Guest Houses in Andaman: 8 Genuine Budget Stays

Guest houses in Andaman are small, owner-run stays that cost far less than a resort. You find them in Port Blair, on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep), and in the quieter north. Expect clean basic rooms, home-cooked food, and honest local advice on real budget stays.

Suggested Read: How to reach Andaman and Travel tips for Andaman

A quick note before the list. Four-star properties often get relabelled a “guest house” to look cheaper, and we have cut those out. Everything below is either a genuine budget private stay or a government-run lodge you can actually book on a modest budget. Where a place is really a resort in disguise, we say so.

What are the best guest houses in Andaman?

The best guest houses in Andaman are the small family-run stays near the main jetties and beaches, plus the government “Nest” lodges run by the tourism department and ANIIDCO. They give you a clean room, a fan or an AC, and a host who knows the ferries. For most travellers, that beats a pricey resort you barely use.

Below are eight stays worth your money, split by island so you can plan around your ferry route.

8 genuine budget guest houses in Andaman

1. Aashiaanaa Residency Inn, Port Blair

A simple, well-placed base a short walk from the Phoenix Bay ferry jetty in Port Blair, which makes arrival and departure days easy. Rooms are basic and clean with AC and Wi-Fi, and the staff help with ferry tickets and a scooter. Aberdeen Bazaar and Cellular Jail are a short auto ride away, so you can cover the city sights on your first day. Rates usually sit near the bottom of the Port Blair range. Port Blair

Good for: first and last nights close to the government ferry jetty and city sights.

Watch out for: rooms run small and airflow is tight; ask for a higher floor.

2. Hornbill Nest, near Corbyn’s Cove, Port Blair (government)

Run by ANIIDCO, Hornbill Nest sits on a low hill near Corbyn’s Cove, about 5 km from the airport, with sea-facing deluxe rooms. It is a government lodge rather than a private guest house, but the tariff sits in guest-house territory and the setting is quiet and green. Wake up, walk down to Corbyn’s Cove, and you have started your trip without spending resort money.

Good for: a calm, sea-view first night close to the airport.

Watch out for: it books out fully in season; confirm on the ANIIDCO portal or office before you rely on it.

3. Emerald Gecko, Havelock Island

Emerald Gecko sits seconds from Beach No. 5 on Havelock Island, a short walk from the cafes near the jetty. The huts are simple bamboo-and-wood cottages with fans and mosquito nets, some with fresh-air showers. No televisions, and the cheaper huts skip AC, which is the whole point. It reads as a resort by name, but the fan huts are priced and built like a beach guest house. Book the sea-facing double-storey huts early.

Good for: budget travellers who want a beach hut, not a hotel.

Watch out for: the AC cottages cost a lot more than the fan huts; pick your category on purpose.

4. Dolphin Resort, Havelock Island (government)

ANIIDCO’s Dolphin Resort sits on Vijaynagar beach, a short ride from the Havelock jetty, with AC standard and deluxe cottages at a government tariff. It is a lodge, not a beach hut, but the beachfront location and fixed public-sector rates make it one of the better-value stays on the island. Order breakfast, walk to the water, and skip the private-resort markup.Neil Island Bharatpur Beach

Good for: an affordable beachfront night on Havelock with a government tariff.

Watch out for: it books out early and needs an advance well ahead; reserve through the Andaman Tourism office in Havelock or the ANIIDCO portal.

5. Hawabill Nest, Neil Island (government)

The Directorate of Tourism runs Hawabill Nest close to the Neil (Shaheed Dweep) jetty, an easy walk from Bharatpur Beach. It is a small lodge, roughly seven AC and non-AC rooms, at some of the lowest rates on the island. Plain, clean, and central, it fits Neil’s slow, flat pace far better than a pricey resort you barely use.Diglipur Ross and Smith Islands

Good for: a cheap, central Neil Island base within walking reach of Bharatpur Beach.

Watch out for: only a handful of rooms, so book early through the eTourist portal or the tourist information counter.

6. Turtle Resort, Kalipur, Diglipur (government)

MayabunderFar north at Kalipur, about 17 km from Diglipur town, the Directorate of Tourism’s Turtle Resort sits on a low hill with sea-facing AC rooms above the beach. It is the natural base for the Kalipur turtle-nesting beach, Saddle Peak, and the mud volcano, and the tariff stays firmly in budget territory. You come here for the nesting turtles and the trekking, not for room service.

Good for: North Andaman explorers and anyone timing the turtle nesting at Kalipur.

Watch out for: it is 17 km from Diglipur town and a long road day from Port Blair; plan a night at Rangat on the way and sort transport in advance.

7. Hawksbill Nest, Cuthbert Bay, Rangat (government)

ANIIDCO’s Hawksbill Nest sits near Cuthbert Bay in Middle Andaman, a handy halt on the long drive up to Diglipur and a base for the Cuthbert Bay turtle-nesting beach. Simple government rooms, a quiet setting, and rates that make the road trip painless. Rangat sees few tourists, which is exactly the point.

Good for: breaking the Port Blair to Diglipur drive and the Cuthbert Bay turtles.

Watch out for: it is remote with thin dining nearby, so eat at the lodge and book ahead through the ANIIDCO office.

8. Municipal Lodging House (Dugong), Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair (government)

Run by the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, the Dugong lodging house sits right in Aberdeen Bazaar, about as central as Port Blair gets. It is one of the cheapest formal beds in the city, plain and no-frills, and walkable to the market, the ferry booking offices, and a short ride from Cellular Jail. For a single arrival or departure night on the tightest budget, the location is hard to beat for the price.

Good for: the cheapest central bed in Port Blair for a quick city night.

Watch out for: it is very basic with few rooms; call the municipal council on 03192-243237 to check space.

How much do guest houses in Andaman cost?

Private budget guest houses in Andaman usually run around Rs 1,200 to Rs 3,500 a night, depending on the island, the season, and whether you want AC. Everything on these islands arrives by ship, so a room that would cost Rs 1,200 on the mainland often lands at Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 here. The freight bill on everything the islands import explains most of that gap.

Government “Nest” lodges are the clearest value. As a rough guide, tariffs have sat near Rs 2,000 for an AC double and around Rs 600 for a non-AC double, with dormitory beds near Rs 150, plus 5% GST, and bookings confirmed after a 50% advance (figures as of 2025 to 2026; check the current tariff on the official Directorate of Tourism and ANIIDCO portals before you pay). Since September 2025, rooms priced up to Rs 7,500 a night are taxed at 5% GST, and every stay on this page sits well under that line. Prices climb in the December to January peak and soften through the monsoon.

Government guest houses in Andaman: how to book the Nest lodges

Booking the government Nest lodges is where you save the most on an Andaman trip, and it is also where most visitors get stuck.

The Andaman administration runs a network of budget lodges, most named after local birds. The Directorate of Tourism operates lodges like Hawabill Nest on Neil and Turtle Resort at Kalipur near Diglipur. ANIIDCO runs Megapode Resort and Hornbill Nest in Port Blair, and Hawksbill Nest at Cuthbert Bay near Rangat, a handy base for the turtle nesting beach. These are plain, clean, and cheap, and they are booked by locals and government travellers who know the value, which is exactly why they fill up.

Now the part that catches people out. These lodges do not sell through the big hotel apps the way a private property does. There are two official routes. The Directorate of Tourism properties, including Hawabill Nest and Turtle Resort, are booked through the tourism department’s eTourist portal at andamantourism.gov.in and its tourist information counters, where you can register and pay the advance online or settle it at the counter. The ANIIDCO lodges, meaning Megapode Resort, Hornbill Nest, and Hawksbill Nest, go through the ANIIDCO booking portal and the ANIIDCO office in Port Blair, which usually needs an advance through the office or a bank transfer rather than a quick tap-to-pay.

Here is the sequence that actually works.

Fix your ferry dates first, because the lodge you want depends on which island you land on which night. Check availability on the relevant portal.
Then call or visit the tourist information counter in Port Blair, using the current number listed on andamantourism.gov.in, to hold the room and confirm the tariff and payment method.
Bookings are generally confirmed after a 50% advance, with the balance and 5% GST due at or before check-in.
Cancellation terms vary by property and season, and refunds are processed by the office rather than instantly, so read the terms before you pay and keep every receipt and reference number.

A first-hand beat on timing. When we booked Hawabill Nest on Neil for a family last December, availability showed green online in the third week of November and was gone within days once the year-end rush arrived. That pattern repeats every peak. For the last ten days of December and during Island Tourism Festival week, treat these rooms like train tickets and book the moment your dates are fixed. Through the monsoon and shoulder months you can often walk in, and the counter staff will still quote you the same government tariff.

A few ground realities we have learned the hard way. Confirm in writing whether your room is AC or non-AC, because the price gap is real and the online listing is not always clear. Ask whether the quoted tariff already includes the 5% GST or adds it at checkout, so the final number matches what you budgeted. Ask about the jetty or airport pickup, since some lodges arrange it and others expect you to reach on your own. Keep a backup for your first night, because a government lodge that is full will not squeeze you in the way a small private guest house sometimes can. Get these details right and the Nest lodges are the best-value beds in the islands, full stop.

When is the best time to book a guest house in Andaman?

The dry, calm months from November to May bring the best weather and the busiest beds. If you want a specific guest house in that window, book four to six weeks out, and even earlier for the last ten days of December. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings lower tariffs and easy walk-in availability, but rougher seas can cancel ferries and pause some water sports. For the honest month-by-month picture, read our best time to visit Andaman guide before you lock dates.

How do you reach your guest house across the islands?

Almost every trip starts at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. From there, government and private ferries connect Havelock and Neil, and slower government boats reach Long Island, Diglipur, and Mayabunder. Many guest houses arrange a jetty pickup if you share your ferry details in advance, which saves a haggle with an auto at the pier. For the north, budget a full road day and consider a night in Rangat or Mayabunder rather than one marathon drive. Our how to reach Andaman guide breaks down the flight, ferry, and road options with realistic timings.

What to avoid when booking guest houses in Andaman

Do not trust a name. “Retreat,” “resort,” and “eco-luxury” get slapped on genuine four-star properties that then appear on budget lists, and you end up comparing a Rs 900 hut with a Rs 12,000 villa. Check the real room type and tariff, not the label.

Do not assume you can book everything online. Many small Havelock and Neil guest houses take walk-ins and phone bookings only, and the government Nest lodges book through official counters, not hotel apps. Do not skip the permit question either. Foreign nationals should confirm current entry rules for restricted areas before travelling, since these change.

And do not over-book the north for comfort. Diglipur and Mayabunder reward you with empty beaches and turtles, not with soft rooms. Match your expectations to the place.

Planning your Andaman trip with andamantourism.org

We are based in the Andamans, not on the mainland, and that changes the advice we can give. We know which guest house actually keeps a backup running through a power cut, which government lodge answers its phone, and which ferry to book when the afternoon sailing is the one that always sells out. We hold real relationships with local hosts, boat operators, and activity providers, so a booking through us is a booking someone here can fix if a ferry shifts.

If you would rather not chase counters and phone numbers across six islands, tell us your dates and budget and we will match you to genuine guest houses that fit, then string the ferries and pickups together so the trip actually flows. Start with our Andaman tour packages or just send us your plan.

Conclusion

Guest houses in Andaman give you the islands without the resort markup: a clean bed, a host who knows the routes, and money left over for scuba, ferries, and long slow days on the sand. Skip the properties that only sound cheap, book the government Nest lodges early, and keep the north simple. Do that, and your stay will feel like the islands, not like a hotel lobby that could be anywhere.

Ready to book the right stay? Send us your dates and we will line up genuine guest houses and the ferries between them.

FAQs

Are guest houses in Andaman cheaper than hotels?

Usually, yes. Private budget guest houses run around Rs 1,200 to Rs 3,500 a night, and government Nest lodges can be lower still, well under most hotel rates. You trade room-service polish for a clean bed and a local host, which is a good deal for most travellers.

What is the cheapest place to stay in Andaman?

Government dormitory beds in the Nest lodges are the cheapest formal option, historically near Rs 150 a bed plus GST. Basic bamboo huts on Havelock and simple family guest houses on Neil are the next step up. Confirm current tariffs before you book.

Can I book government guest houses in Andaman online?

Partly. You can check availability on the official Directorate of Tourism and ANIIDCO portals, but confirmation usually needs an advance payment through their counters or offices, not the big hotel apps. Book early, because locals and government travellers fill these fast.

Do guest houses in Andaman have AC?

Many offer both AC and non-AC rooms, and the price gap between them is real. Beach huts on Havelock and Neil often skip AC on purpose, relying on sea breeze and fans. Ask for the exact room category when you book so the tariff is clear.

Which island has the best budget guest houses?

Port Blair has the most choice, including government lodges and budget inns near the jetty. Havelock has budget beach huts, and Neil has the government Hawabill Nest plus a few calm stays. For a first trip, base in Port Blair, then split nights between Havelock and Neil.

Are guest houses in Andaman good for families?

Many are, especially the larger Port Blair guest houses and government lodges with connected or bigger rooms. Confirm child facilities and whether they have a backup for power cuts before booking, particularly on Neil and in the north.

How far in advance should I book a guest house in Andaman?

For the November to May season, book four to six weeks ahead, and earlier for the last ten days of December. In the monsoon, walk-in availability is easy and tariffs drop, but check ferry reliability before you commit.

Do guest houses in Andaman serve food?

Most family-run guest houses cook home meals, and remote ones often include meals because dining options nearby are thin. In places like Mayabunder and Diglipur, plan to eat where you sleep and mention any dietary needs when you book.

Is there a guest house near Radhanagar Beach on a budget?

Genuine budget beds sit near Beach No. 5 and the Havelock jetty rather than on Radhanagar itself, which is dominated by pricier resorts. Stay near the jetty, then reach Radhanagar by scooter or auto in about 20 minutes.

Do I need a permit to stay in Andaman?

Indian citizens do not need a permit for the main tourist islands. Foreign nationals should confirm current entry and restricted-area rules before travelling, as these change from time to time. Check the latest before you book.

Guest Houses in Andaman: Genuine Budget Stays Worth Booking