Government Ferry
Government Ferry
3.5
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles199 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
61
Average
52
Poor
23
Terrible
17

MM0311
Mumbai333 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Couples
We took the government ferry from Havelock to Port Blair and regretted our decision. Unlike the Makruzz, the ferry bobs up and down and made me sea sick. It runs late.. Ours was an hour late and those who had connecting flights had a tough time. While the government ferry is more cost effective than the Makruzz, I wouldn't recommend it as a tourist - its more comfortable to take the Makruzz and have a smooth ride.
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nihar J
Dublin, Ireland16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
We travelled in a group of 6 people including 2 kids aged 4 & 6. We have a good experience on the government ferry. We took the morning ferry from Neil Island to Port Blair and it took 2 hours to reach Port Blair. We also travelled via private ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Island and then after a couple of days from Havelock Island to Neil Island.

I would suggest taking Government Ferry whenever possible because of the following reasons:
1) It is 50% cheaper than a Private ferry even on the Recliner Class of the Government Ferry
2) Access to the open deck is available to view the waters and take some very good pictures. You are typically allowed to move in a capsule on a private ferry.
3) You are responsible for your own luggage which is kept on one side of the deck. Private ferry people take luggage from you but stack it in such a horrible way that luggage gets damaged (My 2 out 3 luggage got damaged)
4) Against advised by other people to pay to agents, getting government ferry tickets is easy. Just plan against the flow like getting tickets from Islands to Port Blair via morning ferry is easy. Just be there at the ticket counter at 4 PM on the ticket counter a day prior to the travel date

In the end, I would suggest doing both a Private ferry (for busy times) and a Government Ferry (for non-busy times) to have both of the experiences.
Written February 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Srijani Deb
Kolkata (Calcutta), India11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021 • Family
I had a good time travelling by governments ships. Spacious, pleasant and comfortable journey. Totally worth the ticket price. One important thing about it is, it sticks to its schedule and if you are a minute late, you might not be able to get on. Also note try boarding a ship in an empty stomach and once it has sailed try resting your head against something and sleep instead of sitting up if you are a first time traveller or have sea sickness. Rest assured you’ll have a good time if you go up the deck and decide on feeling that amazing breeze and a magnificent view.
Written February 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

raks125
Bengaluru, India783 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I must tell one thing is that one should try to get govt. Ferry ticket for at least one trip in andman as it is the only ferry which allow you to go on deck. And it is also very cheap as compared to private one.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hamza B
4 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
So I was on a vacation with my partner and decided to travel between Port blair—> Havelock —> Neil —> Port blair with government Ferry and the experience was far better than the expectations.
We were under the impression that being a gov ferry the cruise will be not that great in infrastructure and in regards to hygiene but they have astonished my thoughts.
The cruise was air conditioned with good sitting facilities and better leg space. Moreover, the cruise had the facility to go on the deck and experience the cool breeze and the classic view of the ocean.

Note: It also is a big save on the pocket and better than travelling through a private ferry/cruise.
P.s. They have option of economic class and higher class for sitting, do check at the ticket counters.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sumit
Kanpur, India6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
It's really very nice to go with gov. Ferry. 1 thing makes it special which is u can enjoy on upside and look at the whole sea from ur eyes widely.. amazing

And no need to worry about ticket
Just call to safai gopal. He can manage all the things in andaman from tickets to hotel. From food to evening light and sound show ticket of Ross island.
He will make ur trip easy and comfortable..
So get in touch with mr. Safai gopal #09933202151. #9531518600
You can google him too..
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shikha
New Delhi, India9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Family
So I travelled to andaman in December 2018.

Back in October 2018, while planning our trip, 3 things to plan

Flight
Hotel
Ferry

Flight and hotels were done and ferry remained.
There was so much confusion around booking ferries, of all the contacts of agencies, no one was ready to assure governemt ferry booking in andaman and which was needed for my father to claim LTA, Moreover private ferry came thrice the cost as compared to govt ferry. We booked hotel in havelock and Neil island and not getting ferry would mean a complete spoiled trip. While I was just about to book private ferries markruzz and green ocean, I came across a number and after talking somehow I believed this person by taking a risk, and it proved out to be beneficial.

Thanks to a review on trip advisor that helped me save bucks and father could claim LTA on ferries too.

I estimated private ferry cost to be 18k for 4 people travelling from

Port Blair to havelock
Havelock to Neil
And then Neil to Port Blair

However this agent - Ishwar Rao in Port Blair helped me to get them for 9000 in all for 4 ppl. That was half the cost. He was responsible,attentive and accountable. However he is too busy, if you book through him , keep getting in touch with him before your travel.

Ishwar Rao's number -- +919474292018

True that -
* Govt ferry booking is completely offline so far.
* Opens up 4 days In Advance
* Let's you enjoy deck more
* Coming in open air keeps you away from feeling nauseatic/feeling vomit sensation.
* Has okay chairs
* Has music playing in slow volume on deck
* They have a pantry that offers paid tea coffee
* Their worth is more than private ferries.
* Standing in open air on deck is real fun, I loved that part the most. But be careful and stand cautiously.

Rumour is that :
* It's a rumour that there booking ceases 4 days before, at least that wasn't the case in December . My ferry had many free seats in all 3 time I took ferry.
* it's a rumour that you cannot get tickets yourself, but I won't suggest taking a risk on that as you have your hotels booked in havelock , Neil etc.
* It's a rumour that cockroaches move around in government ferries.

Written January 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Monica S
New Delhi, India70 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Solo
I travelled by myself to Andamans in March this year. I found the information available online regarding ferry to Havelock and back to be misleading. So here are some pointers from my experience:

1) Government operated ferry and those run by Makruzz are different.

2) Contrary to information available, there is NO difference in travel time. Both take about 2 hours 15 mins to travel from Port Blair to Havelock Island.

3) Tickets for Makruzz can be booked online or at various locations/travel agents in Andamans. However, government ferry tickets are primarily for inlanders and are for sale to tourist 2 days prior to date of journey.

4) Seats in Makruzz are just like economy airlines, cramped and less leg room. However, air conditioning is effective. Govt ferry is old and no recliner chairs, but more spacious.

5) Makruzz loads your luggage and in Govt ferry you have to carry in by yourself.

I travelled Port Blair to havelock by Makruzz and Havelock to Port Blair by Govt ferry. I tend to feel claustrophobic, so I preferred, the less luxurious govt ferry ride better as atleast it started on time, had enough leg room and no cramped seating.

Written May 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Be on Trip 365 Days
Ahmedabad, India44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Family
Ferry tickets are available against the false propaganda spread by travel agents and hotel owners, mainly to get commission from private cruise operators. Govt. ferry will depart on time against private cruises. It will allow one to move on deck for sea view and photography against locked cabins in private cruises. Bookings open 2 days in advance. One can get bookings done by standing in queue @ 5.30 am. Bookings open at 9 am. Senior citizens are given priority by separate queue. ID card copy is must for bookings. Agents charge @ 150 to 250 Rs per ticket as commission. Actual Ticket cost is for AC class is @ 550 Rs / person. Contact Mr. Ishwar Rao 9933226718 for govt ferry bookings help.
Written October 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rajib D
Kolkata (Calcutta), India61 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Family
We boarded government ferries from Port Blair to Havlock, from Havlock to Neil and from Neil to Port Blair. All of them was comfortable and air conditioned. You can get good views from the decks. The prices are cheaper than the private ones. Though the fare is much higher for tourists than the islanders. It was 60 Rupess per head for the locals but Approx 500 Rupees for the tourist for using the same facilities.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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