GETTING AROUND
Goa is accessible to all most all modes of transport to most places in India and abroad. Now with a quick rail link to Mumbai and charter flights from the UK, thousands of tourists flock here each winter to relax and enjoy.
Reaching Goa: Goa is well connected to other parts of the country and world through air, roads, trains, buses, taxis and boats. Goa is a short 45 minutes flight from Mumbai. Goa's international airport,
Dabolim is 35 miles from Panaji. There are also daily
flights to and fro from Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Delhi and Cochin. Though Goa always had access by rail, this mode of travel has gained momentum with the opening of the Konkan
Railway, a semi government initiative.
The Konkan Railway connects the western coastal areas of India and starts from Mumbai and passes from Goa to Mangalore with connections to almost every city and town in route. The main train stations in Goa are Margao and Vasco da Gama and 2 Konkan Railway station called Karmali and Thivam. Trains to all major Indian cities are available from these stations. As for Road, there are three national highways intersecting Goa; from the north, NH-17 that is the Bombay-Goa route; from the east, NH-4A, which is the Goa-Belgaum route, and from the south, NH-17 which is the Goa-Karwar route. The roads in Goa are generally in good condition. Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka state road transport corporations operate bus services out of Kadamba bus stand. There are also many private bus operators. Luxury and air-conditioned buses are available to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hampi and other destinations.
Local Transport: There are various transports available for a local commuter to choose from.
Motorcycle rental is most popular with
travelers in Goa. They are required to give in their passports and a sizeable deposit as security. The vehicles that are available are Enfield, Yamaha 100 and Kinetic Honda scooters. In high season, on a daily basis, you may have to pay up to Rs 300 for a scooter, Rs 400 for the small bikes and Rs 500 for an Enfield. Taxis in the form of motorcycles called
Motorcycle Taxis are also common in Goa. Hey are operated by the driver, locally called pilots. They are much cheaper and if a person is traveling alone with a backpack, then he can be carried on these bike taxis.
Bicycles can also be rented, if one is in a mood for some exercise. They are available for Rs 40 per day. Boats can be hired to cross the many rivers of Goa. These boats are called
Ferries and act as waterbuses to carry people to specific locations. Other than these there are Unmetered car
Taxis and three wheeler
Auto rickshaws, which are operated in urban areas.
