Transport Facilities in Goa

How to Reach Goa

Airways in Goa

Dabolim Airport or Goa International Airport is the only airport in the entire state of Goa, located in the city of Dabolim. It also functions as a civil enclave in a military airbase called INS Hansa. The airport is located about 4 kilometers from the city of Vasco De Gama, 23 kilometers from the administrative headquarters of South Goa – Margao and 30 kilometers from the capital city of Goa – Panaji.

Roadways in Goa

The transport system in Goa is mostly maintained by the Kadamba Transport Corporation, which links Goa to all major routes such as the Panjim – Margao route and some remote areas of the state as well. The transport corporation in Goa owns 4 depots, 15 bus stands and one central workshop and also has a head office in Porvorim. In big cities like Panjim and Margao, mostly intra-city buses function. However, since the transport system in the state is still developing, the locals mostly depend on their own vehicles for transport, which mostly consists of small family cars and two-wheelers. Many private buses and taxis also form a major part of Goa’s public transport.


Goa is very well connected with National Highways 66, 366, 4A, 768 and 566. With a total of 224 kilometers of national highways, Goa also has 232 kilometers of state highways and 815 kilometers of district highways. NH 66 connects Goa to Mumbai from the North and Mangalore from the South. NH 4A links the capital city – Panjim to Belgaum from the east and other cities in the Deccan. NH 366 links NH 66 to Mormugao Port via Cortalim. The newly constructed four lane highway NH 566 connects Mormugao Port to NH 66 via Dabolim Airport. This was done mainly to reduce the traffic to the airport and Vasco De Gama town. Goa has some of most narrow national highways in the country, however there are no plans to expand them in the future.

Local Transportation in Goa

Travelling around the state is very comfortable and even if you are arriving in Goa for the first time, finding public transport over here is very easy. The extensive network of transport system connects the entire Goa with roads.

By Bus:


Buses are the most easiest and the quickest way of getting around the state. Buses in Goa are mostly operated by the Kadamba Transport Corporation, who owns 4 bus depots, 15 bus stands and one central workshop in Porvorim. There are also many privately owned bus services that run across the state. The city buses over here mostly ply in Panaji and other neighboring areas and are a great help to the tourists to get around the state. Even though, they might be over-crowded and make non-scheduled stops, however traveling by a bus in Goa is still an exciting experience. They are one of the most efficient, quick, easy and cheap modes of transport in Goa.

By Car:
Hiring or renting a car is a great way to explore Goa at your own pace. A number of companies provide both chauffeured and non-chauffeured driven cars for rental. In case you are not interested in renting or hiring a car, then there are also many ubiquitous tourist taxis available at all popular hotels, resorts and famous tourist destinations in Goa. There are mostly two types of taxis available over here – one private white colored taxis that are easily available outside the Goa Airport, railway stations, hotels and at taxi stands near most popular tourist attractions. Moreover, most hotels can even arrange a taxi for you on request. These white taxis also have an interstate license and can even take you to nearby places outside Goa. The other type of taxi available in Goa is the regular yellow topped black taxis.


All the taxis in the state charge rates on a per kilometer basis and with a little bargaining, you can get a rate, which is a little more reasonable. They can also be hired on a per day basis. However, when doing so, it is best to fix a rate before you sit in the taxi in order to avoid paying extra at the end of the day. The standard rate for hiring a taxi is Rs. 8 per kilometer and a 50% extra charge is put when travelling outside the municipal limits.

By Motorcycle:
One of the easiest and the most economical ways of exploring Goa is by hiring a motorcycle taxi. Also, known as ‘pilot’, these taxis can only carry one rider at a time. The motorcycle taxis usually have yellow mudguards and number plates and can even take you outside Goa on short distances. They even have a separate taxi stand of their own. It is best to fix a rate with the pilot before you set out on a ride in order to avoid paying extra at the end of the trip. The standard rate for hiring a motorcycle taxi is Rs. 5 for the first kilometer and then Rs. 2.50 for every additional kilometer.


Motorcycle taxis are the most unique and popular way of traveling in Goa. Other forms of transport in Goa include hiring motorbikes, scooters and bicycles. They are also very economical and are easily available around the beaches of Goa. Hiring a bike from a good shop would cost around Rs. 200 – Rs. 400 per day. Usually a form of security or a deposit like your passport would be required for hiring a motorbike.

By Auto Rickshaws:


Auto Rickshaws are the most convenient forms of commuting and travelling within Goa, as they are widely available in each part of the state. These three wheelers are recognized by their yellow and black color with passenger seating towards the back of the Auto Rickshaw. They usually carry a maximum of three passengers per ride and are quite fast in navigating their way through the crowded streets of Goa. Moreover, they are also inexpensive as compared to taxis and charge on a per kilometer bases. However, some Auto Rickshaws in Goa do not adhere to the meter system, therefore, it is best to fix a rate before setting out on your trip. The standard rate is Rs. 7 per kilometers and a 25% extra charge is put when travelling between 11 pm and 5 am.

Railways in Goa

Goa has primarily two railway stations in the state, namely South Central Railway Terminus and Konkan Railway Terminus. Both of them are located in South Goa, at Vasco Da Gama and Margao town respectively. Apart from these, the trains also stop at some smaller railway stations in Goa. Canacona Railway Station, Pernem Railway Station, Thivim Railway Station, Karmali Railway Station, Sanverdam Church Railway Station and Kulem Railway Station are some of the smaller railway stations in the state.
Since the services and prices of the tickets keep changing seasonally, it is best to book the tickets as soon as possible. Train booking can be made online or at Margao’s Madgaon Station, Panaji’s Kadamba Bus Stand or at any travel agent in the state (they probably charge a small fee to book the tickets).

Other small railway stations in Goa include Thivim for Mapusa, Pernem for Arambol, Canacona for Palolem and Old Goa for Panaji.

Goa by Sea

The major seaport in Goa is located near the small town of Vasco De Gama at Mormugao Harbor. This port mostly handles the mineral ore, coal, petroleum and international containers. Most of the shipments contain minerals and ores that comes from Goa’s surrounding areas. Another small seaport in Goa is located in Panjim, on the banks of River Mandovi that mostly handled passenger boats between Mumbai and Goa during the late 1980’s. Earlier during the 1990’s, there was also a Catamaran service operated by Damania Shipping Company connecting Panaji and Mumbai.


By Ferry


Another popular and a fun mode of transport in Goa are ferryboats. There are many places in Goa, especially in the rural areas, which one has to cross a small river to get to the mainland. In some areas, many bridges have been constructed to ease the traffic all over the state; however, there are still some localities in Goa where bridges are yet to be constructed. In such cases, ferries are the only way to get to the other side of Goa. Some popular river crossings in Goa include Divar Island to Narve, Old Goa to Divar Island, Cavelossim to Assolna and Querim to Tiracol. There is also a ferry that sails from Panaji to Betim, across the River Mandovi, despite the fact that there are two excellent bridges built across the river. Ferries are very popular among tourists and even locals, as they feel it is still the most fun way of traveling within Goa.