Long article! You have been warned. Enjoy 🙂
The drive from Pune to Goa is something I have done multiple times. I manage to make one trip to Goa almost every year and I have driven the 500 km between these two places in a Thar Roxx and a 2022 Baleno. Since I have done the drive to Goa so many times, it made sense that I finally wrote about it. So, what you’ll read next is my take on the routes, the places to stay, the things to do and much more.
Pune to Goa: Distance, Best Routes & Alternatives
Like I said, the drive from Pune to Goa is about 500 km. The distance may change by 70-100 km depending on whether you are going to North Goa or South Goa. As you put your destination in Goa into Google Maps, you will see a couple of route options. I have driven most of them so let me tell you about the two I prefer. While these routes work for North and South Goa, I will use Cavelosim as my destination.
Pune to Goa via Belagavi
This is the route I would take while going to Goa. The drive will be largely uneventful during the first 370 km. there are plenty of fuel bunks and eateries along the way, so you won’t be starved for fuel or food. The main highway has been under maintenance for years now, so there are a lot of diversions along the way. I hope that by the time you travel you get a better experience.
The total distance via this route is about 500 km and it will take you roughly 10 to 12 hours of driving to cover the distance. The Pune to Goa route via Belagavi is the default route that Google Maps usually shows you. This is a good route to take because all the way up to Belagavi and then Khanapur it will be the Bangalore-Bombay highway. This will account for the first 370 km out of the 500 km drive.
At Khanapur, you need to be cautious because the turn off from the highway is not a big crossing or anything. It can come up quite suddenly if you are not paying attention. The moment you take this turn; the road will change. It will be narrow, one lane only, and for the next 1-1.5 km it will just be a rough path. Think twice before attempting it in the rains because the whole stretch turns into slush (I did it in a Baleno, so it is survivable).
At the end of this short rough patch, you will turn right onto the paved road. Now the road will remain narrow for some time, but the green part of the drive has started. You will drive through Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and eventually rejoin State Highway 7 which will lead you to Cavelosim. Fuel bunks in the forest area are obviously not available so my suggestion is that you fill fuel before you enter the green stretch.
Now let’s talk about the route for the return journey.
Pune to Goa via Amboli Ghats
Now THIS is the route to take. I usually keep this route as the return journey, sort of like the icing on the cake after a nice relaxing time in Goa. This route will also be around 470-500 km long depending on your destination.
To get on this route you’ll first need to set your route in Google Maps by entering Pune and Cavelosim (we’re still using this as our destination). Then add Amboli Ghats between them. The route will now show you heading south past Karad and Kolhapur then turning southwest into the green patch – that’s your route.
During the rains, this route turns very pretty with nice hill sections and driving past huge green grass pastures. If you are really lucky and get some rain on the way, then near the top of the climb you will also get some mist on the road. There are also a few places where you can stop to take pictures.
Amboli Ghats Tip: What I like to do is to cut off from the Kolhapur highway at Karad. That puts you on the state highways, the back roads. They are in much better condition than the main highway. They also have lesser traffic and better views and eventually link up with the Amboli Ghats route.
Pune to Goa via NH66 (The Mumbai – Goa route)
The route via NH66 is also the Mumbai-Goa route and yes, you can enjoy it even if you are leaving from Pune. This route offers is longer distance at around 560 km. To get to NH66 you can take the Tamhini Ghat route. To set it up on Google Maps add Pune and Cavelosim as your start and end points. Now use the “add destination” option to set Tamhini Ghat between Pune and Goa and Voila! Your route is set.
What you can expect from this route is a nice long steady 12-hour, or so, drive. It is in better condition than the Kolhapur route and has less traffic, so you move at a steady pace. There are plenty of fuel bunks and places to eat on this route too. The start will be going through Mulshi and Tamhini Ghats and the roads will be narrow. Once you hit NH66 it will be a 4-lane national highway. Overall, a nice drive.
Tip: Since the Kolhapur highway is constantly under maintenance and has too many diversions, you can use the Solapur route, but I won’t recommend it since it adds to the distance.
Tips for the 3 routes
One thing to note about all three routes is that they all give you access to both north and south Goa, so you don’t have to worry about extra driving.
Belagavi route: This can be the route you use to reach Goa. It is also the most convenient to take if your destination is in South Goa. The first 200-250 km of this route are under repairs, so it has a lot of diversions.
Amboli Ghat: This is best treated as the route back to Pune. It is always a nice drive but it’s at its best during the monsoon only. There are no fuel bunks or places to eat during the ghat section, so you need to plan ahead.
NH66: This is the middle ground route. It’s quieter, has less traffic and is generally pleasant as far as the scenery is concerned.
Night drive or day drive?
I know a lot of you prefer, or don’t mind, a night drive. Personally, I avoid night drives as much as I can for two simple reasons, one is visibility (darkness plus headlights) and the other is you don’t see any of the scenery. My suggestion is to drive down during the day, that way you get to enjoy the routes more. The best thing to do is to leave at around 4 or 5 in the morning. This allows you to pass through all the scenic spots in daylight and reach Goa by 5 or 6 pm.
North Goa vs South Goa
One big decision when planning a trip to Goa is where you plan to stay. North and South Goa are quite different. The north is more commercial and has most of the clubs around Baga, Calangute and Anjuna. The places are open till late in the night and there is a fair amount of crowd around. If that is your scene then the north is for you.
If, like me, you prefer a quieter vacation, then the South is the best because that is where the pace slows down a lot. Palolem is the more popular choice, but my favorite is Cavelosim. There’s just something about that place that is really relaxing. It also has a nice big open beach, but it has never been crowded when I went.
This does not by any means mean that the north doesn’t offer quiet places. You can always check out Vagator or Arambol too if you are looking for a quieter north Goa experience. If you plan to stay for more than 3 to 4 days, then my honest suggestion is to visit both the north and the south of Goa.
Places to stay
I have made multiple trips to Goa over the years and during those trips, I stayed in Anjuna, Vagatore, Palolem, Agonda and Cavelosim when visiting Goa. So, what I am going to do now is list out some of the places that I have stayed at in some of these locations and would go back to multiple times.
Holiday Inn Resort Goa by IHG – Cavelosim:
This is a 5-star resort that is right next to St Regis in Cavelosim. Just like any other such property, it offers a luxury experience with very comfortable rooms that have excellent views. Ours overlooked their lawn and the sea. The breakfast was included in our booking and was ample. They also have a bar and restaurant right on the beach which is perfect for a quite evening and a great meal. This place charges you around ₹10,000 per night.
Shikara Beach Resort – Cavelosim:
Just about 2 or 3 km before Holiday Inn is the Shikara Beach Resort. It offers you a very comfortable room with breakfast, once again, included. It is not a sprawling proper like the previous one, but it is brilliant, so long as you take a room on the first floor. That affords you a view of the beach and the sea. The beach is just a short 100 m walk away and there is a supermarket right next door where you can buy anything from alcohol to coffee. They charge somewhere around Rs.3,000 to 4,000 per night and honestly are worth it.
Akasa Goa – Palolem: This is one of my favorite places to stay in Goa. I have stayed here multiple times. The property is set around a garden with a pool in it. It is very lush and green. It is a short 10-minute walk away from Palolem beach. The thing I like is that their rooms are big and well maintained. Funnily enough, their bathrooms are also quite a feature because some of them overlook a wide-open green field behind the resort and some hills in the distance which make for quite a nice view. They also charge somewhere between ₹3,000 to 4,000 a night.
Sea Star Resort – Agonda:
This is a place that I stayed at during my last visit to goa. To be very honest, the best rooms are the ones on the first floor. The rooms themselves are comfortable with attached bathrooms. They also have a big balcony that overlooks the beach. Since this property is right on the beach, you step out straight onto the beach without having to travel too much. The best thing about this place is that they are pet friendly and Bella, Doodle and I had quite a comfortable stay here. They charged me around ₹5,000 a night.
All these places are ones I booked through Booking.com. The prices I have mentioned are from when I visited, so treat them as an indicator rather than a guarantee of cost. You’ll need to check the prices at the time you book these places.
Travelling within Goa
While I prefer to have my car with me because it makes the travel more convenient, most people end up renting a scooty (Vespa, Activa, Dio, etc.) or a car. My personal take on the options is that if you must rent, then take a two-wheeler simply because some of the roads within the towns and places are too narrow to take a car without a certain amount of anxiety.
You can rent a car if you are travelling with a family, or friends, and comfort mattes. However, my personal recommendation is to have a designated driver since you ARE in Goa, and you WILL end up drinking at some point or the other. When renting a car, keep in mind that some roads inside are very narrow and you will have to deal with them. I took my Thar Roxx to Agonda and while I didn’t become national news, it was really challenging maneuvering that big vehicle on road just as wide as the car, and traffic flowing both ways.
Renting a scooty would cost somewhere around ₹600 a day while renting a motorcycle will cost around ₹1,000 per day. Renting cars, however, costs more. It may start at around ₹1,200 a day for a small car like a hatchback and go up to ₹3,000+ a day for bigger cars like SUVs. These are approximate rates and will change depending on the vehicles chosen and the time it is hired for.
Quick tip: If you plan to travel between Cavelosim and Palolem, don’t take the main highway. Take the road that runs parallel to it. It is a properly pretty back road.
Things to do
Apart from all the party and kayaking, etc., Goa is great for some other activities too. This one is a bit on the nose but here’s my take.
Around North Goa you can get busy with some diving. Some of the dive sites around Vasco da Gama are Suzy’s Wreck, Shelter Cove, Bounty Bay, Sail Rock and Turbo Tunnel. To go diving you’ll need to get in touch with the dive schools around North Goa. It doesn’t matter if you are a licensed diver or not, the diving institute will arrange for the appropriate experience for you.
If you are looking to chill on the beach, then Palolem, Cavelosim, Patnim and Agonda, all are good for a walk to either end or to get into the water. Palolem, Patnim, and Agonda have a lot of shacks on them so you can even stop by for a beer and some snacks. Cavelosim also has some shacks but not as many as the others.
If you go to Palolem beach early in the morning, then you can see the fishermen all head out to sea. Wait around for a while and you’ll get to see them return with their catch. It’s quite fascinating and entertaining to watch them get the fish out of the net and sort it out.
For those of you who are staying at Akasa Goa, the road that goes directly away from it will take you to Patnim beach. I would walk it if I were you because the walk is a very pleasant one and takes a good 20 minutes. It’s quieter than Palolem beach and a nice place to just relax.
Another great thing to spend time on is to visit Butterfly beach. To get there, you need to drive up about 12 km north from Palolem. You will reach a point where you pay ₹100 and leave your car. From here you can either hire a Gypsy (they charge around ₹200 to take you and bring you back) to drive you the last 2 km to the beach or just walk it (I prefer to walk it). At the end of the walk you’ll come to a narrow path that leads to the beach.
The beach itself is slightly over a 100m long with steep rocky cliffs on either end. DO NOT get into the water here because it is a continental shelf which means that the bottom drops away suddenly and the surf is quite rough. There are also no stalls or shacks here so carry refreshments and for goodness’s sake DON’T litter.
Coming to eating out, I have only a few recommendations; two of them are in Cavelosim. The first is The Fisherman’s Wharf which is a short walk from Holiday Inn Resort. It serves amazing food and great cocktails. If you do eat here make sure to try Bebinca with vanilla ice-cream. It is located on the bank of the Sal River, so you get to see the entire fishing fleet on the opposite side of the river. The second recommendation is Mike’s Place which is walking distance from Shikara Beach Resort. They have live music every night and the ambiance is very casually and very friendly. The food is also brilliant and so is the alcohol selection.
If you are staying in Agonda then you can walk down to Samarsa by the Sea. The restaurant is on the beach, so you get a good soundtrack with the waves. This place is pet friendly so visiting them with your dogs is no problem (I took Bella and Doodle when I went there). Once again, the food and drinks are all top notch and the icing on the cake is that the owner is extremely friendly and welcoming.
Travelling to goa with dogs
So, is Goa pet-friendly? Short answer, yes, long answer, it really depends on the place you stay at. I took my dogs along when I went to Agonda and they had a whale of a time. We went for walks on the beach twice a day, visited Samarsa by the Sea, went to Butterfly Beach (halfway only, you’ll find out why in a bit). Unlike my fake retrievers, if your dogs love the water then you can get in the surf too.
Word of caution: there are two or three things you need to keep in mind while travelling to Goa with dogs. If you are travelling during the summers, don’t head out in the open during the day. The sun gets too hot and the dogs can overheat in no time. ALWAYS carry water for the dogs with you. The heat can dehydrate them in no time. There are a lot of stray dogs around; while they will mostly just bark at your dogs, they do roam around in packs and can attack so be careful. The best practice is to keep them on a leash. For adventures like Butterfly Beach, you can use a long leash so that they can roam a bit more freely.
Best time to visit Goa
Now this is where some divided opinions can crop up, so I’ll do my best to give as complete a picture as possible. There are basically three windows to visit Goa in: the summer, the rains and the season. Visiting Goa during the summers may not be much fun because of the heat, so I’d avoid this time (March to May).
For those of you who like a livelier experience, the best time is between November and February. This is the season for Goa when most people flock to the place. The thing to keep in mind during this period is that there will be a LOT of people travelling so early bookings and strict budgets are the best practice. During the season, prices across Goa go up, sometimes by as much as 3x.
The monsoon months, June to September, are my personal favorites. The season hasn’t started so there is no crowd. The rains have come so the temperatures are not as high. Overall, for my preferences in travel styles this is the best. The downside of this time is that the rain can spoil outdoor plans. Many of the beaches may restrict entry into the water because of tidal movements. The walk to Butterfly beach develops big water crossings, so walking may be challenging.
Flights between Pune and Goa
Why is an article about driving to Goa talking about flights? Because this is something I noticed during my last trip to Goa and can help you plan the Goa budget better. If you are travelling to South Goa, the new Manohar International Airport is nearly 100 km away. If you are using the Dabolim Airport the distance may be about 30 km shorter from places like Cavelosim, Palolem, Agonda, etc.
So, how do you manage the distance? Keep these two things in mind. Morning flights tend to land and take off from Manohar International Airport. Flights during the afternoons, nights, etc., tend to operate from Dabolim Airport. But this is only true as of the writing of this article and can change in the future. Second, when you book your flight, check which airport is mentioned in the flight details before making the payments. Manohar International Airport is GOX and Dabolim Airport, also sometimes called Goa International, is GOI.
You made it to the end! Congratulations and thank you for sticking around!
After the Pune to Coorg drive, my last trip to Goa was the second time I got to take the dogs on a long drive. If I had to sum up my trips to Goa, it’s this — I keep going back for the drive as much as the destination. There’s something about starting early, watching the landscape change, and eventually rolling into the slower, quieter pace of South Goa that just works. Add a few beach walks, some good food, and in my case, a couple of very happy dogs, and it’s hard to ask for much more. If you’re planning this trip, drive down — it’s a big part of the experience.
FAQ
Can you do the Pune to Goa Road trip in an EV (Electric Vehicle)?
Yes, you can drive from Pune to Goa in an EV. I know a person who did that drive in a Tata Nexon EV and never had any trouble. The only thing you should do is to check the locations of charging stations along your route.
Is the Pune/Mumbai Goa drive worth it?
The drive is worth it. It will take you through usual highway driving (the Bangalore Mumbai highway), Amboli Ghats (best during the monsoons) and forest sections. It is also a drive that sits in the sweet spot between too far and too close, which means you won’t drive for just a few hours, but you won’t drive for days either.
How long is the drive to Goa from Pune?
The length of the drive will be between 400-500 km. If you are going to North Goa, it will be around 400 km. South Goa will be a distance of around 500 km. The driving time from Pune will be around 12 hours.
Are 3 days enough for a trip to Goa?
Lots of people go to Goa for a weekend, including the travel, and if your aim is to drink, and chill on the beach in one place then yes, 3 days is enough. But if you want to visit multiple places during your trip then a solid 5 days to a week is a good idea. It would mean that you don’t have to rush around in the hot sun just to visit places.
Is the Mumbai to Goa road trip similar to Pune to Goa?
For the most part yes, however, there are some minor differences. From Pune, the default route is the Kolhapur highway then through Amboli Ghat or Belagavi. The Mumbai route goes via NH66 and is quieter and greener than the Kolhapur route. If you want you can also drive down NH66 by exiting Pune through Mulshi and Tamhini Ghats.
