October 21, 2024
Lakshadweep, formerly Laccadive Islands, translates to “one hundred thousand islands” in Malayalam. As mesmerizing as its name is, the Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the South Western coast of the Arabian Sea. That being said, the main attraction of Lakshadweep lies in its gorgeous coral reefs, making it a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Apart from this, the archipelago is also famous for its rich cultural heritage stemming from Indian, Arab, and European traditions.
As the less explored Islands have opened their gates since 1974 for tourists, numerous people have wished to spend a magical holiday in this archipelago. Similarly, if you are looking up the internet “how can we reach Lakshadweep?” then let us tell you that there are very limited options.
Lying about 400 Km away from the Western coast of India in the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep can only be reached via water and air. Seven passenger ships operate to and from Lakshadweep and Cochin in total. It has an airport in Aggati, which is connected to the Kochi Airport only. You can use the ferry system or hire a helicopter to traverse the cluster islands.
To get an overview of how to reach Lakshadweep, continue reading the next section.
Although air is the fastest way to reach Lakshadweep, there are no direct flights to the islands. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, which receives flights from several cities across India and abroad. Lakshadweep has just one airport on Agatti Island. To explore the best places to visit in Lakshadweep, book a flight from Cochin.
Air India flights reach Agatti in one and a half hours and operate six days a week, making it convenient for a trailer to reach the Island. From Agatti, helicopter services run annually if you want to travel to Kavaratti island. However, during monsoon, the trip can become a little difficult. If you're going to visit Lakshadweep islands, you must also get a tourism permit from Kochi as mandated by the Indian government.
Water accessibility to Lakshadweep is excellent, as 7 passenger ships take people to the archipelago. If you are wondering how to go to Lakshadweep island, your worries end here as there are 7 passenger ships taking travellers to and fro Lakshadweep.
They are:
Take an interesting and fun journey on these ships to make your vacation more memorable. Choose from the different classes of accommodation here, including a/c Deluxe Class, a/c First Class, and Tourist Class, according to your preferences.
The ships offer all forms of entertainment, such as snack bars, walkways, cafeterias, entertainment lounges, etc. Other essential amenities such as health services and doctors are also available on board so you can travel stress-free. However, as it takes a while to reach, it is best to take this journey with the Lakshadweep tour packages if you are not in a hurry to reach Lakshadweep. Take the journey only if you can spare between 14 and 20 hours.
Unfortunately, there are no direct trains to the Island. However, various trains operate to Ernakulam, including the Nizamuddin to Mangala Lakshadweep Express, Himsagar Express (New Delhi to Ernakulam), Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani, Kerala Express, and Millennium Express. If you plan to take a train to Lakshadweep and then set sail to reach the Island, be sure to book your tickets in advance as it is one of the best places to visit in winter in India, and reserving seats may become difficult.
|
Transportation |
Best Way to Reach Lakshadweep |
Approx. Time |
Approx. Distance |
|
By air |
Nearest Airport: Kochi International Airport (COK) Connecting Flights: Available from major Indian cities to Agatti Airport (AGX) |
1.5 - 2 hours (Flight) |
496 km |
|
By Sea |
Nearest Port: Kochi Port (also known as Cochin Port) |
14-20 hours (Ship) |
400-500 km |
|
By train |
Nearest Railway Station: Kannur (CAN) |
- |
- |
Here is a comprehensive overview of how you can reach the Island from different cities in India:
If you are wondering how to reach Lakshadweep from Delhi, it is approximately 2600+ km. From Delhi, the fastest way to reach Lakshadweep is by Flight Via Goa, which takes approximately 6 hours. There is no direct connection from Delhi to Lakshadweep. However, you can take the train to Ernakulam Jn, taxi to Willingdon Island Jetty, and then take the ferry to Kavaratti to reach Lakshawadeep.
Being one of the best places to visit in India with family, one can easily plan a holiday from Jaipur to Lakshadweep. Being approximately 2400+ km from Jaipur, the fastest way to reach Lakshadweep from Jaipur is by Flight Via Goa, which takes approximately 6 hours. The distance between Jaipur and Lakshadweep by road is 3187 KM, and the aerial distance from Jaipur to Lakshadweep is 1844 KM. Once you have reached the area, you can take a boat or helicopter to reach various spots. People also hire bicycles or can walk through the Island to explore the archipelago at their own pace.
To answer your question, “how to reach Lakshadweep from Bangalore?” Lakshadweep is approximately 700+ km from Bangalore, which can be easily covered by flight. It is a swift journey and takes approximately 2 hours to reach. Alternatively, the cheapest way to reach Lakshadweep from Bangalore is by Train or flight Via Cochin, which would take approximately 10 hours.
Lakshadweep Island can be reached by ships and flights operated from Kochi. Kochi is the gateway to Lakshadweep for all tourist purposes. Various ways to reach the island from Hyderabad include flying from Hyderabad to Bangalore, then Kochi, and finally to Agatti Island.
To make your trip to Lakshadweep more memorable, board a ship from Kochi and cruise through the Arabian Sea. Depending on the Island you visit, the sea voyage will vary. As it is one of the best places to visit in India in January, getting tickets for your transportation may be a hassle. To skip those, consider booking a ticket early.
Wondering how to reach Lakshadweep from Kochi? Then let us tell you that Lakshadweep Island can be reached by ships and flights operated from Kochi. For travel purposes, Kochi is the gateway to Lakshadweep. Agatti and Bangaram islands can be reached by flight from Kochi via flights from Indian Airlines.
Conversely, cruising the Arabian Sea can be an adventurous way to reach Lakshadweep. Five passenger ships, namely -
They operate between Cochin and Lakshadweep. The passage might take 14 to 18 hours, depending on the Island chosen for the journey.
Willing to take the much-needed vacation from Mumbai to Lakshadweep? Have you been fretting over how to reach Lakshadweep? Then let us assure you that Lakshadweep is not very far from Mumbai. The Island is approximately 1050+ km from Mumbai, and the fastest way to reach Lakshadweep from Mumbai is by Flight Via Goa, which takes approximately 4 hours.
The quaint islands of Lakshadweep are approximately 1000+ km from Chennai. The fastest way to reach Lakshadweep from Chennai is by Flight Via Bangalore, which takes 4 hours. Alternatively, the cheapest way to reach Lakshadweep from Chennai is by train, and then you can take a flight via Calicut, which would take approximately 13 hours.
As it is one of the best historical places in India, you can also cruise down to Cochin. The sea is generally calm during this time, and travellers can get a great opportunity to try out their sea legs.
Lakshadweep, India's smallest Union Territory, comprises 36 islands, 12 atolls, and three reefs. However, not all these islands are populated, and only a few are accessible to visitors. To protect the interests of the travellers and the inhabitants of the Island, the government of India has made it mandatory to gain special permits to visit these islands.
To explore one of the unique places to visit in South India, one must obtain a permit from the ePermit portal. Conversely, travellers can download the application form from the Lakshadweep administration website or obtain it from the District Collector's office in Kavaratti. The filled-up form and the necessary documents should be submitted to the collector’s office.
After learning how to reach Lakshadweep, knowing the etiquette you need to follow on the Island is essential. Here is a list of the things you should be aware of:
After understanding how to reach Lakshadweep, let us look at how to commute within the Island.
The only option to traverse the archipelago is boats, ferries, or helicopter services. These are often used to travel from one Island to another. However, there's not much transportation on the Island itself, although you can hire cycles or simply walk around and see.
The airstrip is present only on Agatti Island; hence, one cannot fly between the islands. From Agatti, boats can reach Kavaratti and Kadmat during the fair season from October to May. Alternatively, helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to Kavaratti, giving you a golden opportunity to board the chopper. With many varied opportunities, Lakshadweep has emerged as one of the finest places to celebrate New Year in India. However, one must be cautious as helicopters are subject to availability during monsoon season.
Book a tour package today from the best tour planners in India to explore the pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and mesmerizing marine life.
By taking a seasoned and well-crafted package, you can secure a chance to traverse the area according to your wish. Choose Trip Planners India and embark on an adventure to satiate your wanderlust.
So book one of these best tour packages in India today and set sail towards this mesmerizing Island.
