STARS Portal Ferry Booking, Explained
Government ferries cost ₹400–700 a leg — but tourist seats open 2 days before sailing and vanish in minutes. Here is exactly how STARS works, and when to skip it for a private ferry.
How STARS works, step by step
- 1. Mark the opening time
Bookings open about 2 days before the sailing date. Tourist seats go first — islanders have a separate quota. - 2. Register in advance
Create your STARS account and save passenger details and ID proofs before opening day. Registration during the rush wastes the minutes that matter. - 3. Book the second it opens
Pick Port Blair → Havelock (or your route), choose the sailing, pay online immediately. Hesitation means waiting for the next sailing — or the next day. - 4. Reach the jetty early
Government ferries board from Phoenix Bay Jetty with security checks. Arrive at least an hour before departure with your ticket and ID.
STARS vs private ferry
- Government ferry (STARS)
₹400–700 · slower · fixed few sailings · sells out in minutes · weather cancellations hit these first. - Private ferry (Makruzz / Nautika / Green Ocean)
₹1,000–3,400 · 90-minute crossings · 5+ sailings a day · bookable weeks ahead · rebooking support.
Questions, answered
- What is the STARS portal?
STARS (Ship Ticket Advance Reservation System) is the Andaman administration's online portal for government ferry tickets between Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and other islands — the only official way to book govt seats online. - When do STARS bookings open?
Roughly 2 days before sailing. Tourist-quota seats routinely sell out within 5–15 minutes of opening — set an alarm and keep payment details ready. - How much does a government ferry cost?
About ₹400–700 per leg depending on route and class — roughly a third of the cheapest private ferry. That is the entire appeal, and the entire catch. - Should I use STARS or a private ferry?
Use STARS if your dates are flexible, your budget is tight, and you enjoy a 6 AM booking race. Take a private ferry (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean) if your dates are fixed, you travel in peak season, or missing a sailing would break your itinerary. Our packages bundle private seats so clients never touch STARS.