jetty Transfer Cabs

For connecting your hotel to the Phoenix Bay Jetty or Haddo Jetty (for ferries to Havelock/Neil):

• Within city limits: ₹300–₹400
• Outside city limits: ₹1,200–₹1,500

On ferry days, drivers are in high demand from 5:30 AM onwards. Book the night before.

3. Local Sightseeing Cabs (Half Day / Full Day)

Best for covering multiple attractions in Port Blair or doing a complete island tour.

• Half day (4 hours): ₹1,200–₹1,800
• Full day (8–10 hours): ₹2,500–₹4,500 depending on vehicle type

Sedans and Ertigas are the most economical. Toyota Innova Crysta and Rumion are the premium options.

4. Outstation / Point-to-Point Cabs

For long-distance trips on the main Andaman Island — Port Blair to Baratang, Rangat, Diglipur, or Mayabunder. These are dedicated driver + vehicle arrangements covering 100–300 km.

5. Island Cabs on Havelock & Neil Island

Available but limited in number. Cabs here are used for:

• Jetty pick-up and hotel drop
• Beach-to-beach transfers
• Sightseeing within the island

Important: Vehicles on these islands are scarce. Even in the off-season, booking 48 hours in advance is wise.

Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram)

Port Blair is the most cab-rich island. You’ll find cabs at the airport, jetties, and major hotels. Key routes include:

• Airport ↔ Hotel
• Hotel ↔ Haddo/Phoenix Bay Jetty
• Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Chidiya Tapu, Wandoor, Mount Harriet, Cellular Jail

Tip: For city sightseeing, a half-day cab covering 4–5 spots is far more practical than booking point-to-point. Ask your driver to plan the sequence — they know the traffic flow.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Havelock has a growing but still limited fleet. The island is roughly 15 km long, and key spots like Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7) and Kalapathar Beach are spread across it.

Available vehicles: Toyota Hyryder, Ertiga, Innova Crysta

• Jetty to hotel (within city limits): ₹400
• Jetty to Radhanagar Beach / Kalapathar Beach area: ₹1,200
• Full island sightseeing (full day): ₹2,500–₹3,500

Tip: The island also has scooter rentals (₹400–₹600/day), which are ideal if you’re comfortable riding. But for families or older travellers, cabs are far safer given the narrow jungle roads.

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Neil is small — you can cycle across the main areas. But cabs are available for comfort.

• Jetty to hotel (within city limits): ₹300
• Point-to-point beach transfers: ₹300–₹500
• Full island cab (half day): ₹1,000–₹1,500

Neil has fewer cabs than Havelock. Book through your resort in advance.

Baratang Island

Cabs don’t run independently to Baratang — travel here happens in a police-escorted convoy through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve on the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR).

• You leave Port Blair by cab/SUV and join the convoy at Middle Strait checkpost
• Travel time: ~3 hours one way
• A full Baratang day trip from Port Blair by cab: ₹4,500–₹6,500 (cab + boat hire for limestone caves)

Note: Private vehicles must strictly follow convoy timings (usually 6 AM and 2 PM departures). No cab can enter the tribal reserve individually.

Diglipur (North Andaman)

The farthest major destination — 300+ km from Port Blair along the Andaman Trunk Road.

• Port Blair to Diglipur (one way, private cab): ₹7,000–₹9,000
• Alternatively, take a bus and hire a local cab at Diglipur for local sightseeing (Ross & Smith Island, Saddle Peak, Alfred Caves)
• Local Diglipur cab (full day): ₹2,500–₹3,500

Most travellers doing Diglipur as a day trip underestimate the 6–7 hour drive each way. A 2-night stay is strongly recommended.

Rangat & Mayabunder

Mid-island destinations, less visited but scenic. Cabs from Port Blair on outstation packages:

• Port Blair to Rangat: ₹4,000–₹5,500 (one way)
• Port Blair to Mayabunder: ₹5,500–₹7,000 (one way)

Local shared jeeps are available from Rangat town for nearby beaches.

Note: Fares below are approximate 2025 estimates for standard vehicles (Ertiga/Xylo). Innova/Crysta rates are 20–30% higher. Fares exclude toll and ferry charges where applicable.

Option 1: Pre-Book via a Tour Operator (Recommended)

The safest, most reliable method — especially for airport transfers and ferry-day logistics.

• Choose a registered Andaman tour operator (look for AATO/IATO membership)
• Share your travel dates, flight/ferry timings, hotel address, and group size
• Confirm vehicle type (sedan, Ertiga, Innova Crysta, Tempo Traveller for groups)
• Get a written voucher or booking confirmation with driver contact number
• Confirm 24 hours before travel

Option 2: Hotel Desk Booking

Most mid-range and luxury hotels in Port Blair and Havelock can arrange cabs. Convenient but often 15–25% more expensive than direct bookings.

Option 3: On-the-Spot (At Jetty / Airport)

Drivers are available at Phoenix Bay Jetty and Veer Savarkar Airport. You can negotiate directly.

• Works fine for standard runs (airport to hotel, jetty to beach)
• Riskier during peak season — you may wait 30–60 minutes
• No guarantee of vehicle quality or driver reliability

Option 4: Ask Your Ferry Operator

Makruzz, Green Ocean, and Nautika sometimes have tie-ups with local cab operators and can refer you. Not always available, but worth asking.

No Ola, Uber, or Rapido operates in Andaman as of 2025. Don’t rely on apps — they won’t work here.

Always pre-book for ferry days. If you miss your ferry, you lose that day. Drivers know ferry timings — give them your ferry details, not just the time.

Negotiate before you get in. There are no meters. Agree on the full fare (including return if needed) before the journey. Ask: “Is this the final price — no extra charges?”

Clarify ‘within city limits’ vs ‘outside.’ This distinction matters enormously in Port Blair. Many hotels in areas like Corbyn’s Cove, Wandoor, or Chidiya Tapu fall outside city limits. A ₹400 airport pickup can become ₹1,500 if your hotel is on the outskirts.

Factor in peak season surcharges. October to February is peak tourist season. Fares can be 20–30% higher, and availability drops sharply. Book 1–2 weeks in advance.

Night travel caution. After 9 PM, fewer cabs are available and rates spike. If your flight lands late, pre-arrange your airport transfer without exception.

Carry cash. Most local cab drivers in Andaman don’t accept UPI or cards reliably. Keep ₹500–₹2,000 in small denominations handy.

Ask the driver to wait. At beaches like Radhanagar or Kalapathar, ask your cab to wait or return at a fixed time. There are no cabs passing by in remote beach areas.

Group travel = cost savings. A cab to Baratang or Diglipur for ₹6,000 split among 4 travellers is ₹1,500 each — far cheaper and more comfortable than the government bus.

No single national brand dominates — Andaman’s cab ecosystem is made up of local operators and small fleets run by tourism companies.

What to look for in a reliable cab operator:

• AATO membership (Andaman Association of Tour Operators) — a marker of legitimacy
• Pre-assigned driver contact number given at booking time
• Clear written confirmation (WhatsApp message or email) with vehicle type and fare
• Reviews on Google Maps or TripAdvisor — search the operator name before booking
• Fleet photos available on website or on request

Where to find them:

• Your hotel front desk (most properties maintain driver contacts)
• Haddo/Phoenix Bay Jetty noticeboards and waiting areas
• Government-registered tourism offices near Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair
• Online via Andaman-based tour operators who offer cab as part of packages

Red flags to avoid:

• No written confirmation of fare
• Driver asks for additional “toll” or “convoy fee” not agreed upfront (legitimate charges like Baratang convoy fees should be disclosed before booking)
• Very new or unclean vehicles with no company markings