Singapore to Goa Flights

  About Singapore

One of the most expensive cities to go on a vacation, Singapore has a rich culture, amazing food and also a great place to go cruising. Not to mention, the marvellous architecture. The city is also known for hosting grand festivals and for its lavish nightlife. You can plan a trip with your family or with your friends. You can also plan a solo backpacking trip to Singapore. The city also has quite a few hostels for young travellers. One of the most popular highlights of the city is Universal Studios. Not only will you get to be a part of your favourite comic universes but you can also try all of the theme-based rides here. Singapore has quite a lot of amusement parks and places for you to explore your adventurous side. It is also the perfect place for you to flaunt your most stylish self or shop till you drop.

Best Time to Visit Singapore

Singapore is ideal for visiting any time of the year because of its climate. It is warm and tropical all year round, which is one of the reasons why the prices barely go down. December is one of the most happening months, and prices are skyrocketing this month, thanks to the lavish New Year's Eve parties. The expensive hotel prices, however, do not drop and only increase during Christmas and New Year's Eve. You might also want to steer clear of Chinese New Year to avoid the high prices of flight tickets to Singapore and accommodations. While the temperature ranges between 29 to 31 degree Celsius throughout the year, you might also experience mild showers every now and then. You can book a hotel in Singapore either closer to all the tourist attractions or go for a hostel, in case you are on a solo trip or with your friends.

November to June is when the city experiences winter, and there is also a boost in the number of tourists. This period also sees a lot of festivals being hosted in Singapore. November to January is when Singapore receives rainfall and witnesses the highest precipitation. You can be a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations in February or the Dragon Boat Festival in June and the Great Singapore Sale from June to August. The best part about planning your travel during these months is that you can get cheap flight tickets to Singapore from India.

A lesser popular time to visit is from July to October when the number of tourists is comparatively lesser. If you reach right before the Great Singapore Sale ends, you might even get your favourite designer items at a reasonable price. Though you might receive rainfall between June and September, it only affects the North-eastern part of Singapore more. If you are planning your vacation to Singapore in July and August, you can attend the Singapore Food Festival and the Hungry Ghost Festival. You can also catch the Grand Prix Singapore in September along with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Places to Visit in Singapore

Singapore has a lot of tourist attractions that are perfect for every kind of vacation. The Underwater World is the best place to visit in Singapore with your family. Not only will you see over 2500 marine animals, but you can also dive with the sharks and swim with the dolphins. The Singapore Zoo houses a lot of zebras, mole rats, parakeets, white tigers, a komodo dragon and other creatures. You will have to pay a certain fee to enter, just like at the Underwater World. You can also head to the River Safari that is home to red pandas and 6000 other animals. The best part is that safari is river-themed. Singapore also has a lot of beaches like the Changi Beach, Tanjong Beach and Sentosa Island that you can visit. Universal Studios is one of the major attractions of Singapore. It is a theme park that has Transformers, Shrek, Madagascar-based rides and a lot of your other favourite characters, other than Harry Potter. You can go with your kids or friends.

The Smith Street Hawker Centre in Chinatown is where you go to try delicious Chinese, Malay and Indian street food. You will not even have to worry about hygiene. You can also go to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum to be amazed at wax statues of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth II, and others. Marina Bay Sands is one of the most popular and luxe hotels in Singapore. It also boasts of the world's biggest infinity pools and staying here even for a night will be the experience of a lifetime. You will definitely come across this when you are booking a hotel in Singapore online. The Coney Island is one of the most romantic places in Singapore and an ideal place to plan a date, too.

Things to do in Singapore

Singapore is one of those places where you can fulfil your lavish holiday dreams. You can party till wee hours and treat your hangover by just lying near the pool at your hotel to soak in the view. The city has a lot of places for you to go sightseeing or indulge in adventurous activities. Marina Bay district in Singapore has the best tourist attractions in the city. You can experience the nightlife here and visit some of the popular nightclubs. You can also book your accommodation at the Marina Bay Sands resort, and you won't even have to go anywhere. The complex has an amazing casino, a lot of nightclubs, shops, Sands SkyPark and performance halls. You can also head to Chinatown to enjoy a night out in the town. Try out the street food, go clubbing or shopping. You can go shopping at Pagoda Street, grab a bite at New Bridge Road or Smith Street and head over to Tanjong Pagar district to experience the nightlife. The Sentosa is an island resort that is basically for all age groups. You can go with your family, with your friends or on your solo trip, too. Little India is where you go to if you want to stray from the main city. It's 2 miles from Marina Bay.

Food and Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore is one tourist destination where you will find an eclectic blend of cuisines from all over the world. Be it continental, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, or Malay cuisine, and it's easy to find a restaurant that will satiate your hunger pangs and food cravings. Maxwell Food Centre is a popular place that has about 100 stalls of different kinds of food. It would be best if you also tried the fine dining scenes, the bars and lounges in the city. Le Noir Bar & Lounge in Marina Bay Sands is one of the best places to go to in the area. If you are craving European or French cuisine, you can head to Entre-Nous Creperie at Seah Street. Cure at Keong Saik Road is one of the best places to go to if you want to try some Irish or European food. You can also try Colony for some Singaporean food. Positano Risto is another fine restaurant that serves the best pizza and other Italian food. If you want to have Chinese food at a fancy restaurant instead of a local food joint, you can visit the Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton. Paulaner Brauhaus Singapore is popular for serving German food and drinks. It is also a Brew Pub that you can't miss. You can just chill with a couple of beers here. You will find a lot of good Indian restaurants in the Little India area in Singapore. If it is French, European or Caucasian food that you want to try, head over to Chef's Table by Chef Stephan Zoisl. You can also try the Japanese food at Akira Back.

How to reach Singapore (Transportation)

Singapore has its own airport called Changi Airport. The flight connectivity to Singapore from India is excellent. Not only do you get direct flights to Singapore from here, you even get connecting ones, depending on the availability. Indigo, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Spicejet run flights to Singapore quite frequently. You'll get cheap flight tickets to Singapore quite easily, but in any case, book your tickets in advance. If you take a direct flight to Singapore, it will take about 5 to 6 hours to land in the city. Getting a taxi from Changi Airport is also not very difficult since the city sees a lot of tourists throughout the year. Changi Airport has quite a lot of facilities like art activities for kids, baby care rooms, lounges, entertainment decks and rest areas that are free to use. In fact, you can also get a temporary local SIM card to use within the city at the airport itself. The airport also has movie theatres, in case you have to wait for a long time for your flight. You'll also find showers, spa facilities, prayer rooms, shopping areas and prayer rooms in the airport.

  About Goa

Located on the West coast of India is the quaint beachy paradise, also known as Goa. The state of Goa is hardly 3,700 sq. km, with a small population that is known to be one of the biggest tourist destinations in India. The state has a heavy Portuguese influence and culture as it is a former colony. Thanks to their Portugal-influenced, the culture and outlook of Goa are visibly diverse from the other parts of India. Goa sees a regular throng of tourists as Indian and international travellers constantly flock over to the tropical state. The domestic and international routes are well-connected, making travelling by flight to Goa, an easy task.

Best time to visit Goa

The best season to visit Goa is undeniably winter! The winters in Goa call for a celebration as the temperatures drop to offer a pleasant atmosphere. The months starting from October to February are peak season where Goa sees an abundance of travellers. The flight tickets to Goa during this season is also quite expensive as the demand is high. However, with various music festivals, Christmas and the spirit of New Year's taking over, Goa easily becomes one of the best places in winters.

The monsoon season that stretches between June to September is ideal for nature enthusiasts. While many assume Goa's beaches to be its identity, the green expanses of the Western Ghats that passes through Goa get some love from nature enthusiasts. The state's hues change from sparkling blue to emerald green, and it is worth exploring.

The summers are considered to be bad as the tropical region faces sweltering temperatures. Often the mercury spikes up to 40 degree Celsius, making it unbearably hot. The flight tickets to Goa are cheap during this season for obvious reasons. If you can handle the heat, then you can make use of good flight deals and book flight tickets to Goa.

Places to visit in Goa

Museums and art galleries

The state might be known for its tourism, but they also indulge in arts and culture. There are many art galleries around the Old Goa region. The state's Portugal roots can further be explored by visiting the Goa State Museum. You should also visit the Museum for technology and Art, which goes by the name Sensistan. Benaulim's Houses of Goa, Goa Chitra Museum and many other religious art museums have intriguing stories that should be explored.

Beaches

Goa's highlight is the beaches, the cuisine and the nightlife. The pristine blue waters by the coasts sparkle under the sun and attract people from all over the world. The most famous and best beaches in Goa include Palolem, Vagator, Chapora, Anjuna, Arambol, Morjim, Colva, Candolim, Mandrem, Butterfly, Agonda, Calangute, etc. The best thing to in Goa to travel within would be to rent a vehicle and beach hop as every beach caters to a certain kind of audience. Depending on your vibe, you might enjoy a certain stretch of beach. The beautiful beaches are definitely worth it.

Churches

The famed Bom Jesus Basilica with the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is a legendary church. Built in 1605, the church's distinctive architecture using wood, gold, stone and granite gives it a vintage vibe. Not to mention how you will get to witness the miraculous undecomposed body of Francis Xavier, whose body is preserved by the church officials. Other notable churches include the Church of St Francis of Assisi, Church of St Catejan, Se Cathedral and Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Things to do in Goa

Water sports

Goa has copious amounts of water sports activities that would keep you indulged all-day. Right from learning how to surf to snorkelling to kayaking in the wide sea, there are various water sports that you can take up. Specific beaches host scuba diving and snorkelling activities while some are known for their parasailing, banana boat ride, ferry tours and other such activities. Depending on which part of the state you're in, you'll get to experience the said kind of water sport.

Beach hopping

The beaches of Goa can either by calm and quaint or loud and noisy. Depending on which neighbourhood you choose, you'll find your own sweet nirvana. The North beaches are more commercial with Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna, Vagator and more, experiencing excessive crowd. The South beaches are quaint and quiet with luxury settings and fewer crowds. If you wish to indulge in water sports and other such activities, then you should head to North where they happen in abundance. If taking strolls at the beach or going for a swim is what you wish to do then the South beaches are it for you. You can rent bikes or cars and go on a beach-hopping spree.

Ocean treks

To reach some beaches in Goa, you will have to trek the trails. The Butterfly Beach in South Goa is one such beach where you need to trek up the stony trails to reach the exquisite and quaint beach. It is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in the state. Parts of Cabo de Rama beach also expects you to do some trekking, which only adds to the fun of diving in the sea. North Goa's Arambol beach is also famous for ocean treks.

Quad Biking

If you wish to take a day's break from the beaches and the water, you can head to the adventure side of Goa where you'll find quad bike tours. Basically, you can do dirt bike riding on muddy terrains created. You don't need to be an expert to indulge in this activity as it doesn't require any levels of riders.

Casino and cruises

Goa's nightlife is just as lit as the beaches it offers. While there are regulated parties that take place on the beaches and even some nightclubs, there are dedicated cruises and casino parlours too. Try some play of dice at one of these casinos or hit the party scenes to experience the nightlife of Goa.

Food and Restaurants in Goa

As a coastal state, Goa's staple food involves fish curry and rice. The place serves the most exquisite seafood that one can ask for. The beach shacks have Continental, Seafood and Indian food cuisines as options. A majority of the tourists usually choose seafood over everything else. For the best ambience and piquant seafood, you should visit Curly's in North Goa and Fisherman's Wharf in South Goa. Other places with great seafood are The Lazy Goose, Amavi, Starlight, Ritz Classic, Gunpowder, etc.

While seafood is a staple, the iconic Goan dishes are actually made from pork. Acquaint yourself with names such as Vindaloo, Xacuti, Chorizo and Sorpotel as these Goan dishes are a big hit. From street food to lavish restaurant dining, you'll meet with all kinds of experiences in Goa, and they will all be memorable. The beach shacks also have Goan dishes in their menu so you can always mix up the platter. If seafood is a little too much for you to deal with, then an Italian rendezvous at Da Tita might go down well with you.

How to reach Goa

By Air

Goa's Dabolim Airport, located in Vasco da Gama, is the only airport in the State. Due to the popularity of the state, and the fact that it is the most sought-after destination for Indians, as well as international tourists, the flight connectivity to and from Goa, is incredible. Direct flight to Goa is available from Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur and more. International flights from Goa are also available as some direct planes are flying to Kuwait, UAE, Doha, etc. Although no direct flights are connecting Goa to Western Europe, USA, Russia and the UK, great connectivity and layovers have enabled these international destinations to be connected to Goa.

Nonstop domestic airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, GoAir, Air Asia and Vistara are available. It would be ideal to book your hotels ahead of your trip as shuttle services to pick you up from Goa airport would be convenient. On off-seasons, the flight tickets are cheap and affordable. However, if you wish to travel during their peak season, it is best to book flight tickets in advance for great flight deals online.

By Rail

There are two main railway stations namely, Madgaon Junction and Thivim, which connect other cities to South and North Goa respectively. Direct trains following domestic routes to Goa are also available from Mumbai, Delhi, Mangalore, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, to name a few.

By Road

A majority of crowd from the Mumbai and Pune region often use the road as a means to reach Goa. There are overnight buses that travel from Mumbai to Goa, which makes travelling convenient. Various public and private bus service providers have sleeper and Volvo seater buses going to Goa. You can either get down at Mapusa Bus Stand for North Goa or Panjim Bus Stand and Madgaon Bus Stand if you're opting for the South beaches. The State-serviced Kadamba Transport is also available and connects to various neighbouring states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra.

  About Singapore Airport

Singapore Changi Airport or popularly known as Changi Airport services the city of Singapore and is a major civilian airport. It is easily one of the largest hubs for transportation in Asia. It has been rated by Skytrax as the World's Best Airport eight consecutive times since 2013. It is the world's first airport to reach such a milestone and earn a record. In terms of international passenger traffic and cargo, the Singapore Changi Airport stands as one of the busiest in the world. The airport is located in Changi, which is on the eastern side of Singapore. It is about 20 km away from Singapore's Downtown Core.

Singapore Changi Airport is the home base for a plethora of airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Scoot, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Jetstar Asia Airways and Silkair. The airport is recognised for its passenger traffic and stands at the 18th position on a global scale as the busiest airport. Just in 2019, Singapore Changi Airport accommodated over 68.3 million passengers. The airport serves close to 100 airlines with flights flying to 380 cities around the world. It has been recorded that the airport witnesses close to 7,400 flights that depart and arrive at Singapore Changi Airport every week. Over the years, Singapore Changi Airport has taken home over 620 awards ever since it has opened for business. Not to mention how it received 28 awards in one year alone, being 2019.

About Airport Terminals

As Singapore Changi Airport hosts more than 100 airlines with connections to over 380 cities in 100 countries worldwide, it witnesses an abundance of air traffic. It is the seventh busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic. The Singapore Changi Airport has five passenger terminals and has been designed to hold a capacity of about 85 million passengers. Terminal 1's operations kicked off in 1981 and are located on the northern side of the airport. The terminal underwent renovation and opened for public use in 2019. Terminal 2 is situated on the eastern side. However, the operations as on May 1, 2020, have been suspended for 18 months. Terminal 3's location is by the western end and officially opened for business in 2008.

Meanwhile, Terminal 4 is the most recent terminal that came into existence in 2017 and is at the southern side. Besides the four functioning terminals for domestic and international flights, the airport also caters to a private run terminal named JetQuay CIP Terminal. The terminal sees a resemblance to the First Class Terminal built by Lufthansa at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany. With an access fee, the terminal is open to all travellers who are travelling in varied classes. Plans to construct Terminal 5 are also in works. If it goes according to schedule, the terminal should be ready by 2030 with an expected capacity of 50 million passengers in a year.

About Airport Authority

Owned by the Government of Singapore, the airport is operated by a consortium of Changi Airport Group, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Republic of Singapore Air Force. Changi Airports International (CAI) is the consultant and investor in the airport venture. CAI is also recognised to be a leading company in the global aviation market. Over the years, the consortium has enabled extensive airport infrastructural development. The airport is currently being managed by CAI, who have worked to bring about a strong economic gain out of the developed project. They have further brought forth integrated solutions to enhance the airport's quality and for it to achieve world-class stature in the aviation industry. The airport is also associated with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore which is a statutory board that falls under the Ministry of Transport of the Government of Singapore. As part of the venture, the CAAS has enabled an air hub to help promote the safe practices and protocols for civilian air-service arrangements.

Top airlines flying from Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport serves as a home base for airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Silkair, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Scoot and Jetstar Asia Airways. The airport also witnesses some Indian airlines chartered for international travel. Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara are some of the Indian airlines that fly to Singapore Changi Airport. These flights have dedicated services to the airport and even have space for parking.

The airport caters extensively to international cities and is recognised as one of the best. The largest market for the Singapore Changi Airport is from cities such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, China, Tokyo, Sydney, Jakarta, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Denpasar, to name a few. The airlines seen by the Singapore Changi Airport include Air France, Air China, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, AirAsia, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malindo Air, Saudia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, United Airlines and Vietnam Airlines, to name a few. There are also extensive cargo flights and airlines that fly from Singapore Changi Airport. Cargo airlines from Singapore Changi Airport include Air Hong Kong, Asiana Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, Etihad Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Korean Air Cargo, SF Airlines, UPS Airlines and more.

Facilities at the Singapore Changi Airport

The airport serves a slew of facilities that would be ideal and essential for passengers.

Airport lounges- Singapore Changi Airport has a handful of airline lounges at all the terminals. You can find from first-class and business-class lounges to VIP rooms and hotels, Singapore Changi Airport offers many beautiful and snazzy lounges. Even the regular boarding lounge area near the departure zones are very exquisite.

Baby care rooms - There are dedicated baby care rooms at several intervals of the airport. The rooms are kept perfectly well and hygienic. They also have baby products such as diapers and powders.

Baggage storage - The baggage services include porter services where professionals escort the passengers and take care of their luggage. You can also get plastic wrapping done for your baggage.

ATMs and foreign exchange - There are ATM kiosks and foreign exchange counters and booths at all terminals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals segments of all terminals.

Medical services - Some many clinics and pharmacies are available at all the terminals in the airport. Medical assistance can also be availed if you check at the information desk.

Entertainment deck - Since there are many layovers of flights that do take place, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed entertainment decks to keep the passengers engaged. From watching TV to recreational activities, the airport has facilities for the same.

WiFi and internet - You can avail the airport's WiFi services on the phone. The airport also has dedicated internet cafes in several spots of the Singapore Changi Airport. You will have to pay a fee to get access to the internet cafe.

Prayer rooms - The airport has dedicated multi-faith rooms to allow passengers to engage in their religious prayers. The rooms can also be used for meditation purposes in case required.

Smoking zones - To keep the atmosphere of the airport clean and fresh, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed several smoking lounges. You can find packs of cigarettes at the airport premise as well.

Spas and shower services - There are booths for shower and spa services that can be availed at the airport's lounge.

How to reach Singapore Changi Airport

Mass Rapid Transit

Since the Singapore Changi Airport is massive with a slew of terminals sprawled across the expanse, the airport has provided a dedicated Mass Rapid Transit network which works as a perfect connection for Singapore Expo site as well as the Changi Airport. There are underground lines called the Changi Airport MRT station which links Terminal 2 and 3. A Downtown Line opened recently owing to the tremendous demand for the route connecting Pasir Ris and Tuas link. The dedicated shuttle service connects the Expo from Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang to and from the city. The MRT is considered to be one of the most convenient ways to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. A plan to build Land Transport Masterplan is in the works that would be extended to Terminal 5 of Singapore Changi Airport. The plan is said to be concluded by 2040.

Bus

There are dedicated bus services to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. They are operated by SBS Transit, Go-Ahead Singapore and SMRT Buses. These buses have excellent stops which connect Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 as well. Another route that connects the first three terminals is from the basement busy bays. One of the best ways to reach Singapore Changi Airport also has coaches that traverse from Johor Bahru. They start coaches and stand at Terminals 1,2 and 3.

Taxi and rentals

Taxis and rentals are also available at the Singapore Changi Airport. You can find efficient taxis and rentals from the city centre to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. You can avail limousine services as well to reach the Singapore Changi Airport.

  About Goa Airport

Dabolim Airport is the sole domestic and international airport in the state of Goa. Situated in Dabolim, about 4 km from Vasco da Gama and 23 km from the oldest city Margao and 30 km from the state capital, Panjim, the airport is perched up the Arabian Sea. The airport is a civil enclave (a joint-use airport) and is also operated by the Indian Navy's naval airbase, INS Hansa. Goa Airport witnesses a plethora of international passengers throughout the year, especially from the European continent and many from the United Kingdom as well. IN 2013, the airport inaugurated its integrated terminal to increase the passenger handling capacity. The airport recorded capacity of 7.6 million passengers in the fiscal year 2017-18.

Dabolim Airport witnesses many European-charter airlines with flights flying to and from the city on a seasonal basis. There are dedicated charter flights from the United Kingdom, operated by TUI Airways or popularly known as just TUI. These charter flights function from the UK as well as the Republic of Ireland. Along with flights from the UK, Dabolim Airport also witnesses seasonal charter flights from Russian cities. With a consistent increase in passenger traffic and air traffic congestion, a proposal to introduce a second airport in Mopa has been granted a green signal. Mopa Airport is set to complete construction by 2022 and will see flight operations soon.

About Goa Airport terminals

Currently, Dabolim Airport accommodates two terminals for domestic and international flight operations. Terminal 1 handles all flight activities for domestic airlines. Meanwhile, Terminal 2 takes care of international flight operations ranging from landing to take off. The domestic terminal covered an area of 21,527 square feet and was constructed in 1983 while the international terminal came into existence in 1996, covering an area of 10,763 square feet. However, with a tremendous increase in passenger congestion and air traffic, the airport constructed an integrated terminal building to cater to both domestic as well as international passengers. The same was opened in 2013 with extensive features.

The design and layout of the building are aesthetic which comprises of glass and large steel span structures along with frameless glazing. The integrated terminal sprawls across 36,000 square metres and has been designed to accommodate five million passengers in a year. The terminal is also equipped with eight aerobridges. Some of the outstanding features of the terminal include an in-line baggage scanning system, 75 check-in counters, 22 immigration counters for departures, 18 immigration counters for arrivals and a total of 14 security check counters. The check-in counters are located on the ground floor, while the first floor has security checks. Following the installation of the new integrated terminal building, the old ones have been closed.

About Airport Authority

Dabolim Airport is currently being operated under the Airports Authority of India. The government statutory body which falls under the Ministry of Aviation has worked tirelessly towards enhancing the structure of Goa Airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone several upgradations and modernisation. All the expansion projects have been undertaken by the Airports Authority of India. This includes funding and management decisions concerning the projects. Under the AAI, the airport renewed its terminal building into an integrated one that would cater to accommodating international and domestic activities. Some of their works also include installation of the multi-level car parking facility to enable parking of about 570 cars along with parking bays for aircraft. They have also asked for the Indian Navy and the State Government to help them acquire lands to expand the aprons and the older international terminal building space.

The airport is spread across 1,700 acres of land and also accommodates a civil enclave of 35 acres. On a daily basis, Dabolim Airport witnesses about 180 flights with a large concentration of passenger traffic between 1 PM to 9 PM on weekdays. The airport is supposed to function between the slated time slot during weekdays for civilian as it has some naval restrictions. The military requires flight training activities to continue during a specific time period and hence follows the specified rules throughout the year.

As the airport is jointly operated by the Indian Navy and the Airports Authority of India, the two parties entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2017, to construct a full-length parallel taxi track that would be suitable to accommodate aircraft like Boeing 747. Both parties will share the construction cost. For the expansion project, Dabolim Airport also received environmental clearance in 2018. The project has been divided into three phases and is set to be completed in a scheduled manner. The first phase of the airport was completed in 2019, which resulted in an increase in the runway's capacity from 15 air traffic activities in an hour to 18-20 air traffic movements per hour.

Facilities at the Goa Airport

Lounge – Goa Airport has a VIP lounge that only caters to travellers with specific access passes or ticket types.

WiFi – Dabolim Airport offers free WiFi services to everyone. There are no restrictions as such. The same good speed can be availed at the common lounge as well as VIP lounges too.

ATMs and currency exchange – As it is an international airport, provisions for currency exchanges and ATMs are also present at Dabolim Airport. You will receive decent exchange rates for the currency exchange. Further, you can also transfer money to your overseas accounts.

Baby care facilities – The airport has reserved special rooms for baby care. These rooms are well-lit and have all the necessary items to cater to a baby and a new mother's comfort. A cosy chair, as well as a changing table, is also available in the baby care room. Plus, the room is private and only allows mothers with babies to enter.

Restaurants – Some many restaurants and cafes are present in the premise of Dabolim Airport. These restaurants majorly have Goan cuisine. However, there are continental, and other global cuisines also present in the airport. As you wait for boarding, indulging in food could be a good way to kill time.

Medical services – The airport has a dedicated team of medical experts that clock in 24/7. Along with professionals, Dabolim Airport also has a room reserved for doctors to take the emergency cases to. These rooms are well-equipped with basic first aid kits and medical facilities. A paramedic is also present in the airport vicinity.

Spa - A dedicated spa service is available at both the terminals of Dabolim Airport. If there are any flight delays or you have enough time in hand, you can avail their excellent spa services.

Top airlines flying from Goa Airport

Many domestic airlines are operating from Goa Airport. These include AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet and Vistara. These airlines have flights connecting Dabolim Airport to major cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mysore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Amritsar, Srinagar, Varanasi, Kochi, Lucknow, Nashik, Surat, Madurai, Hubli, Guwahati, Coimbatore and more. In terms of international flights that operate from Goa Airport, these include Air Arabia, Oman Air and Qatar Airways. They connect to cities such as Muscat, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait City and more. The airport also accommodates seasonal airlines such as TUI Airways, Air Ukraine and Thomas Cook Airlines during peak season as the demand for the state is quite high in terms of tourism.

How to reach Goa Airport

Reaching Goa Airport is quite convenient, even though it is in the outskirts of the city. Passengers can take buses, taxi cabs and trains as well to reach any part of the state.

By Bus and taxi cabs

With respect to buses, the city of Vasco da Gama is only 4 km away. Several public buses can be taken to reach Goa Airport. The closes stop to the airport is Chicalim bus stop, which is located about 1.5 km apart. Many public buses run by the state are connected to Vasco da Gama. From the city of Vasco da Gama, you can always take taxi services to reach Goa Airport. Provisions of local mini-buses are also available to the airport from Vasco da Gama and Chicalim. Similarly, taxi cab services are available within the city. The city of Goa has its mobile app to book prepaid taxis and vehicles to smooth the process of travelling within the state and reaching Dabolim Airport. The government is also working towards constructing a 6-lane expressway that would make connections to the airport easier from major cities in Goa. Similarly, a monorail system is also being proposed.

By Rail

Dabolim has a railway station going by the same name. It is the nearest station from Goa Airport. You can take the train service to reach Dabolim Airport from various parts of Goa such as Tivim in North Goa, Ponda and Margao in South Goa. The railway station is quite in proximity to the airport and is hence, considered to be one of the cheap and affordable options to reach Goa Airport.