Kochi to Goa

About the city:

About the city:Beautiful palm fringed beaches, Portuguese architecture, a happening nightlife and peace and tranquility- that’s Goa for you. One of India’s most popular holiday destinations, Goa has something for everyone.

Airports and Railways: The Dabolim Airport lies 29 kilometers away from the state capital of Panaji. The airport is well connected by regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi. The two main railway stations in Goa are the Madhgaon Junction (39 kilometres from Panjim), Vasco- Da- Gama Railway Station (28 kilometres from Panjim) and Dabolim Railway station (25 kilometres from Panjim). All these stations are well connected by trains from the rest of the country.
There are various public as well as private bus operators in Goa that provide inter-state and intra-state connections. KSRTC, MSRTC and KTC are some of the government transport corporations that operate from Panaji, Madgaon and Vasco Da Gama. There are also many private bus operators such as Neeta Tour and Travels, Paulo Travels and Naik Tours and Travels that operate bus services to and from cities like Mumbai and Pune.

Hotels and Restaurants: Some of Goa’s finest hotels include Estrela Do Mar Beach Resort, Deltin Suites, Neelam’s The Grand and Resort De Alturas. All these hotels provide comfortable accommodations along with scenic views.Goa is a food lovers’ paradise and is particularly famed for its fresh and delicious seafood. Some of Goa’s most popular restaurants include Mum’s Kitchen, Fiesta, Britto’s and Alfama to name a few. Some of the dishes you must try in Goa include Pork Vindaloo, Crab Xacuti, Kingfish Curry, Goan Prawn Curry and Bebinca.

Markets: Goa has many interesting options for shopping and some of Goa’s popular shopping haunts include Mapusa Market (for spices, fruits and homemade pickles), Anjuna Flea Market (for clothes, footwear, beachwear and local handicrafts), Arpora Saturday Night Bazaar (for spices, carpets and embroidered textiles) and Calangute Market Square (for sarongs, trinkets, metal, leather and clay items).

City Transportation: Taxis are a great way of getting around the city. You can either hire a cab in advance, or book one directly from the airport, or railway station. Another popular way of getting around Goa is by hiring bikes, scooters, or cars. Vehicles for hire are easily available all through Goa and all you need is an ID proof to hire one.

Must-See Places: Some of the places you must visit on your Goa trip are Baga Beach, Anjuna Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fort Aguada and Chapora Fort.

Climate of Goa: Mid-November to Mid-February are the winter months in Goa and is the most pleasant time to visit. March to May are the hotter months and not many tourists visit during this time. June to October are predominately the monsoon months.

About the city:

About kochi

Kochi, or Cochin as it was until recently known as officially, came into existence in 1340 AD, after a massive flood in the Periyar River, which destroyed the world-renowned port of Cranganore. The flooding caused the formation of a natural harbour at Kochi. Kochi always had the strategic advantage over other sea towns on the Western Ghats due to the international seafaring route between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Owing to foreign and domestic rules, Kochi gradually developed into a major centre for trade, trading in high-quality spices like pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. The Portuguese ruled the land, which was called Cochin back then, from 1503, and the city was the first European Colony in India. The rulers built the Fort Emmanuel. In 1653, the Dutch invaded Cochin and took over the reins of the city from the Portuguese in 1663 and built the Fort Williams. However, the Dutch were soon defeated by the Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It wasn’t until 1814, much after the British annexed most of India, that Cochin became a part of the East India Co. and the British Empire in general. Its spices made Cochin the baseline for British interest in this port. In 1956, after independence, the state of Kerala was formed by uniting the provinces of Cochin, Malabar, and Travancore. Cochin, or now Kochi, is a part of the Ernakulam District, which is a merger of various places including Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Kanayannur Taluk, and other nearby villages.

How to reach Kochi

• Kochi By Air

– The Cochin International Airport is the main airport serving the city of Kochi, which is 29 kilometres from the main city centre. All major domestic and International carriers operate flights to Kochi on a daily basis. One of the first in the world to operate completely on solar energy, the Cochin International Airport is also one of the busiest airports in the country in terms of international traffic.

• Kochi By Rail

– The Southern Railways, a regional branch of the Indian Railways, connects Kochi to all major cities across India by means of superfast and fast trains. There are two major railway stations in Cochin – Ernakulam Town Station and Ernakulam Junction; most inbound trains halt at either of these stations.

• Kochi By Road

– Kerala has a very strong network of buses run by the state transportation board, the Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC), as well as private buses for connectivity within the state. The states connected through KSRTC bus services include Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka. Air-conditioned deluxe Volvos ply regularly from Kochi to cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Trivandrum.

What to do in Kochi

Kochi is a vibrant shoreline city in the Indian coastal state of Kerala, with the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. It was initially known as Cochin under the colonial rule. Kochi lies on the south-western coastline of the Indian Peninsula, with a breath-taking sea view and natural beauty. The establishment of this city dates back to the 1500s when the Portuguese landed here; further colonization of the city resulted in a diverse set of culture and traditions for the city that have been thriving even in the current era. Kochi has been under the influence of various cultures such as the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Chinese, the Arabs, and ultimately the British, and the remnants of the cultures show from the Dutch cemetery and Portuguese and British architecture in the city to the famous Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi. Kochi has always had strategic importance as a port, which gave the city the name “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. Casually, Kochi is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. This port city has been given many other names such as “Mini England” (British), “Homely Holland” (Dutch) and “Little Lisbon” (Portuguese). Geographically, Kochi lies in proximity to the equator; but the seas and the nearby mountains make it a place where one can enjoy moderate, equatorial weather conditions. Kochi is not a very big town; however, this is a great place to start exploring the beauty that is the state of Kerala. Here are some of the top things to do when in Kochi:
1. Sri Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
2. Kerala Kathakali Centre
3. LuLu Mall
4. Kerala Folklore Museum
5. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
6. Edappally Church Complex
7. Mattancherry Town and Palace
8. Jew Town
9. Paradesi Synagogue
10. Cherai Beach
11. Marine Drive
12. Church of Saint Francis
13. Chinese Fishing Nets
14. Vallarpadam Church
15. Hill Palace, Tripunithura
16. Ernakulatthappan Temple
17. Princess Street
18. Fort Kochi Beach
19. David Hall Gallery & Cafe
20. Subhash Park
21. Bhoothathankettu Dam & Reserve Forest

Major Airports in and near Kochi

Cochin International Airport is the main airport serving people taking flights to Kochi or from Kochi. Major domestic and international fliers de-board here to travel to Kochi and other nearby cities. MakeMyTrip offers a wide range of flights to Kochi. One can easily use the website to book a flight to Kochi or from Kochi. MakeMyTrip flights to Kochi can be availed at highly discounted rates during festivals and off seasons.