Indian Railways connects Goa with direct train services from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Kochi, Kolkata, Thiruvanantapuram, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. The destination station is usually Madgaon in South Goa. Travelling to Goa by train is a real pleasure as the route passes through greenery and many tunnels. Goa is also connected to Pune via the Belgaum Miraj line. A railway station most tourists tend to miss is Thivim, which is served by most trains and is just 20 minutes away from Calangute beach by taxi. For budget travellers, this is the cheapest option, along with being faster and much more comfortable than travelling by road. It is advisable for tourists to make reservations well in advance as the major trains (Konkan Kanya, Nethravati Express, etc.) are usually heavily booked.
Trains from Mumbai and most other places have a quota of seats set aside for tourists. Quota tickets must be purchased in person at the rail station by the tourist and cannot be booked via a travel agent. Note that quota tickets are only sold at the station of origin. Tickets can be booked online
Unless traveling on a shoestring budget, it is advisable to
travel in air conditioned sleeper coaches. These are quieter and much
more comfortable. Each bunk is provided with two freshly laundered
sheets, a blanket, and a pillow. You can also have a hand towel on
request.
Most travel agents will book tickets for a small fee (₹200), but be aware that trains do get busy and you need to book in advance. Do not leave booking your ticket to the last moment as you may be disappointed.
- Thivim Railway station: This station is approx. 48 Kms
from the airport, 19 Kms from Baga beach, 18 Kms from Calangute beach,
20 Kms from Candolim beach, 27 Kms from Margao, 48 Kms from Vasco Da
Gama, and 22 Kms from Panaji. The station offers many facilities, such
as computerized reservation office, waiting room, tea and book stall,
parking area, general store, and telephone booth.
The station is located on the Madgaon Sawantwadi rail route. It is well connected with major trains such as Konkan Kanya Express, Dadar Madgaon Jan Shatabdi Express, Ernakulam Okha Express, and Mandavi Express.
- Vasco Railway Station: It is one of the main railway
stations of Goa. It is approx 4 Kms from the airport, 1 Km from St
Andrews church, 8 Kms from Naval aviation museum, 18 Kms from Velsao
beach, 9 Kms from Bogmalo beach, and 30 Kms from Panaji. The station is
very well connected to Hospet, Belgaum, Hyderabad, and Hubli by meter
gauge rail. Moreover, this station is connected by most of the trains
running to Goa, such as Vasco Da Gama Chennai Express, Vasco Da Gama
Kacheguda Express, Goa Express, Londa Vasco Da Gama Express, Vijaywada
vasco Da Gama, and many more. You can easily get a cab and private buses
from the station. Many hotels and resorts are sited close to this
station. The station offers amenities such as retiring room,
computerized reservation office, waiting room, information centre,
telephone booth, book and tea stall, etc.
- Margo Railway Station: It is located just 2 Kms east of
the city center. It is approx. 28 Kms from the airport, 10 Kms from
Colva beach, 32 Kms from Vasco Da Gama, 15 Kms from Majorda beach, 38
Kms form Panaji, and 37 Kms from Christian Art museum. It is one of the
crowded railway stations of Goa. The station offers many amenities, such
as retiring room, waiting room, computerized reservation office, air
conditioned lounge, tourist information centre, refreshment room for
both vegetarian and non vegetarian food, book stall, tea stall, mobile
trolley, telephone booth, general store, ice cream parlor, cyber cafe,
and parking area.
The station is under the administrative control of the Konkan Railways. Some of the main trains that pass through this station are Dadar Madgaon Jan Shatabdi Express, Goa Sampark Kranti Express, Goa Express, Konkan Kanya Express, Mandavi Express, Hapa Express, and Netravathi Express. The station is close to Kadamba bus stand. There are many hotels and resorts in the close vicinity that offer comfortable stay to tourists.
Including these three, there are many other railway
stations in Goa, such as Karmali Railway station, Panjim Railway
station, Curchorem Railway station, Canacona Railway station, and
Cansaulim Railway station.
