1) A couple of hours is enough, especially if you use the same airline right through. (they will not go without you)
2) Bombay unless you come via Doha
3) You need to collect it in Bombay to clear Customs. If you are with the same airline right through (basicall Jet or Kingfisher), you can hand it straight back in again.
4) You avoid Bombay (plus) but have to do all your clearances at the chaotic Dabolim (minus)
5) There were certainly Delhi to Goa flights last time I looked, but it doesnt really offer any advantages. Also will probably cost more and mean a much longer internal flight with the international one the same.

A flight from Delhi to Goa is about 3 hours and from Mumbai about 50 minutes. I have also known the flights between Delhi and Goa to stop at Mumbai to let people off and on and then continue to Delhi/Goa.

Try travelsupermarket.com or travel republic for a selection of flight prices and brokers

Just travelled with Jet via Mumbai only 90 minutes between flights and had no problems but no room for error if delays with baggage or customs

If travelling from Manchester it is sometimes one stop less to go via Doha but might be more expensive depending on when you buy your ticket

If you want to do the golden triangle is the only reason to go via Delhi

For a stay of less than 28 days you can go direct with a charter flight but have been silly prices with lots of extras to pay for

1 why not spend a day in mumbai see some sites spend a night in a hotel then travel on to Goa refreshed and with plenty of time to spare
2 mumbai airport is far better when it comes to immigration the difference between mumbai and dabolim is like heathrow and coventry
3 you will have to collect to go through customs but as stated its much better
4 avoiding dabolim immigration is a big plus
5 if going to delhi then staying over to see the taj would be well worth the extra 2hr flight
also remembering schedule flights are so much better leg room luggage and service After my first monarch flight to Goa i swore never again and been going by schedule ever since also works out that i get 3 weeks for the price of 2 which cant be bad
If youve been to Goa then im sure you know there are some great apartments you can rent for very resonable prices
Sharon

We are going DIY this year and are flying scheduled economy class instead of cattle class

Manchester - Delhi, Mumbai - Manchester. Going to Delhi then see Taj then got internal DIRECT flight Delhi to Goa. 3 sun soaked weeks in Goa, before another internal flight to Mumbai for couple of days before flying back home.

Have put further details on another link - http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=137920

Hope this helps

Alfi

thanks Sharon, , Chrisandalfi
Delhi and Agra is definately one possibility we are considering.

The other year we flew to Goa via Mumbai....
From my first step in Goa off the plane, it took me 13 mins to stepping into the taxi...(not the usual 1hr when arriving from UK)...

Well we have decided to do another package for 2011 instead of DIY.
Why?
Called in to pay balance of 2010 holiday and got chatting to salesperson who said that First choice had launched their winter 2010 holidays that morning. out of curiosity we asked "how much for 28 days"
So, we have 28 nights from Feb 1st, ex Manchester on Thompsons with extra leg room , at the Siver Sands in a superior room for £2400....equates to £300 per week each.
Well satisfied Thanks for all replies and advice/suggestions.

Once booked don't look back. If you are happy with the right price, right plane and right hotel now you will only ruin it by checking out what else is on offer later.
Enjoy, and all that anticipation time to savour it !!!!

That is a great price Del