Ferries, guesthouses and the route that keeps costs down without cutting the good bits.
Pick a cluster, not a country
The cheapest island trips stay within one ferry network. In India, the Andamans let you combine Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) on government and private ferries. Abroad, Thailand's Krabi–Phi Phi–Phuket triangle and Bali with the Gili Islands work the same way.
Where the money goes
Ferries and last-minute beach huts are where island budgets blow up. Booking the inter-island ferries with your package locks in the fare, and guesthouses a short walk inland from the beach are often half the price of beachfront rooms.
- Book inter-island ferries early — peak-season seats sell out
- Stay a five-minute walk from the beach, not on it
- Rent a scooter for the day rather than hiring taxis
- Snorkel from the shore before paying for a boat trip
Two islands done slowly beat five islands seen from a ferry deck.
A route that works
Our most-booked Andaman route is two nights in Port Blair, three on Havelock and two on Neil — enough time for Radhanagar Beach, a scuba try-dive and the natural rock bridge without rushing. On a national membership, the package starts from ₹9 per person.
