I honestly can't see what the problem is with giving the porters a pound
for bringing cases to the taxi/ bus. It's easier than trying to juggle immigration slips, passport, tickets etc and finding taxi/bus whilst dragging your cases.
As far as the toilet attendants are concerned, when coming home just keep a few 10 rps notes for them.
As far as the little cafe affair in the airport if you get coffee and a samosa etc then you only pay about 200 rps but if you want pringles etc then they are imported and obviously cost more, answer, eat what the locals eat
The ladies on passport control can be daunting but i have found that a smile and a friendly word generally gets the same reponse from them, same with the ones doing the security checks.
But perhaps this is because I am an extremely handsome and attractive male who exudes sex appeal

Well said del !
I've never had a problem at the airport, apart from my bags being the last to be unloaded. Considering it's not an International Airport, I think they cope well with all the seasonal charter flights. I've waited in longer queue's in the USA the Carribean and Europe, Manchester was a nightmare last summer.
The porters are no worse than in Mexico and Dom Rep,and now that they are confined to outside the Terminal, you either take them , or a Very Firm No Thank You, works for me.
As the Terminal is so small there is no route march to baggage reclaim.
I have never been treated badly by any" Official" or asked for a bribe or tip. Which brings me to the thing about the Toilet Attendants, I always have tissues and handwipes ( who dosn't in India ) but I am more than willing to leave a small tip and some chocs, the beaming smile of gratitude is a joy to see.

ps---- I am not handsome nor do I ooze sex appeal, but I do treat everyone with the respect they feel they deserve

I have to say reading this thread has slightly killed my excitement for up forthcoming trip.

Dont let it worry you Raving Pixie, its all part of the Goan experience. Lots of us have been through it time and time again. Its not that bad really. Before you know it you are out of the airport into the sunshine and on your way to a fantastic holiday.

The airport is fine, its the gateway to a great holiday that you will never forget. If you have been to Delhi airport then Dabolim will seem like bliss! I found it very organised, clean, quiet, the porters didnt come near us when we got off the plane, we shunned the transfer coach, got a prepay taxi from outside, really cheap, and we were on our way to the beach before the rest of the people on our flight had even got out of the terminal. Look like you have been there before, and say that you have been there before, then you will get left alone.

Look like you have been there before, and say that you have been there before, then you will get left alone.

Golden rule in Goa, never tell taxi drivers, shops etc it's your first time in Goa, It's like all their dreams come true at once, they will rip you off Always say it's your 2nd/3rd time in Goa, normally does the trick as they probably think you've already been ripped off on your first trip and wont fall for it again

A very good point and post!

Yes it is a very good point to mention to first timers. I have yet to meet a taxi driver who didnt ask "Have you been to Goa before?"

One lad we have known for years who sells things on Baga beach was complaining in January because he couldnt find many first timers.
His exact words were "Everyone is like you, many time replays, you cant rip them off."

I have yet to meet a taxi driver who didnt ask "Have you been to Goa before?"

Probably the worse culprits of all

A good laugh is to tell a driver who is new to you that it is your first visit and sit back and listen to his suggestions as to where he can take you and how much etc.

Just a word of warning for anyone travelling from Goa to Delhi for the first time. The taxi drivers there are a total nightmare.They have to be seen to be believed. You need to be forewarned about the scams they get up to and the lies they tell. The taxi drivers at Dabolim are saints in comparison!

I dont know why stars have appeared in my previous post.
It wasnt a swear word.

hi, we are off to goa for two months in jan,flying ba to mumbai then air india to goa,has any one out there flown air india from mumbai to goa,and what did you think of the service.

We flew Air India but they do cancel flights if there is not enough people for the flight. Having said that they did delay another flight for us to join it.
Do check which airport you are going from - some go from the International termnal while others go from the domestic.
The flight is only 45 minutes so it does not really matter what the service is - there is only a bottle of water. The plane was probably slightly better than others.

The 2 airlines will megre soon, but for now it''s worth noting that Air India flights ALWAYS arrive and depart from international terminals, even domestic sectors.

There is only 1 Air India flight a week between Bombay and Goa so i suspect you are in fact referring to Indian Airlines, who have several flights a day. MOST are from the domestic terminal, but some do go from the international terminals (the ones that continue to/originate from the Gulf) so you must check.

Phil you are so right,
I always say Air India when I mean Indian Airways and get funny looks.

We have flown Air India and Indian Airlines. They were both ok, no problems except for the first time we used I.A. Going back to Goa from Bangalore we didnt know that you had to ring them 24 hours before flight to confirm that you would be flying. When we got to the airport we were told that they had cancelled our flight. There were some spare seats on the plane so they rebooked it for us. If the plane had been full we would have had to wait until the next day.

This airport was a complete disaster, if there was a flight leaving as soon as i got into the airport i woul have been straight back on it heading ome. lucky enough i had a great holiday the airport wont spoil it.

Flying in by charter is a madhouse but try flying in on scheduled and its a peice of cake... Try it just once.....