Margao (Madgaon)

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Madgaon
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Goa2

Margao (Madgaon)

Margao is the main population centre of South Goa. It is a busy provincial town reminiscent of its Portuguese past. It is the capital of Salcete taluk and the service and transport centre for people staying at Colva and Benaulim beaches.

 

Margao’s Church of the Holy Spirit is beautiful and well worth a visit.

 

Useful Information

 

Kadamba bus stand is about 2 km north of the town centre, on the road to Panaji, while Margao's new railway station is 1.5 km east. The GTDC Tourist Hostel has its tourist office in the centre of town. The State Bank of India is opposite the Municipal Gardens. Visa or Master-Card advances can be obtained at the Bank of Baroda near the covered market.

 

Restaurants and Cafés

 

Bombay Café is a popular vegetarian restaurant.

 

Tato (east of the municipal gardens) is also vegetarian. A thali costs Rs 20.

 

Longhuinos (opposite the tourist office) serves Goan cuisine such as chourisso (Rs 25), pastries, sweets and good tandoori dishes. It also has a busy bar.

 

Woodlands Hotel is good value with fish curry and rice for Rs 25 and fried chicken for Rs 35.

 

Reaching Margao

 

Bus: There are deluxe buses between Margao and Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hubli and Belgaum. The bus to Mumbai leaves daily from the Kadamba bus stand (16 hours), Bangalore (14 hours), Pune (15 hours), Hubli (6 hours) and Belgaum (5 hours). Private bus agents can be contacted in the town centre near the Tourist Hostel.

 

Train: Margao’s new station is about 1.5 km east of the town centre. You can cross the tracks at the old station to reach there if you are walking.

 

Reaching Goa

Air: Goa’s international airport is Dabolim which is 35/25 Mile from Panaji on the coast near Vasco da Gama. Major Air routes from Goa. 

 

Goa-Bangalore 

Goa-Calicut 

Goa-Chennai 

Goa-Cochin 

Goa-Delhi 

Goa-Mumbai 

Goa-PUne 

Bus: Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka state road transport corporations operate services out of Panaji’s Kadamba bus stand. Many private bus companies have offices outside the entrance to the bus stand. Luxury and airconditioned buses are available to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hampi and other destinations. Most private interstate buses arrive and depart from a separate bus stand next to the Mandovi Bridge. Paulo Tours and Travel has nightly sleeper coaches to Hampi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

 

 

 

Train: Goa’s two main stations are at Margao and Vasco da Gama and 2 Konkan Railway station called Karmali and Thivam. Karmali is the station for going to Panjim and Thivam is the station to go to Mapusa/Calanguate. Bookings can be made at either of these or at the train reservation office in the Kadamba bus stand. Trains to all major Indian cities are available.

 

Taxi: The cost of the 600 km drive from Mumbai to Goa is about Rs 6,000 (US$ 140). The journey takes about 14 hours. 

 

 

 

Local Transport 

 

Motorcycle rental: Hiring a motorcycle is popular with many travellers in Goa. Available vehicles are Enfields, Yamaha 100s and Kinetic Honda scooters. In high season, on a daily basis, you may have to pay up to Rs 300 for a scooter, Rs 400 for the small bikes and Rs 500 for an Enfield. You may be required to give in your passport and a sizeable deposit as security. If you are involved in an accident you’ll be required to pay at least for the damage to the rented bike.

 

Motorcycle taxi: Motorcycles are a licensed form of taxi in Goa. They are much cheaper than other transport if you are travelling alone with a backpack that can be carried on  bike

 

Bicycle rental: Bicycles can be hired in all the major towns and beaches of Goa for around Rs 40 per day.

 

Boat: Boats can be hired to cross the many rivers of Goa. The main ferries are:

 

Siolim – Chopdem This can be used for Arambol and places to the north. Services run every half hour from 6.30 am to 1 pm; Tickets cost Rs 0.75/3 for passengers/motorcycles.

 

Querim – Terekhol : This ferry goes to Terekhol Fort, in the north of the state.

 

Dona Paula – Mormugao : This ferry runs between September and May (till 5 pm) only. The crossings are rather erratic and take between 30 and 45 minutes. Buses wait on either side for the arrival of boats.

 

Old Goa – Divar Island : Ferries go every half hour to Divar Island from Old Goa.

 

Other Ferries:  Approximately 20 other ferry services operate in the state. These include: Panaji to Betim, Aldona to Corjuem, Pomburpa to Chorao and Ribandar to Chorao.