Want to travel to Goa at a reasonable cost and still have extravagant fun? The question always lingers whether exploring Goa is a budget-friendly affair or more of an expensive destination to explore. Is Goa expensive in general? Well, to tell you the truth, it depends on your way of traveling. If you’re someone who wants convenience and looks for luxury and comfort, be sure to spend a lot on your Goa trip. But for budget travelers Goa is accessible. You just need to know-how.

Goa is one of the smallest states in India. The state inhabits a fusion of Portuguese and Indian culture. It is undoubtedly a magical travel destination with 36 beaches. From the parties on the beaches to have delicious meals, you can explore Goa at a reasonable cost.

Goa ticks all of the requirements for a perfect vacation destination. It offers a wide range of activities, including hiking trails, heritage hikes, and many more. You can choose a budget-friendly way to have an amazing time in Goa!

Goa is one of the frequent travel destinations for locals and foreigners, and it has always been a concern of many travelers about exploring Goa on a budget.

The amount of money you spend in Goa will be determined by the activities you participate in, the form of transportation you use, the time of year you visit, and the number of days you plan to spend there.

Guide To Travel Cheap In Goa

How To Reach Goa?

If you’re from India, you know the cheapest way to reach is by train. Trains are the most economical way to travel to Goa. Even though trains are easily available, you should always book your tickets a month prior. In the peak season, it’s quite difficult for your ticket to get confirmed.

If you’re lucky enough, you can sometimes find the best deals on flight bookings. You can always travel to Goa cheap in non-peak seasons. If you can bear some heat, it’s the best deal on your pocket.

A long road trip to Goa from Maharashtra and Karnataka is also an open option. You can have a thrilling drive. Moreover, you save on renting vehicles in Goa.

Choose your mode of transport according to the distance of your place. Find out well about the prices before making a move as you can use the rest of the money in other fun activities.

Budget Accomodation Is The Key

If you are a solo traveler, you can choose hostels or guest rooms over expensive hotels in Goa. Hostels are pretty well equipped with facilities that you find in a hotel these days. So, to save a few more bucks on stay, find a cheaper hostel.

Hostels and guest rooms in Goa are cheap, maybe Rs 200 per day (for longer stays like months). They are the best way for you to make good friends. Friends who can accompany you in your further endeavors.

Hotel room bills can put a dent in your pocket! Above all, hostels and guest rooms give you an option to add more activities to your list.

Also Read: Best Backpacking Hostels In Goa

Transport In Goa

What mode would cost you less?

The roads in Goa are well-equipped with frequent buses. They are the best economic way to travel on a budget in Goa.

While you may not be able to print a timetable from the internet, the names of each stop are posted on the front of all buses but are normally only in Hindi. Simply inquire with the passenger or the driver about the stoppage.

Your second option can be hiring a scooter. Scooters can be convenient for your pocket. On the other hand, you can also explore offbeat places of Goa. You can have your own set of favorite places every time you come to Goa.

Also Read: When To Find Cheap Flights?

Is Food & Drinks Cheap?

Oh, India’s delectable cuisine and its exorbitant costs! Food in Goa is significantly more expensive than elsewhere in India, but you can still get dinner for 50 INR-100 INR on the street.

When you are in Goa, you’d find yourself surrounded by astonishing cafes and their eye-catching ambience. You still have to choose the right place to eat. The local restaurants, which serves delicious local food are budget-friendly. But having said so, it is also necessary you try the luxurious meals once or twice to satisfy the cravings.

Local food is not only tasty but healthy for that weather you are walking in! Enjoy the best meals for a cheap price in Goa. You are surely gonna love all the Konkan cuisine. A thali generally ranges from 50 INR to 200 INR and can go up depending on the choice of your side dishes. If you are a sea-food lover, try the varieties once.

Cafes and restaurants serve the best of the cuisines. However, it could take you off track. Eating three times a day is a huge bill to your bank account.

Pub hopping is important!

Goa and no party make no sense! We all go to Goa to be party animals. Partying in Goa is quite reasonable as alcohol is comparatively cheaper than elsewhere in India. You’ll be amazed to see the price on the bottle label. Goa is famous for its party life and casinos.

Goa gives you the best of parties during peak season, from November-February the beaches are colorfully lit and the hooting noise creates a buzz in the state.

Things To Do In Goa

Not everything comes at a cost in Goa, for instance, most of the tourist spots are free to visit. Places such as Basilica of Bom Jesus (UNESCO world heritage site), Fontainhas (Latin Quarter), Arpora Saturday Night Bazaar, Anjuna Flea Market, Mahadeva Temple are completely free to visit.

There are a lot of bright and vivid markets, just like the rest of India. Window shopping, of course, is completely free. But it’s unlikely to finish there. So, where should you go when in Goa?

More than the parties and amazing DJ nights, some beaches are peaceful to sit and rejuvenate yourself from all the stress. You can explore your own ways and it’s not chargeable.

We are surrounded by information. You can take advantage of social media. Compare the price of hostels and transport on different websites. Gather information from friends who have recently traveled to Goa.

Goa is a hidden gem, this place has a bundle of things to discover. Step your foot out and witness the real beauty of Goa through affordable ways. If you have to walk, go along that way, you may see things, you would have missed on the bus or your own vehicle.

Your travel story is complete when you live with the culture closely, you embrace the beauty of its simplicity. Go local to travel for cheap in Goa.

Do You Still Think Goa Is Expensive?

Well, it is a perspective. People have spent way less than you can imagine and have stayed in Goa for a very long time. Travelers have volunteered in NGOs, hostels, hotels, bars and animal rescue centers to avoid accomodation costs. So, it depends on how you can become a budget friendly explorer in Goa.

If you need ideas, here are some:
1- Become a volunteer
2- Hitchhike and travel in Goa
3- Barter your skills for stay and food
4- Find couchsurfing places
5- Help setup a house of someone or a hostel
6- If you’re good at bartending, things become easier for you.
7- If you have connections with hostels, you can ask for commission (free stay) for taking more people along with you.

So, the next time someone asks you, “is Goa expensive”, tell them you can make it an expensive affair if you don’t have a hold on your budget. It is easy to spend a million in Goa in one night but difficult to spend only 800 a day. So, it totally depends on how you plan your trip.