If you have any doubt regarding self-drive rentals and cab rentals in Havelock Island and Port Blair, you don’t have to worry. In this article, we will help you choose the cost-effective option to have the best sightseeing experience.
In the Andaman Islands, a lot of people are concerned about whether to go for self-driving rentals or transfers. These days, you can also avail bike rentals in Andaman. In Havelock, self-driving car rentals are not available yet. You can get two wheelers only if you go for a self-driving option like in other states of the country.
Zoom Car and other leading self-drive car rental chains have not entered in Andaman yet. So, local operators manage most of the arrangements for tourists in Andaman. Andaman is the melting pot of diverse cultures, where people from different states in India visit and gather. A lot of locals in Andaman have their origin in UP, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Andaman is a decent union territory which adds to its cosmopolitan vibes unlike other states of the country. In these islands people can communicate in both English and Hindi as they are fairly educated.
Self-driven car rentals were recently introduced in 2017 in Port Blair. You can now explore the beauty of Andaman at your own pace by driving across the islands for 8 hours. All you need to fill the fuel by yourself and pay entry passes wherever needed. It goes without saying that Andaman is a naturally beautiful archipelago. A lot of people choose to go with self-driving car rentals to visit their favorite tourist destinations when they enter Andaman.
But there are two questions that most tourists frequently ask –
- Do we really need self-driven car rental to experience the tranquility of Andaman?
- Is self-driven car rental really a cheaper option than hiring a car driven by a chauffeur?
Many tourists who visit Andaman prefer to drive cars themselves as they just want to explore the city at their own pace. In addition, they don’t want to involve anyone else to have a completely personal experience. Many travelers feel that renting a self-drive car is cheaper and helps save them a lot in the trip. Let’s explain both the questions.
You can definitely take a self-driven vehicle if you have always desired to have personalized rental car experience for your own pleasure and for your own space without having to involve anyone else. Keep in mind that mobile networks don’t work in most places in Andaman Islands. You need to have proper knowledge about dealing with such circumstances. However, you can always have someone who can help you over there. The islands are very safe and are easy to approach for everyone.
Actually, renting a self-driven car is costlier than hiring a car with a driver. It is better to hire a bike for rent if you are on a limited budget in Andaman.
How much does renting a self-driven vehicle cost?
If you want to hire a hatchback or smaller vehicle for self driving, you may have to pay up to Rs. 3500 to Rs. 4500 plus fuel expenses and tax for up to 8 hours. After this, you will need to pay around Rs. 10 per km for the given limit. The vehicle has the capacity of over 5 people. Some of the common hatchbacks available for self-driving are Santro, Hyundai i110, WagonR and Ford Figo.
You can also go for Sedan cars which cost almost the same as a hatchback but their availability is limited. Verna, Honda City, and SX4 are some of the common sedan cars as alternatives to hatchbacks. You can also hire an off road vehicle in Andaman to have a completely different feel. Gypsy and Jeep are the vehicles available currently. These off-road vehicles cost up to Rs. 7000 exclusive of fuel and tax.
Do you need a driver cum guide or a self-drive car rental for Andaman tour?
It is one of the main concerns for a lot of people. Whether you should hire a self-driven vehicle for rent or you need a driver with a car rental for transfer. If you want self-driven experience and visit the attractions on your own, you can definitely rent a vehicle for self drive. But it may cost more than you may expect.
You can also rent a car with a driver who is experienced and knowledgeable about several points of attraction across Andaman. He can definitely take you to different places that you may not know. It is another great option. You can check out different sightseeing packages in Andaman that are listed here. When it comes to rentals, you can always go for the second option. Drivers are healthy, experienced and well trained with neat and sanitized vehicles. We have maintained our fleet of vehicles and all the vehicles are available with drivers like Scorpio, Swift Dzire, Xylo, Ertiga and other cozy cars to have a better tour. Tata Sumo and small vehicles are not that comfortable for sightseeing. So, you need to look for a cozy vehicle to explore Andaman.
Keep in mind that there is no Uber, Ola or any cab hire chain in Andaman. There are tuk-tuks and autos available but they are not as comfortable as some locations have bumpy tracks. Of course they are considered cheaper than private cabs. You may go for 2-wheelers for personal tours but road conditions and road safety are major concerns.
At the end, it is up to the traveler as what they want to explore in Andaman. It is up to your personal preference. You can hire a cab with a driver which is the most preferred option as you can cover a lot of sightseeing attractions. It is also cost-effective, convenient and easy. You can let all your worries and stress to car rental services in Andaman to enjoy a smooth ride.
