Goa is a favorite and most frequented holiday destination for people in Mumbai. So getting from Mumbai to Goa is fairly easy and there are plenty of alternatives you can choose from.
By Flight: Most of the domestic airlines operate daily flights from Mumbai to Goa. Flying time from Mumbai to Goa takes about an hour. All the airlines have executive, business and economical class. Kingfisher airlines, Spicejet, Jet Airways, Indian Airlines, Air Deccan, Indigo and GoAir fly directly to Goa from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. Goa has only one airport at Dabolim in Vasco about 30 kms from Panaji, Goa's capital city. Only few international flights arrive directly to Goa, so if you are a foreigner, you would have to get a connecting flight from Mumbai.
By Train: Trains are the least expensive way to get to Goa from Mumbai. Most trains take about 12 hours to get to Goa. You can board the trains from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or from the Kurla station. Goa has two railway stations; the major one is in Margao in south Goa and the second one is in north Goa called Thivim. Konkankanya Express is the most popular train plying between Mumbai and Goa. The Jan Shatabdi Express is another favorite choice. The other trains connecting the two cities are Rajdhani Express, Mangala Lakshadweep Express and the Mandovi Express. Tourists should make their reservations well in advance as these trains get heavily booked especially in the peak season. Most of the Indian trains have quotas for foreign tourists but this can be availed of only by the concerned tourist personally while booking tickets at the station and not through a travel agent.
By Road: Traveling the 582 km stretch of road from Mumbai to Goa is in itself an experience. The ride will get you past numerous towns and villages and varying landscape from hills to plains, and coastlines to grasslands.
If you are taking a bus, there are fleets you can catch from Mumbai in the Metro Cinema-Fashion St vicinity daily in the evening at around 7 pm. The air-conditioned buses are the most comfortable especially the Volvos. Preferably, try to get sleeper buses if not the regular semi-sleeper or slumberette. Prices of the ticket vary depending on the season. So it gets quite expensive during the peak season from November to March. Alternatively, there are taxis available on hire from Mumbai for a cost of Rs 6,000 (US$ 140). Road journey to Goa takes about 14 hours.
Unfortunately, cruises from Mumbai to Goa have been discontinued. |
