Goa can be reached via its
sole airport (Dabolim), by train, and by the many buses connecting the state with cities in India (primarily Mumbai, Mangalore and Bangalore). If you are travelling from Mumbai or Pune, car travel will provide you a journey through breathtaking scenery of the Konkan area.
By Plane
The
Dabolim airport in
Vasco da Gama is Goa's only airport. Some airlines fly directly to Goa, but most international flights arrive via Mumbai. Many domestic airlines have daily flights to and from Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Kozhikode(Calicut).
On arrival, take pre-paid taxis from Dabolim Airport. A yellow pre-paid taxi booth can be found 30 metres on the left when you exit the main building. There is also a pre-paid taxi stand in the international arrival area.
By Bus
There are several bus routes from various cities, but most traffic is from mainly Mumbai and Pune. Due to increasing demand from the south, there has been an increase in buses and trains from Mangalore and Bangalore. Overnight buses from Mumbai to Goa are an alternative to trains and flying. The main centre for booking train and bus tickets, in
Panjim, is around the Kadamba inter-state bus terminus. Tickets for the Konkan Railway can also be booked here.
By Train
Indian Railways connects Goa with direct train services from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Kochi, Kolkata, Thiruvanantapuram, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. The destination station is usually Madgaon in South Goa, one can also choose to get down at Thivim in North Goa. Travelling to Goa by train is a real pleasure as the route passes through greenery and many tunnels. Goa is also connected to Pune via the Belgaum Miraj line.
Here are some useful trains to get into Goa:
Train Number |
Train Name |
You may board at |
You may alight at |
12432 |
Rajdhani Express |
Nizamuddin (Delhi), Panvel (Mumbai) |
Madgaon Junction |
12618 |
Mangala Lakshadweep Express |
Nizamuddin (Delhi), Kalyan (Mumbai), Panvel (Mumbai) |
Thivim, Madgaon Junction |
10103 |
Mandovi Express |
Mumbai CST, Panvel (Mumbai) |
Thivim, Madgaon Junction |
10111 |
Konkan Kanya Express |
Mumbai CST, Panvel (Mumbai) |
Thivim, Madgaon Junction |
12051 |
Jan Shatabdi Express |
Mumbai CST, Panvel (Mumbai) |
Thivim, Madgaon Junction |
12450 |
Sampark Kranti Express |
Nizamuddin (Delhi) |
Thivim, Madgaon Junction |
17309 |
Yesvantpur-Vasco Express |
Yesvantpur (Bangalore) |
Madgaon Junction, Vasco da Gama |
17311 |
Chennai-Vasco Express |
Chennai Central, Yesvantpur (Bangalore) |
Madgaon Junction, Vasco da Gama |
18047 |
Amaravathi Express |
Howrah (Kolkata) |
Madgaon Junction, Vasco da Gama |
16346 |
Netravathi Express |
Thiruvananthapuram Central, Mangalore Junction |
Madgaon Junction, Thivim |
12431 |
Rajdhani Express |
Thiruvananthapuram Central, Mangalore Junction |
Madgaon Junction |
Travelling by train can be quite an experience as you are more likely to interact with fellow Indian travellers visiting Goa from different parts of the country, under more relaxed conditions.
By Car
Distance from Goa to various cities:
- Mangalore (360km)
- Pune (485km)
- Bangalore (592km)
- Mumbai (608km)