I am from Delhi and keen on going to Lakshadweep Islands. The trip does not seem easy, as I think you need to change modes of transport, it is just a guess. It is why I have joined the forum, so I get the correct information instead of being cheated by a travel agent. I would like to know how to reach Lakshadweep from Delhi? I need details about what the best mode of transport would be cost wise and comfort wise. How much do you think the travel cost would be from Delhi to Lakshadweep?
Hello there, welcome to the forum! So first of all, make sure you visit these offices to obtain a special permit for entering Lakshadweep: Administrative Office (Director of tourism) Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep Address - Directorate of Tourism Development, UT of Lakshadweep, Kavaratti Island. Cochin Office of the Administrative Officer Address - Secretary to the Administrator, UT of Lakshadweep, Indira Gandhi Road, Wellington Island, Cochin, Kerala. Both Indians and foreigners require this special permit in order to gain access to the islands. You can also ask for help from the hotel you're staying in or from a travel agency for obtaining the permit. They would usually arrange the process for you for a fee. So first of all, you need to reach Kochi first as all ships and airplanes depart from here. Here are some ways you can reach Kochi from Delhi: 1. By Air - Here are some flight schedules from Delhi to Kochi: Indigo 6E 441 - Departs at 21:05 and arrives at 1:35. Flight duration is about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Fare is at Rs. 4,289 per passenger. Indigo 6E 223 - Departs at 10:40 and arrives at 15:30. Flight duration is about 4 hours and 50 minutes. Fare is at Rs. 4,394 per passenger. Indigo 6E 289 - Departs at 13:30 and arrives at 16:40. Flight duration is about 3 hours and 10 minutes. Fare is at Rs. 4,394 per passenger. 2. By Train - Several trains ply this route from Delhi to Ernakulam. Journey time is a bit long though at about 42 hours or more. It's an economical way to reach Kochi though. Here are some of the timings for the trains: Mangala Lakshadweep Express Train No. 12618 - This train runs daily at 9:15 and arrives at 12:00 the next day. Kerala Express Train No. 12626 - This train runs daily at 11:25 and arrives at 9:40 the next day. Trivandrum Rajdhani Train No. 12432 - This train runs every Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:55 and arrives at 4:10 the next day. 3. By Bus - There are no direct buses from Delhi to Kerala/Kochi. You would need to board different buses to reach Kochi from Delhi. Your route would be Delhi > Ahmedabad > Bangalore > Kerala. I really don't recommend this way since it's a bit inconvenient and takes a couple of days. But it's also one of the cheapest options. Anyway, first from Delhi to Ahmedabad, here are some bus timings: RSRTC Bus (Volvo Mercedes) - Departs at 15:00 from the Delhi Bikaner House Bus Station. Private Bus - Shrinath Travel Agency has a Volvo bus that departs at 6:00 pm and arrives at 11:55 pm, fare is at Rs. 1,700 per passenger. Another one is Rishabh Travels, they have a non-AC seater bus, departs at 6:30 pm and arrives at 3:00 pm, fare is at Rs. 800 per passenger. These buses depart from different locations like Metro Pillar, Manesar Gate and Behroad Bus Stand. Journey duration is about 20 hours. From Ahmedabad, ride another bus to Bangalore. Journey duration is about 26 hours. These buses depart from Palladi in Ahmedabad. Here are some timings: SRS Travels (Scania AC Semi-Sleeper) - Departs at 1:30 pm and arrives at 2:30 pm. Fare is at Rs. 1,600 per passenger. VRL Travels (Volvo AC Semi-Sleeper ) - Departs at 2:00 pm and arrives at 5:00 pm. Fare is at Rs. 2,000 per passenger. From Bangalore, ride another bus to Kerala. You have two options for buses: KSRTC Bus - From the Bangalore Bus Station, there are plenty of buses going to Kerala operated by KSRTC. Since you're going to Kochi, you need to board a bus going to the Ernakulam Bus Station. Timings for this bus are 1:00 pm, 4:15 pm and 8:00 pm. Private Bus - There are also private buses plying this route. Orange Tours and Travels has an AC sleeper bus departing from Bangalore at 8:30 pm and arriving in Ernakulam at 6:00 am. Fare is at Rs. 1,250 per passenger. Padikkal Travels has an Volvo AC bus departing from Bangalore at 9:00 pm and arriving in Ernakulam at 5:45 am. Fare is at Rs. 944 per passenger. Journey time is around 9 to 11 hours for this last stretch. From Kochi, you can either ride an airplane or a ship to reach Agatti Island in Lakshadweep. 1. By Air - From Kochi Airport, you can board another plane to reach Agatti. Air India operates daily flights to and from the Agatti Island, except during Sundays. Some of their timings are: Air India AI 831 - Departs at 5:50 and arrives at 11:25. Flight duration is about 5 hours and 35 minutes. Fare is at Rs. 9,817 per passenger. Air India AI 803 - Departs at 6:15 and arrives at 11:25. Flight duration is about 29 hours. Fare is at Rs. 11,313 per passenger. Air India AI 831 - Departs at 9:20 and arrives at 11:25. Flight duration is about 26 hours. Fare is at Rs. 11,313 per passenger. 2. By Ship - From Kochi, there are also ships plying to Agatti, Kadmat, Karavatti and Minicoy. Ship schedules vary and it's best to check the website of the Lakshadweep Tourism for more updated schedules. But fares are generally the same: Kochi to Agatti MV Kavaratti - First Class (2 Berth Cabin) at Rs. 5,000 and 2nd Class (4 Berth Cabin) at Rs. 2,200. MV Tipu Sultan - Deluxe 2 Berth Cabin at Rs. 3,000, First Class 4 Berth Cabin at Rs. 2,500 and Push Back at Rs. 2,000. MV Minicoy/MV Amindivi - Tourist Class at Rs. 2,000. MV Bharat Seema - First Class 2/4 Berth Cabin at Rs. 2,000 and Tourist Class at Rs. 2,000. Kochi to Kadmat/Karavatti/Minicoy MV Kavaratti - Diamond Class (2 Berth Cabin) at Rs. 4,000 and Gold Class (4 Berth Cabin) at Rs. 3,000. MV Tipu Sultan - Deluxe 2 Berth Cabin at Rs. 3,000, First Class 4 Berth Cabin at Rs. 2,500 and Push Back at Rs. 1,750. MV Minicoy/MV Amindivi - Tourist Class at Rs. 1,750. MV Bharat Seema - First Class 2/4 Berth Cabin at Rs. 2,000 and Tourist Class at Rs. 1,750. I hope this helps.
Lakshadweep is a beautiful archipelago of islands located in the Arabian Sea, about 300 kilometers from the coast of Kerala. It is a popular tourist destination for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life. There are two ways to reach Lakshadweep from Delhi: by air or by sea. By air The only airport in Lakshadweep is Agatti Airport, which is located on Agatti Island. There are direct flights to Agatti Airport from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The flight from Kochi takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the flight from Thiruvananthapuram takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. By sea There are passenger ships that operate between Kochi and Lakshadweep. The journey takes about 14-18 hours, depending on the island you are traveling to. The best mode of transport The best mode of transport to Lakshadweep from Delhi depends on your budget and priorities. Cost-wise Airfare: Round-trip airfare from Delhi to Agatti Airport typically costs between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000. Ferry tickets: Round-trip ferry tickets from Kochi to Lakshadweep typically cost between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000. Comfort-wise Air travel: Flying is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Lakshadweep from Delhi. The flights are relatively short and comfortable. Sea travel: Taking a ship is a more leisurely way to travel to Lakshadweep. The ships have comfortable cabins and offer stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Overall If you are on a tight budget, then taking the ferry is the best option. However, if you are looking for the fastest and most convenient option, then flying is the best choice. Additional factors to consider Weather: The weather in Lakshadweep is best during the winter months (November to February). During the summer months (March to May), the weather can be hot and humid. If you are traveling during the summer months, it is best to avoid traveling by sea. Sea conditions: The sea conditions in the Arabian Sea can be rough, especially during the monsoon season (June to September). If you are traveling by sea, it is important to check the sea conditions before you book your tickets. Island hopping: If you are planning on visiting multiple islands in Lakshadweep, then it is best to fly. This will save you time and hassle. My recommendation If you are on a tight budget and don't mind taking a longer journey, then I recommend taking the ferry. If you are looking for the fastest and most convenient option, then I recommend flying. Here are some additional tips for planning your trip to Lakshadweep: Book your flights and accommodations in advance, especially if you are traveling during the peak season. Pack light, as luggage restrictions are strict on the ferries. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat, as the sun can be very strong in Lakshadweep. Be respectful of the local culture and environment. Lakshadweep is a beautiful and unique destination, and it is worth the effort to get there. By following the tips above, you can plan a hassle-free and enjoyable trip.
