Lakshadweep Ship Ticket Online Booking 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
How to book a Lakshadweep ship ticket online in 2026, the official portal, the entry permit, the ships, fares, and how far ahead to reserve your berth.
Advertisement
Booking a ship to Lakshadweep is not like booking a train or a flight — the islands are a restricted zone, every visitor needs an entry permit, and the passenger ships are run by the administration on a limited schedule. This guide walks through Lakshadweep ship ticket online booking step by step for 2026: the official portal, the permit, the ships, and how far ahead to plan so you actually get a berth.
Where Lakshadweep ships sail from
Passenger ships to Lakshadweep depart from the Kerala coast — mainly Kochi (Cochin), with some services from Beypore and Mangalore — and connect to the inhabited islands such as Kavaratti, Agatti, Kadmat, Minicoy and Kalpeni. The crossing from Kochi typically takes between about 14 and 20 hours depending on the island and the vessel. If you are weighing routes, our guides to the Kochi to Lakshadweep ship ticket price and the Mangalore to Lakshadweep ship ticket price break down each option.
The entry permit comes first
Lakshadweep is a protected group of islands, and every visitor (other than government and armed-forces personnel) must hold an entry permit before travelling. The permit is administered by SPORTS (the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports) and is tied into the booking system, so in practice the permit and the ship reservation are handled together. Foreign nationals face additional clearances and should start the process even earlier.
Advertisement
How to book Lakshadweep ship tickets online
Ship reservations are handled through the official Lakshadweep administration systems rather than ordinary travel sites. The steps are broadly:
- Use the official portal — the Lakshadweep Port Department system at lakport.utl.gov.in, and the administration's tourism/IRCTC-linked ticketing channel. Avoid unofficial resellers.
- Register with your Aadhaar number, mobile number and email to create an account.
- Choose your route and island — for example Kochi–Kavaratti or Kochi–Agatti — and your sailing date.
- Select the ship and class — vessels include the MV Kavaratti, MV Minicoy, MV Tipu Sultan, MV Amindivi and others, with First class, Second class and Bunk options.
- Complete the permit formalities and payment as prompted, then keep the confirmation and permit for boarding.
Lakshadweep ship fare — what to expect
Fares are set by the Lakshadweep administration and vary by island, class and vessel — broadly from a few hundred rupees at the lowest class up to a few thousand for a cabin, one way. Because these rates are revised from time to time and differ by route, treat any figure you see online as indicative and confirm the current fare on the official portal or at the ticket counter. Package tourists travelling on organised trips (including the popular ship-based cruise packages) usually have fares bundled into the tour cost.
Advertisement
Book early — this is the real bottleneck
Berths are limited and demand is high in the October–May season, so book as far ahead as you can — ideally three to four months for peak dates. Ship schedules can also shift with weather and maintenance, so build some flexibility into your plans and reconfirm before you travel.
Documents to carry
- Your entry permit (the single most important document).
- A valid government photo ID matching the booking.
- Booking confirmation / PNR for the sailing.
- For foreign nationals: passport, visa and any additional clearance required.
A few tips for a smoother trip
Start the permit and booking together rather than leaving the permit for later; pick your island before you book, since the ship and fare depend on it; and once you land, our guide to the best places to visit in Lakshadweep will help you plan the days on the water. Carry cash, as card and mobile connectivity on the islands can be limited.
Topics
Frequently asked questions
Advertisement
