ROADS, Goa

Vailankanni Car Rentals in North Goa (Candolim) offers several choices of cars for rent (self-drive or with driver). I would not recommend that you rent a car if you are not accustom to driving in India.

Vailankanni has been in business for over 20 years and we have rented from them a few times. The cars are clean and reliable. Rates are fixed (starting at about USD $30 per day), dependant upon type of car. Be sure to know where petrol stations are before you venture off.

Located next to Candolim football ground.

If you're interested in renting a bike (motorcycle), scooter, or car/jeep, you'll have plenty of opporuntity in Goa. You will see signs posted at many hotels, restaurants, and shops advertising rentals. Rates start at a few hundred rupees a day. Obviously you'll get a better deal if you're there for 2+ weeks. These are private rentals by locals - so no insurance, etc.

You'll get an idea of how people drive on the ride in from the airport. You may not be comfortable driving (there is little in regards to road/traffic rules), but plenty of visitors/foreigners drive. You may or may not get a helmet with a bike rental, but it's not a bad idea to wear one if you do.

There are only a few gas stations so it's a good idea to know where they are. However, gas is sold by the liter out front of stalls, shops, etc. so don't panic if you can't get to a gas station!

Hiring a pre-paid taxi from the airport to your hotel is the most convenient way to get there. The pre-paid counter is just to your left as you exit the airport.

Once you pay, you walk a very short distance to where the taxis are all waiting. The number on your receipt will correspond to the taxi number. No need to worry about finding the taxi - plenty of drivers there anxious to help you.

Rickshaws are normally a cheap and easy way to get around most places in India. I think the exception is Goa. There are no meters and no fixed rates. Rates for short journeys cost more than an hour's ride - and many times the distance than - in Mumbai. If you insist on taking a rickshaw be sure to agree on a price before you get in. I would not recommend taking a rickshaw for a long ride. Buses are very cheap and convenient and taxis are best for day/longer trips.

There are number of ways by which you cab travel around this b'ful city.You can opt from varied range of Taxis,public buses,auto(tuk tuk) but,according to me you are better off when you are in the control.You can hire a bike,jeep,a car or a scooty (non gear bike) for as less as INR 25-50 per day i.e less than a dollar.You can find it with so many local transport lender and we found it just outside the hotel.The owner gave us scooty,petrol,helmet and ask for the rent as well as the deposit(that you would get after you return the vehical back).The deposit again vary from INR 250-500(depending upon how you negotiate).You just need a Road map of Goa and you are good to go.People are friendly and helpful so incase you loose your way(which happened with us)they will help you or better you can call your hotel for the direction and they would be happy to assist you.

We found that most of the roads around this area of Goa were pretty decent, and with a scooter we got around to quite a few different places much more easily and quickly than we could have using public transport. It was great fun! See my 'things to do' tip for more details.

As in other airports and many stations in India there are prepaid taxis from the airport in Goa. There are fixed prices for different locations and you pay at the counter and nothing more to the driver.
Arriving at the airport I asked at the tourist information if the desk I saw (it said you could rent cars and taxis) was where I could get a prepaid taxi. They said there was another counter outside which was cheaper, so that's where I went.
A prepaid taxi to Arambol was 980 rupees (June 2010) and I think it took around 1 hour and 20 minutes. In Arambol the taxi driver dropped me just outside the hotel I was going to.

1 more image

Calangute has a large bus station, but unfortunately the buses only go to and from other parts of Goa. If you are traveling on a longer distance you have to change bus in the province capital Panaji first.

2 more images

Taxis and tuk-tuks are everywhere where hotels and tourists are.
2008, we paid about 100 rupees for a trip of 5 km and to rent a taxi for a half day up to northern Goa was about 600. Short trips with Tuk-tuk, maybe 40-50 rs.

Although there are mopeds available to roam abt in Goa, the best way is to travel with the locals using the KTC buses of Goa Govt. They connect each and every town in even the remote corners of the state. They are extremely cheap with maximum price from Terekhol to Canacona (The two towns in the extreme north and south of Goa respectively) abt Rs. 50