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Bus
Travelling around Goa is fairly
easy. There is an extensive road network
which connects most places in Goa with
motorable roads. There are private as
well as state transport corporation run
bus services which service all the major
locations.
Despite the overcrowding, noise and
off-schedule service, there is a special
charm in travelling in the private buses
which are brightly painted and filled
with colourful local characters.
Do not be surprised if you see buses
making unscheduled stops, especially in
the rural areas, to pick up passengers
waiting at all sorts of places besides
the regular bus-stand.
By Car
If you are interested in exploring Goa
on your own and at your own pace, then a
car is a very good option. A number of
companies offer rental cars, both self
and chauffeur-driven. A list of
companies offering car rentals is
available in the travel services section
of this website.
Besides rented cars, there are the
ubiquitous tourist taxis, which are
available near most hotels and resorts
and at all the tourist attractions.
There are two types of taxis, the
white-colored tourist taxis, and the
yellow-topped black regular taxis.
The private tourist taxis, are
completely white in colour, and are
found at the Goa Airport, the railway
stations and outside most popular
hotels. Almost all major towns and
tourist attractions have a taxi stand,
where both types of taxis are available.
Most hotels also arrange a taxi for you
on request. These taxis quite often have
an interstate license and can take you
to nearby destinations outside Goa.
The taxi hire charges are fixed per
kilometer, but with a little bit of
bargaining you can arrive at a rate
which is quite reasonable for the trip.
The taxis can be hired per trip or for
the whole day. Ensure that you fix a
price for the entire journey before you
sit in, so that you don't get
overcharged at the end of the trip.
By Motorcycle
Goa has a unique and very popular mode
of transport known as a 'pilot'. This is
in reality a motorcycle taxi.
This is the fastest and most economic
way of getting about in Goan towns and
sometimes to locations at short
distances on the outskirts.
The motorcycle taxis are easily
recognised by the yellow mudguards and
yellow number plates.
The driver who is known as the 'pilot'
carries only one pillion rider at a
time. They even have special taxi stand
of their own. Bargain with the pilot for
a good rate for the trip before you set
out.
Hired motorbikes, moped, scooters and
bicycles are also a very economical mode
of transport to travel around Goa,
especially in the interiors. These are
available in the cities as well as near
most beach areas.
The cost of hiring a bike for a day
ranges anywhere from Rs 200 to Rs 400.
Usually, a down payment as security or
deposit of your passport is required at
most such places which rent out
motorbikes.
By Autorickshaw
The three-wheeled auto-rickshaw taxi,
painted yellow and black, is a common
site in all Goan towns. This taxi is
basically the front half of a motor
scooter with a couple of seats mounted
on the back.
They usually take two to three
passengers and are quite speedy on the
crowded roads of Goan towns. Above all,
they are very cheap as compared to taxis
for travelling around the town. The
rickshaws have separate stands in most
places.
They have a meter system, according to
which they are supposed to charge per
km. However most don't adhere to this,
so in most cases bargaining is common
before you set out on your trip.
By Ferry
At quite a few places around Goa,
especially in the rural hinterland, you
will have to cross a small river to get
to your destination.
Most such rivers now have a bridge
across them, which has made the flow of
traffic smooth all over Goa. However,
where a bridge is yet to come up, you
will be able to enjoy another mode of
transport unique to Goa.
This is the ferry also known as
ferryboat by the locals, which carries
people and cars from one shore to the
other, across the rivers and estuaries
all around Goa.
In some places, the ferry remains the
only mode of transport to get to the
mainland. Popular river crossings
include: Old Goa to Divar Island, Divar
to Narve, Querim to Tiracol, and
Cavelossim to Assolna.
There is a ferry from the capital city
of Panaji across the Mandovi river to
Betim, despite the presence of two
excellent bridges across the Mandovi
river.
Travellers to Goa feel that the ferry
ride is one of the most romantic mode of
transport in Goa. This most enjoyable
ride is well worth checking out. |
