Goa from Trichy, Bangalore or Chennai?

Hello!

Last year we did a month in India and loved it, so have decided to go back. We have convinced parents to meet us in Goa at the same time, so would be starting from there.

Our problem is that we are flying in from SE Asia - either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore on Air Asia/Tiger and we can't seem to find a way from here to Goa (Palolem specifically).

So from KL we can fly into Trichy...we have looked on makemytrip and yatra and the only flights are via Chennai (not much selection of airlines either)and from Singapore we can get into Bangalore or Chennai. Again, with Chennai there isn't a big selection of airlines flying to Goa and Bangalore would be a better option but is a more expensive flight from Singapore.

Does anyone know if there are direct trains or buses from Trichy or Chennai to Goa (where do they stop in Goa- Margao or further north?) or we even don't mind travelling from Madurai if there are trains/planes from there and not Trichy.

Can anyone help with this dilemma?!

Donna and Neil

x-posted in domestic flights in India forum

Goa has most flights from Mumbai. Search if you ca get a good deal to Mumbai or even Delhi.

Trichy and Chennai have very little connectivity to Goa by bus or train. There is no direct train from Trichy and the one from Chennai runs only once a week. Bangalore is a much better option. Even from bangalore train would take about 14hrs but from Bangalore you can take Volvo bus as well to Goa as well.

Donna & Neil,

there is only one train from Chennai to Goa and that too only once a week.

Check this link - it is very user friendly - http://erail.in/

If you are getting cheaper fares, I would suggest you to go to Chennai and then drive down / take a train to Bangalore (it is just 5 hours). From Bangalore you can either take a train (again only one but runs two days in a week) or take a flight.

there is only one direct train from chennai to goa.. but there r few flights..like paramount airways It is running flights from chennai to goa directly without any stoppages..

there is only one direct train from chennai to goa.. but there r few flights..like paramount airways It is running flights from chennai to goa directly without any stoppages..

If travelling to Trichy is a cheaper option for you, then you can take overnight train to Bangalore from Trichy. Bangalore - Goa air connectivity is indeed more.

If you are interested in train travel in a scenic route, take a train from Trichy to Trichur (Kerala) and from there a train to Madgaon through Kerala coast and Konkan railway. This is one of the most scenic route in India. You can search for trains in www.erail.in and book using www.irctc.co.in