Getting There & Around

Getting There & Around

Booking an international flight to Mumbai or Delhi, then hopping a domestic flight to Goa's Dabolim Airport, about 29 km (18 mi) south of Panaji is the way most travelers get to Goa. You can make online bookings with a number of airlines including Air India, Air Sahara, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Kingfisher Airlines. From the centrally located airport it's easy to get a cab to your hotel or to Panaji for around Rs. 500.

You can take a train or bus to Goa from Mumbai, but be warned: such trips can be long—at least 12 hours by train, 17 hours by bus—crowded, and uncomfortable.

Goa is a small state, so everywhere is within a short drive of everywhere else and taxis are plentiful and fairly affordable, especially if you're sharing with other travelers. You don't really need to contact a tour operator, as there will always be a taxi stand outside your hotel, or the hotel can call one for you. Goa has a unionized taxi system with fixed rates from point A to point B. Fares are not supposed to be negotiable, but depending on the driver, you may be able to swing a deal. If you are visiting a number of places and covering a lot of ground, hire a taxi for a 4- or 8-hour stretch for a flat rate.

Auto-rickshaws, otherwise known as tuk-tuks, abound and cost considerably less than taxis. There are no fixed rates, so before climbing in ask a local or a knowledgeable visitor what the fare should be to your destination. Note: For safety and sanity reasons, tuk-tuks are best for short distances in town rather than for jaunts across the state.

You can rent motorbikes at bus stops, railway stations, markets, and beach resorts and cars at the airport. You'll need an international driver's license to drive anything larger than a 55-cc engine. However, Indian drivers and roads being what they are, think long and hard before renting any motorized vehicle you intend to drive yourself.

If you're in reasonable shape and confident riding on potholed, heavily traveled roads, consider renting a bicycle for a jaunt to save on taxi fares, especially if you simply want to get from your hotel to the beach and back. Don't expect more than one gear or anything resembling what you're used to; check the tires and brakes.