[ninjatalli]

Has anyone traveled to Goa via the new airport in Mopa (North Goa)? Heard stories of atrocious cab charges (at government mandated rates) as the airport is quite far away from the beaches (and the main city).

[RM Motorsports]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Has anyone traveled to Goa via the new airport in Mopa (North Goa)? Heard stories of atrocious cab charges (at government mandated rates) as the airport is quite far away from the beaches (and the main city).

A friend traveled but he had rented a car so the car was delivered at the Airport.

However I have heard cab rates from Mopa to south Goa are equivalent to BOM-GOI airfares.




But they have started Airport EV buses to close-by places.

[am1m]

How a group of taxi operators supported by (and in turn supporting) local politicians can hold the entire tourism sector of a state like Goa hostage to their whims is going to be a case study someday for tourism-study/degree courses.

It's been obvious for a long time that Goa has a public transport issue and the problem is the taxi drivers. The solution is pretty obvious- allow more competition and the normal app-based taxi aggregators and also run more local buses.

But the government depends on support from local politicians. In a state where assembly election victories can be with margins as low as a 100 votes, the local politicians have no choice but to serve the interests of the taxi unions who vote for those who will allow them to continue their extortionate ways.

Goa tourism is going to have to realize that the costs and inconveniences associated with visiting the state are just increasing each year. Without a corresponding rise in the tourist experience, quite the opposite in fact. The resorts might have gotten fancier, but the beaches they face have gotten noisier, dirtier, and more polluted. Sooner or later people are going to realize that beach destinations in Karnataka, Kerala, or Maharashtra, or even nearby SE-Asian countries are much better value for money. At least the family and higher-value tourists will go that way and Goa risks being left with the drunken-all-male-groups and casino tourists.

[Aditya]

Atrocious fares for booking cab from Mopa airport (Goa) - Posts moved to a new thread.

[snr]

We had the shock of our lives last month when we went to Goa for a short vacation. Luckily we drove down from Bangalore. The first evening we decided to take a taxi since we were going out for a party where alcohol was going to be involved. We walked close to a km to find someone to take us to our destination. We ended up shelling out 1200 bucks for a 6km drive

The way back was a bigger nightmare as it was quite late in the night (around 1am) with nobody willing to take us back to our hotel. Regretted not taking our car. Finally around 1:35am we found someone who agreed to drop us back and we happily paid him 2000, though he asked for 1800.

Never again are we ever doing this!

[h3mnzu]

We went to Benaulim and after a week or so of exploring the quietness, decided to get a self drive. It was cheap, and the guy ended up being our friend and well-wisher as his brothers were in a band singing at our resort and also nearby on weekend days. On some days they'd be singing only for us, even on our walks to the beach! We stayed at Fairfield by Marriott.

South of Goa was already far (and suffered from constant construction/upgrading roads and infrastructure). It's definitely a disappointment for those who would try to justify their expenses. However, once you reach somewhere, look out for the rental shops and self-drive cabs, which are one of the reasons many visitors take taxis only twice, on arrival and departure, which has forced the local (mafia) folks to settle and be adamant on such high fares. During the holiday rush, definitely you'll not want to drive, or even cycle without safety gear! They know it. Also, a bus ride to a party and back doesn't make sense, unless you stay at a prominent location and visit only the select few beaches on the main routes.

The least they could do is try lower fares for solo/couple pax, who they can simply figure out at the arrival points. The fares, though quite high, make sense only for a troupe/entourage.

[bordeaux]

Goa is one of the least value for money destinations in India and the mafia attitude of taxi drivers make it worse. Even though friends/wife keep pushing me for Goa, I just prefer flying out to Thailand or other South East Asian countries and it still turns out the nearly same cost and a much better experience. Goa is a no go(a) for me.

[sanjayrozario]

For Goa, it's best if one drives his/her own vehicle or hires a self-drive vehicle. Self-drive vehicles are way cheaper as compared to the notorious taxi mafias

[vredesbyrd]

OT: Why rent a taxi for Rs. 5,000 when I can get myself a Fortuner 2.8 4WD AT for Rs. 6,000 a day?

[Agarwaka]

Originally Posted by am1m

Sooner or later people are going to realize that beach destinations in Karnataka, Kerala, or Maharashtra, or even nearby SE-Asian countries are much better value for money. At least the family and higher-value tourists will go that way and Goa risks being left with the drunken-all-male-groups and casino tourists.

I agree with this. Had the option of spending 10 days over the new year's and a stay in KL & Bali (Hilton, Hyatt) was reasonably cheaper than options at similar hotels in Goa (including airfare).

[richie4u]

Being from the sunny state of Goa itself, I am terribly ashamed of our public transportation system and what's even more shameful is that we call ourselves a tourist friendly state.

Goa does have a taxi service which is crude but similar to the OLA and Uber services we call it "Goa Miles" the app is available on your respective app store. I sincerely suggest you use the same when you land in Goa. It isn't exactly cheaper but much better then getting exorbitantly fleeced so much where'd you wish you never came here again.

Secondly, for those who wish to travel to the quieter area of Goa please book tickets to Dabolim Airport,Goa also known as GOI so that you are closer towards south Goa. The rest who like to party and wish to travel up north can stick to the new airport -MOPA also known as GOX

Unless the taxi union and the Government realise the self harm their stubborn attitude is causing them , the tourist friendly tag is going to be omitted real soon from Goa


P.S. Saw many replies from fellow bhpians who were stranded in Goa for the same issue. Next time please feel free to DM me so that I can share my contact for any local help/advise you guys need in Goa. Happy to help.

[drive2eternity]

We had a good experience just 2 days back. A sedan cab from Mopa airport to Candolim was charged at 1500/-. I can share the number if anyone wants, reliable person. Just DM me.

[RunGaDa]

In December went to Goa by car. We rented a villa and colleagues from my wife’s co. also stayed. On Sunday two ladies from our group got late for company event. It was 1:30am. Despite trying for 1 hour they did not get a taxi. Finally they called me. It was just 7kms. We happily picked them. However it shows that any place must have standard rules for public services.
How else do we make places of tourism inviting to outsiders within India and from abroad?
Some kind of strict measures have to be there and it should be standard rates.

[NiInJa]

Fares aside, the distance between Mopa airport and south Goa is a good 100 km, I would rather stick to the old international airport at Dabolim (near Vasco) if I have to go to the relatively peaceful side of Goa.

In my opinion, roaming in Goa without your own car/two-wheeler is simply a bad idea. Even hiring a broken scooter during peak season is similar to paying an EMI for your car. It creates traffic problem but if that is what Goa administration wants, who are we to say anything?

[AppyS]

Originally Posted by richie4u

Being from the sunny state of Goa itself, I am terribly ashamed of our public transportation system and what's even more shameful is that we call ourselves a tourist friendly state.

Goa does have a taxi service which is crude but similar to the OLA and Uber services we call it "Goa Miles" the app is available on your respective app store. I sincerely suggest you use the same when you land in Goa. It isn't exactly cheaper but much better then getting exorbitantly fleeced so much where'd you wish you never came here again.

Used this on my travels in December, Dabolim to Baga in a hatchback was 1200 on avg. approximately for both to and fro, quite decent compared to the fleecing that happens otherwise. Just minor issues like cash payment not working sometimes and you having to load the money in wallet etc. Still better than being decimated by the taxi mafia.