We(my better half and myself) are frequent visitors to Goa especially in the past 2 years. Like a thumb-rule most of us visit North Goa which is happening especially with the generation-Y. I prefer Candolim beach as this is one of the least crowded beaches around, much cleaner and they have good amount of beach side resorts. Another advantage is its proximity to Calangute and Baga beaches if you decide to go there. Our routine after getting down in the airport is to take the prepaid taxi and reach our resort. As the flights from Bengaluru to Goa are around 6:30 am and arrival at Goa is around 7:30 am, we would generally wait for 2-3 hours until the standard 12 pm Check-in.This time we decided to change the routine and try our hand with the Goan bus transport. It was more of an instinctive decision than a forced one as we had minimum baggage and loads of time to kill. I'll share the route to Candolim from Dabolim airport as traveled by us but this will be same for most of the destinations in North Goa.
On the first week of May 2016, the flight we took landed on time at the Dabolim airport around 7:20 am, we collected our baggage and turned right at the exit or arrivals section of airport. Once we got down the slope, at the adjacent road to the airport there was a private bus which was going towards Vasco bus stand. We took the bus which cost us around ₹10/person and the destination is quite close. It stopped near Vasco post office, at the circle we crossed the road and walked towards the Kadamba bus shuttle service. Apparently they start the bus service as early as 6 am and the last bus leaves at 9 pm everyday. The tickets to Panjim cost ₹37/person and the best part of this shuttle service is that they don't stop in between for pickups. I took the tickets at the counter and they told us which shuttle to get into. It took around 45 minutes to reach Panjim. Once there, we walked towards the main bus stand which is at a visible distance and lot of buses with different destinations are available. The Candolim bus was in the 20th platform, cost us around ₹15/person and reached Candolim in approximately 30 minutes. The stop we got down was the Acacia hotel and the bus headed towards Calangute. The buses which go along Fort Aguada road are available every 10 minutes and can be stopped from wherever you are in the road till your resort. Our resort was around 1 km away and got the bus immediately.
To give a perspective on the cost difference, for 2 of us, prepaid taxi = ₹950, bus = ₹130! If you are traveling alone or as a couple and don't really care about the slight inconvenience then this would be the way to go. Goans are very helpful and most of them understand Hindi so feel free to ask for directions if in doubt.
Our return flight was 4 hours after check-out and we opted to do the bus routine again. It was as hassle free as the first time. The only downside was the weather which was scorching hot as 2016 summers have been unforgiving in this part of the world. I doubt we would take this bus option always but it is nice to know that there are other options as well.
Brief description:
- Dabolim airport - Vasco post office = 5 kms, ₹10/person, 15 minutes
(highlighted portion is where you stand, blue & grey routes are equidistant)
(Vasco post office to Kadamba Shuttle is 2 minutes walk)
- Vasco (Kadamba shuttle) - Panjim = 30 kms, ₹37/person, 45 minutes
- Panjim bus stand - Candolim (Acacia hotel) = 10 kms, ₹15/person, 30 minutes
(bus turns North towards Calangute)
Hope this blog helps the few of you who want to try this option. This is not the "ultimate" guide, there may be shorter or easier approach but this was what we followed. Be sure to post me your experience if you choose this mode of transport and do share this blog with your friends.
