Goa Transportation

Contrary to the dreaded expectations of a tourist, educated on the hassles of transportation in India by countless people, Goa is a pleasant surprise when it concerns travelling to various destinations. Connected through air, rail, road and sea, Goa is among the most convenient places in India to travel to and from. Both Mumbai and Bangalore, two of the main cities in South India, are well-linked with Goa.

Travelling by Air

Goa Airport, located in Dabolim close to the port town of Vasco da Gama, provides direct flights to domestic destinations and connecting flights to international destinations. Indian Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines are among the airlines serving at Goa Airport.

Travelling by Road

The public bus is well-connected with the major, minor and miniscule cities and villages within Goa and other cities and states of India. National Highways NH4A, NH17 and NH17A connect the roads of Goa and Mumbai, Pune, Belgaum, Hubli and Bangalore. Most roads are in good condition, wider than in most Asian countries and road travel speeds are good as well. Public buses are often crowded and it’s best to get into a bus at the main bus stand where it will start its journey from; this will ensure a seat in the bus for your convenience.

If a tourist is arriving or departing via a rental car or taxi, the scenic route along the Konkan coastline is the best road to use.

Travelling by Rail

Foreign tourists are provided special privileges when travelling by train to and from Goa. The Konkan Railway provides an express train service between Goa and Mumbai, and foreigners are allowed to pay through credit card for the service, via the internet. The express train takes around eight hours to reach Mumbai, while other trains could take much longer than that. Ordinary rail transportation is available to almost every area of India, even as far as Delhi in the North and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala (South).

Travelling by Sea

In the ancient days, a ferry service was active between Mumbai and Panaji. Currently, it’s a catamaran, travelling from Goa to Mumbai and back, thrice a week. The departure from Goa is scheduled for 9:00 am and the arrival in Goa is scheduled for 6:30 pm.