Goa is connected to different parts of the country by Air Services provided by almost all leading Airlines in India. Railway also connects this major tourist spot by trains from almost all the major cities in India. The passengers have to change from meter to broad gauge at Castle rock. Goa is connected by good motorable roads via the national highway from the major cities of India. Panaji can be reached by sea in the steamer services from Mumbai. But beautiful Goan countryside can be best seen by road.
Airways
Apart from Indian Airlines, other private operators also connect Goa with Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune. Besides, several charter companies fly into Goa from United Kingdom and Germany.
Dabolim, about 30 km from Panji (the capital) on the coast near Vasco da Gama, is Goa's international airport. From Dabolim to the city one can opt either for a coach service or the arrangement can be made by the hotel, where you plan to stay.
Approximate fares for some important domestic centres are
- Bangalore : US$ 100
- Cochin : US$ 110
- Chennai : US$ 125
- Delhi : US$ 245
- Mumbai : US$ 95
- Pune : US$ 95
Railways
Thanks to the Konkon Railway linking Manglalore to Mumbai, a significant development in rail travel to Goa has come. There is a direct daily express train to Delhi, Mangalore, Mumbai, Vadadora and Thiruvanathapuram. There are almost half a dozen direct express between Margao and Mangalore or Kankanadi. The journey takes about 6 hrs.
A number of trains, mostly passenger departs from Kurla, about 15 km from Mumbai.
Rail connections to some important centres, with distances and approximate fares are as :
- Bangalore via Londa [15 hrs] :
- Rs 200 (SL), RS 700 (IC), RS 975 (ACII) - about 690 km
- Delhi [45 hrs]:
- RS 400 (SL), RS 1600 (IC), RS 2000 (ACII) - about 2200 km
- Mumbai :
- RS 210 (SL), RS 725 (IC) - about 725 km
Goa is also connected with Secunderabad and Tirupati via Londa junction on the Miraj-Bangalore section of South Central Railway. Mapusa Road (Thivim) for Mapusa and Old Goa (Karmali) for Panaji are other important stations.
Margao (Madgaon) and Vasco DA Gama are two main and convenient stations. Reservations can be made at either of these. Or, else at Panji's office near Kadamba Bus Stand. Contact following numbers for details (Railway Inquiry )
- Karmali : 0832 286398 - Margao : 0832 712940 - Panaji : 131, 0832 435054 - Thirim : 0832 298682 - Vasco : 0832 512833
Roadways
There are three national highways that passes through Goa and connect Panaji : NH4A, NH17 and NH17A
Bus : Apart from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka state road transport corporations provide bus services. These bus services and available to and from Kadamba Bus Stand of Panaji. Approximate distances to some important centres in the region are :
- Bangalore : 630 km
- Belgaum : 160 km
- Hospet : 315 km
- Hubli : 185 km
- Karwar : 100 km
- Kolhapur : 250 km
- Mangalore : 370 km
- Mumbai : 595 km
- Mysore : 680 km
- Pune : 470 km
- Ratnagiri : 260 km
Approximate fares (state road transport corporation buses) and time taken to cover the distance to some important centres are :
- Bangalore : RS 225 - 15 hrs
- Hospet : RS 105 - 10 hrs
- Mangalore : RS 145 - 12 hrs
- Mumbai : RS 210 - 18 hrs
- Pune : RS 140 - 12 hrs
In Mumbai, most privately owned coaches start from Metro Cinema and Bandra Talao in the afternoon and reach Mapusa/Panaji early next morning. The service is also available from to Bangalore, Hampi, Hyderabad, Pune and other places. The bus stand in Panaji is located next to Mandori Bridge. Sleeper Coach services, courtsey Paulo Tours and Travel are available for Bangalore, Hampi and Mumbai
Taxi : Taxi could also be hired from Mumbai, which takes 8-10 hrs to reach Panji. One can stay, midway at Chiplun on NH 17. A return trip cost around RS 6000.
Waterways
Those visiting Goa between October and May, can opt for catamaran service between Mumbai and Panaji, courtsey Frank Shipping. Not sailing everyday of the week, it may cost you around RS 2000. Check out the details at : New Delhi. Phone : 91- 11- 45566666. Fax: 91- 11- 25554106.
Note: The details given above is for information purpose only & is subject to change without prior notice / intimation. Please re-check for up-todate information with our helpdesk.
Near by cities
- Belgaum- 157 kms.
- Kolhapur - 246 kms.
- Hospet - 315 kms.
- Hubli - 184 kms.
- Ratnagiri - 263 kms.
- Mumbai - 594 kms.
- Mangalore - 371 kms.
- Karwar - 103 kms.
- Gokarn - 154 kms.
- Vengurla - 78 kms.
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