Transport in Goa

Getting Around In Goa

How To Get There

Before independence, the many rivers that drain across Goa made getting around a problem. Nowadays, however, thanks to a network of road bridges, life is a lot easier.

For tourists, white Maruti Van Taxis serve as the main means of travelling between resorts. One will find them lined up outside most charter hotels, where a board invariably to destinations in and around the region. The fixed rate fares only apply to peak season, however, and at other times one should be able to negotiate a hefty reduction.

If auto-rickshaws are the quaint essentially Indian mode of transport, flat-bottomed ferries are their Goan equivalent. Crammed with cars, buses, commuters on scoters, fisherwomen and clumps of bewildered tourists, these rusting blue-painted hulks provide an essential service, crossing the coastal backwaters where bridges have not yet been built. They're also incredibly reasonable, and run from the crack of dawn until late in the evening.

The most frequented river crossings in Goa are Panjim to Betim, across the Mandovi; Old Goa to Divar Island; Siolim to Chopdem, across the Terakol River; and Cavelossim in the far south of Salcete Taluka, to Assolna.

By Motorcycle Taxi: Goa's unique pillion-passenger motorcycle taxis, known locally as "pilots", are ideal for nipping between beaches or into town from the resorts. Bona fide operators ride black bikes with yellow mudguards and white number plates. Fares, which should be settled in advance, are comparable with auto-rickshaw rates.

By Rented Motorcycle: Renting motorcycle in goa gives a lot of freedom. Officially, one needs an international driver's licence to rent, and ride, anything more powerful than a 25cc moped. Rates vary according to the season, the vehicle, and how long one wants to rent it for most owners also insist on a deposit and passport as security. The range is pretty standard and the reasonable choice is a 50 cc moped. These are fine for buzzing to the beach and back, but to travel further try the stalwart Enfield Bullet 350cc, popular mainly for its pose value; the smaller but more reliable Honda Kinetic 100 cc, which has automatic gears and is a good first-time choice or the best all rounder, the Yamaha RD 100 cc; light, fast enough, reliable, economical and with annual gears. The Konkan Railway makes Goa easily accessible by rail from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mangalore , Ernakulam and Thiruvanantapuram . The daily New Delhi (Nizamuddin) to Vasco-da-Gama Goa Express has been resumed. Goa is also linked to Bangalore, Chennai , Hyderabad and Pune via Londa. Dabolim Airport, 30-km from the state capital Panaji, has coach services operating to and from the airport. All the major hotels also arrange transport for the guests. A prepaid taxi service is also available over here. All the major airline services have daily flights to Goa from Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune and twice a week from Chennai and Kochi. The International Service of airlines also connects Goa with Kuwait and Sharjah twice a week. The Goan Transport Corporation, Kadamba, runs long-distance services throughout the state from their main stand at Panjim, Mapusa, Margao and destinations in the adjoining states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Private buses, serving everywhere else including the coastal resorts, are affordable, frequent, and more relaxed than many in India. THE MANDOVI RIVER CRUISE:
A popular alternative to watching the sunset from a beach bar - at least for most Indian tourists - is an evening River Cruise along the Mandovi from Panjim. GTDC runs two return trips every day from Santa Monica jetty the first at 6.00 pm, and the second at 7.15 pm. Snacks and drinks are available, and the price includes a display of Konkani and Portuguese dance accompanied by folk singers in traditional Goan costume, and sometimes a live Hindi cover band.

FULL MOON CRUISES:
Two hour "Full moon" cruises leave daily at 8.30 pm, regardless of the lunar phase.

EMERALD WATER CRUISES:
Operating in direct competition to GTDC are Emerald Waters Cruises from the quay outside the Hotel Mandovi. They also offer longer sightseeing trips during the day.

Bookings: For the GTDC Cruise can be made through their travel agents. Emerald waters' ticket counter is opposite the hotel mandovi.

Useful Information

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Goa ranges from charming old family homes turned into guest houses at budget prices and aesthetic mid range resorts with Goan cottages by the sea, to splendid five star deluxe hotels. In addition Goa Tourism Development Corporation (Trionora Apartments, Panjim) runs moderately priced accommodation throughout Goa.

Most banks in Goa offer currency exchange. Some major banks are:

State Bank Of India,
Panjim

Andhra Bank
Panjim

Bank of Baroda
With branches at Panjim, Mapusa, Anjuna, Calangute, Vasco, Margao, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim, Colva and Betalbatim.

Central Bank Of India
Panjim

IDBI
Near Cine Blue, Margao,
Accepts American Express Cards Issued In India.

Times Bank
18th June Road, Panjim
& Municipality Building, Margao
Accepts Centurion Bank Cash Cards.

Andhra Bank
Panjim
Accepts Centurion Bank Cash Cards.

Andhra Bank
Panjim
Accepts master card, JCD and VISA

HDFC
Margao,
18th june road Panjim
Accepts American Express, Master,
VISA , VISA Electro, CIRCUSS

ICICI BANK
Opposite Passport Office, Panjim
Opp Molipot House Near Loyala
Road, Margao
Accepts ICICI Bank Cards.
CONDUCTED TOURS
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) offers several daily tours aroundGoa starting from Panjim, Margao, Mapusa, Calangute, and Vasco. Ordinary and A/C coaches are also available.

North Goa: Includes Mapusa town, Sri Saptakoteshwar Temple at Narva, Mayem Lake, Beaches at Vagator, Anjuna and Calangute, Fort Aguada and the handicrafts Emporium at Panjim. The tour can also be combined with a river cruise.

South Goa: Includes Old Goa Churches - Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Sri Mangueshi and Shantadurga temples, ancestral Goa at Loutolim, Colva Beach, Margao, Bogmala Beach, Dona Paula Bay and Miramar.

Tours to Dudhsagar Falls and Tiracol Fort are operated by GTDC subject to a minimum of 20 persons.

Package Tours: These tours are available from Mumbai and Pune to Goa including travel, stay and visits around Goa.

CROCODILE AND DOLPHIN SPOTTING TOURS
A number of tour agents along the Baga, Candolim and Calangute beach strip nowadays offer backwater Crocodile or Dolphin spotting down the Mandovi River to the Zuari River whose banks are thickly forested with mangrove trees. Crocodiles inhabit the swamps in this area. In the open sea at the mouth of the Mandovi River, one can also spot some Dolphins. INFORMATION OFFICES
Government Of India Tourist Office
Communidade Building
Church Square, Panjim

Government Of Goa,
Department Of Tourism Offices
Tourist Home, Patto, Panjim

North Goa - Tourist Shopping Complex,
Mapusa
South Goa - Tourist Hostel,
Margao

Tourist Information Counter
Interstate Bus Terminus, Panjim

Tourist Information Counter, Tourist
Hostel, Vasco-da-Gama
Click here for Tours in Goa
Tourist Information Counter,
Dibolim Airport

Government Of Tamil Nadu
Tourist office, Rayu Chambers
Dr. A.B. Road, Panjim

Kerala Tourist Office, Bhanav Apartments,
Dr. Shirgaonkar Road,
Panjim

Maharashtra Tourism
Development Corporation
Tourist Hostel, Panjim

Karnataka Tourism
Development Corporation
Velho Filhos Building,
Municipal Garden Square,
Panjim

Government Of Andhra Pradesh
Tourist Information Centre
Rua de Ourem, Panjim

At Delhi:
Government of Goa,
Tourist Information Counter,
Goa Sadan, Amrita Shergil Marg,
New Delhi

At Mumbai:
Government Of Goa, Tourist
Information Counter,
Central Railway Station,
Mumbai

Hotels & Resorts in Goa
Hotels in Goa Alor Holiday Resort Leela Palace Hotel in Goa Taj Exotica more goa hotels...	Resorts in Goa Anjuna Beach Resorts Dona Paula Beach Resorts Baga Beach Resorts more goa resorts...

Suggested Tour Packages

Goa Vacation Package Tour Code: GTT - 009 Duration: 14 Days Destinations Covered: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Thekkady - Cochin - Goa - Mumbai
Day to Day Itinerary :: Interested? Contact Us
Goa Trips Tour Code: GTT - 008 Duration: 16 Days Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Goa - Belgaum - Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal - Hospet - Hassan - Shravanabelagola - Hassan-Madikeri - Mysore-Srirangapatnam-Bangalore- Mumbai
Day to Day Itinerary :: Interested? Contact Us
Travelling in Goa Tour Code: GTT - 006 Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights Destinations Covered: Goa - Panjim - Savoi - Panaji
Day to Day Itinerary :: Interested? Contact Us
» Other Goa Holiday Packages