Budget Trip to Goa – Perfect Plan

Most of us have made a plan to visit Goa with our friends at least once, and it is entirely possible that the plan never saw the light of the day!

Although there is no shortage of hotels and homestay facilities in the coastal state, not everyone has a budget to afford these and more often than not; these trips end up just being a dream.

But not this time, you could actually plan a trip soon to Goa without burning a hole in your pocket.

1.  Travel Smart – Lets Bounce

Smart travel can minimize your trip cost majorly. If it is off season, do take a flight as it may be just like a train fare, else take these,

For a faster travel, try reaching one of the metropolitan cities and then taking a train (speedy ones like Rajdhani and Shatabdi preferably) from there as they are more frequent, under-budget and comfortable for a journey down to GOA. 

Here is a list of the trains you can take:

From MUMBAI: 

·      10103 Mandovi Express, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, 7:10am to Mandagon, 6:45pm

·      10111 Konkankanya Express leaves at 11:05pm and reaches at 10:45am. Prices for both: 1AC -2,590 rupees, 2A – 1,530 rupees. 3A – 1,060 rupees. SL – 390 rupees.

·      12051 Jan Shatabdi Express from Dadar Central to Madgaonwhich also runs every day. Buses run from Mumbai at INR 1200 per head. 

From BANGALORE: Take a Bus or Take Yesvantpur at 2.45PM on every Tuesdays and arrives at Vasco Da Gama Express, next day 6 AM.

From DELHI: The fastest trains being Goa Express, Rajdhani, Duranto, etc, you can choose as per your convenience. Fares for most trains on average range between INR 5,100 to INR 780 depending on the coach.

2.  Hire a Bike/Scooty – Its cool too 

Avoid renting a car or a jeep and opt a Scooty/bike for around Rs. 150 – 200. It is cheaper, convenient and cool. You will find the bike hire vendors everywhere, choose a good bike from a vendor nearby.  You take a bike ride to any place in Goa at any time. Just put the keys and start rolling.

3.  Accommodation – Choose wisely

When in Goa, you will hardly be in your rooms. You will always be out wandering at all the happening places. So choose accommodation wisely. Staying in Goa is not necessarily about the lavish views and casinos in your hotel. One can have a great time living in a hostel, an OYO room, an apartment or a shack. If you are in a group hire a small apartment that will cost you around Rs. 3000 to 6000. Then split costs. If 6+ people look for furnished flats for accommodation, which can be availed in 3k per day with 500 per head. Given the hyped nightlife of Goa, no one anyway stays indoors much. Try getting a good enough place to have a sound sleep and lodge your stuff and focus more on exploring the place. Stay in North Goa, around Baga, Anjuna, Arpora, here you get better deals.

4.  Go In Group – savings plus Fun

A group of 6 friends sounds perfect plan. You can split costs and can have maximum fun too. You save right from hiring a taxi to renting an apartment. Ordering variety of food also gets possible.

5.  Yummy food! – Low Cost

What is Goa without good food. Finding good food at a reasonable cost is not difficult in Goa. Try Fish Thali or any other thali, You will never go wrong. It has to be yumm. Still here are some options that I have tried.

VEGETARIAN – 

Cafe Tato, INR 140 per person,  Near Municipal Garden, Altinho, Panaji

Navtara, INR 60 per person, Candolim Rd, Naika Vaddo, Calangute

NON-VEGETARIAN

Viva Panjim, INR 150 per person, Fontainhas, Panjim,

Uncle John restaurant INR 120 per person, Lane next to Baga Deck, Baga road.

You can eat at shacks like Alex Beach Shack, Ryans Shack, Stringfellows Beach Shack, etc. Also, try the super cheap beach shacks in Upper North Goa in and around Morjim, Ashwem or Arambol area. 

Also given that you’re on a budget trip, try carrying ready to eat foods with you like Maggi, Cup Noddles, Chips, Namkeen, etc. Its fun to eat these when chilling with friends.

6.  Drink! Drank! Drunk!

Alcohol at a place like Goa where Beer is cheaper than water, you’ve got to sip in some liquids, Some more too!  Try and consume alcohol from the wine shops mainly. Kings beer is available for Rs 35-40 (this is the best). Rate goes to 60-80 at shacks and restaurants. When going for clubbing, get drunk before you enter. You can just top it up there.

7.  Party Like an Animal

When in the party capital of the country, party like an animal. Check out todays deal and enter. Most of the party places have cut prices. Take advantage. Drink hard before you enter to minimize on drinks cost inside. Dance out the devil in you. Enjoy!

·      Top gear pub
LOCATION: Panaji, Goa
TIMINGS: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
6:30 PM – 12:00 AM
PRICE: ₹600 for two
Do try their Chilli Chicken

·      The Golden Rooster
LOCATION: Porvorim, Goa
TIMINGS: Tue To Sun: 12:00 am-12:00 am
Monday closed
PRICE: ₹400 for one
Do try their Wines

·      Club 9 bar
LOCATION: Anjuna, North Goa
TIMINGS: 24 hours
PRICE: ₹1000 for two
They are famous for their psychedelic music

8.  Water Sports – Give it a shot

Spend good two days in Baga, Anjuna, Calanguate area and do watersports Check the cheapest water sports around 1000 per person for paragliding and other water activities. If you don’t like watersports much, atleast try banana boat ride with your friends and ask the incharge that you want a dip in the sea. He will give you a perfect ride and an exciting roll in the sea. All the Best!

Your Goa trip should cost you around 8000 per person for a 4 days trip, isn’t it perfect for a heart full of Fun and rejuvenation?

You know to write a leave application. Don’t you?