Goa to Hampi by self-drive car... Totally nuts or possible?

paintedlotus · Aug 22nd, 2009, 13:29

Hi everyone,

I'm heading back to India in October/November for my 4th trip in 3 years. This time, instead of heading off alone I'll be bringing my best friend with me, which should be a lot of fun.

Is it possible to hire a car, driven by myself (I've driven in Delhi before, but not in countryside) from Goa to Hampi? Or am I completely insane for even contemplating such a thing? I know it's possible to rent a car IN Goa but what about taking it to Hampi, across state lines? I have an international driving permit and I'm used to driving manual-transmission clunkers LOL.

FYI, this is what our itinerary looks like:

-Fly into Delhi, stay for a day or two; two IF we decide to go to Agra. For the 3rd time for me LOL

but she'd really like to see the Taj Mahal of course.
-Pushkar for the camel fair for 2 days
-Udaipur for a couple of days (I've been before)
-Fly to Goa for a few days as a jumping-off point for Hampi
-Head to Hampi for a few days
-back to Goa to either fly or take the train to Mumbai to fly home

3 weeks total and I'm keeping the itinerary somewhat loose for the moment (except for booking accommodation for the camel fair, which is another thread entirely).

I will admit that our side-trip to Goa was really only added on as a way to get from the North down near Hampi, as Hampi has been on my list since my first trip and I WILL get there on this trip! But now the idea of Goa is starting to grow on me and I'm excited to get back to the beach.

I'd love feedback about the feasibility of this. Thanks!!

*edited to add: our primary mode of transportation from Delhi to Agra and on to Pushkar and Udaipur will be trains.

crismurube · Aug 22nd, 2009, 13:53

We ve just got back from India, and we did Hampi to Goa on a Taxi... If you are very good with directions then why not. It took the taxi driver 8 hours, for what I think where 400km, and we went through all kinds of roads, including about 2 hours of pressed and bumpy sand. The way was not really signposted, but you can probably ask your way and it is part of the adventure.
Goa has been my favourite spot, hiring a motorbike there and going freely from one nice beach to an even better one, really nice now that there are not many people there. Found it a nice change from the rest of india. Enjoy it!

paintedlotus · Aug 22nd, 2009, 14:36

Thank you for the input! I figured it would be about 7 to 8 hours or so. I'm a little concerned about the possibility of taking a car from Goa to Karnataka though... anyone know about that?

shashank.aggarwal · Aug 22nd, 2009, 21:45

Been there done that. Would suggest you to hire a proper self drive cars. That is Black number plates with yellow fonts. Do not hire white number plates with black fonts as they are private cars and are not supposed to be hired, but in Goa everything goes. It might not be same in Karnataka.

Driving on that road requires bit of patience, the roads are full of bumpers and are in average condition. the biggest buggers are the trucks carrying iron ore to the Karwar port, on a bad day there could be millions.

paintedlotus · Aug 23rd, 2009, 15:47

Thank you for the info. I think we've decided to just take the train as it will save us quite a bit of money... although we could change our minds when we get there.

tools · Aug 23rd, 2009, 21:13

you could take the over night bus. Each sleeping compartment is for two people so it is cheep enough to pay for two places to have a private barth. the bus takes you right into humpi the train does not.

Aug 22nd, 2009, 13:29	#1
paintedlotus Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 58	Goa to Hampi by self-drive car... Totally nuts or possible? Hi everyone, I'm heading back to India in October/November for my 4th trip in 3 years. This time, instead of heading off alone I'll be bringing my best friend with me, which should be a lot of fun. Is it possible to hire a car, driven by myself (I've driven in Delhi before, but not in countryside) from Goa to Hampi? Or am I completely insane for even contemplating such a thing? I know it's possible to rent a car IN Goa but what about taking it to Hampi, across state lines? I have an international driving permit and I'm used to driving manual-transmission clunkers LOL. FYI, this is what our itinerary looks like: -Fly into Delhi, stay for a day or two; two IF we decide to go to Agra. For the 3rd time for me LOL but she'd really like to see the Taj Mahal of course. -Pushkar for the camel fair for 2 days -Udaipur for a couple of days (I've been before) -Fly to Goa for a few days as a jumping-off point for Hampi -Head to Hampi for a few days -back to Goa to either fly or take the train to Mumbai to fly home 3 weeks total and I'm keeping the itinerary somewhat loose for the moment (except for booking accommodation for the camel fair, which is another thread entirely). I will admit that our side-trip to Goa was really only added on as a way to get from the North down near Hampi, as Hampi has been on my list since my first trip and I WILL get there on this trip! But now the idea of Goa is starting to grow on me and I'm excited to get back to the beach. I'd love feedback about the feasibility of this. Thanks!! *edited to add: our primary mode of transportation from Delhi to Agra and on to Pushkar and Udaipur will be trains.

Aug 22nd, 2009, 21:45	#4
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,820	Been there done that. Would suggest you to hire a proper self drive cars. That is Black number plates with yellow fonts. Do not hire white number plates with black fonts as they are private cars and are not supposed to be hired, but in Goa everything goes. It might not be same in Karnataka. Driving on that road requires bit of patience, the roads are full of bumpers and are in average condition. the biggest buggers are the trucks carrying iron ore to the Karwar port, on a bad day there could be millions. __________________ Spineless Travelogue - Around India

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Aug 22nd, 2009, 13:53	#2
crismurube Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SPAIN Posts: 14	We ve just got back from India, and we did Hampi to Goa on a Taxi... If you are very good with directions then why not. It took the taxi driver 8 hours, for what I think where 400km, and we went through all kinds of roads, including about 2 hours of pressed and bumpy sand. The way was not really signposted, but you can probably ask your way and it is part of the adventure. Goa has been my favourite spot, hiring a motorbike there and going freely from one nice beach to an even better one, really nice now that there are not many people there. Found it a nice change from the rest of india. Enjoy it!

Aug 22nd, 2009, 14:36	#3
paintedlotus Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 58	Thank you for the input! I figured it would be about 7 to 8 hours or so. I'm a little concerned about the possibility of taking a car from Goa to Karnataka though... anyone know about that?

Aug 23rd, 2009, 15:47	#5
paintedlotus Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 58	Thank you for the info. I think we've decided to just take the train as it will save us quite a bit of money... although we could change our minds when we get there.

Aug 23rd, 2009, 21:13	#6
tools Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: where ever I am Posts: 7	you could take the over night bus. Each sleeping compartment is for two people so it is cheep enough to pay for two places to have a private barth. the bus takes you right into humpi the train does not.