‘Bhai Goa Chalte hai’ is probably the first word that comes out of your mouth. Extravagant beaches, attractive alcohol prices, and lots of fun – who doesn’t want to have a piece of that cake! With covid raging and lockdowns making our lives incredibly dull, we all dream of getting out of our home and chilling at an excellent cafe beside the white sandy beaches of Goa. But there are many things to consider before setting out for a trip, and one of the most important being budget. Your dream vacation at Goa won’t be very pleasantly memorable if it completely unhinges your budget, and you’ll likely be stressed throughout the holiday.
So are there any ways to enjoy the sandy beaches of Goa without worrying about the expensive flights, which are now even more costly, thanks to covid? Fortunately for you, there are. And in this article, we are going to walk you through just that. So let’s start.
The first thing we have to make sure of is how much time we have to choose our mode of transport. If time is of the essence, we must look for affordable flight routes and check the best deals and offers. If time can be spared, we can look forward to using the railways or the roadways. The flights are the fastest, and the railways are the slowest, but at the same time, flights are most expensive, and railways are the cheapest. Roadways are somewhere in the middle of both of these. Let’s analyze each of these correctly.
Let’s start with the railways. Railways can be the most convenient and the most affordable way to reach Goa from Noida. There are few direct trains and many connecting trains which can take us to our favorite holiday spot. There are around 5 to 6 direct trains currently running between Delhi to Goa. Trains are pretty cheap, considering the prices are less than half of what it would be on a plane. Also, boarding trains is a pretty convenient business. Plus, the experience of a flight journey can never match the experience of a long train journey. The beautiful views of the fields and the rivers, the slow breeze, and not to mention the interesting conversations with strangers who feel like friends by the end of the journey – all add to the joy of the vacation. With increasing cloud kitchens and better standards of IRCTC pantries, good food won’t be a problem, and you can savor every moment of the journey munching your favorite snacks. So if budget is a concern and time isn’t, then railways are the best option out there.
Our second option is the roadways. This option is for those who don’t like waiting for a cab on vacation or don’t like shifting luggage from one place to another every time you move. It is also best for those who like to go on long drives. Being in your vehicle gives you a lot of underrated freedom. One of the biggest advantages is you can stop or start at your convenience. You can take a break anywhere or anytime you feel like it. You can have lunch at your favorite cafe or QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) on the way. You can also try the local delicacies of the place and fantastic Dhaba food. The countryside views along the highways feel as great as the forest views, and in such a long journey, you will experience both. The only concern is the increasing fuel price, but still, it will be relatively cheaper than a flight, although somewhat more expensive than a train. Also, you can visit all the places in Goa without searching for a cab or a good car rental.
Another thing you should keep in mind is that the more people from your group can drive, the better it is. This is because driving, as enjoyable as it can be, is also tiring. And you may not enjoy the best vacation in a fatigued state. So make sure you are ready before signing up for it.
The third and the most expensive option on our list is taking a flight. Please note we are not mentioning buses as an option because there are very costly and rare direct buses to Goa. And the budget buses have to be changed repeatedly. So let’s look at our last resolve – flight.
There should not be an iota of doubt about the fact that it is the most expensive option. As covid SOP demands the airlines to run the flights at a lower capacity of passengers, individual ticket prices are soaring. But what we can do is make it optimally affordable. It can be the best option for us only if we don’t want to waste time traveling to the destination. We must look online for the most affordable flights to Goa. A connecting flight can be considered to save some money if the budget is tight. The next thing we must look for is offers and deals. New coupons and deals are coming up every other week, which can help us save some money. There are also much cash back and special discount programs for particular debit or credit cardholders. Before making a purchase, make sure you check it out. Some flights offer student discounts as well, so make the best use of that college id card. Try to book an early morning flight as they are cheaper in most cases.
Now that we know the options available, we can make the best and informed decision according to our budget and how much time we can spare. But we must keep some things in mind before we start packing. First and most important, COVID 19 outbreak is still not contained. So vacationing must be done with proper precaution. Standard operating procedures must be strictly followed. Masks and social distancing are a must. Make sure you consume good food and stay at properly sanitized accommodation. Don’t forget to take the best care of yourself while you are enjoying your dream vacation. Happy Holidays.
