How to Travel From Mumbai to Goa by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

Goa is a state in India that was once a former Portuguese colony and now encompasses many cities and beaches along the coast. Most travelers begin their getaways to tropical Goa near the airport, which sits between the many beaches and resort areas to the north and south and is easy to get to from Goa's historic districts. If you're coming from Mumbai, you will need to travel 365 miles (587 kilometers) south either by flying, driving, or taking a train or a bus to Goa Velha.

A convenient and inexpensive way of getting from Mumbai to Goa is by train, via the Konkan Railway. It's much more comfortable than the bus and the scenery is more spectacular. If you take an overnight train, you'll be there by the next morning. Ticket prices can range from $6 for the most basic class on the cheapest train to $20 for the best seats on the fastest train.

Trains to Goa depart Mumbai from the Chhatrapati Shivaji, Dadar Central, or Lokmanya Tilak Stations and arrive in South Goa at the main railway station of Madgaon, also known as Margao. If you are traveling to the beaches in the north, you'll want to book a train that stops in Thivim near Braga Beach. Here's a breakdown of some of the trains you can take from Mumbai to Goa:

• 22119 Mumbai CST - Karmali Tejas Express: This is fastest train from Mumbai to Goa, a luxury semi-high speed train, which completes the trip in just over 8 hours. Special features include tea and coffee vending machines, bio-vacuum toilets, LCD televisions, and Wi-Fi.
• 12051 Jan Shatabdi Express: This train is for budget travelers and has minimal perks. You'll find that there are usually seats available in second class on this train long after first class, and all other trains to Goa, are waitlisted.
• 10111 Konkan Kanya Express: This is an overnight train that leaves Mumbai at 11:05 p.m. and arrives in Goa at 10:45 a.m. the next morning.
• 12133 Mumbai CSMT - Mangaluru Jn. SF Express: This is another overnight train that offers the cheapest fares for its most basic class.
• 10103 Mandovi Express: This is a slower train that's just as cheap as the 12133, but it travels during the day instead of overnight.

Multiple airlines operate flights between Mumbai and Goa that take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Airfares can sometimes be found for as little as $23 via budget-friendly airlines like AirAsia, SpiceJet, IndiGo, GoAir, Vistara, and AirIndia. Even when factoring in the time to travel to and from the airport, this is still the fastest way to get to Goa from Mumbai.

Without making any stops, it takes about 11 hours to drive from Mumbai to Goa. From Mumbai, you'll travel east via the Mumbai Pune Highway to get on NH 48 and drive south until you can get on Highway 54 going west towards Goa. It's a long trip, so you may consider stopping at a halfway point like the city of Pune or Kolhapur to spend the night.

With fares sometimes as cheap as $15, you can take a redBus directly from Mumbai to Goa, which will get you there in as little as 14 hours and 30 minutes. Though, routes with more scheduled stops could take as long as 18 hours. Buses leave from Borivali Station in Mumbai and arrive at the Mapusa Bus Stand in Goa. These buses feature sleeper seats and air conditioning and can be a much more comfortable way to travel than the train. It's best to book your tickets online ahead of time.

The best time to visit Goa is during the winter when the chance of rain is at its lowest, although hotel rates and airfare tend to go up when the beach crowds arrive in December and January. If you want to enjoy the beaches you should avoid traveling during monsoon season, from June to September. However, some travelers argue that this is a great time to head inland and explore some of the waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries in Goa's jungles.

During monsoon season, you can experience some of Goa's most popular festivals that derive from the state's Portuguese-influence, such as the Feast of Sao Joao in June and the Bonderam Flag Festival on Diver Island in August, which is often compared to Carnaval. Along with the influx of tourists, the winter season also brings with it annual events like the Feast of Francis Xavier, the Serendipity Arts Festival, and the Goa Tattoo Festival.

Goa Dabolim International Airport offers a a shuttle bus service that travels between the airport and the neighborhoods of Panjim, Calangute, and Margao. You can choose to either purchase tickets online or at the airport for about $1.30. For something even cheaper, you can take the public bus from the airport to the beaches near Vasco de Gama.

With beautiful beaches and a unique blend of Hindu and Portuguese culture, there is a lot to see and do in Goa. From walking through the old city, which is filled with UNESCO-protected churches and convents, to exploring Fontainhas Latin Quarter, where you'll find the old Portuguese mansions, there is plenty of history and culture to discover in town. And of course, a trip to Goa is incomplete without a few days at the beach, where you can choose from a large variety of luxury resorts, beach huts, and private villas.

Other popular things to do in Goa include visiting the flea markets, spice plantations, and wildlife sanctuaries. Art-lovers may also be interested in paying a visit to the Museum of Goa, which tells the history of the state through contemporary art exhibitions.