Two ways to drive to Goa
Most Pune to Goa tempo traveller trips take the inland route: the Pune–Bengaluru highway (NH48) through Satara and Kolhapur, then west via the Amboli ghat to Sawantwadi and into North Goa. It is the most predictable route, with good highway for most of the distance and plenty of places to eat.
The other option is the Konkan route on NH66, coming down from the Sahyadri ghats to the coast and running south through Chiplun, Ratnagiri district and Sindhudurg. It is greener and more scenic, but expect more towns, more turns and a slower average speed. Some groups take one route going and the other coming back.
Breaking the journey
Ten-plus hours is a long day for children and elders. Two easy ways to make it lighter:
- Stop at Kolhapur for Mahalakshmi temple darshan and the famous Kolhapuri food, and stay the night. See our Pune to Kolhapur tempo traveller page.
- Pause at Amboli, a small hill station at the top of the ghat. In the monsoon its waterfalls line the road.
Whatever you choose, plan to come down the ghat in daylight. It is safer and the views are a bonus.
Seeing Goa with your own vehicle
Goa is spread out, and taxis for a large group add up quickly. Having your own tempo traveller means you can do North Goa beaches one day, Old Goa and Panaji the next, and a South Goa beach day after that, all on your own schedule. The driver waits while you swim, shop or eat, and your bags stay safely in the vehicle between stops.
Old Goa is worth a slower morning. The Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral stand close together, and nearby Panaji’s Fontainhas quarter has colourful old Portuguese-style houses that are lovely to walk through.
Peak season or off-season
Goa changes a lot through the year. From November to February the weather is at its best, beach shacks are open and the state is full of visitors, so hotels fill fast and roads around Calangute and Baga get jammed in the evenings. Christmas and New Year are the busiest of all.
The monsoon months are the opposite. Goa turns deep green, crowds thin out and hotels are quieter, but the sea is rough, many shacks close and swimming is unsafe. A monsoon Goa trip is more about long drives, waterfalls, churches and food than beach time. Either way, the drive itself needs extra care in rain, so allow more time on the ghats.
Getting the group and vehicle size right
A Goa trip means luggage for four or five days, so do not fill every seat. A group of 10 to 12 travels comfortably in a 17 seater. Bigger friend groups or two families together can take a 20 or 26 seater. Our group trip planning checklist helps with the rest.
Pricing for an inter-state trip
Pricing is per km with a daily minimum distance. On a Goa trip, toll, parking, the Goa state permit and driver allowance are usually extra. See the price page for current rates, and WhatsApp us your dates for a full quote.