I have long dreamed of flying to Goa... Arriving at Dabolim airport, I was even a little surprised: control and baggage claim took a minimum amount of time. Especially when compared with the registration that was waiting for me on the way back.

Believe it or not, I, like all other tourists, had to go through 5 circles of hell. In fact, registration with all the checks, introscopes, queues dragged on for 3 hours! Nerves, emotions... There were no traces of rest at the time of getting on the plane.

Since the airport is a military one, security checks are strict here. I passed a similar check only at the Sharma airport. Just imagine, in order to enter the air harbor, you must present a ticket. Here is the first line. Otherwise, there is no way to enter the territory. The next, like a familiar procedure: transillumination of luggage. Well, there is only one device at the entrance. I had to stand a kilometer-long queue in order to get a special sticker for things. Without it, I assure you, luggage will not be accepted! As for registration, then with this more or less. Visa control, and generally passed not noticeably. At this stage, I exhaled, but in vain. It turns out that dessert was waiting for me - inspection of hand luggage and me. Friends, I stood in line for more than an hour. This is something! I didn't like the airport

• work organization;
• the need to arrive at the airport in advance;
• not split queues;
• lack of pointers.

And finally, if you suddenly decide to have a bite to eat at the airport, be prepared to pay a 10% service charge.

Overview of Dabolim Airport in Goa

Location: the Indian airport of the state of Goa "Dabolim" is located in the area of ​​the village of the same name, 30 km from Panji (the capital of GOA). The old name of the airport, Vasco da Gama, is often used. Passenger turnover - about 4 million people a year. Many cities in the state can be reached from Dabolim by regular bus. There are two terminals (domestic and international), a bus also runs between them. Duty Free at the airport is one of the cheapest in the world. Internet at the airport - paid WiFi. It is possible to get into the airport building no earlier than 4 hours before departure (ticket is presented).

Phrasebooks for a trip to Goa

When traveling to India, where Hindi and English are spoken, the following phrasebooks may be useful to the traveler:

Memo and Documents for India

Before visiting India, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the tourist memo, we strongly recommend that you do this for those who visit this country for the first time.

During a flight to India or at the Goa airport, tourists are usually required to fill out a migration card, a sample of which can be downloaded and studied in advance.

Goa's only international airport in India is called Dabolim. This is the gateway to the famous Indian state for tourists and travelers, they fly here from all over the world on charter and scheduled planes to relax and have fun.

This is a rather old airport, it was built in the distant 50s of the last century. In those days, the state of Goa was a Portuguese colony, did not belong to India. A decade later, Dabolim in Goa was occupied by the Indian Armed Forces and is today owned by the military.

For several decades, the authorities of the state, located on the eastern shore of the beautiful Arabian Sea, which has an excellent climate and unique beaches, have chosen the tourism industry as the main direction of its development.

Dabolim on the map of Goa

Technical features of Dabolim Airport in Goa

Civil flights arrive at Goa airport and depart from it from 13:00 in the afternoon to 08:00 in the morning. The rest of the time there are exercises at a military airfield. This is too short a time for a peaceful harbor, and the passengers feel uncomfortable.

A few years ago, to unload the airport in Goa, an additional international terminal was built on its territory for tourists and guests of the state, but it did not completely solve the problem of passenger traffic.

Dabolim Airport has one runway (runway) with a length of almost 3,500 m. It is built over the Arabian Sea, and such an arrival in fabulous India brings tourists complete amazement and delight.

There is a scoreboard on the official website of the airport, you can use it at any time to find out the flight schedule, what time it takes to check in, etc. Prepare mentally in advance for the prospect of long lines.

Baggage check

At the Goa airport in India, all luggage is subject to a thorough check. It goes through the scanner. All checked things are tied with a plastic ribbon for safety, until baggage is received at another airport, it cannot be opened.

Gorgeous Goa is the best resort in the country. More than 40 beautiful beaches are at the service of tourists. This is a separate state, which is divided into Northern and Southern parts. South Goa is the home of wealthy tourists. Even by the standards of India, resting here is very, very expensive. The northern part of the state is for tourists who want to relax on a more modest budget.

Like any large resort area, it has its own airport complex. What airport do you fly into for Goa? It's called Dabolim. This is the only terminal complex in Goa where travelers arrive. With him begins acquaintance with this state of India.

It is focused on receiving both regular and flights. Airport name Goa (India) - Dabolim - he received the name of the village, next to which it is located.

Most of the passengers are foreigners, as the locals cannot afford to travel on.

The airport on the map of Goa is a small complex. It is also used for military purposes. The Indian Air Force fighters are based here.

Most of the charters land here. About 700 planes a year land here. Peak hours are morning and evening. At this time, charter flights from Russia and usually arrive.

Airport history

Now that you know where Dabolim Airport is on the map of Goa, let's talk about its history. It was built by the Portuguese, during that period of Indian history when the country was under the rule of foreigners.

It dates from the 50s. It was the main airfield for local airlines that operated flights to different parts of the country. In 1961 military annexation of Goa by India. This caused it to be bombarded by Indian fighters.

Dabolim airport.

In 1962 he completely passed into the hands of the Indians. The pioneers of the Goa resort were hippies. They got here by train, bus and in every possible way, since it was not yet operational.

Four years later the runway was repaired, allowing Air India to resume operations.

In the entire history of the airport, only two plane crashes.
In 2014 A new terminal was built, where the two Dabolim terminals entered.

terminal complex

Goa International Airport is from two terminals located in the same terminal building. You can't expect a high level of service here. Get ready for high prices and the fact that the locals will try to rip you off to the last thread. The information on the scoreboard should also not be particularly trusted - it comes with a noticeable delay.

Airport map.

The zones for departure abroad are A, B and C. Other 5 zones- for local flights.

On the territory of the airport, you can rent a car, go to the mother and child room if you come with your beloved child, or relax in a special room for transit passengers.

How to get from the airport to the resorts of Goa?

Goa airport of arrival from Moscow is located between the northern and southern parts of the state. From the capital of the state - the city of Panaji - it is 30 km. To get to any resort, you can choose a taxi or a bus.

By taxi

At the exit from the airport you can order a taxi. This can be done at any hour of the day. Be sure to bargain with the driver, as the fare can be very expensive for you.

To save on the trip, you can chip in with other tourists who will be with you along the way.

By bus

They run irregularly and to a narrow number of cities in the state. Another disadvantage is that the bus can be simply crowded with locals. Therefore, it makes sense to take a taxi.

The airport of the Indian state of Goa is located near the village of Dabolim, which is why it was called by that name. On the map of India, this is the smallest region of the country. It is located in the middle between the resorts of the southern and northern coasts, 29 km from the main city of Panaji.

History of development

The first terminal was built in 1950 when the area was a Portuguese colony. After India's struggle for independence in 1962, the political map of the country has changed, and the airport has passed to the Indian military. It is currently part of the Hansa base.

When in the 1960s the first hippie travelers reached Goa, the need arose for the development of this region, and the first hotels began to be built. The state authorities chose which airport tourists could fly to and agreed with the military to use the Dabolim terminal for peaceful purposes. In 1966 The first civilian flight arrived in Goa, India.

Now Goa Dabolim Airport already consists of two terminals, one of which serves domestic flights, and the new one, opened in March 2014, receives international flights. The main passengers of Dabolim Airport are tourists of international scheduled and charter flights. The airport's runway is 2,393 meters long and rests on the sea coast and the beach, which makes takeoff and landing very unusual.

Contacts

Airport code:

• international IATA - GOI;
• ICAO-VOGO.

Goa airport address: 403801, Dabolim, Vasco da Gama, Goa, India.

Contact phones for communication: +91 832 540 806.

The official website of Goa Airport is www.goanairport.com.

There is little useful information on the site, with the exception of an online scoreboard where you can check the arrival and departure of flights.

Opening hours: until 08 am and from 12 noon.

It is important to know in advance at what time the planes arrive, because. in the morning hours from 09 to 12 only military sorties are carried out, and the rest of the time is allocated for civil aviation. Often, passengers arriving at Dabolim Airport are forced to queue for passport control upon arrival, because. two or three planes landed one after the other due to this limitation in the operation of the airport. Flights from Russia arrive in Goa at night or early in the morning.

Ticket check-in and baggage handling at the airport starts 3 hours before the flight departure.

Important! You must have your passport and air ticket with you. Since Dabolim Airport is primarily a military facility, at the entrance each passenger is checked for a printed document in English, in extreme cases, a scan on a smartphone / tablet confirming the flight. They won't let you inside without it.

parking

Near the terminal there is a parking lot and multi-level car parking for 570 cars. Parking for 2 hours is INR 85 (approximately USD 1.5). Taxis and tourist buses park in front of the airport building.

How to get to Goa airport

The main flow of passengers who arrive in Goa are tourists. They are met by host Indian companies and taken by bus to their hotels.

There is an official taxi stand at the airport. The cost of the trip depends both on the distance of the trip and on the availability of air conditioning in the car. Prices and cities are indicated on the yellow board. For example, from the airport to Calangute beach (43 km) a taxi will cost $12 and with air conditioning - $14, to the Colva resort, respectively - $7-8, to hotels on Varca beach - $10-12. Payment is made through machines in rupees.

It is better for tourists not to use public transport, because. it is not intended for moving with luggage, and its routes are not connected with the main resorts, you will have to make several transfers. There is no schedule as such. The bus from the airport goes to the city of Vasco da Gama, then you can get to Panaji, and from there to the resort villages.

In addition, in the village of Dabolim, 1 km from the airport, there is a railway station. Trains go to Mumbai and Delhi. But it is important to keep in mind that Indian train travel is very specific.

You can also rent a car at the airport, but due to the chaotic and unpredictable traffic on Indian roads, it is better to take a taxi.

Airport map

The new international terminal is a two-story building with departure and arrival halls, a flight board, ticket offices and small souvenir shops.

Airport Services

Luggage packing

The baggage wrapping counter is located in the international terminal. For the safety of things, as well as to avoid contamination and damage to suitcases, it is better to wrap the luggage with a protective film. The cost is about 300 rupees (approximately $5).

Important! Lighters are not allowed in checked baggage. During the inspection, they are always required to be taken out and left.

Luggage storage

There is no luggage storage service at Goa Airport.

Room for mother and child

Dabolim Airport provides conditions for passengers with children. The new international terminal has a room where parents can take care of the baby.

Currency exchange

You can change money at the currency exchange offices located in the departure and arrival areas.

VIP room

There is no VIP Lounge at Dabolim Airport

WiFi

There is paid wi-fi at the Goa airport. To use it, you need to connect to the TataIndicom network.

Meals at the airport

You can have a snack before the flight in a small cafe, which is located in the international terminal, or buy snacks from the snack machine.

Airport Hotels

The nearest hotels are located 1.5 km from the airport near the Bogmalo beach. It offers tourists Coconut Creek Resort 3 *, Bogmalo Beach 3 * and numerous private apartments.

Served airlines

You can fly to Goa airport by charter during the season (autumn - winter - spring), by regular flights of international airlines that fly all year round, and by Indian airlines from major cities of the country daily.

The main airlines with regular schedules for Goa are Emirates from Dubai, Qatar Airways from Doha and Air Arabia from Sharjah. European carriers send their passengers on joint flights with the Indian airline Jet Airways India.

When the tourist season opens, usually in late October - early November, several airlines operate charter flights from Russia. Each year their list may change depending on the agreement with the tour operators. Usually these are Azur Air, Royal Flight or a / c Russia.

Air India and small local charter carriers fly to the major airports of Mumbai and Delhi several times a day.

India is becoming an increasingly popular country for a beach holiday; the flow of tourists to Goa resorts is growing every year. Of all the international flights that land at Dabolim, thirty percent of the planes come from Russia. With the advent of the new terminal, arrivals and departures have become more comfortable.

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