Cheapest time to fly to Goa
To find cheap flights to Goa, India, the best time to look is something between October and May when the weather is warm and dry. Goa has a pleasantly temperate climate year-round with the temperature staying between 27°C and 32°C on average. For those who want to see a green countryside, July to September would be the ideal time to visit due to the amount of rains Goa receives during that season. Prices rise during the tourist season and holidays, which take place from November to February. In December, Goa hosts one of India’s premiere music festivals, the Sunburn Festival. The Festival may lead to higher prices as well.
Best time to book your flight to Goa
Booking as early as possible is critical to finding cheap tickets to Goa. Looking for tickets two to six months in advance should ensure affordable prices, but booking even earlier than that is recommended. Purchasing tickets on a Tuesday or a Sunday can sometimes lead to lower prices. If you can be flexible on your departure date, try to leave on a weekday, as prices often go up on the weekend. Booking flights with multiple stops can also sometimes help reduce costs.
Flying to Goa International Airport
Also known as Dabolim Airport, Goa International Airport is one of India’s busiest airports. The nearest city, Vasco de Gama, is located only 4 kilometres away. Airlines that fly to this airport include Air India, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Jet Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines. For domestic flights within India, IndiGo and GoAir are excellent options.
On arrival and getting around GOI
Due to recent renovations, the Goa International Airport is a thoroughly modern and comfortable airport. The main terminal handles both international and domestic flights and contains eight aerobridges to make boarding flights easier and more comfortable for passengers. The airport has three levels: the ground floor, which is reserved for check-ins, the first level, which is used for both security screenings and domestic and international arrivals and the second floor, which pertains to the airport’s security facilities. Amenities include assistance for the disabled, first aid stations, help desks, currency exchanges, restaurants and Wi-Fi.
Almost all of the major airports across the UK have flights to Goa, India. These airports include London Heathrow Airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Newcastle Airport and Edinburgh Airport. There is only one direct flight to Goa from the UK; all other flights will include at least one stop along the way. London Heathrow Airport will provide the most single-stop flight options, while booking flights to Goa from Gatwick Airport will likely have two or more stops, with layovers in cities like Dubai and Mumbai.
Several airlines operate both international and domestic flights to Goa from the UK. Because most of the flights to Goa include layovers, it is possible that your trip may be operated by a single airline or by multiple airlines. Airlines with service to Goa include Air France, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Finnair and Oman Air.
The quickest flight time between the UK and Goa takes only 9 hours and 40 minutes. Flights to Goa from London often provide the quickest single-stop flights at 11 hours and 30 minutes. Thomas Cooke Airlines will occasionally provide direct flights to Goa from Manchester, but most of their flight will include two or more stops. When booking flights to Goa from Birmingham, it is important to keep in mind that many of the options will have at least two stops along the way, if not more. London Heathrow Airport offers at least one flight to Goa every day. Airports all around the UK provide multi-stop service to Goa every day.
Getting to the city from the airport
Options to get to the city from Goa International Airport include riding public transportation, hiring a taxi or using a car hire company. Intercity bus services leave the airport every half hour via several different routes. Another option for regional travel is the Dabolim Railway Station, location less than a kilometre away from the airport. For those wishing to drive, there are car hire companies available at the airport. Finally, pre-paid taxis are located just outside the terminal for visitors who do not want to drive or take public transit.
Don’t forget before you fly
Travel to Goa requires a visa. India offers an e-Tourist Visa (e-TV), which travellers can apply for online 4 to 120 prior to departure. With the e-TV, visitors can stay in India for up to 60 days. Before applying for the visa, verify that your passport will be valid for at least 180 days after you submit the application. In addition, an individual can only apply for this type of visa twice a year.
