Taxi Transfers

groucho

Hello,finally going to Goa after almost 3 decades trying.We are in our mid fifties now and my wife is pretty bad with arthritis.I don't think after a long flight(we start in Scotland)from Gatwick she would be able to wait for a coach after a long wait in airport clearing customs etc.
I would be grateful for any tips,advice getting taxi to our destination(Candolim)consideri ng we wouldn't have any Indian money,thanks in advance,Ian

seventies'hippy

Hi groucho, you can change money before you come out of the airport, there are a couple of exchange booths, rates are quite good. when you get outside holding on to your own luggage of course,(don't let the porters get hold of it) theres a fixed price taxi booth, go over there tell them where to, pay them, you'll get a docket, a driver will take you to his car and off you go, when you arrive at your destination give the docket to the driver,
I don't know what the current fare is, perhaps 500-600 rps (750 =£10)


Heres a couple of threads from our search engine:
Dambolin Airport - picking someone up?
options for Goa airport to Arambol

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GoanCanuck

Hi Groucho. Taking the taxi is a good idea because the coach takes a long time. You will have to go to the prepaid taxi booth and pay the fare to go to Candolim(about Rupees 600-650). The taxi booth will give you a receipt and when you reach Candolim just hand over the receipt to the driver. You don't have to pay the driver. The driver gets paid by the taxi booth when he goes back and hands over the receipt to them.

Nick-H

Airport porters, railway station porters, drivers, hotel boys... ... your wife (or you!) need never carry anything once you get outside the airport.

Some of these are better value than others, of course, and all of them will try to get foreign-stranger rates. But for those with any kind of illness that makes carrying bags hard it is good to know that you can avoid here.

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groucho

Thanks,to each of you for your prompt reply,your help is much appreciated.I'm really looking forward to going but I realise I'll stand there as if I've got a sign above us saying "this way to the first timers" but there has always got to be a first time,thanks again,Ian B.

seventies'hippy

When you get off the plane you have to walk across the tarmac to the airport buildings, the quicker you can do this, ie the more people you can get in front of, the quicker you'll get through, every person in front of you will add something like 4/5 minutes to your wait. If your wife is very bad you could request a wheelchair, they are quite used to that, you'll be whisked through by a staff person, In that case you might be better getting the coach provided as the holiday rep will know you are coming and it will wait for you.
The one plus for taking the coach (as a first timer) is that you'll instantly (if you want to) be able to chat with other first timers & hear what the rep has to say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

ssharonuk

Hi there groucho
when are you going ? were leaving gatwick 6th if your on that plane let us know and we,ll help you out having been before we know how it works we also have a few thousand rupees( left over from last year ) so if you like we could lend you some till you get to your destination which will pay your taxi .If your not on our plane im sure someone like me will help you
so tell us all when you go and see if you get a good response im sure you will
sharon

groucho

Thanks again for your help folks.My wife can still get about but just not as fast on her feet as she used to be,so I don't see us lapping people to get to the airport building, but thanks for the tip.
Sharon, I am really touched by your offer of help.It is astonishing considering you don't know anything about us,thank you most sincerely.
We don't leave till 16th Feb.My daughter has a friend who is an air hostess with British Midland maybe she could get me some rupees from colleagues who go to India so that would be one less queue to wait in.
Again I am really touched by your kind replies, any other info a first timer should know would be great,thanks,Ian B

seventies'hippy

Theres usually not much of a queue at the airport money changers

groucho

Thanks, from a weekend seventies hippy to a real one

Malkers

Hi Groucho

If your wife has athritis then she could be pretty uncomfortable in the poxy vans from the prepaid counter that have no leg room or air conditioning which you'll be glad of after a long flight.

I take regular trips to Goa from Bangalore and use some friendly guys in Candolim, they can be ready at the airport with a sign with your name on and will take care of your bags the moment you walk out of arrivals and take you to an air conditioned Toyota Jeep.

Cost will be between rs800 & rs1200 depending on whether they can get a fare to the airport before your arrival.

They also do very reasonable car hire if you are interested but also charge the fairest rates I have found for tours to other places in the area.

Contact Dominic on 00 91 832 2489568

Tell them Malcolm the English guy from Bangalore recommended you and he'll probably say "Who"

They've not let me down or been late by a single minute on about 6 occassions!

Cheers
Malc
PS: You go pass a UTI Cash Machine on your way into Candolim which takes all cards if you want to save the hassle of exchange at airport!

groucho

Malc,absolutely superb.I'll book that this week,or should I wait till nearer the time? Thanks for your help.I can't believe how helpful everyone has been hope to meet with the same generosity of spirit when I get there,cheers, Ian

ssharonuk

Hey groucho
Thats why india mike is so great we all help each other as much as we can
Have a great holiday
sharon