Travel to Goa by train - Mumbai, Delhi and the Konkan Railway

The train is one of the nicest ways to reach Goa — the Konkan Railway that connects Mumbai to Mangalore runs through the Sahyadris and the Konkan coast, crossing dozens of bridges and tunnels with sea, river and ghats visible most of the way. From Mumbai it is an overnight or a day trip; from Delhi a longer two-night journey.

This page covers the practical detail. Schedules and fares change — confirm on IRCTC (https://www.irctc.co.in) before booking. See our How to make train reservations online in India and How to buy train tickets without a local Indian mobile phone for the booking process.

Goa railway stations

Goa has four main passenger stations. Pick the one closest to where you are staying.

• Madgaon (MAO) — the principal station; serves South Goa (Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim, Palolem). About 1 km from Margao town centre.
• Karmali (KRMI) — small station near Old Goa, the closest stop for central and north Goa beaches (Candolim, Calangute, Baga). About 12 km from Panjim.
• Thivim (THVM) — station for the far north Goa beaches (Anjuna, Vagator, Morjim, Arambol). About 21 km from Panjim.
• Vasco da Gama (VSG) — terminus near Dabolim airport; convenient if you are continuing by air or staying close to Vasco.

Most fast trains from outside Goa terminate or stop at Madgaon. The ones that continue beyond Madgaon (towards Mangalore on the Konkan Railway, or towards Vasco) also stop at Karmali and Thivim — useful for north-Goa hotels.

Mumbai to Goa

Mumbai is the most popular jumping-off point for Goa by train. Most services leave from Mumbai CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) or Mumbai LTT (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus), with a few from Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus.

Day trains (the scenic option)

• Vande Bharat Express (introduced on this route in 2023) — the fastest service: Mumbai CSMT to Madgaon and onward, with stops at Thane, Panvel, Ratnagiri, Kankavli, Thivim, Karmali. Typical run-time around 8 hours, AC chair-car and executive-chair classes only. Operates most days of the week (check the running days for your date on IRCTC).
• Tejas Express — premium daytime service, Mumbai CSMT to Karmali, AC chair car and executive chair, around 8½ hours. Includes meal service.
• Jan Shatabdi Express — long-running daytime service, Mumbai CSMT to Madgaon, AC chair car and second-class seating. Typical run-time around 9 hours.

Daytime trains are the picturesque option — you see the ghats, the rivers and the coast. Sit on the right side going south for the best sea views.

Overnight trains

• Konkan Kanya Express — leaves CSMT in the late evening and arrives in Madgaon early the next morning; sleeper, 3-tier, 2-tier and 1AC.
• Mandovi Express — daytime / evening departure depending on the schedule; same set of classes.
• Mumbai LTT–Madgaon services — additional weekly trains from LTT.

If you want the train to be your bed for the night, the overnight options are the cheapest way down. If you want to enjoy the scenery, take Vande Bharat, Tejas or Jan Shatabdi by day instead.

Delhi to Goa

Direct trains from Delhi to Goa are limited because of the long distance — most journeys involve two nights.

• Goa Sampark Kranti Express — runs from Hazrat Nizamuddin via Mathura, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai (without stopping at the main Mumbai stations), Ratnagiri to Madgaon. Around 27 hours. Sleeper plus 3AC, 2AC, 1AC.
• Goa Express — runs from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Vasco da Gama via Bhopal, Pune and Madgaon. Around 40 hours end-to-end (Madgaon comes about 38 hours in). Sleeper plus 3AC, 2AC, 1AC.

Most foreign visitors fly Delhi to Goa rather than take the train end-to-end — there are direct flights of about 2½ hours for not much more than the cost of a 1AC train ticket. The train makes more sense if you want to break the journey at Mumbai or want the experience itself.

Classes and fares (rough guide)

Indian Railways uses standard class codes. Approximate fares run in this rough order from cheapest to most expensive:

• 2S / Second seating — cheapest; only on day trains like Jan Shatabdi.
• CC / AC Chair Car — air-conditioned seating on day trains (Vande Bharat, Tejas, Jan Shatabdi).
• EC / Executive Chair Car — premium seating on Vande Bharat / Tejas.
• SL / Sleeper — non-AC overnight berth; basic but the budget option.
• 3A — 3-tier air-conditioned berth.
• 2A — 2-tier air-conditioned berth, more privacy and space.
• 1A — 1st-class AC, most comfortable, two-berth or four-berth cabins.

Fares change with the year, the train, the class and the dynamic-fare system on premium trains. Check IRCTC for the actual fare on your travel date.

Foreign Tourist Quota and booking

Foreign passport holders can book up to 365 days in advance under the Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ) on most trains, including the Konkan Railway services to Goa. FTQ seats are released first and are often the only confirmed seats available on popular weekends. Book online through IRCTC (set the nationality on your account profile correctly) or in person at the International Tourist Bureaus in Mumbai CSMT or New Delhi.

If you are booking from outside India and don't have an Indian mobile number, see our train ticket booking guide for the workaround. Booking opens at 08:00 IST 60 days before the date of journey for the general quota.

Tips for the journey

• Book early. Goa weekends — particularly the Christmas / New Year fortnight and long weekends in November and February — sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. Have your search prefilled before 08:00 IST.
• Carry a small lock and chain for sleeper-class luggage; AC classes are safer but a habit worth keeping.
• Sit on the right going south (the sea side) on day trains.
• Food — Tejas and Vande Bharat include meals; Jan Shatabdi has a pantry car. Overnight trains have on-board catering of variable quality; carry water and snacks.
• Tatkal opens 24 hours before journey for last-minute travel; AC quotas open at 10:00 IST and non-AC at 11:00 IST.
• Airport transfer — Madgaon to Dabolim Airport is around 30 km (45 minutes) by taxi; Karmali to Dabolim is similar. Pre-book a taxi if your train arrives at an awkward hour.

Related Goa pages

• Goa travel guide
• Travel to Goa by air
• Travel to Goa by bus
• Goa boat tours and cruises
• How to make train reservations online in India
• How to buy train tickets without a local mobile phone