Mumbai to Goa Government buses

There are plenty of private buses that go daily from Mumbai to Goa, and are available in various categories such as AC, Volvo, Sleeper, or Seater.

However there are no Mumbai to Goa government buses that I could locate, that go directly from Mumbai to Goa.

If instead of private buses, we want to explore the option of going by Maharashtra state Government buses from Mumbai to Goa, then we can look at government bus options that can take us along the NH17 Mumbai-Goa highway, at a place nearest to Goa such as Kudal or Vengurla, from where we can explore further options to reach Goa.

However going by private buses, or by trains, or by flight are the preferred, direct and more convenient options.

.

Mumbai to Goa fastest train

The Mumbai to Goa fastest train is the Jan Shatabdi Express.

It leaves Mumbai in the early morning and reaches Goa by afternoon. The travelling time to reach Goa from Mumbai by the Jan Shatabdi express is roughly 9 hours.

However though it is the fastest train, not everyone opts for it, as it takes away your daytime. Many people instead prefer to take the Konkankanya which leaves Mumbai at late night and reaches next day morning at Goa. Konkankanya travelling time is roughly 12 hours. Many people prefer this train because they can sleep in the train, and does not cost them a full day.

However the Jan Shatabdi express train is the fastest train available to go from Mumbai to Goa.

Buses take usually 12 hours and generally leave from Mumbai at night.
Airline flights take only 1 hour of flying time, and are usually available from 5 a.m. in the morning to 6 p.m. in the evening. Flights take off from the Santacruz airport at Mumbai and land at the Dabolim airport at Goa.

Train tickets can be booked online at the Indian railways official site, or reserved through travel agents.

.

Mumbai to Goa Ferry

A Mumbai to Goa ferry catamaran service used to be earlier operational in 2003 but was discontinued later on.

The US based Sam Link group had a ferry service that had a capacity of carrying 225 passengers and took around 8 hours for a one-way journey from Mumbai to Goa. The cost of the ferry was Rs.1700 to Rs. 2000

Even before this, a similar kind of ferry catamaran service was also available which was offered by Damania Group and Mughal Lines a few years earlier than the Sam Link group ferry.

Long time ago, around 22 years back the Konkan Shakti and Konkan Sevak ferry services were available for sea passengers between Mumbai and Goa. That steamer service used to start from Bhaucha Dhakka ferry wharf in Mazagon-Mumbai and end at the Panaji port at Goa, dropping off passengers at Raigad, Vengurla, Malvan, and Ratnagiri on its way to Goa by sea.

Currently there is no such passenger ship or boat, or ferry catamaran service for people who want to travel from Mumbai to Goa by sea. However reports suggest that starting a new passenger ferry service from Mumbai to Goa is being considered, and if this works out then it would give people not only one more mode of travelling from Mumbai to Goa, but also the thrill and joy of a sea-ride over the beautiful water and waves.

.

Mumbai to Goa buses

Mumbai and Goa are well connected by road by the NH17 (National Highway 17) and it is on this route that private buses ply daily between the 2 places.

Distance and time taken for Bus journey from Mumbai to Goa
The distance by road from Mumbai to Goa is around 579 km, and the travelling time by bus is roughly 12 hours.

Daily Operation
Various tours and travel operators have daily Mumbai to Goa bus service. All these buses generally leave from Mumbai in the night and reach Goa the next morning or by afternoon.

Different types of Buses
Different types of buses are available as per requirement. You can opt from the various categories of buses such as Volvo, AC, Sleeper, or Seater.

Bus Ticket cost
The bus fares (ticket rates) vary on your choice of bus such as Deluxe, Luxury, Volvo, Mercedes Benz , and also varies with the peak and off-peak season.

Bus Ticket Bookings
Bus tickets can be booked online or through travel agents. During peak holiday and festive season it is advisable to book Mumbai to Goa bus ticket well in advance.

Pick Up points
The buses have various pick up points across Mumbai at the start of the journey, then more pick up points at Navi Mumbai (such as Vashi, Nerul, Belapur, Kharghar) and finally at Panvel, and then onwards its a straight and direct journey straight till Goa.

.

Mumbai to Goa train list

Several trains are available to travel from Mumbai to Goa.

Mumbai to Goa train list of most popular daily trains is as below:

1. Jan Shatabdi Express:
Jan Shatabdi express is a popular choice amongst passengers. The train leaves Mumbai in the early morning and reaches Goa by afternoon in just 9 hours. It is the fastest train to go from Mumbai to Goa. The arrangement within the train is chair seating arrangement and not sleeper since this express train makes its journey in the daytime.

2. Mandovi Express:
The Mandovi (Mandavi) express also travels in the daytime. Leaves Mumbai in the morning, and reaches Goa by evening. The travel time by this train is roughly 12 hours.

3. KonkanKanya Express:
This is a preferred choice of train for those who want to travel by night. The train leaves Mumbai late in the night and reaches Goa the next morning. Passengers can have a good night's sleep during the travel, and have the choice of buying 1AC, 2AC, 3AC, and 3-tier-Non-AC tickets.

Other than these trains, the list also includes Netravati express, Matsyagandha express and several other long-distance trains that pass through Mumbai and Goa.

It is advisable for travellers to book their tickets well in advance. Reservations in advance ensure that you can get confirmed seats and dont have to be on the waiting list. Trains are usually full during weekends and during holiday and festive seasons.

.

Mumbai to Goa Cruise

A cruise from Mumbai to Goa, can be an exciting experience, and since both Mumbai and Goa are located on the shores of the Arabian sea, it is possible to travel from Mumbai to Goa by sea route by means of a ship or a boat or by a luxurious cruise ship.


About Star Cruise - Mumbai to Goa Cruise Liner

The Star Cruise company earlier used to operate a Mumbai to Goa cruise ship called the 'the 'SuperStar Libra'. This cruise had started its operations in 2005, but soon they had winded up their operations.


About the new Blue Ocean Cruise - Mumbai to Goa Cruise - that is in the news

It was reported by an Indian newspaper in Nov-2010, that 'Blue Ocean Cruises', a European cruise company, had started operations in India with its vessel (ship) MV OceanLife, that offered luxury cruise from Mumbai to Goa and back.

The reports also said that this cruise from Mumbai to Goa would be availble twice a week, and later on the frequency would be increased.

This Mumbai to Goa Cruise ship had 231 cabins that included 35 suites, and all the ultra-modern amenities such as Gaming Zone, Kids Zone, Casino, Spa and Wellness centre, Shopping Arena, Pool Bar, Lounge, and Chill Out Zone.

The Cruise Liner also offered meeting room facility that could accomodate 200 people, and this Mumbai to Goa cruise holiday would also include visits to the famous Calangute beach, and to Panaji, the capital of Goa. The Mumbai to Goa cruise fare cost would be around Rs.3000 to Rs. 9900 per person per night.

The demand for cruise tourism in India is steadily on the rise, and with more and more people wanting to take the experience, it does seem like the Mumbai to Goa Cruise holiday has the potential to become one of the best tourist attractions for both Mumbai as well as Goa.

The cruise ship MV Oceanlife however developed cracks in the hull on its first voyage, and went for repairs. There has been no report of the services ever being started again. So currently there is no Mumbai-Goa cruise service available.
.

Mumbai to Goa by trains

Travelling from Mumbai to Goa by trains is one of the best and most preferred options for most of the travellers to Goa. It is much more convenient and comfortable to travel by train compared to going by bus. It is also much cheaper compared to airline travel.

There are daily trains that go from Mumbai to Goa. These major railway terminus in Mumbai is the CST station at Fort in south Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, which was earlier known as VT-Victoria terminus). Other than CST, trains also depart to Goa, from the Lokmanya Tilak terminus at Kurla.

At Goa, the main railway station is the Margao station. (called Madgaon), and several passengers prefer to get down at this station in South Goa. However tourists who are interested in visiting the most popular beaches of Goa, prefer to get down from the train earlier at Thivim station, from where they can get a taxi to Mapusa town, and from Mapusa all the most popular beaches are very close.

The popular trains plying between Mumbai and Goa are listed below:

0111 Konkankanya express:
This train departs from CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) at Mumbai in the night, and reaches Goa the next morning. Hence this is one of the most popular trains, as people can simply board the train, have a good night's sleep and wake up in the morning to touch Goa.
Another advantage of this train is that it stops at Thivim in Goa, which is the best station for most tourists to get down at, since Thivim is the closest station to the most popular beaches in Goa.
Passengers travelling by this train have the option to travel by 1AC, 2AC, 3AC (3-tier A/C sleeper) or by Sleeper coach (non-AC, 3-tier) tickets.
The total time taken by this train to travel from Mumbai to Goa is around 12 hours.

2051 Jan Shatabdi Express:
For those who want to travel from Mumbai to Goa in the daytime, the Jan Shatabdi express that goes from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to Madgaon is a very popular choice. Also its a very fast train with a travelling time of only 9 hours. The Shatabdi express starts early in the morning from Mumbai and you can reach Goa by afternoon.
This train also stops at Thivim in north Goa, and so tourists wanting to visit popular beaches can get down at this station. Since the Jan Shatabdi express travels in the day, the arrangement in this train is seating arrangement. AC and Non-AC ticket options are availabe.

0103 Mandovi Express:
Another train that goes in the daytime from Mumbai to Goa is the Madovi Express which leaves CST terminus at Mumbai in the morning and reaches Madgaon at Goa in the evening. This train also stops at Thivim. Compared to the Jan Shatabdi express this train takes more time to reach Goa.

Other trains that travellers opt for are the 16345 Netravati Express and the 12619 Matsyagandha Express. There are also other trains such as the Hazrat Nizamuddin express, Gandhidham Nagercoil Express which passes on its way from Mumbai to Goa. However these long route trains are not generally preferred by people, who want to board at Mumbai. Special summer trains or peak season trains from Mumbai to Goa, are also added time and again, by the Indian railways to cater to the increased demand during holiday and festive seasons.

It is advisable to book train tickets well in advance as the trains are usually full especially during weekends, when people want to holiday in Goa, and during peak seasons.

.

Mumbai to Goa by air - FAQ's

What is the time taken to fly from Mumbai to Goa?
The approximate time taken is 1 hour by flight. (flying time)

What is the air distance between Mumbai and Goa?
The air distance (straight line distance) from Mumbai to Goa is 406.32 km (which is 252.48 miles)

What is the approximate air fare for Mumbai to Goa flights?

The approximate airfare cost of Mumbai to Goa flights is roughly around Rs. 3000 to Rs.4000 (it is variable) and this is only slightly higher then Class 1-AC train tickets.

The airfare cost depends on the airline chosen and the time of the year. Several airlines offer quite cheap flight rates, which has prompted several regular train travellers to opt for travelling to Goa by air, that saves them considerable time and energy.

Which airlines offer daily flights between Mumbai & Goa?
There are several airline carriers who offer daily flights for passengers between these two destinations, such as Go Air, Spicejet, Air India, IndiGo, Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways and others.

Where can we buy/book air tickets for these Mumbai-Goa flights?
The air tickets can either be bought through registered travel agents or can also be booked online. Several reputed online 3rd party sites allow customers to easily view & compare the airfares of all the flights offered by different airlines on the required day, and also book these flights online over the internet.

Several of the 'tours and travels' operators offer 'Mumbai to Goa holiday package' deals that combine flight bookings and accomodation (hotel or resort stays) for the duration of the holiday.

At which airport in Goa do these planes land?
These flights take off from the Santacruz airport at Mumbai and the planes land at the Dabolim airport in Goa. The Dabolim domestic airport is located near the city of Vasco da Gama and is 29 kms from Panaji (called Panjim) which is the capital city of Goa.

What are usual daily flight timings for Mumbai to Goa flights?
Flights from Mumbai to Goa usually start from 5 am in the morning, and are usually available till 6 pm in the evening.

.

Mumbai Goa Airport

There are various airlines that offer domestic flights from Mumbai to Goa everyday.
These flights cost roughly Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4000 per person (variable amount)

All these Mumbai-Goa flights take off from the Santacruz airport at Mumbai, and these planes land at the Dabolim airport at Goa.

About Dabolim Airport at Goa:
The Dabolim airport of Goa is a domestic airport that is located in the village of Dabolim, near the city of Vasco da Gama and is just 29 kms from Panaji (called Panjim) which is the capital city of Goa. The airport was built in the 1950's during the Portuguese rule of Goa, and it is spread over a sprawling 1840 acres of land.

.

Mumbai Goa Highway

The Mumbai Goa Highway is the National Highway 17 (NH17 of India) is a straight route to travel from Mumbai to Goa by road. The NH17 runs parallel to the ghats, alongside the western coast of India.The highway continues further ahead from Goa to connect the south Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala. However the highway is popularly known as the Mumbai-Goa highway. The distance between Mumbai and Goa is roughly 579 km.

NH17 highway starts at Panvel which is on the outskirts of Mumbai, and connects several towns and cities on its way to Goa, such as Mahad, Khed, Chiplun, Hatkhamba (which is near Ratnagiri), Rajapur, and then onwards to Panaji (Panjim) and Margao (Madgaon) in Goa. This route followed by the NH17 highway is more or less the same route that is taken by the Mumbai to Goa trains of the Kokan railway. (The Kokan railway plies between Mumbai and Mangalore)

The NH17 highway is not only used by tourists travelling from Mumbai to Goa, but also majorly for the transport of goods using heavy vehicles such as trucks (lorries).

Major destinations on the NH17 highway while travelling from Mumbai to Goa are:
Panvel, Pen, Indapur, Mangaon, Mahad, Poladpur, Khed, Chiplun, Sangameshwar, Pali, Ratnagiri, Rajapur, Kudal, Sawantwadi, and then the Goan towns of Pernem, Mapusa, Panaji and Margao.

The Kokan region which is traversed by the NH17 highway has scenic natural beauty with paddy fields and coconut trees along the seaside, as also many hills (with roads running through the ghats) and several rivers and streams whose water is flowing towards the adjoining sea coast.

The NH17 Mumbai-Goa highway is the one used by the private fleet tourist buses that ply daily between Mumbai and Goa.

The other option to travel by road from Mumbai to Goa is by using the NH4 (National Highway 4) which goes via Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur, and from there onwards to Goa. Additional distance of around 80 km gets added if this is the route taken to go to Goa.

.

Mumbai to Goa by Taxi, Car, Cab

The travelling distance between Mumbai and Goa is roughly 580 km if you travel by road. There are regular buses operated by private fleets that ply daily on this route.

However if you wish to hire a private car, cab or taxi alongwith driver for your travel from Mumbai to Goa, that also is possible. For hiring a taxi (cab) you will need to approach travel agents to check the rates. Different agents will tell different rates.

Things to check while hiring a Mumbai to Goa taxi for your journey.
1. What is the cost per km. being quoted for the upward journey and the downward journey.
2. Does the taxi (car/cab) have an inter-state permit? (Since Goa and Maharashtra are separate states)
3. Is the price inclusive of toll charges and covers all costs with no hidden charges.
3. What are the driver's per day charges during the period of stay? Does the fare of taxi include those charges?
4. Which vehicle/car will be used for the journey. Is it AC/Non-AC? What is the seating capacity?

Checking the car rental fare with different tours and travels agents, will help you to find a reliable agent who is quoting a reasonable price for your Mumbai to Goa taxi journey.


.

Mumbai to Goa by air

The travelling time to go from Mumbai to Goa by air is roughly 1 hour. Some airlines have flights of 1 hour duration, while others have listed flying times of 1 hour and 5 minures.

If you are going to take a flight from Mumbai to Goa then the approximate air distance (straight line distance) that you will travel is 406.32 km (252.48 miles)

The approximate cost of Mumbai to Goa flights is around Rs. 3000 to Rs.4000 (variable) and is only slightly higher or even comparable to Class 1-AC train tickets.

There are several airline carriers who offer daily Mumbai to Goa flights for passengers such as Go Air, Spicejet, Air India, IndiGo, Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways and others. The air tickets can generally be booked online, or can be booked through registered travel agents. Several reputed online 3rd party sites allow customers to easily view all the flights offered by different airlines on the required day, compare the rates, and book their desired flights online over the internet.

The airfare cost of your Mumbai to Goa flight depends on the airline that you choose. Several airlines offer quite cheap flight rates, which has prompted several regular train travellers to opt for travelling to Goa by air, that saves them considerable time and energy.

Several of the 'tours and travels' operators offer 'Mumbai to Goa holiday package' deals that combine flight bookings and accomodation (hotel or resort stays) for the duration of the holiday.

These flights take off from the Santacruz airport at Mumbai and the planes land at the Dabolim airport in Goa. The Dabolim domestic airport is located near the city of Vasco da Gama and is 29 kms from Panaji (called Panjim) which is the capital city of Goa.

Flights from Mumbai to Goa are generally available from 5 am in the morning, till 6 pm in the evening.

.

Mumbai to Goa by road

Travelling from Mumbai to Goa by road takes approximately 12 hours of time. The road distance from Mumbai to Goa is roughly 579 km (360 miles).

There are several ways that this road travel can be undertaken.

1. If you are a group of friends or a family travelling together to Goa for a holiday, you could probably rent a car and with driver if required. Having your own vehicle will allow you the luxury of taking stops at any of the Dhabas you encounter along the way, and you can enjoy a lot more since it will only be your own group who is travelling together.
2. Or you could also choose to travel to Goa by bus. There are several private fleets of buses that ply daily between Mumbai and Goa. You can have the options to choose between Non-AC, AC, Volvo buses depending on your budget and convenience. Most of these buses leave Mumbai at night, picking up passengers from most parts of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and these buses reach Goa the next morning or afternoon depending on the departure time.
3. If you are the more adventures type of person, you could even choose to drive a bike (motorcycle) with your friends, though it can be quite dangerous, and is not generally advisable.

If you are going to travel from Mumbai to Goa by road there are 2 possible ways to go, one is using the NH4 highway which is the longer distance, or the other more direct NH17 highway which goes straight to Goa.

• The NH4 highway route is generally considered more safer, though it takes quite a longer time to reach Goa by this route, which will first take you from Mumbai to Pune via expressway and then will go further on to Satara, Karad and then to Kolhapur from where you can go further on to Goa. The road distance via this highway will be approximately 77 kms more than the more direct NH4 highway route.

• The NH17 national highway directly links Mumbai and Goa and passes through Panvel, Mahad, Khed, Chiplun, Hatkhamba (near Ratnagiri) and Rajapur en-route to Panaji (Panjim) and then Margao (Madgaon) in Goa. Most direct buses of private fleets that ply from Mumbai to Goa take this route, and they cover this distance in approximately 12 hours.

Whatever the way you choose to travel, once you get away from the crowds and hustle-bustle of Mumbai city, and reach Goa, you can find real peace of mind, enjoy the sun and the beautiful goa beaches, stay at some nice comfortable hotel or beach resort in goa, and in general will get the chance to unwind and have loads of fun. Goa is a fantastic place for holidaying. Enjoy!

.

Mumbai to Goa - Distance

If you are deciding to travel from Mumbai to Goa by road, you might be interested in knowing the distance between these two places.

The distance from Mumbai to Goa is 579 km (which is approximately 360 miles). If travelling by road there are 2 possible roads to take, the NH4 highway or the NH17 highway.

• The NH4 highway route will first take you from Mumbai to Pune via expressway and then will go further on to Satara, Karad and then to Kolhapur from where you can go further on to Goa. The road distance via this highway will be approximately 77 kms more than the more direct nh4 highway route.

• The NH17 national highway directly links Mumbai and Goa and passes through Panvel, Mahad, Khed, Chiplun, Hatkhamba (near Ratnagiri) and Rajapur en-route to Panaji (Panjim) and Margao (Madgaon) in Goa. Most direct buses that ply from Mumbai to Goa take this route, and cover the distance in approximately 12 hours.

If going by flight, the Mumbai to Goa air distance (straight line distance) is 406.32 km (252.48 miles) and the time taken for the flight is approximately 1 hour.

 .

Mumbai to Goa

Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, is one of the busiest and most crowded cities of India. On the other hand, Goa is widely regarded as the tourist capital of the country.

Away from the hustle and bustle of crowds, the peaceful natural beauty of Goa is very soothing on the nerves and is a great getaway for people from cities such as Mumbai. The beautiful beaches of Goa with its clear water are the major tourist attraction.

The distance from Mumbai to Goa is only 579 kms, and hence many people from Mumbai and suburbs, consider Goa as a preferred choice for a weekend of fun and peace. The options of travelling from Mumbai to Goa are by road, by train, or by air.

Also it has been reported that Blue Ocean cruises, has started its operations in the form of a luxury cruise ship that offers a cruise holiday which includes travelling from Mumbai to Goa and back by cruise liner ships.

Mumbai to Goa By Road

Tourists wanting to go to Goa from Mumbai can opt to travel by road. For travelling by road their are 2 options, the NH4 highway that goes via Pune or the NH17 highway that goes via Ratnagiri, Ganpatipule. The NH4 is considered by many to be the better and safer option.
People going in groups can hire vehicles (Rented Cars) for their tour or the other option is to go by bus (Volvo buses, AC or Non-AC) that ply daily between Mumbai and Goa. The time taken is around 11 to 12 hours.

Mumbai to Goa By Train

There are several daily trains that go from Mumbai to Goa, such as the Janshatabdi express, the Mandavi express, the Kokankanya, and many others. Trains are usually full during weekends, and during peak seasons. Hence the train reservation seats need to be booked well in advance. Travelling time to reach Goa by train is around 10-12 hours.

Mumbai to Goa By Air - Flights

Daily flights operate between Mumbai and Goa that start from the Santacruz airport at Mumbai and end at the Dabolim airport at Goa. The Dabolim airport is located just 29 kms away from Panaji (Panjim) the capital city of Goa. The flight rates (airfare) is comparable to the 1AC category rates of trains, also the flying time is of only about 1 hour or so. Hence many people today prefer to go by flight rather than trains.

Cruise from Mumbai to Goa:

The Star Cruise earlier used to have Mumbai to Goa cruise service. They started operations in 2005, but stopped the services soon.
Now it has been reported that 'Blue Ocean Cruises', a European cruise company has started its operations, and offers a luxury cruise holiday that includes travelling from Mumbai to Goa and back on their cruise liner ship.


About Mumbai:
Mumbai, is considered to be the financial capital of India. A busy and overcrowded city that never stops, be it day or night. Mumbai is also home to the famous 'Bollywood' Hindi film industry, and almost all of the Bollywood filmstard live in Mumbai.

About Goa:
Goa, on the other hand is widely considered as the Tourist capital of India. With its easy pace, and its fabulous white sand beaches, Goa attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, from not only India but all over the world.

.