Agents quoted ₹1.2L for 5 days. We did 8 Days for ₹98k (Couples Trip). Here is the reality check.
Just got back from our anniversary trip to Andaman and wanted to share some hard data because the quotes we were getting from travel agents were honestly insane. They were asking for ₹1.2 Lakhs+ for a standard 5-day package.
We decided to self-plan everything, and we managed to pull off a longer 8-day trip covering Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, and even Baratang for under ₹1 Lakh.
If you are planning a trip soon, here is exactly where our money went so you can budget accordingly:
The Logistics:
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Pax: 2 Adults
Route: Port Blair > Havelock > Neil > Baratang > Port Blair
The Cost Breakdown (Approx):CategoryCost (2 Pax)NotesFlights₹25,500Round trip from Bangalore. We booked late; could have saved ₹5k here.Hotels₹38,000Mix of mid-range resorts (like Gypsy Divers & Pearl Park).Ferries₹11,700We used private AC ferries (Nautika/Green Ocean) for comfort.Food/Misc₹13,000Mostly local seafood and standard restaurants.Activities/Transport~₹10,000Includes the Baratang tour (₹7k), scooters (₹500/day), and autos.TOTAL~₹98,000Export to Sheets
Was it worth the effort to self-plan? 100% yes. If we had taken the package, we would have paid 20% more and seen 30% less (most packages didn't even include the limestone caves at Baratang). The only "hassle" was coordinating the ferry timings, but booking online was straightforward.
Question for seasoned travelers: Do you think ₹1 Lakh is the new normal for a premium domestic trip in India? We felt the value was there because of how unique the beaches are (Radhanagar is unreal), but for the same price, we probably could have done a budget trip to Vietnam or Thailand.
PS: I documented our full day-wise itinerary, the specific hotels we chose, and the mistakes we made (like overspending on ferries) here if anyone needs a visual reference for planning: https://youtu.be/BR_cxVuSP2Y
