Going to Goa

thestens · Mar 25th, 2003, 01:54

We are arriving in Goa in about 2 weeks and despite reading numerous guide books, I still can't decide on the things we must see. We thought we would start at Benaulim as its close to Margao where our train arrives. Then where? We are not into raves, etc, like a quietish place but with places to eat. Any recommendations on where to eat, stay (price - not dorm, up to mid priced) or visit happily received. Also Hampi - is it worth going or will it be just too hot?? Thanks - I always think personal recommendations are much better than guide books!

Watson · Mar 25th, 2003, 19:56

I enjoyed Benaulim a lot. The positive thing for me was that it’s quite central so you can hop on a bus for 1 and a half hours either direction and head just about anywhere in Goa. Secondly the beach there is in total about 10 km long at least so it makes for a nice tour with the mtb. Along the beach. I’ll plug Furtado’s beach hotel again, cause it was also nice compared to what people told me about other hotels on that stretch (see hotel’s section). I really regretted not staying in one of the beach huts on Palolem beach. Only went there for a day trip, but I absolutely loved it!
Hampi is a definite must see although I can imagine that it will be hot, hot, hot. And can be a real hassle getting to.

steven_ber · Mar 25th, 2003, 22:13

there is a train 2 days a week in each direction, the journey between madgaon and londa is said to be very scenic.

hospet is the closest train station to hampi (13 km)

hospet train station is 500m north of the bus stand, buses depart frequently for the 30 minute bus trip to hampi.
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the following trains runs from vasco-da-gama (about 30 minutes by train west of madgaon) to vijayawada (andhra pradesh)

train number 7228 departs madgaon on wednesdays and saturdays at 07:20, gets to londa at 10:15, and arrives at hospet at 16:05.

hampi to goa

train number 7227 departs hospet on tuesdays and fridays at 08:50, gets to londa at 13:53 and arrives at madgaon at 17:10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

both trains have carraiges of 2 tier air conditioned (Rs 625), 3 tier air conditioned (Rs 391), sleeper class (Rs 139), and 2nd class (Rs 87)

for a detailed description (including photo's) of classes of accomodation on indian trains click on the following link.

The Man In Seat 61

Note, from July this train will run on 3 days a week, I will post more details when new timetable comes out.

Midnite Toker · Mar 27th, 2003, 04:25

I've nothing to add to the very complete travel info steven_ber gave, except for one point, which may save you a bit of money on your arrival in Margao

When you reach Margao, the "regular" exit from the station (Platform 1) will lead you to an area where taxis wait. There is even a "prepaid" booth there. Don't use it, or the taxis on that side! The prices are all artificially elevated through a taxi mafia. You will pay a minimum of Rs50 just to go half a kilometre, and they won't bargain to a more realistic price.

Instead, cross over the lines (pedestrian footbridge) to Station Road. There you will find motorbike taxis and autorickshaws whose drivers are more open to bargaining (if it's very late, you might have to walk past the new residential/shopping unit to find a vehicle, but no more than ten minutes). Buses out to the beaches stop running after around nine in the evening, so taxis are the only way.

steven_ber · Mar 27th, 2003, 04:46

i agree with M_T, crosing over the bridge (100 - 150M) can bring you about half a KM closer to town, as the road from the main exit has to follow the railway track before crossing it to head towards town.

however, i am not great at negotiating prices with rickshaw drivers, and found them to be just as demanding on the 'local' exit.

i think it should be about Rs15 - 20 to town, (from the 'local' exit) if i could get them down to Rs30, i was more than happy with that, the prices they wanted for beach resorts were laughable.

alri · Mar 27th, 2003, 18:07

the rickshaw guys have some sort of union now and it costs (a year ago) rs 60 from madgaon to benaulim. there's a hotel called l'amour just before the beach starts. it's an ok place and has its own restaurant just in case you can't be bothered going out in search of food. the beach is about ten minutes walk from the village (where there are more places to stay) at the crossing you can catch a local bus to colva (by the beach its about half an hour's walk to colva) from where you can get buses to madgaon, (from where you can get buses to panjim (to see old goa), ponda (temples) anjuna, palolem etc
~

hazyjane · Mar 28th, 2003, 02:44

I second Watson's recommendation of Furtado's. The rooms are nice and the owner is genuinely friendly without being intrusive. For food, Dominick's is good and the restaurant at L'amour is too, but it's pricey.

I was in Hampi a few days ago, and it was very hot. My friend found it unbearably so and got a room with "air conditioning" which turned out to be nothing but a fan in a box. But I guess it just depends on what you're used to, as I saw quite a few people cycling around the ruins in the midday sun.

Mar 25th, 2003, 01:54	#1
thestens Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 44	Going to Goa We are arriving in Goa in about 2 weeks and despite reading numerous guide books, I still can't decide on the things we must see. We thought we would start at Benaulim as its close to Margao where our train arrives. Then where? We are not into raves, etc, like a quietish place but with places to eat. Any recommendations on where to eat, stay (price - not dorm, up to mid priced) or visit happily received. Also Hampi - is it worth going or will it be just too hot?? Thanks - I always think personal recommendations are much better than guide books!

Mar 25th, 2003, 22:13	#3
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,785	goa (madgaon, (margao)) to hampi there is a train 2 days a week in each direction, the journey between madgaon and londa is said to be very scenic. hospet is the closest train station to hampi (13 km) hospet train station is 500m north of the bus stand, buses depart frequently for the 30 minute bus trip to hampi. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- the following trains runs from vasco-da-gama (about 30 minutes by train west of madgaon) to vijayawada (andhra pradesh) train number 7228 departs madgaon on wednesdays and saturdays at 07:20, gets to londa at 10:15, and arrives at hospet at 16:05. hampi to goa train number 7227 departs hospet on tuesdays and fridays at 08:50, gets to londa at 13:53 and arrives at madgaon at 17:10. --------------------------------------------------------------------- both trains have carraiges of 2 tier air conditioned (Rs 625), 3 tier air conditioned (Rs 391), sleeper class (Rs 139), and 2nd class (Rs 87) for a detailed description (including photo's) of classes of accomodation on indian trains click on the following link. The Man In Seat 61 Note, from July this train will run on 3 days a week, I will post more details when new timetable comes out. Last edited by steven_ber : Jun 5th, 2003 at 20:51.

Mar 27th, 2003, 04:25	#4
Midnite Toker absconding member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 480	taxi alert! I've nothing to add to the very complete travel info steven_ber gave, except for one point, which may save you a bit of money on your arrival in Margao When you reach Margao, the "regular" exit from the station (Platform 1) will lead you to an area where taxis wait. There is even a "prepaid" booth there. Don't use it, or the taxis on that side! The prices are all artificially elevated through a taxi mafia. You will pay a minimum of Rs50 just to go half a kilometre, and they won't bargain to a more realistic price. Instead, cross over the lines (pedestrian footbridge) to Station Road. There you will find motorbike taxis and autorickshaws whose drivers are more open to bargaining (if it's very late, you might have to walk past the new residential/shopping unit to find a vehicle, but no more than ten minutes). Buses out to the beaches stop running after around nine in the evening, so taxis are the only way. __________________ travel tips, blog, downloads, panorama photos, online security, tokes: the tokezone

Mar 27th, 2003, 04:46	#5
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,785	i agree with M_T, crosing over the bridge (100 - 150M) can bring you about half a KM closer to town, as the road from the main exit has to follow the railway track before crossing it to head towards town. however, i am not great at negotiating prices with rickshaw drivers, and found them to be just as demanding on the 'local' exit. i think it should be about Rs15 - 20 to town, (from the 'local' exit) if i could get them down to Rs30, i was more than happy with that, the prices they wanted for beach resorts were laughable. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained. Last edited by steven_ber : Apr 8th, 2003 at 12:11.

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Mar 25th, 2003, 19:56	#2
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 241	I enjoyed Benaulim a lot. The positive thing for me was that it’s quite central so you can hop on a bus for 1 and a half hours either direction and head just about anywhere in Goa. Secondly the beach there is in total about 10 km long at least so it makes for a nice tour with the mtb. Along the beach. I’ll plug Furtado’s beach hotel again, cause it was also nice compared to what people told me about other hotels on that stretch (see hotel’s section). I really regretted not staying in one of the beach huts on Palolem beach. Only went there for a day trip, but I absolutely loved it! Hampi is a definite must see although I can imagine that it will be hot, hot, hot. And can be a real hassle getting to.

Mar 27th, 2003, 18:07	#6
alri Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 43	the rickshaw guys have some sort of union now and it costs (a year ago) rs 60 from madgaon to benaulim. there's a hotel called l'amour just before the beach starts. it's an ok place and has its own restaurant just in case you can't be bothered going out in search of food. the beach is about ten minutes walk from the village (where there are more places to stay) at the crossing you can catch a local bus to colva (by the beach its about half an hour's walk to colva) from where you can get buses to madgaon, (from where you can get buses to panjim (to see old goa), ponda (temples) anjuna, palolem etc ~

Mar 28th, 2003, 02:44	#7
hazyjane Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Paris Posts: 14	I second Watson's recommendation of Furtado's. The rooms are nice and the owner is genuinely friendly without being intrusive. For food, Dominick's is good and the restaurant at L'amour is too, but it's pricey. I was in Hampi a few days ago, and it was very hot. My friend found it unbearably so and got a room with "air conditioning" which turned out to be nothing but a fan in a box. But I guess it just depends on what you're used to, as I saw quite a few people cycling around the ruins in the midday sun.

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