usually allow the porters to collect the luggage and take it to the bus/taxi and give them a quid. maybe a days wages to other Goans but these guys wear a kind of uniform so I would imagine that they have to buy the rights to be a porter or pay someone off anyway. Besides which , after spendind around a £1000 for the holiday I have no intention of starting it by worrying about a pound

life is too short!!
del949

Hi Del949
As I said, we've always been happy to give the porters £1 to push the luggage trolley to the coach - I agree that it's important to get into the swing of your holiday as soon as possible, without getting uptight about possibly paying too much for a small service.

But, this chap DIDN'T have ANY intention of taking our suitcases to the coach. He just wanted paying for lifting them off the conveyer belt and placing them on the floor - a 'service' that I do not intend to pay for again!
We can't remember now if he was wearing a porter's shirt, so maybe he was just chancing his arm.

Regards

Pedro

They've stood around in 33 degree heat all day long.

They've, battled with everyone else that is doing the same to get try to earn some money a large percentage of which I don't doubt they have to pay out in bribes.

They've been used and abused by inconsiderate travellers.

They've saved me the bother of having to lug my cases around after 9 - 10 hours of being cooped up in an aluminium tube with stale air circulating and cramp in every muscle in my body.

They've pointed 1st time visitors in the right direction when we all know what the first imperssions can be like.

And like a lot of other Goans they live in abject poverty.

Are you sure £ 1 is too much to give them?

Yes, of course, I am sure that £1 is far too much. That is about 80 rupees!! You nearly brought me to tears!!

So when you leave the airport and get into Goa proper do you then tip proportionally?

Remember 100 rupees is about a day's wages to most. How much do you tip in a restuarant? How much do you tip taxi drivers? How much do you tip chambermaids etc etc.

Hi all!

I'm a daily reader of this site - as I cant wait to get on hols to Goa!!! - and find all the info posted on this site so helpful. However there are times that I get a lil bit nervous when reading some of the posts!

So when we arrive at the airport are we going to get harrassed by porters?? The thought of someone running off to get my bags - then not returning - scares the hell outta me!

Are they really pushy? I'm quite happy to start the whole tipping process one I've actually arrived at my hotel and got into my chill out mood, but after a 10 hour flight with hardly any leg room (finding it hard to find a flight that isn't with monarch!) and no cigs - I'll be a woman on the edge and don't really want to be put in a situation which will make me snap!! Saying that though I'm really a lovely person!!

Any advise would be fantastic. Thanks in advance!

Goldie xx

Honestly, no need to worry about the porters all you need to do is be firm, if anyone tries to help you with your bag just say NO thank you I can manage and take control of you bag. If they are persistant say that you don't have rupees or pounds and they will probably try someone else. Don't worry, Enjoy your visit.

Hi, don't worry, it isn't scary, just a bit frantic that's all. If you are firm with the porters this won't happen but we just let them take our cases and saw the funny side of it, it's all part of the experience and adds to the memories!

Agree with Whiskas , it's all part of the 'Goa' experience. Good fun , no one is aggresive or anything they are just poor and it helps to take a few £1 coins.

It was our first trip to Goa and had read about the airport etc. However one of our bags appeared to have gone missing. Once I had recovered the other three I walked around and found the bag had been taken off and the label removed. When I went to confirm the bag was one of ours a porter virtually jumped on me and dragged it off. Similarly porters surrounded my wife and two children and virtually ambushed the bags. I had saved some £1.00 coins to tip in the airport but ran out. I had to give one lad 50p. He followed me round for five minites demanding more money untill I finally lost it and told him were to get off. After a fantastic holiday we returned to the airport a little more chilled and alot wiser. This time with the assistance of the Rep manged to keep hold of our own bags.

..........And relax..... thanks guys!

Good point - it will just add to our first goan experience and I'm more then happy to give them a few quid for adding to our memories!

hi guys has anybody had the experience of flying to mumbai from the uk and then onto goa,was it very busy etc,a bit of a shock to the system,easy to claim baggage,easy to get to the check in desks to goa,do you have to travel to another domestic airport by taxi if so how much etc etc etc any advice whatsoever would be appreciated or is it a lot less stress free just getting on a charter package helpppppppp

Hi Andy,
I fly in and out of Mumbai all the time to and from Goa and I wouldn't do charter ever again.

Schedule flights are far more comfortable (even in cattle class), rarely in my experience are there delays.

Mumbai Airport is fine, just remember your mossie cream cos they hunt in packs, and take a jacket, it's A/C city and I always find it uncomfortably cold.

I always fly Emirates via Dubai, the Manchester - Dubai leg is usually quiet so I manage to hog four seats to myself. Dubai - Mumbai is usually very busy but it's a short flight (3 1/2 hrs) so no probs.

Never had a bag lost or tampered with and baggage claim area in my experience has always been empty, quick and plenty of trolleys.

There are2 Airports in Mumbai. If you fly in from UK, you land at the International Airport (Chatrapathi Shivraji) but leave from the Domestic Airport (Santa Cruz) to go to Goa. Airports are on 2 seperate sites which are quite close together depending on the traffic outside. If you get the free Jet Airlines bus the bus cuts across the interior of the airport (that's what happened when I flew with Jet), however if you are flying with a domestic airline that doesn't offer a free bus to the domestic airport you have to take a taxi. Taxi's are not permitted to drive thru the interior of the airport so have to go around.......confusing!!!
Prepay taxis are available and are the best bet to ensure that you don't get ripped off
Hope this helps?? but if not have a look at their website
http://www.mumbaiairport.com

Goldenflipflop xx

hi golden flip flop what a belting user name many thanks for your reply which has reassured me lots it was a bit daunting thinking i was landing in one of the most populated cities in the world but you have put my mind at rest a little many thanks anybody else with experiences would be most intresting to hear thanks

Hi Andy,
Glad I've put you at ease. I was really worried the 1st time I hit mumbai but it was no probs.
If you need recommendations on Airport Hotels or local airlines for your internal flight feel free to PM me.
Cheers, GFF xx

I too flew Manchester - Mumbai via Dubai then on to Goa with Jet , no problems at all, worst part is the arrivals, it can be very slow sometimes but its no big deal. Once you get through there is a money change place, worth getting £20 changed for when you get to Goa(its right opposite you as you head towards the exit).
Once outside, there will be a mass of people waiting, if you turn right you will find the shuttle buses lined up there to take you to the domestic terminal. The domestic airport isn`t too bad although quite a few security checks before you get on the plane. Up in the air, a quick curry, rice and a roti and then its touch down in Goa after about 50 mins.
Because you have already filled in your paperwork to get into India its a very quick pick your bags off the carousel then outside to the pre pay taxi stand. Personally I enjoy the experience of the planning and it`s great when it all falls into place, I would recommend you do it as it`s not as much hassle as it may seem, plus you get a glimpse of Mumbai on your way to the other terminal(which can be a scary with its abundant poverty) ............. Enjoy

Hi just looked at Air Deccan site and we can get return flights to Goa from Mumbai for £89.00 for 2 people for the following dates 26/12/06 returning 14/01/07; i know you get what you pay for but can anyone give me some information about Air Deccan and their flights.

many thanks

Jayne

Hi Jayne
As far as i know they are fine, just a low cost no frills , one of a few that have sprung up in recent years, also there is spicejet they also do cheap fares Bombay Goa
Chilly

Hi Everyone,
This year for the first time we are thinking of flying to Mumbai and then down to Goa.

Can anyone give us a few hints on arrival at Mumbai as to how much time we need to allow for connections etc etc Is it a different terminal?

Sorry if the questions been asked but can't seem to find any answers at all.

Regds
Boyd

I just asked the same question on another forum.I was told to give yourself about 90 minutes to transfer,as you have to go from another terminal.

john