How much does it cost to visit Goa?

How much does it cost to visit Goa? If you are planning to visit Goa, I am sure this question must be on your mind. I can assure you, if you plan a trip well and in advance, you can keep your trip under budget.

The cost of a Goa trip depends on many factors. Duration of visit, time of the year you are visiting, mode of the external transport, activities you choose to cover, etc. are some of the most important things that affect the cost of a trip to Goa.

Goa is a beautiful state and I love everything about it, the beaches, churches, traditional markets, everything. That is the reason I keep going back. What I love most about Goa is that it is one of those travel destinations that can be luxurious and backpacker-friendly at the same time. Depending on what you prefer, you can determine the cost of your Goa trip. In this blog, I help you find the answer to your question- how much does it cost to visit Goa?

आप यह ब्लॉग यहाँ हिंदी में भी पढ़ सकते हैं।

Not everything in Goa has a price tag. There are certain places and things in Goa that you can without paying a dime. Entry to the beaches is free and so is going on trekking trails around the state.

How much does it cost to visit Goa: Top 6 Expenses 

Goa is the perfect place for a vacation. It is not only a great place for a trip with your friends, but it is also a favourite among solo travellers and family travellers.

Before I go into the details of the Goa trip cost, here is a quick overview:

Cost of a trip to Goa is based on how long you’ll be staying

The first factor that will determine the cost of your Goa trip is the number of days you plan to visit Goa. Goa is the kind of place where you can stay for as long as possible. It is also a perfect week

If you are travelling to Goa for the first time, I would suggest that you plan a trip for at least 5 days. The cost of a 5-day budget trip to Goa from a city like Delhi will be a little under 20000 INR. In these 5 days, you will be able to cover most of the important places in Goa.

A week is also an ideal amount of time for visiting Goa if you are visiting for the first time. In seven days time, you can easily cover the cost of North and south Goa.  A weeklong budget vacation in Goa (from Delhi) will cost about 22000 INR. The cost includes everything – transport, food, water sports, etc.)

As you can see there is not much difference between the cost of 5 days and the cost of 7 days in Goa. This is because the majority of the cost incurred is on external transport. I would stay plan a longer stay to justify the cost, especially if you are visiting from a distant area.

Trains are the most cost-efficient way of travelling in Goa. There are three main railway stations in Goa – Thivim, Vasco De Gama and Madgaon. These stations are connected with all the major towns and cities across India.

Cost of External Transport to Goa & How to lower it?

If you are not from around Goa, the cost of travelling to and from Goa will form the bulk of your Goa trip cost. There are three ways in which you can reach the Goa – bus, train and flights.

I have given below the cost estimates of travelling to Goa via each of these options from India’s five major cities. If you are travelling to Goa from outside India, you also need to add the costs of flights up till these cities.

Cost of Travelling to Goa by Train – The most Pocket-Friendly Option

Irrespective of which city in India you plan to visit, Goa is very well connected by a network of railways. Trains are also the most cost-effective way to reach Goa. There are three main railway stations in Goa- Thivim, Vasco De Gama and Madgaon. Depending on your boarding destination, you can find trains to one or all of these railway stations in Goa.

If you are coming from Delhi, I would suggest you take the Rajdhani Express. Of all the trains on this route, Rajdhani is the fastest and includes all the meals. However, there is no sleeper coach on the train and 3- Tier Ac coach is the cheapest (3600 INR).

Similarly, from Mumbai, you can find many trains on the routes all day, so finding a train would not be difficult. However, when it comes to other cities, the train service is limited. For example, there is one direct train from Howrah Junction to Vasco De Gama and Madgaon junctions and it runs on alternate days.

If you are travelling to Goa from Chennai there is only one direct train from Chennai to Goa and it runs every Friday.

Cost of Travelling to Goa by Bus- Valid for only a few Cities 

Goa is very close to two major Indian cities- Bangalore and Mumbai. You can travel to Goa from these cities by bus.

You can choose from a number of buses, including sleeper, AC sleeper, AC seater etc. There are a number of private and government bus services on these routes.

Cost of Travelling to Goa by Flights – Pocket-Friendly? Only sometimes 

Travelling by air is the fastest option to reach Goa, but it is also the most expensive. There are frequent flights at different times from each of the major cities.

If you are keen on saving time, I would suggest that you book your flights well in advance to avoid any last-minute surges.

Save Money by choosing these Budget Accommodation options 

As with other popular destinations, during the peak season, the cost of accommodation in Goa tends to stay high. November to early February is the most visited time of the year in Goa. So, if you plan to visit Goa during this time, be prepared to shell out extra accommodations.

February to October is a relatively less busy time for Goa. You can find quiet spots on the beaches and it’s not a task to find suitable budget accommodation. If you need help with finding a budget stay, you can read my blog on the best places to stay in Goa. I recommend these places because I have stayed here and had a great experience.

How much does it cost to visit Goa would also depend on the accommodation you choose Here’s a quick tip from my side: If you are travelling as a couple or group, you can either book an entire apartment, choose a guest house or stay in a budget hotel.

If you are travelling alone, the best way to cut accommodation costs is to crash in a hostel. The most amazing part about Goa is that it has some of the best backpacker hostels. These hostels are safe, well maintained and a complete value for money. Of all the hostels I have stayed in, I have put down the best ones in this blog. Check it out to find the one that suits you the best.

Goa has excellent local bus connectivity. The buses are frequent, cheap and connect all points of interest including the beaches. This is how a local private bus in Goa looks on the inside.

How to move around Goa, without paying too much?

Another major factor that determines the answer to your question of how much does a Goa trip cost, is the type of transportation option you choose.

When you are travelling within Goa, there are several options you can choose from There are local buses, ferries, taxis and autos. Below I have given a brief overview of each of these options and the costs associated with each one these.

Hop onto the Local Buses in Goa

Local buses are one of the best and cheapest modes of travelling in Goa. Goa has a great network of buses. There are plenty of buses that ply between 7 am to 7 pm.  So, whether you wish to travel to the beaches or just explore the local culture, I suggest you take the buses.

You can even take a bus if you want to go beach hopping- from Candolim to Calangute, Calangute to Baga, Baga to Anjuna and so on! Just ask any bus coming in your direction (there will be many every few minutes)  where it is going and hop on.

The main bus stations in Goa are at Mapusa, Panjim, Vasco da Gama, Margao or Madgaon) and Canacona. Panjim is the main stop and you can easily find buses from Panjim to Old Goa, Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Vagator Beach, etc.

Madgaon bus station is another major bus stop. From here you can find buses to Panjim, Ponda (for Elephant Bathing and Spice Plantations) Vagator Beach, Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, etc.

Try the Pilots in Goa

This is something really interesting in Goa. Pilots basically mean taking a pillion ride with someone on a bike. If you are a solo traveller, you can use these bike rides for getting from one place to another. Although they are more expensive than buses, they are faster for sure.

Explore Goa on your own, drive Cars/ Two-wheelers

This by far, is the most convenient way to explore Goa, only if you know how to drive, of course! Trust me, there is nothing easier in Goa than finding a scooter or car rental.

You can easily rent a two-wheeler like bikes or scooters, almost everywhere in Goa. They charge on a per day basis and you have to add the fuel costs.

Hire Taxis and Auto Rickshaws in Goa Only if budget isn’t one of your problems

Although they are easily available, taxis and autos are the least cost-effective. These are the most expensive means to travel in Goa. You must know that the taxis and Autos don’t go by the metre and charge at their own will.

If you plan to use these services, negotiate beforehand to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Take a Ferry wherever you can   

Some places in Goa are connected by ferry services. These ferries are time saving and cost-effective. The only problem is that most of the times they are super crowded.

The ferries connect a very few locations in Goa. Here are some important routes connected by ferries –

• Old Goa and Divar Island
• Ribander and Chorao for Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
• Querim and Tiracol
• Cavelossim and Assolna
• Panaji and Betim
• Cortalim and Madkaim for reaching Old Goa from Margao

Water Sports are expensive in Goa, especially during the peak seasons. You can enjoy water sports at all the major beaches in Goa. That is me ready for my parasailing flight at Calangute

What is the Cost of Sightseeing & Exploring Goa?

Sightseeing costs would depend on what places you intend to cover. While beaches are free to visit, not every place is. Here are some of the costs for some of the most in-demand activities.

How much do the Watersports cost in Goa?

When you are n Goa, you might want to enjoy some watersports. You can enjoy activities such as banana boat ride, windsurfing, jet Ski, Parasailing, etc. There are many packages available at the beaches for watersports. One of the most popular is for 2000 INR. This includes parasailing, jet ski, speed boat ride, etc.

I suggest you keep no more than 2500 INR for the activities.

Can you take a Cruise on a tight budget?

Goa is well known for its cruises. I would recommend you take the sunset river cruise and dolphin cruise. The cost per person is around 500 INR and 300 INR respectively.

Parties & Casinos Entry Costs are way higher than you imagined

Parties and Casinos are expensive. If you want your Goa trip to be on a budget, I would recommend you avoid these. You may have to shell out between 2000 and 5000 INR for a single party or visit a casino.

Sightseeing Costs are not a problem for Indians

Here are museums and forts that you need to pay a slight fee to visit. Most of the places have a nominal fee of about 20- 50 INR. These costs are going to be higher for foreign nationals.

Save Money on Food by choosing the right options 

There are a number of food options in Goa. You can save money on food by avoiding too many alcoholic drinks and eating local food. Food will cost around 500 INR per day.

Miscellaneous Costs of Goa Trip

Other than all the things that I have mentioned above, you might also want to spend on other things, for example – shopping. Goa is a haven for shopaholics. The street-side markets and beach markets are an absolute delight and are easy on the pocket if you can bargain well.

I am assuming the miscellaneous costs to be 2000 INR per person. Although, this is another place where you can cut down costs.

7 Places & Things to do in Goa that are absolutely FREE

While parties and casinos in Goa can be a costly affair, there are some things that you can enjoy for free. Here are the top 7 places to see and things to do in Goa that won’t cost a dime:

• Chill at the beaches – There is no entry to any of the beaches in Goa.  Go beach hopping and enjoy the sun and the sand at zero cost. Although if you wish to rent out a sunbed that would cost somewhere around 100-300 INR per bed per hour.
• Explore Goa’s cultural heritage – Goa is a wonderful spot for photographers, and I am not even talking about beaches here. Go explore old Goa and Panjim to explore the rich cultural heritage.
• Pay your respects at Goa’s Temples & Churches – There are many significant churches and temples in Goa. You can visit them for free. If like me you love architecture, you will absolutely love it.
• Explore the local markets of Goa – Most popular beaches like Calangute, Baga, Anjuna have lovely beach markets that you can explore. Other than that you can also visit the old market in Mapusa and Panim to get a feel of the local markets in Goa.
• Trekking along Goa’s nature trails – If you love short hikes, Goa is just the perfect place. You will find plenty of hiking trails all over Goa that you can do for free. All you need is a water bottle and a good pair of shoes.
• Transverse through the Ruins of Chapora Fort & Cabo De Rama –  While there is an entry in some museums and forts, visiting Chapora Fort and Cabo de Rama is absolutely free.
• Enjoy the performances at Goa’s carnival – Although February is the end of the tourist season in Goa, it is the most colourful time of the year. The Goa carnival generally happens in February and it is such a lovely time to enjoy colourful parades and performances in the streets of Goa.

Almost every major beach in Goa has a beach market that offers plenty of curios, jewellery, boho clothes etc. Keep a check on your wallet and shopping too much. If you do plan to buy a few things, bargain hard. I clicked this picture in the morning hours near Calangute as vendors start displaying their goods.

6 Super handy tips to save money on your Goa trip

In order to cut down your Goa trip costs, I will suggest you follow these simple tips:

I hope this blog helped you find the answer to your question- How much does it cost to visit Goa? If you have any more questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below. I will try to answer them as soon as possible to the best of my knowledge.

Happy Wayfaring 🙂