Travel Guide
Everything practical for a first trip through East India — seasons, routes, transport, budget and what to pack.
November – February
Cool, dry and clear. The best window for the islands and the coast.
March – May
Hot on the plains, but calm seas in the Andamans and quieter beaches.
June – September
Monsoon. Meghalaya is at its greenest; ferries can be cancelled.
October
Rain eases and Durga Puja fills Kolkata with colour.
Sample itineraries
7 days
Islands in a week
- 1Port Blair (2)
- 2Havelock / Swaraj Dweep (3)
- 3Neil / Shaheed Dweep (2)
12 days
Islands & temple coast
- 1Kolkata (2)
- 2Port Blair (2)
- 3Havelock (3)
- 4Bhubaneswar (2)
- 5Puri & Konark (3)
14 days
Coast to hills
- 1Port Blair & Havelock (5)
- 2Kolkata (3)
- 3Shillong (3)
- 4Cherrapunji (3)
Getting around
Flights
Kolkata is the main gateway; Port Blair, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati all have daily connections.
Ferries
Government and private catamarans link Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. Book ahead in winter.
Trains
The coastal line links Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Puri overnight and cheaply.
Road
Shared taxis are the normal way to reach Shillong and Cherrapunji from Guwahati.
Budget, permits and packing
Daily budget
- Simple: ₹2,500–4,000
- Comfortable: ₹5,000–9,000
- Island resorts: ₹12,000+
Permits
Foreign visitors are registered on arrival in Port Blair. Some islands and tribal reserve areas are closed to visitors — respect the restrictions.
Packing
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- Light cotton, plus a rain shell
- Grip sandals for wet rock and roots
- Cash and a power bank