How to Travel from Kochi to Goa
Goa, one of India’s popular holiday spots, is an exciting destination located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Once an important Portuguese colony, Goa is filled with an unending supply of sunshine and sea-kissed beaches. A popular stop among the international tourists, this Indian state has something to offer to its guests – be it relaxing at the beaches while sipping in refreshing mimosas or partying till the sun comes out.
Anyways, if you are at Kochi and have some days to spare from your India tour, then this Kochi to Goa travel guide can help you plan a short trip.
Kochi to Goa via Airways
There are several flights between Kochi and Goa; however, only a handful of direct flights are available. Among the Indian carriers, only Indigo provides direct services between Kochi to Goa. Usually, it takes around one hour and twenty minutes to complete the trip. The tickets cost around INR 2,500 but the ticket prices are subjected to change.
Departure airport: Cochin International Airport (COK)
Arrival airport: Goa International Airport (GOI)
Other Indian carriers providing services between:
• Air India
• AirAsia (India)
• SpiceJet
• Vistara
• GoAir
Kochi to Goa via Road
There are two routes to choose from for a road trip between Kochi to Goa:
1. Cochin-Coimbatore-Tumakuru- Chitradurga-Davanagere-Goa
Distance covered: 998 km / 620.12 miles
Time required: Around 21 hours
Halt at Tumkur
This route is probably the longest one and usually avoided by tourists. Passing the NH 544, this route passes through the beautiful Chitradurgawhich, which is the home to stunning historically significant Chandravalli Caves. Some other popular landmarks in the route are:
• Devarayanadurga Fort
• Bathi Gudda
• Devarayanadurga State Forest
• Eshwara Temple
• Shivaganga Hills
• Betur
2. Cochin-Kannur-Mangalore-Udupi-Murudeshwar-Goa
Distance covered: 770 km / 478.45 miles
Time required: Around 19 h 22 min
Halt at Kannur and Udupi
A favorite among the tourists, this Kochi to Goa road trip route running over the NH 66 gives you a chance to savor the beauty of the coastal Karnataka region. Some of the popular attractions you can come across this route are:
• Malpe beach
• Sita Falls
• Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Gomatheshwara Statue
• Jogi Gundi Falls
• Achakanya Falls
However, this route is under construction for some time, so navigation in this route might become a bit hassle for amateur travelers.
P.S: This route has toll gates.
There are no direct buses to Goa from Kochi, you have to come down to Bangalore and then take a bus from there. The entire trip would take around 22 hours to complete and the average cost of tickets might be around INR 1,500.
Detailed Guide for Bus Trip:
Board the bus from Kalamassery, Kochi at 9:20 am and get down from the bus at Ananda Rao Circle, Bangalore. Next board the bus from Kalasipalyam, Bangalore at 7:45 pm and by 9:45 am next morning, you will reach Margao Bus Terminal, Goa.
Some helpful tips for people taking a Kochi to Goa road trip:
1. Carry updated documents like car registration details and identification proofs during the road trip.
2. Pack essentials like food, water, medicines, and everything else to avoid emergencies.
3. Carry physical copies of maps, and fully charged power banks.
4. Also, carry sufficient change for tolls fee.
Kochi to Goa via Train
Train rides over the mesmerizing Western Ghats can be a pleasurable experience for many tourists. There are multiple trains between Kochi to Goa, and you can book your tickets from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website.
1. Rajdhani Express (12431)
Origin: Ernakulam Junction (ERS)
Destination: Madgaon (MAO)
Departs on: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Departure time: 19:15 (07:15 pm)
Travel duration: 11h 20min
Classes available: AC First Class (1A), AC 2 Tier (2AC), AC 3 Tier (3AC)
Ticket prices: AC First Class (1A) – INR 3,390.00; AC 2 Tier (2AC) – INR 2,765.00, AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 1,975.00
2. KCVL LTT SF Express (22114)
Origin: Ernakulam Town (ERN)
Destination: Madgaon (MAO)
Departs on: Monday and Thursday
Departure time: 00:35 (12:35 am)
Travel Duration: 12 hours and 5 minutes
Classes available: AC First Class (1A), AC 2 Tier (2AC), AC 3 Tier (3AC), Sleeper (SL)
Ticket prices: AC First Class (1A) – INR 2,620.00; AC 2 Tier (2AC) – INR 1,560.00; AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 1,105.00; Sleeper – INR 420.00
3. LTT GARIB RATH (12202)
Origin: Ernakulam Town (ERN)
Destination: Madgaon (MAO)
Departs on: Thursday and Sunday
Departure time: 08:50 (08:50 am)
Travel Duration: 12:20 hours
Classes available: AC 3 Tier (3AC), AC Chair Car (CC)
Ticket prices: AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 745.00; AC Chair Car (CC) – INR 650.00
Apart from these, there are few more Kochi to Goa trains:
4. Gimb Humsafar(19423)
Origin: Ernakulam Junction (ERS)
Destination: Madgaon (MAO)
Departs on: Thursday
Departure time: 14:45 (02:45 pm)
Travel Duration: 13 Hours
Classes available: AC 3 Tier (3AC),
Ticket prices: AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 1,790.00
5. MANGALA LDWEEP (12617)
Origin: Ernakulam Junction (ERN)
Destination: Madgaon (MAO)
Departs on: All Days
Departure time: 13:15 (01:15 pm)
Travel Duration: 13:45 hours
Classes available: AC 2 Tier (2AC), AC 3 Tier (3AC), Sleeper (SL)
Ticket prices: AC 2 Tier (2AC) – INR 1,560.00; AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 1,105.00; Sleeper (SL) – INR 420.00
6. Netravathi Express (16346)
Origin: Ernakulam Junction (ERS)
Destination: Madgaon (MAO)
Departs on: All Days
Departure time: 14:00 (02:00 pm)
Travel Duration: 14.5 hours
Classes available: AC 2 Tier (2AC), AC 3 Tier (3AC), Sleeper (SL)
Ticket prices: AC 2 Tier (2AC) - INR 1,510.00; AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 1,055.00; Sleeper (SL) – INR 390.00
7. Kcvl Bvc Express (19259)
Origin: Ernakulam Town (ERN)
Destination: Madgaon (MAO)
Departs on: Thursday
Departure time: 20:20 (08:20 pm)
Travel Duration: 14:45 hours
Classes available: AC 2 Tier (2AC), AC 3 Tier (3AC), Sleeper (SL)
Ticket prices: AC 2 Tier (2AC) - INR 1,510.00; AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 1,055.00; Sleeper (SL) – INR 390.00.
Additionally, there is Kochi to Goa ERS LTT Duronto Express (12224) originating at Ernakulam Junction (ERS) and stopping at Madgaon (MAO). The train departs on Wednesday and Sunday and takes around 11:15 hours.
• Classes available: AC First Class (1A), AC 2 Tier (2AC), AC 3 Tier (3AC), AC Chair Car (CC)
• Ticket prices: AC First Class (1A) – INR 3,390.00; AC 2 Tier (2AC) - INR 2,025.00; AC 3 Tier (3AC) – INR 1,460.00
Goa is an interesting holiday destination and has something to offer to its visitors. Usually, winters (November to February) are the most suitable time of the year for a perfect Goa trip. Wonderful weather, with a mild temperature and almost no humidity, make this season favorite among the tourist. However, Goa’s monsoons have their special charm and beauty – attracting tourists who want to avoid the crowd.
So, what is your waiting for? Just pack your bags, book your tickets for a magical journey.
Further Reading:
Goa Bus – Easy Guide for Road Travel in Goa
How to Travel from Bangalore to Goa
How to Travel from Chennai to Goa
How to Travel from Hyderabad to Goa
How to Travel from Indore to Goa
How to Travel from Mysore to Goa