The coastal region around Goa is easily explored by hire car and motorcycle as well as taxi and auto-rickshaw.
Stretching across 3700 sq km, Goa is divided into two regions – North and South Goa, each with its own distinct coastal and interior areas.
The central coastal area reflects the Portuguese colonial influence with a larger Christian population, while the interior is home to a majority Hindu population.
North Goa is best known for the beaches at Arambol, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Vagator, while Panjim and Old Goa is renowned for wonderful colonial Portuguese architecture.
South Goa boasts a unspoiled selection of beaches at Agonda, Bogmalo, Benaulim, Colva and Om.
Water: While there are no long-distance ferry routes within Goa, local ferries criss-cross several rivers and creeks.
Most ferries run every half hour or so, from around 7am to 10pm daily, with busy routes running non-stop. Ferries are free to pedestrians and two-wheelers.
Ferry routes include, Panaji to Betim – the most popular ferry and a handy short cut to the northern beaches; Ribandar to Chorao Island – for Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary; Old Goa to Divar Island; Divar Island to Naroa; and Querim to Terekhol Fort.
Goa's regional road network can be treacherous. Be on the look out for a range of human and animal obstacles, as well as potholes and hairpin bends.
Goa’s major NH66 highway is for the most part a single lane road, congested in many parts. There are varying speed limits for different types of vehicle.
Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, and vehicles give way to the right.
Speed limits range from 30kmh to 60kmh. Speed humps are stand-alone breakers or come in triplets, and can be hard to spot, especially at night.
Car & motorcycle hire: Self-drive hire cars are available. Companies such as Avis or Hertz are not available, instead check out Vailankanni Car Hire (www.goacars.in) and Urban Drive (www.urbandrive.co.in).
Goa Travel Consultancy Services (www.goa2u.com) gives good up-to-date pricing on a range of vehicles.
It’s also easy in Goa to organise a private car with a driver for any long-distance day trips. Expect to pay from Rs2000 for a full day out – usually defined as eight hours and up to 80km (50mi) travelled.
Hiring a motorcycle or scooter in Goa is also easy and inexpensive. Ask at your hotel or guesthouse.
An international driving permit is considered mandatory, plus your home drivers licence.
Helmets are mandatory for two-wheelers in Goa. You can be pulled over and fined for not wearing one and the safety implications are fairly obvious.
Tip: Fully insured cars with driver are the recommended option.
From Panjim, the best places to visit include Margaon 33km (30mi), Mapusa 13km (8mi), Old Goa 10km (6mi), Calangute 16km (9.9mi), Vagator 22km (13mi) and Ponda 30km (18.6mi).
Taxi: Taxis are widely available, but prices are often high, especially at night and around the more expensive hotels. Agree on a price beforehand.
Goa is the only place in India where motorcycle taxis, known as ‘pilots’, are a licensed form of transport. They're identified by a yellow front mudguard and are available at Panaji, Mapusa and Margao. They cost half the price of a taxi.
An autorickshaw (also called an auto, three-wheeler or a tuk-tuk) is the local short-hop form of transport – a yellow-and-black three-wheeled contraption powered by a noisy two-stroke motorcycle engine. It's about a third cheaper than a taxi and generally a better option for short trips – about Rs50 for a short journey and Rs150 for a slightly longer one.
Flag down an autorickshaw and negotiate the fare before you jump in; if the driver’s charging too much, try another.
Bicycle: Bikes are available and offer a convenient and eco-friendly way of getting around Goa's beach towns.
At most beach resorts in Goa there are people prepared to rent out a local, Indian-made, single-gear bicycle – mountain bikes are sometimes also available. Expect to pay around Rs50 to Rs150 per day.
Bus: An extensive network of buses shuttle around the region – the main hubs are Panaji, Margao and Mapusa. Travelling between north and south Goa you'll generally need to change buses at Margao, Panaji or both.
There are no timetables, but buses are frequent and usually have the destination posted (in English and Konkani) in the front window. Fares range from Rs5 to Rs40.
Local buses can be slow, stopping frequently to drop off or pick up passengers. Between Panaji and Margao or Mapusa, you can find faster 'express' buses.
Train: Goa’s rail services are great for getting to and from the state, but aren’t really useful for getting around. It's usually quicker and more convenient to travel by bus, taxi or hire car.
There are two railways in Goa: the South Central Railway runs east from Vasco da Gama, through Margao and into Karnataka – useful for day-tripping to Dudhsagar Falls via Colem station.
The interstate Konkan Railway train line passes through Goa, with several stations from north to south, including Pernem (for Arambol), Thivim (for Mapusa), Karmali (for Old Goa and Panaji), Verna, Margao (for Colva and Benaulim), Bali, Barcem and Canacona (for Palolem).
Latest update: How to get around Goa: 15 May, 2022
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