There are many methods you can choose for transportation in Goa, but they are all individually “Beard if you spit down, mustache if you spit up.” I can say. In this article, I will try to talk about the pros and cons of transport methods in Goa, the details of scooter rental, which is our preferred way, and things to consider.
Transportation in Goa
- Things to Know About Transportation in Goa
- In Goa Transportation Alternatives
- Bus
- Taxi
- Tuk tuk (Auto Rickshaw)
- Motorcycle taxi (pilot)
- Ferry
- Car Rental
- Motorcycle (Scooter) Rental
- Motor Rental Details in Goa
- Goa How to Get from the Airport to the City Center?
- Articles That Might Interest You
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Goa Transportation Things
- In India, traffic flows in reverse, that is, on the left.
- Most roads in Goa have no signposts. Considering that the internet is not efficient everywhere, it would be very useful to download Google Offline Maps before you set off.
- Distances are very long in Goa, it takes really long to travel.. Getting from one end of the state to the other takes at least 4 hours by car, which is the fastest method.
- Most of the roads are two-lane rural roads and even the lane line is not clear.. Road quality is not as bad as in Africa, it is even possible to find highway quality roads between city centers, but it is difficult to say that it is generally suitable for driving above 60 km/h.
- There is very heavy traffic in the evening; There is always a traffic jam in central places like Mapusa, Panjim, Calangute where locals are dense.. After 21:00 in the evening, the atmosphere is relaxed..
Transport Alternatives in Goa
Bus
There are 3 types of buses in Goa: Local, express and shuttle.
The oldest type of buses you can find in rural areas, which they call local bus. Express ones, buses that run between city centers and move without stopping at any stop.. Shuttle is the buses used for transportation between the airport and the city center..
The cheapest method of transportation in Goa is of course using the bus; fee It varies between 10-40 rupees ($0.15 – 0.6 ie 80 cents – 3.5 lira).
It generally works between 07:00 am and 07:00 pm, but they don’t have a watch during the day; You will sit at the bus stop and wait until the bus you are looking for comes.. This holding time can be up to 1.5 hours is not very useful for those who are planning a short trip to Goa like us.
It is said that almost everywhere in Goa can be reached by bus, but the time we were there I should point out that I did not see any buses in some beach areas during the.
Taxi
If you don’t want to waste time waiting for the bus, if you don’t prefer to use a car or motorbike in Goa traffic and you don’t have a lot of budget problems, you can consider using a taxi for transportation.. I can say that it is the most comfortable method especially for long distances.
None of the taxis have a taximeter, so you should bargain very well before getting on.. Also, arranging a taxi from a reliable place such as a hotel will ensure less hassle.. Coyotes like taking to the wrong place or extending the road to get extra money were common.
Even though it is a standard fare set by the state (8 rupees per km), each taxi sets its own price.. At this point, the GoaMiles app can be a good helper.. You can also use the application to call a taxi, if you wish, by typing the points you want to go and see the estimated prices..
We paid 2000 rupees ($28) between Airport and Ashwem and 4500 rupees ($63.5) between Ashwem-Palolem (ie from one end of Goa to the other) without any negotiation..
Tuk tuk (Auto Rickshaw)
Tuk tuks, also known as tricycles, are one of the most widely used means of transportation in India.. Although it’s called auto rickshaw here.
In Goa, you can use tuk-tuks, which are half yellow and half black, and can carry a maximum of 2 passengers, for short distance transportation (5 km on average).. Didn’t see much on the North Goa side, the most common was in Panjim but South Goa had tuk tuks per step and most of the tourists were driving.
Tuk tuks also have a standard price of 7 rupees per km, but no one fits.. In these, the system works with a good bargain.. You must agree on the price before boarding..
Motorcycle taxi (pilot)
I don’t know where else you can see this app outside of Goa, but here are motorcycle taxis known for their drivers named “pilot” You have the opportunity to use it.
The passenger capacity of motorcycles, which are yellow-black like a tuk-tuk, is of course limited to only one person.. It’s up to you to try it when you go, but I don’t recommend making your transportation plan completely on top of it.. Personally, I would never want to be behind a bike driven by a man I don’t know in Goa traffic.
Even though the price is 5 rupees per km, be prepared to pay 15-20 rupees per km..
Ferry
Although it is not common in Goa, one of the transportation methods that I will definitely insist you to experience when you come is the ferry..
The ferries that you can use in Panjim, Old Goa, Divar Island area take about 15 minutes.. These ferries are definitely the place in Goa that feels like the most in India..
The journey is free for pedestrians and motorists.
Car Rental
If you don’t have a problem with driving in left-handed traffic and you have a steering wheel that can move millimetrically, the engine If you can’t drive or if you have a large number of people, you can also consider renting a car.
Car rental is not preferred much because the prices are higher than the engine, but it is definitely much more comfortable and safe than the engine.. Depending on the model you choose, the daily rental price ranges from 900-1200 rupees ($12.7 – 17).
Although it may seem like you can move faster than the engine, it is impossible for you to move by car in places where traffic is heavy.. In addition, parking vehicles in crowded areas is much more difficult than a motorbike.
Motorcycle (Scooter) Rental
Native in Goa , almost everyone foreign prefers to provide transportation with motor (scooter). Therefore, motors make up the majority of the traffic..
While we were in North Goa, we provided transportation entirely by motorbike.. We motored all the beaches between Arambol and Panjim; We went in and out of markets and city centers. There were moments when we regretted renting a motorbike, but if you have experience of driving a motorbike, this is the most comfortable option.
In Goa Motor Rental Details
- The daily rent of motors in Goa is around 300-500 rupees ($4.2-7) in high season. You can lower the price by bargaining for long-term rentals..
We paid 400 rupees ($5.6) per day for a 4 day rental, 1600 rupees ($22.5) in total. Gasoline we spent for 4 days also cost 550 rupees ($7.7).
You should clarify your delivery time and the total amount you will pay in advance.. Although we bought it at 15.00 on Saturday and delivered it at 11:00 am on Wednesday, they asked for a 5-day fee, as if the engine was charged every day we had it, regardless of the time.. Of course, we objected and paid for 4 days, but let me warn you..
- We did not know which company to trust, so we made the rental through the hotel we stayed in.. No driver’s license, no passport, no documents, no signature… Nothing was asked, asked, not done.. We asked for a motorbike, they brought it.
- There are frequent police calls, driver’s license and helmet checks are made.. If the driver does not have a helmet and an international driver’s license, there is a fine. We did not have a problem because Uğur has a motor license, but we could not figure out whether a motor license is a must or not.. If you do not already have a motor license (or rather, if you do not have experience), do not try to rent a motor at all.
- Have the contact information of the person you rented the motor with you.. It may be needed in case of trouble with the engine documents in the police turnaround..
- It seems very comfortable and easy to ride a scooter on an empty road, right. But there are a lot of things you need to pay attention to as soon as you enter the traffic: bumps, potholes, a cow or a dog that may suddenly come your way, pedestrians throwing themselves on the road, engines or vehicles that have failed their checks, motors that are fastened by the side road without ever stopping and looking left and right… On a quiet beach. If you’re staying, it might be nice to tour around, other than that, the motor journey between regions is extremely tense.
- At the time we went, 75-85 rupees per liter of gasoline ($ ranged from 1 to 1.2). It is possible to find gas stations in most places, but if you stop on the road because suddenly the gas runs out, the petrol sold in pet bottles in the markets on the road can be your savior..
- Dust was very disturbing in areas where road construction works were going on.. I suggest you carry a leggings to cover your mouth and nose..
- We risked falling 3 times; two of them were crashed by cars, one by the engine. I don’t want to intimidate, but if you’re going to be involved in traffic and you’re not used to Indian conditions, your chances of crashing are a little higher than normal.. Please do not consider taking out travel health insurance.. You can do it by clicking here.
- Take a picture of the engine with its plate as you received it. You think you parked in a prominent place and after 2 hours you can find it lost among 10 similar engines.
- Watch out for the coconut trees! Do not park where the fruit may fall..
- Going by motorbike to the Saturday Night Bazaar in Arpora on Saturday was the most irrational move we made.. We got stuck in Indian traffic with all the cars moving in a mess in all directions.. Going to regions such as Calangute, Baga, Mapusa by motor will take 10 years of your life, for your information..
City from Goa Airport How to Get to the Center?
If you are planning to go by taxi, there are two safe ways you can use: Using prepaid taxis at the airport or requesting a taxi from the hotel where you will be staying.. Apart from that, the taxi drivers you will find say “I know the address.” ignorantly or saying, “That hotel is closed, let me take you to another hotel.” You are likely to encounter offers.
Prepaid taxis They work 24/7, you can find out their approximate prices by clicking this blog. If you arrive after 11:00 at night, you will have to pay an additional 35% fee.. Therefore, it is better to get a price from the hotel you will be staying at.
Another alternative is to use the Kadamba buses to Panjim or Calangute.. Price ranges from 100-160 rupees ($1.4 – 2.2). Click here to see the times and book your ticket.. Note that you can only use these buses during the day (between 08.00-18.00).
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